To grow spiritually, one must create a spiritual growth plan, focus on next steps, and take action. A spiritual growth plan involves loving God and others, as Jesus taught. It is important to focus on next steps of obedience to God's word rather than just listening. Taking action requires training through spiritual disciplines. The document encourages creating a plan, focusing on next steps, and taking action to grow spiritually.

1. Spiritual Growth Steps Horton Road Church of Christ February 14, 2010

2. Our physical health does not improve without planning and action Neither does our spiritual health

3. To grow spiritually, create a spiritual growth plan

4. Follow Jesus' advice to love God and love others Lawyer: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus: “What is written in the Law?” Lawyer: “Love God and Love my neighbor.” Jesus: “Do this and you will live.” (Luke 10:25-28)

5. Create a spiritual growth plan Jesus: “Which one was a neighbor to this man?” Expert: “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus: “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37)

6. To grow spiritually, focus on the “ next steps” of your plan

7. Spiritually lazy people enjoy the word but do nothing about it “ Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.” (James 1:22)

8. Apply God's word by focusing on next steps for obedience “ Do what [the word] says.” (James 1:22)

9. To grow spiritually, take action on your plan

10. Taking action requires training and discipline “ Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

11. Take action with these training exercises “ Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.... Watch your life and doctrine closely.” (1 Timothy 4:12, 16)

12. What is your “next step”? Create a plan Focus on next steps Take action

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