Intentional Growth: Transforming Lives Through Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Growing in Faith Requires Intentional Effort

Spiritual growth does not happen by accident; it requires us to move beyond comfort and stagnation, choosing instead to engage with God and do the hard work of becoming who He has called us to be. When we step out in faith, participate in community, and open ourselves to new experiences, we allow God to shape us into the likeness of Jesus. This journey is not just about attending church or hearing sermons, but about letting God change us from the inside out, so that our lives reflect His love and purpose. [39:38]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV)
"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have settled for spiritual comfort instead of growth? What step can you take today to intentionally pursue growth in that area?

Day 2: Your Story Matters and Can Encourage Others

Every person’s story is valuable and has the power to encourage others in their faith journey. When we share our experiences—both struggles and victories—we remind others that they are not alone and that God is at work in every life. God wants to use your story to inspire hope, build community, and even reach those who do not yet know Jesus. Don’t underestimate the impact your testimony can have on someone else’s journey. [01:13:06]

Psalm 107:2 (ESV)
"Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble."

Reflection: Who is one person you can share a part of your story with this week, trusting that God can use your experience to encourage them?

Day 3: God is God and We Are Not

It is easy to fall into the trap of setting our own expectations and trying to control outcomes, but true transformation comes when we surrender to God’s sovereignty and trust Him to do what only He can do. Recognizing that God is God and we are not frees us from the pressure of self-reliance and opens us to His power, healing, and faithfulness. When we let go of our need to control, we make space for God to move in ways we could never imagine. [01:14:04]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: What is one expectation or area of control you need to surrender to God today, trusting that His ways are higher than yours?

Day 4: God Gives Dreams and Gifts to Each of Us

God places unique dreams and gifts in every heart, inviting us to partner with Him in His work. Sometimes we may wonder what our purpose is or feel unsure about the gifts we have, but God is faithful to reveal and awaken these in us as we seek Him. When we ask God to stir up new passion and show us how to use our gifts, we become active participants in His story, impacting our lives and the lives of others. [01:14:43]

Romans 12:6-8 (ESV)
"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness."

Reflection: What is one gift or dream God has placed in your heart that you have not yet acted on? How can you take a step to use it this week?

Day 5: Community and Connection Are Essential for Growth

Spiritual growth flourishes in the context of community, where we are encouraged, challenged, and supported by others. Whether through prayer, shared activities, or simply being present with one another, God uses relationships to help us grow and discover more of who He is. Stepping out of your comfort zone to connect with others can lead to unexpected friendships and opportunities to both give and receive encouragement in your faith journey. [01:18:01]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally connect with someone in your church community this week to encourage their faith and allow them to encourage yours?

Sermon Summary

This morning, the focus is on the importance of growth in our journey with Jesus. While belonging and hope are foundational, it’s easy to become stagnant after accepting Christ, settling into comfort rather than pursuing transformation. Growth requires intentionality and sometimes hard work, but it’s through this process that we begin to discover who God has truly created us to be. The desire is not just for people to attend church and leave unchanged, but to see lives transformed, becoming more like Jesus in every area.

Opportunities to grow are woven throughout our community—not just on Sundays, but through weekly gatherings, prayer meetings, and times of connection. Whether it’s joining a rec night, participating in morning prayer, or simply having conversations with others, these moments are designed to help us connect, belong, and take steps forward in faith. Even the stories shared by five volunteers today serve as reminders that every story matters. God is at work in each life, breaking down strongholds, stirring up dreams, and inviting us to trust Him with our gifts and our future.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of setting our own expectations and missing what God wants to do. Sometimes, we need to be reminded that God is God, and we are not. He is the giver of dreams, the faithful one, and the healer. Our role is to come to Him with open hearts, ready to be used, and willing to let go of self-imposed limitations. As we do, we discover that our stories—no matter how ordinary they may seem—can encourage others and point them to Jesus.

For those who are new to faith or considering following Jesus, there are resources and people ready to walk alongside you. Whether it’s a 21-day guide, a conversation with someone who’s been where you are, or the next step of baptism, you’re invited to take a step forward. And for everyone, the invitation is to stay connected, allow God to continue working, and remember that growth is a lifelong journey. As we celebrate together, build relationships, and pray for one another, we trust that God is not finished—He’s only just begun.

Key Takeaways

1. Growth Requires Intentionality and Openness True spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident or by simply attending church. It requires a willingness to do the hard work of self-examination, to step out of comfort zones, and to pursue transformation. When we intentionally seek to grow, we begin to see who God has truly created us to be, moving beyond stagnation into a life marked by purpose and change. [39:38]
2. Your Story Has Power and Purpose Every person’s story matters, no matter how ordinary or broken it may seem. Sharing our journeys—both the struggles and the victories—can encourage others, build faith, and remind us that God is at work in every life. When we are vulnerable and courageous with our stories, we become instruments of hope and healing for those around us. [73:06]
3. Let Go of Self-Imposed Expectations Often, we set expectations for ourselves that can actually hinder us from encountering Jesus as He truly is. Recognizing that God is God and we are not frees us from the pressure to perform or control outcomes. Instead, we can approach God with humility, asking Him to reveal His dreams and purposes for our lives, and trusting Him to do what only He can do. [74:04]
4. God Invites Us to Partner with Him God is actively at work, breaking down strongholds and stirring up new dreams in our hearts. He invites us to partner with Him—not by striving in our own strength, but by being available and willing to use the gifts He’s placed within us. As we surrender our plans and partner with the Holy Spirit, we become part of God’s ongoing work of transformation in our lives and in the lives of others. [74:43]
5. Community and Connection Fuel Growth Spiritual growth flourishes in the context of community. Whether through prayer, shared activities, or simply lingering after service to connect, these moments of togetherness create space for God to move. By stepping out, building relationships, and allowing others to speak into our lives, we open ourselves to deeper growth and the joy of journeying together.

** [78:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction and Announcements
[02:15] - The Importance of Growth
[05:10] - Opportunities to Connect During the Week
[08:45] - Morning Prayer and Kids Camp Recap
[12:20] - Praying for Other Churches
[14:00] - Video from Pastors Jonah and Nicole
[16:05] - Introducing the Five Speakers
[17:00] - Personal Stories: Raphon, Joshua, Chris, Katie, Lucy
[73:06] - The Power of Sharing Your Story
[74:04] - Letting Go of Expectations
[74:43] - Praying for New Dreams and Gifts
[75:54] - Responding to God’s Invitation
[76:37] - Prayer and Next Steps
[78:01] - Baptism and Community Celebration
[79:00] - Closing and Invitation to Connect

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 15:4-5 (ESV) — > Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

2. Romans 12:2 (ESV)
> Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Observation Questions

According to John 15:4-5, what is the result of abiding in Jesus, and what happens if we try to grow apart from Him?
In Romans 12:2, what does Paul say is necessary for transformation to happen in our lives?
The sermon mentioned that growth doesn’t just happen by attending church, but requires intentionality and stepping out of comfort zones. What are some of the opportunities for growth mentioned in the sermon? [[39:38]]
The five volunteers shared their stories during the service. What was the purpose of sharing these stories, according to the sermon? [[01:13:06]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus uses the image of a vine and branches to describe our relationship with Him? How does this help us understand spiritual growth?
The sermon talks about the danger of becoming stagnant after accepting Christ. Why is it easy to settle into comfort instead of pursuing transformation? [[39:38]]
The message emphasized letting go of self-imposed expectations and trusting God’s dreams for us. What might be some examples of expectations we put on ourselves that could get in the way of what God wants to do? [[01:14:04]]
How does sharing our personal stories encourage others and help us grow in faith? [[01:13:06]]

Application Questions

The sermon said, “True spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident or by simply attending church.” What is one area of your life where you feel you’ve become comfortable or stagnant? What is one intentional step you could take this week to grow? [[39:38]]
Are there any self-imposed expectations or pressures you’ve been carrying that you need to surrender to God? What would it look like to let go of those and trust Him with your future? [[01:14:04]]
The message highlighted the power of sharing your story. Is there a part of your journey with Jesus that you feel prompted to share with someone this week? Who could you encourage by being open about your struggles or victories? [[01:13:06]]
The sermon mentioned opportunities to connect and grow outside of Sunday mornings, like rec nights, prayer meetings, or just having conversations. Which of these could you try this month, and what might be holding you back from stepping in? [[39:38]]
The idea of “partnering with God” was emphasized. What gifts or dreams do you sense God has placed in your life that you haven’t acted on yet? What is one small way you could begin to use or explore those gifts? [[01:14:43]]
For those who are new to faith or considering following Jesus, the sermon mentioned resources and people ready to walk alongside you. If you’re in that place, what is one next step you could take (like starting a 21-day guide, talking to someone, or considering baptism)? [[01:16:37]]
Community and connection fuel growth. Who in your life helps you grow spiritually, and how can you be more intentional about building those relationships this season? [[01:18:01]]

Sermon Clips

And today we want to talk about grow. And this is, in my opinion, one of the most important things. Like we understand belonging and hope, but the grow, sometimes we get stuck after we accept Jesus and we just want to stay stagnant. We want to stay where we're at because we don't want to do any work. But grow is so important to start becoming someone and doing the hard work so that we can actually see who we're meant to be. [00:38:18] (21 seconds) #EmbraceGrowthJourney

So, Lord, would you stir up a new passion in our hearts to meet with you, to learn what it means to grow in relationship with you, and to not get bogged down by the expectations that we've set on ourselves, pulling us back, but that we'd say, Jesus, what do you want from me right now? [01:15:40] (15 seconds) #IgnitePassionForGrowth

You might just meet that person that's going to help you grow in your faith. But whatever it is, stick around, have some fun. And if you would like prayer, please join us at one of the sides of the room. We love you guys. We love you guys. We love you. [01:18:57] (15 seconds) #FaithFunAndPrayerSupport

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