Yesterday in a teaching series called Rooted, we talked about how we can go about helping other people grow in their faith. It’s surprisingly controversial…this idea that we can or should be involved in the spiritual development of those around us. I could sense some ‘push-back’ in the room…sorta like…really…am I my brother’s KEEPER???

I suggested three principles for helping other people grow. the first was this:

To help someone else we must see it as our responsibility, even our privilege to help.
In Matthew 28:18-19 Jesus made it very clear that it IS our job. “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”

Its pretty much a slam dunk…we ARE to be involved in the spiritual life of those around us.

The second principle may be a bit more complicated:

To help someone else grow, we must discern where they are.

Matthew 13 speaks of four kinds of soil/spiritual conditions:

Seed sown along the path
– pre-Christian

– no understanding

– not internalizing

Seed on rocky places 
– shallow

– new Christians

– life got hard because of their faith

Seed among the thorns 
– wealth and worry

– God has gotten too small

Seed on good soil

– a need to find their own ministry

The third principle is completely elementary:

To help someone else grow in their faith, we must be present with them.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
“You know how we lived among you for your sake.”

Helping someone else grow means we get close enough to them in relationship and continue to walk together…to invest and encourage.

So…are you interested in helping someone else grow? You’re in for the ride of a lifetime!