Take This Religion Test
Preaching
Lions And Cows Dining Together
And 111 Other Sermon Ideas
Object:
Purpose Statement: Periodically, each pastor should challenge each of us with the question, "Are we making progress in our spiritual journey?"
Even if it seems somewhat mechanical, the evaluation, planning, and the follow-through involved in our review of our personal spiritual life progress, such a review is necessary. It is easy to stagnate or to believe that our faith is doing just fine. Our religious life can become habitual, which is not all bad as long as it maintains a meaning and intensity. Paul (Philippians 3:12-16) acknowledges he is not perfect and is diligently striving toward the goal, which should be our objective, also. To measure the progress of our personal faith journey, we need to give ourselves a simple religious test: "Are we better today than we were one year ago?" Is our relationship with God, our understanding of Jesus, and our love for others greater than it used to be? It remains true that we either make progress or we backslide; there is no standing still. We shouldn't be misled by the childlike or simple nature of such a test of our progress. Consider how easily one loses enthusiasm, or forgets one's Christian mission.
a. Taking the test. How do we go about taking our spiritual temperature? Is it too mechanical to check our church attendance, daily meditations, and the amount of financial support or personal time we give in service? Perhaps to more effectively evaluate our spiritual progress, stepping back and taking an honest look may involve a "spiritual retreat" with a group or alone in our own private "get away."
b. Making a new plan. Honest and perceptive evaluation is difficult, but necessary. Setting goals might be the easiest step. Consistent and faithful follow-through requires serious preparation. Where should we be as Christians in our spiritual journey?
c. Getting started. This is where the church can offer more encouragement. Support groups in the church could include Sunday school and other classes, formal retreat-like fellowships as well as the casual and on-going caring of the congregation.
d. Taking the test again. The best motivator will be periodic checkups, and again this can be done best with a spiritual small group or retreat "reunion." Such an experience every so often where we worship and fellowship together, and "take the test" again fuels the fire for the journey in the cycle of progress.
Even if it seems somewhat mechanical, the evaluation, planning, and the follow-through involved in our review of our personal spiritual life progress, such a review is necessary. It is easy to stagnate or to believe that our faith is doing just fine. Our religious life can become habitual, which is not all bad as long as it maintains a meaning and intensity. Paul (Philippians 3:12-16) acknowledges he is not perfect and is diligently striving toward the goal, which should be our objective, also. To measure the progress of our personal faith journey, we need to give ourselves a simple religious test: "Are we better today than we were one year ago?" Is our relationship with God, our understanding of Jesus, and our love for others greater than it used to be? It remains true that we either make progress or we backslide; there is no standing still. We shouldn't be misled by the childlike or simple nature of such a test of our progress. Consider how easily one loses enthusiasm, or forgets one's Christian mission.
a. Taking the test. How do we go about taking our spiritual temperature? Is it too mechanical to check our church attendance, daily meditations, and the amount of financial support or personal time we give in service? Perhaps to more effectively evaluate our spiritual progress, stepping back and taking an honest look may involve a "spiritual retreat" with a group or alone in our own private "get away."
b. Making a new plan. Honest and perceptive evaluation is difficult, but necessary. Setting goals might be the easiest step. Consistent and faithful follow-through requires serious preparation. Where should we be as Christians in our spiritual journey?
c. Getting started. This is where the church can offer more encouragement. Support groups in the church could include Sunday school and other classes, formal retreat-like fellowships as well as the casual and on-going caring of the congregation.
d. Taking the test again. The best motivator will be periodic checkups, and again this can be done best with a spiritual small group or retreat "reunion." Such an experience every so often where we worship and fellowship together, and "take the test" again fuels the fire for the journey in the cycle of progress.
