It's 2023 and we are jumping into a new series I'm calling your Christian life toolkit!
Whether you're a new believer or have been worshipping Jesus for many years, these toolkit themed posts will help you to evaluate if you are set up to thrive in your faith in the new year.
Today we are talking about people. The Bible is clear that we are meant to be surrounded by people and we are invited into community to walk with God.
To begin this series, let's look at 5 people to find that will help you thrive in your faith. Make sure you're surrounded by all five as you start this year!
A Mentor
If you are feeling overwhelmed in faith, life, family or another area a mentor is super important. I often hear people talk about how they cannot find a mentor. It doesn't have to be as formal as you might think. If your goals for the new year surround growing in your faith, find someone who has a prayer life or a worship practice you admire. They don't have to be an expert in the business you're trying to build if you're looking to learn how to pray.
Have a mentor who has been there done that in the area you want to focus on this year and you'll gain clarity and direction as you go. "I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another" (Romans 15:4 NIV).
2. A Peer
One of my favorite things about masterminds groups is that none of us are experts but we are all just on the journey together. Something incredible happens when you get in a room with people who are struggling with the same things you are. Find someone who can grow alongside you and encourage each other along the way.
Together, you'll face challenges and experience more of God's presence through your relationships. "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17 NIV).
3. A Mentee
Before you tell me you aren't a leader or you're too young, let's look to the Bible. "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV).
No matter how old you are, God has taught you something valuable that someone else needs. Ask God to highlight who you could become a mentor to. I'm not a marriage expert by any means but with almost 5 years of marriage under my belt I find myself continually drawn to newly weds. I remember exactly what it felt like because it wasn't that long ago, but I also have some wisdom to share.
What is that are of your life for you? Who could God be leading you to? You'll also learn a lot yourself as you learn to teach, encourage, and articulate what God has brought you through.
4. A Pastor
When my husband and I moved to Nashville we felt like we visited almost every church in the entire city, and lots in the greater area surrounding the city. What felt almost impossible to admit to us for a long time was that what we were in search of was not a church, it was a pastor. No, not just someone who calls themself a pastor and uses the title but someone who truly pastors.
Often, people who are pastors don't have the title. Make sure you are under the authority of a pastoral figure in your life to spiritually thrive. In Nashville, we missed that and were continually on the hunt for it. As Christians, we are all under the authority of God and should also be under a pastor.
5. A Challenger
All these people so far sound great, right? This one is a little more tricky. But, if you want to truly thrive in your faith this year, find someone who is willing to challenge it. When Christians are feeling stagnant in their faith I find it's often because they only hang out with other Christians. There is no one to share your faith with because everyone you know already believes in the gospel, and you can suddenly go on autopilot, go through the motions, and start to forget what God said or why you believe it.
Make friends with people who don't believe in God or who are willing to ask hard questions of you. Jesus was often challenged (Mark 11:27-33, Luke 20:1-8). You'll thrive in your faith because you will need answers for yourself and your challenger.
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