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Cross Training
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, pp. 18, 19
- Highlight the paragraph that begins, “As we need food to sustain our physical strength...”
- Highlight the phrase explaining what the evidence is that Jesus is in your heart.
“Strength comes by exercise. All who put to use the ability which God has given them will have increased ability to devote to His service. Those who do nothing in the cause of God will fail to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. A man who would lie down and refuse to exercise his limbs would soon lose all power to use them. Thus the Christian who will not exercise his God-given powers not only fails to grow up into Christ, but he loses the strength which he already has; he becomes a spiritual paralytic. It is those who, with love for God and their fellow men, are striving to help others that become established, strengthened, settled, in the truth. The true Christian works for God, not from impulse, but from principle; not for a day or a month, but during the entire period of life” (God’s Amazing Grace, p. 306).
Cross Training
As a child I watched the tangerine tree grow to monstrous proportions. Not only did our citrus tree grow in size, but it overwhelmed our family and friends with a crop of fruit that astonished people. My pride in the tree swelled season to season, so much so that I thought the magic of growing fruit trees was simply genetic. I would certainly do the same when I was a man.
When the time came for me to plant my own fruit trees in my very own backyard, I picked out a tangerine tree to repeat the success of my childhood. I did everything to the soil I was taught to do. Cultivate, fertilized, mulch, protect, pray. After planting the tree in the ground, I continued the rituals week after week. I even spoke kindly and gently to the tree as I worked in the yard. On one occasion I sang to the tree. But the tree failed to grow.
My patience ran out, and I began to scorn the tree. “Silly runt weed! What’s the mater with you?” I chided. “Every other tree in the yard is doing just fine. You are turning out to be such a disappointment!” I was raking some leaves in the yard near the base of the puny tangerine tree when the rake stuck on a tag at the base of the tree. I reached down to unhook the prongs of the rake and discovered the tag of the tangerine tree was still attached. I glanced at the tag, and to my horror I read, “Tangerine (Dwarf),”I tried to take back all the horrible things I’d said. I looked at the little tree and apologized, saying, “I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize you were never meant to grow.”
Dwarf trees are not destined for tremendous growth. But that’s not the case with you and me. According to Christ, we are destined for unimaginable development. We must just make sure we are giving our spiritual growth the same care and exercise—spiritual exercise. Cross training. Pastor Troy
- Why is it important for us to grow but not for the dwarf tangerine tree?
- What will happen to us if we refuse to grow?
- According to Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing and the quotation from God’s Amazing Grace, what do we need to do to grow spiritually?
Steps to Christ , pp. 67, 68
- Highlight the paragraph that begins “As with life, so it is with growth.”
- Put a star by the sentence in this paragraph that begins “The plant, the child, grows by receiving from its surroundings. . .”
Here’s What I Think
Jeff made a decision to deepen his relationship with God by trying to be consistent with his prayer and Bible study. For the first week he was consistent but sort of slipped away the second week. He was disappointed that he couldn’t even keep it going for more than a week, and now he was wondering if he should pray at all. It was harder to pray now than ever. “What’s the point?” he said to himself.
If you could encourage him with something that was helpful for you in this lesson, what would you say to Jeff? What do you think God would want to say to him?
Log on to http://guidemagazine.org/rtf to post your responses. Be up-front and honest. Say what you think. The lines below are provided as an alternative to posting. You may want to share your thoughts with your class later.
Corinthians 9:6-15 (Amplified Bible)
“[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.
“Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, prompt to do it) giver [whose heart is in his giving].
“And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
“As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!
“And [God] who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].
“Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.
“For the service that the ministering of this fund renders does not only fully supply what is lacking to the saints (God's people), but it also overflows in many [cries of] thanksgiving to God.
“Because at [your] standing of the test of this ministry, they will glorify God for your loyalty and obedience to the Gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous-hearted liberality to them and to all [the other needy ones].
“And they yearn for you while they pray for you, because of the surpassing measure of God's grace (His favor and mercy and spiritual blessing which is shown forth) in you.
“Now thanks be to God for His Gift, [precious] beyond telling [His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift]!”
You will next read a report of several paragraphs, telling you what plants need to grow. You will also find seven things that a Christian needs to grow and mature. You may want to use a concordance to help you with this project.
All plants need these seven things to grow: room to grow, the right temperature, light, water, air, nutrients, and time.
All plants like to have room to grow. The above-ground portions of the plant needs space so leaves can expand and carry out the job of making food. Roots also need room to grow. Plants growing in small spaces will have their roots crowded, and that results in smaller amounts of growth.
- Do Christians need room for their roots to grow? Please explain.
Most plants like temperatures that most humans like. Some may like warmer temperatures while others may prefer cooler temperatures for best growth. It is always good to know where plants come from so you can make them feel at home. Most plants like to have cooler temperatures at night and don't like to be in a drafty spot.
- Does the temperature matter to a Christian? Do Christians grow better in cool temperatures, or do we grow better in warmth? Please explain.
Plants grown indoors like bright light. Windows facing the south or west have the best light. Try to place the plants close to the window to take advantage of all the light. The further away from the window, the darker it becomes. A plant will tell you when it isn't getting enough light, because its stems will be thin and it will lean toward the light. If you don't have a bright window, try using grow lights. Remember to have the light about 6 inches above the plants and leave it on for 14-16 hours each day.
- What does the Bible tell us our light is? Does it matter what light we receive?
- What happens to Christians when we don’t have enough light? How many hours a day do Christians need their light?
Water is important in the plant's ability to make and move nutrients. Without water, or with too much water, a plant dies. For this reason, watering is an important part of plant care. Most plants like to be watered when the soil is slightly dry to the touch. When watering, moisten the soil by using enough water so that it starts to come out of the hole in the bottom of the container. (This is why it is important to use containers with drainage holes.) How often you water depends on a lot of things. Plant size, time of the year, and type of plant are a few. Your best guide, though, is to feel the soil. If you stick your finger one inch into the soil and it is dry, then water your plant.
- What is the “Water of Life” to a Christian?
- How often should a Christian be watered? Do you remember reading the answer in “Today’s Reading” for this week?
- How does a Christian receive the proper nutrients? How is a Christian fertilized? If a plant can take carbon dioxide in and return oxygen, can a Christian take the bad that is given them and with Jesus’ help turn it into something good?
Plants use carbon dioxide in the air and return oxygen. Smoke, gases, and other air pollutants can damage plants
Most of the nutrients that a plant needs are dissolved in water and then taken up by the plant through its roots. Fertilizers will help to keep the soil supplied with nutrients a plant needs. Don't apply too much too often. Fertilizer won't solve all of your plant problems, so make sure your plants have good light, good soil, and good drainage. The three most important nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. –Taken from The Great Plant Escape, University of Illinois Extension.
See Steps to Christ , pp. 69, 70
- Highlight the phrase that tells what kind of life you have apart from Jesus.
- Highlight the phrase that tells what will happen when you abide in Jesus.
- Highlight the paragraph telling what happens when a person feels they must do some part of the work of salvation alone.
So What?
New Year’s resolutions are a lot like the exercises of the spiritual life. In a moment of conviction we express our hopes in the form of decisions to change one way or another. But our commitments are like “ropes of sand,” as Ellen White says in Steps to Christ . Good intentions will only get you to the place where you make promises. When the promises get broken and you fail to follow through, it feels as if your whole relationship with God is a failure. But the way to grow isn’t through promises, but through the practice of staying open to God’s Spirit. The work of growing closer to God is not the work of trying really hard—it is the work of training the heart and mind to stay connected to Him. If you want muscles, you have to lift the weights—not just once, but again and again. If you want to play the piano, you trudge through book 1, then through 2, and as you continue to go, you grow. You want to be able to run for 15 kilometers? Start training. If you miss, stumble, or struggle, you can rejoice that you are human like everyone else. The only way you fail is when you give up completely on God. Peter penned these works for those of us who sometimes stumble on the journey.
First, remember that God provided grace that makes you a member of His kingdom—free and clear! See 1 Peter 1:3, 4.
Second, we can train with exercises that make our connection to God stronger. See 1 Peter 1:5-7.
Third, if in your training you stumble and struggle at times, don’t give up. Don’t forget that you are a child of the King. Don’t lose sight of your place in His family. Remember Calvary and remember how you started this journey, and by God’s grace, pick up where you left off. (See 1 Peter 1:8, 9.)
Just another thought: The guy who wrote 1 Peter had a lot of experience with commitments, promises, starts, and stops. Take it from him and just start training.
- How did Jesus choose Peter to be a disciple? (See Matthew 4:18.)
- What was Peter’s personality like? For example, was he quiet and shy? (See John 18:10).
- Name one time that Peter wanted to show off and were it not for Jesus he might have been lost (See Matthew 14:28-31.)
- What two promises did Peter make to Jesus? (See John 21:15-17and Matthew 26:33-35.)
- When Peter failed, what gave him the courage not to give up? You may want to use a concordance.
Match the text with the phrase. Please choose a verse to memorize.
Texts
- Colossians 2:6,7 (NIV)
- Colossians 3:16,17 (NIV)
- Colossians 1:6 (NIV)
- Colossians 1:9-12 (NIV)
- 2 Peter 1:3-8 (NIV)
- John 15:16 (NIV)
- John 15:16 (NIV)
- John 15: 5-8 (NIV)
Phrases
- “I am the vine. . . .” _______________
- ”So then, just as you received. . . .” ___________
- “You did not choose me. . . .” ___________
- “Let the word of Christ . . .” _______________
- “His divine power has given us . . . .” __________
- “All over the world . . . . . ___________
- “For this reason, since the day . . . . .______________
Steps to Christ, pp. 71, 72
- Highlight the paragraph that tells what happens when our thoughts dwell on ourself instead of Christ.
- Highlight the phrase that tells what happens if you leave yourself in God’s hands.
- Highlight the phrase that tells what happens when “we behold Him.”
What Does This Have to Do With Me?
Think of how awkward it would be if you were to read your Bible and pray in the morning, then look in the mirror to see if there was any visible change. You’d be like the small boy who planted corn seeds in the ground and every day afterward dug up the seeds to see if they were growing. The seeds won’t grow if we constantly dig them up. The sun and the rain and the soil grow the seeds over time. The same is true for us and spiritual growth. The spiritual disciplines or exercises strengthen you for service, but they don’t make you fit for heaven. The only thing that can fit you for heaven is to fully trust in the finished work of Christ on Calvary (John 1:10-12). Anyone born again is destined to grow if they stay connected to God through His Spirit (John 15:16).
See Steps to Christ, p. 73
- Highlight the paragraph that tells us about John the beloved disciple.
- Highlight the phrase that tells us what happens “when Christ abides in the heart.”
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Plan out your spiritual training for the week as an experiment. Take time at the beginning and the end of the week to reflect on God’s free gift of grace to you. Write a few exercises of the spiritual life you want to do this week. You may want to read a section of Scripture or spend time alone with God in quiet solitude. You may want to do a kind act of service for someone. Make your plan for the week and see if you can follow through.
Sunday—My plan for the week
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday—What I have done so far.
Thursday
Friday—What I was able to accomplish this week.