Spiritual Growth - IVB

Habits For Spiritual Growth – Part Two

Having looked at some behavioral habits we now want to look at some functional habits. That leads us to our next point, in which we assemble together with the church. Yes, we have already mentioned the habit of assembling with Christians. But that was in connection with your personal spiritual growth. If we are to reach our functional goals, it will be within the framework of the local church. Through frequent assembling with the church we become familiar with identities and needs of other members. We learn what functions are needed in the body of Christ – see Ro 12:3-8. We are given opportunity to be of service to one another. -- The habit of going to church is essential if we are going to be of much use to the Lord's church; otherwise, we cannot be counted on for much service.

Participation in the work of the church such as the habit of participating in the assemblies of the church, teaching classes, preaching, Bible reading, leading singing., ushering, counting attendance, and serving the Lord's Supper is where a young man or new Christian desiring to grow might develop the habit of participating in the following activities, starting with what is easy and progressing to the more difficult:
1) Serving on the Lord's table
2) Reading Scripture
3) Leading the closing prayer
4) Leading the opening prayer
5) Serving as usher, welcoming and seating visitors
6) Presiding at the Lord's table
7) Making announcements
8) Extending the invitation
9) Leading singing
10) Teaching the adult classes
11) Preaching sermons
Participation in the work of the church such as the habit of providing for other services needed in the church such as greeting visitors, ministering to the sick, encouraging the weak, and teaching the gospel to the lost. Or the more mundane chores of cleaning the building, providing maintenance for the building and grounds, or preparing the Lord's Supper. All of these are area where one can grow and be of service to others. -- If we hope to reach our functional goals in which we are useful to the Master, then we need to make participation in the work of the church a habit!

Finally, a thought or two about congregational habits and what the leaders need to do. Participation in functional roles is more likely when members are aware of what needs to be done. A congregation can encourage spiritual growth by clearly defining what functional roles are available for service. -- A congregation needs to be in the habit of letting its members know what kind of functional roles are available.

A congregation needs to provide opportunities to learn, to serve, and thereby grow a need to be provided - 2 Ti 2:2 “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Such as, providing training classes to develop the various abilities of the membership. Making sure those trained are making good use of their abilities. The habit of developing a duty roster can assist in this, in which people are assigned to serve in various capacities, making sure that all who wish to serve are given opportunities. By sharing to various responsibilities all the members will have an opportunity to serve rather than just a few doing the work all of the time. -- Each congregation should have some habitual way of training and involving its members in the work and worship of the church.

A congregation should also be in the habit of encouraging spiritual growth by encouraging participation in activities of service. One good habit is to let the inexperienced gain experience; for example, allowing those who desire to preach the opportunity to do so. Such as providing one night a month for them to preach. Such as encouraging them to do fill-in preaching for neighboring congregations. -- A congregation should have the habit of encouraging participation, even if it means utilizing those who are inexperienced, nervous or awkward, even if it means letting them go to serve elsewhere as the need arises.

In conclusion, remember, goals are obtained whenever good habits are established.... The creation of good habits sets the stage for spiritual growth. As spiritual habits are developed, spiritual growth is incremental but steady. Wholesome and well-rounded spiritual growth occurs wherever:
An individual develops both behavioral and functional habits that will help them along to reaching their behavioral and functional goals.
A congregation promotes habits that will encourage participation in its work, especially in helping Christians develop their functional goals in the body of Christ.
Are we developing the kind of habits that will help us grow spiritually?