This document discusses the Christian growth mindset. It defines a growth mindset as believing one's talents can develop through effort. Jesus exemplified this mindset through service, such as preaching to the poor. The document encourages cultivating a growth mindset through guidance from elders, service to others, and using stories relevant to one's own culture to spread the gospel. Pursuing a growth mindset is important for progressing one's faith and becoming more like Christ.

1. CHRISTIAN
GROWTH MINDSET
THE MIND OF CHRIST

2. WHAT IS A GROWTH MINDSET?
• “ Individuals who believe their talents can be developed (through hard work,
good strategies, and input from others) have a growth mindset” (Dweck, 2016)
• Jesus mirrored this mindset in His ministry and we are called to have “the mind of
Christ” (Phi. 2:5, NKJV)
• A growth mindset grows. It is progressive and persistent and is constantly seeking
to learn and change.

3. THE OPPOSITE
OF A GROWTH
MINDSET
Figure 1. Fixed mindset vs. growth mindset
Rio School District, Dweck, C. (n.d.). Fixed
Mindset vs. Growth Mindset. Retrieved June 6,
2019, from https://rioschools.org/fixed-
mindset-vs-growth-mindset/

4. GROWTH MINDSET THROUGH SERVICE AND STRATEGY
• Christ exemplified His growth mindset
through service. He “preached to the
poor, healed the broken, and brought
liberty and freedom”. (Luke 4:18)
• We can show our growth mindset the
same way. Volunteering with a church,
joining a non-profit, or finding our own
creative outlets are great places to
start.
• Jesus taught in parables that related to
His community and culture. Using
stories including farming, fishing, and
money He connected to 1st century
Israel.
• How can we relay the gospel to our
postmodern culture in a way they will
understand? What about stories, or
parables, about media and
entertainment, travel and adventure, or
the “average” nine to five job.
Service Strategy

5. GROWTH
MINDSET
THROUGH
GUIDANCE,
COUNSEL, AND
INSTRUCTION
• We see Jesus growing and strengthening Himself for
ministry through listening to holy and reverent
advice. “For I have not spoken on My own authority;
but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command,
what I should say and what I should speak. And I
know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore,
whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I
speak” (John 12:49-50).
• Do you have elders and teachers willing to guide you
and cultivate your talents and skills?
• Authority is a good thing in our lives. We can never
learn too much or have too much wisdom and we
should learn to listen to those who have gone before
us.

6. WHY PURSUE A GROWTH MINDSET?
• Cultivating a holy Christian growth mindset is deeply important in progressing our
faith and relationship with Jesus Christ, and it gives us a "richer sense of who we are,
what we stand for, and how we want to move forward" (Dweck, 2016)
• Without a growth mindset, we will stagnate and stay where we are. Jesus is urging us
forward, to change and to grow, to become more like Him and not stand still in our
faith.
• A growth mindset takes hardship head on. The stronger our minds are, the stronger
we are in trials and troubles.
• The biggest reason? Jesus had one. We are commanded by God to “have the mind of
Christ” (Phi 2:5, NKJV).

7. REFERENCES
Dweck, C. (2016, January 13). What Having a "Growth Mindset" Actually Means.
Retrieved June 6, 2019, from https://hbr.org/2016/01/what-having-a-growth-
mindset-actually-means
Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset. Retrieved June 6, 2019, from
https://rioschools.org/fixed-mindset-vs-growth-mindset/