STEP ELEVEN – Spiritual children
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God intended for the church to be a place of relationships. Discipleship requires relationships and relationships require transparency. Our main focus then during the child phase is CONNECT. There are three essentials needed for the spiritual child to grow: connecting to God, connecting to a small group (family), and connecting to a purpose.
As a disciple-maker we need to build a relationship with the spiritual child in order to help him/her connect in these three ways. Here are some of the ways we can do that:
- Taking time in your schedule to get to know them
- Listening to their story
- Sharing personal stories so they can relate to you
- Checking up on their well-being
- Holding them accountable for applying what they are learning about being a Christian
- Empathizing as they experience “growing pains”
Jesus spent time with His disciples. He walked, talked, ate, prayed, cried, ministered and traveled with them.
List ways you will be more intentionally relational with some of the spiritual children God has placed in your life.
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Connecting spiritual children with God requires that you must be connected to God in a deep, abiding relationship. You cannot help others grow in their relationship with God when you don’t. It starts with you.
Spiritual children can grow in their relationship with God by going to church, worshipping together, and be part of a small group. It is here that they learn to understand God’s Word and know His will for their lives.
Some of the things that spiritual children need to learn in order to grow in their relationship with God:
- God hears and answers prayers.
- Other Christians can help us to relate to God.
- Corporate worship can help us connect with God.
- The Word of God provides direction for our lives.
We also need to connect spiritual children with their spiritual family (church/small group). Read Hebrews 3:12-13 & 10:24-25. Why is it necessary to meet with a small group?:
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We meet together so that we can encourage one another, spurring one another towards love and good deeds.
If a spiritual child is only a Sunday morning spectator and not connected to a small group, what do you think will happen to him?
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He or she would probably never become a disciple-maker themselves and always be just a spectator. What are some of the things in a small group that will help the spiritual child grow?
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- You can give encouragement
- Point him or her to biblical truth
- Genuinely care for the person
- Confront him or her and point out specific sins
- Hold him or her accountable
- Give grace and support
- Help the person be aware of temptations
- Bear with the person as he or she grows