Summer Spiritual Adventure
Len Banks
May 28, 2023

Summer Spiritual Adventure

2 Peter 3:18, 2 Peter 1:3-11

This holiday weekend is kind of the kickoff to summer which means relaxing, vacation, getting away and checking out.

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability. —Sam Keen

Even if you don’t go on a big trip, summer conjures thoughts of having some tea or lemonade on the porch for long stretches of time.

The problem is we check out too soon and in too many areas, right?

And one of the areas we often pull back on during summer is our faith habits. Vacations and weekends are just too powerful of a draw on us. The beach is calling, right?

Take some time for recreation and vacations, but know there are ways to actually grow our faith while having a great summer.

We all understand this idea of growth. And we all get that there are different ways we grow…

Peter, in his letter to the Church, wrote:

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. —2 Peter 3:18

And Paul wrote:

He (Jesus) is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. —Colossians 1:28

Spiritual growth includes knowledge and understanding. And the marks of maturity in Christ mean we become more like Him.

So the question then becomes, how do we grow?

Many of us want God to change us, why not?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! —2 Corinthians 5:17

God did, and does, His part in our lives. But each of us also has a part in becoming the mature person we are meant to be.

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature —2 Peter 1:3-4

We have everything we need SO THAT we may participate.

As we enter into summer, I want to invite you, even urge you, to not escape from what really matters. In all the fun you plan, I want you to consider INTENTIONALIZING FUN!

  • Create moments for yourself or family that grow your faith, but in ways that are different from your normal routine. Make this summer a spiritual growth adventure!
  • Instead of stopping your small groups for the summer, change your schedule and activity to include a park day, outing together, or service project. Keep your community going. Grow Spiritually by Growing with Others!
  • Make summer a time to serve! While others are on vacation, some of our teams will be short-handed, so offer to fill in. There are so many ways you and your family can grow. Grow Spiritually by Serving Others!
  • Get to know your neighbors! Have a block party.Be a genuine friend. And yes, faith discussions can happen. But friendships first. Grow Spiritually by Sharing Your Faith Through Genuine Friendships!

The point is to be intentional.

Check out more resources:
-9 Things You Simply Must Do to Succeed in Love and Life, Dr. Henry Cloud.
-TheBibleProject.com (Podcasts, Videos, Studies)