Spoon-Fed to Self-Reliant
August 21, 2023

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Spoon-Fed to Self-Reliant

The commitment to transition from SPOON-FED to SELF-RELIANT is non-negotiable for your spiritual growth

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. 1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. —Hebrews 5:12–6:2

People with little to no Christian background have an advantage in growing strong because they haven’t learned the official mantra of the American consumer Christian, “I need to be fed!”

34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” —John 4:34

A word of encouragement for the newbies: Super-serious white belts have more hope than lukewarm yellow belts

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. —1 Timothy 4:12

2 “I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” —Revelation 2:2–5

How can I take personal ownership of my own spiritual growth?

  1. Create Space. Cut out distractions and wastes of time.

    15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. —Ephesians 5:15–16

    • It’s not radical for you to cancel subscriptions to video streaming services
    • It’s not radical for you to sell your video game system
    • It’s not radical for you to switch to a dumb phone so you stop “doom-scrolling” which is designed by very smart people to be addictive
    • It’s not radical for you to give your TV to Goodwill - It’s not radical for you to fast from news websites, news talk, or sports talk radio.

  1. Read the Bible. Get free Bibles you can take with you everywhere and even read to you via the YouVersion audio Bibles (recommended translations: ESV, NASB, NIV, NLT)

    9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. —Psalm 119:9–11


  1. Use Others. Get sharpened by other Christians who have gone before you.

    17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. —Proverbs 27:17

    • Activate your free RightNow Media account
      https://app.rightnowmedia.org/join/onemissoula
      text the code ONEMISSOULA to 49775
    • Ask someone to meet regularly to talk about how God is using that teaching to challenge you. (Tip: If your family life is in rough shape, invite key family members to watch and discuss with you.)

Here’s a key for getting unstuck in your spiritual growth: Admit to yourself that you are out of excuses and all further stagnation is your own fault.

What habit do you need to STOP to create an environment for growth?

What habit do you need to START to create an environment for growth?

One Missoula Church gives back to God through sacraficial giving that we use to help others discover and strengthen a relationship with Jesus Christ. We’ve removed every barrier and inconvenience to make this sacrificial act as accessible and simple as possible. At present, here are the avenues avialable to us:

  • Sunday Morning - offering boxes on the communion tables at theback
  • Snail Mail - postage-paid envelope included in the handout
  • Text “1MSO” to 888-364-4483
  • Online at https://onemissoulachurch.com/give
  • Via the One Missoula App under the “Giving” tab

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