Why make Christian growth artificial and contrived? Christians grow naturally when nourished within the proper context. Rehearsing the Gospel regularly in community will, by the Spirit’s working, produce mature believers.
We complicate matters when righteous deeds replace righteousness as our objective. We can do righteous deeds; only the Spirit can produce righteousness.
Spiritual formation results when, as Christians, we listen to the Gospel through Scripture within authentic Christian community.
Just had this conversation Friday night with our Small Group leaders. They are challenged to balance the use of accountability questions in SG life while constantly rejecting moralism. They’re doing great at this, but it can be a confusing distinction to make.
This has been revolutionary for me. Remember well talking with you at WFCC about this… Eph. 4:20 “that’s not how you learned Christ!” Wrecked me…. Praise God