Our 20s/30s class has been watching Andy Stanley’s 5 Things God Uses to Grow Your Faith DVD (You can actually watch the messages at that link). He has observed over time and through talking with many people that there are 5 common factors that God predominantly uses to grow our faith. Here is his list:
- Practical biblical teaching
- Providential relationships
- Private disciplines
- Personal ministry
- Pivotal circumstances
I think that is a pretty good list. Nearly anything I can come up with falls into one of those five categories. What I think is interesting about this list was that it lines up perfectly with a conversation Missy and I once had with Curt Sparks who preaches at Overland Park in Kansas. He was preaching at Sycamore View Church of Christ in Memphis at the time. Missy and I had dinner with Curt and his wife in hopes of getting some guidance and wisdom about some ministry decisions we had to make. At some point in his advice I believe all 5 of these things came up. So to me this is more than a list of how to get our faith bigger. This is actually a list of things that help guide us where God wants us to go. Does it get any more practical than that? Does it get any more helpful than getting a better grip on discerning the will of God?
When it has come to your faith, have you seen these five things in play? What has God used to grow your faith and what advice would you give to someone who wanted to draw in closer with God?
