Youth
You probably already know this, but we as adults learn best we we take responsibility for our own learning. This seems to begin best with us setting goals. In other words, we begin with the end in mind. What is it that we hope to accomplish or be able to do well? What qualities do we hope to develop? I'm not really talking about making resolutions for 2012. What I am trying to do is to ask the kind of questions that can prompt each of us to think about growth related to Christian faith and discipleship.
To set a goal for leaning, perhaps we might want to review the various aspects of our spiritual formatin in order to see where we think we need to grow most:
- Bible
- Church heritage
- Theological thinking
- Baptism/holy communion
- Christian social activism
- Spiritual gifts
- Spiritual disciplines
- Fith-sharing
- Service to others
- Wold religions.
Then we can ask ourselves questions like these:
- What do I want to know that I don't know now?
- What do I want to be able to do that I can't do now?
- Why do I want to know/be able to this?
- What will be different if I accomplish this goal?
- How will I know that I have achieved by desired outcome?
- How will I measure my progress
- Who can work with me on this goal and/or help to hold me accountable?
I invite you to write your goal down, being a specific as possible. The last step is to consider appropriate strategies for reaching your goal. Should you read a book, join a Sunday school class or small group, watch a DVD, talk with someone such as Bryan or myself, etc.
I am asking myself the same sort of questions and exploring where I should head, as well. I guess one could say I am coaching myself, as well as each of you, so we can travel this journey together, growing in the best way possible. Oh and, let me remind you we do not travel along. Our loving God travels with us.
With you on the journey of deciding where growth is needed and how to get there in the new year.
Jan
Updated August 4, 2010
