Next Challenge

Minister Joaquin

1 Timothy 4:6-16

6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. 

Every believer is supposed to be growing and taking on the next challenge

Hebrews 5:11-14

11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.  

Train in godliness 

Discipline yourself to study how to get better

Do acts to grow

Grow in mercy and grace 

Be the example 

In speech

In conduct

In love

In faith 

In purity

Practice, immerse, persist

Enjoy learning new skills

Commit to your cause

Do the work for the Lord

Colossians 3:23-24

23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Applications

1.     Pray for God’s direction for what is next, ask how you can prepare now, volunteer for him to send you anywhere

2.     Find some new disciplines to help train you in Godliness. Ask others to join in to help support each other and hold each other accountable.

3.     Sign up for things that will stretch you and help grow your faith

Questions

1.     How much do you work on growing your faith compared to growing for your career?

2.     What motivates you to take on bigger challenges?

3.     How do you see God using your current challenges to grow your faith, is it time to take on more or finish working on your faith for the current season?