The goal of the Christian life is to be with and grow more and more like Jesus. As you grow more like Him, you experience His peace and others experience His grace through you.

One goal at Stillmeadow is to help each person develop their own growth plan. Growth doesn’t happen by accident. Every relationship grows with intentionality. It takes a plan to grow like Jesus. A plan that directs your heart, mind, body and strength to depend on Jesus.

One goal at Stillmeadow is to have each person grow with a small group of believers. Growth does not happen in isolation. Each believer is a part of the body of Jesus Christ. It takes a community to grow like Jesus. A community that relies on the heart, mind, body and strength of Jesus. What you find here is a simple framework to help you plan your life in the love, wisdom, presence and power of Jesus.

The Growth Plan Framework

For this Growth Plan we recommend this four-part framework: Rest, Work, Prayer and Relationships. These are from the Emotionally Healthy Discipleship (www.emotionallyhealthy.org) four part “Rule of Life” grid. The following explanations are adapted from Practicing the Way’s Rule of Life Workbook (no longer available for download).

REST

Rest is essential to our spiritual growth. A well-rested person easily resists temptation and easily loves. As believers, we don’t “live for the weekend” but rest in God to be strengthened for a holy and loving life of work, prayer and relationships.

WORK

When God created humans, he set them in a Garden to “work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2). What we do with our resources– time, money, gifting and capacity–matters to God (and to others). At its best, work is an expression of love and justice. At its worst, of ambition and greed. Our work often generates money; how we steward those resources is key to our apprenticeship to Jesus. A life of simplicity and generosity is a core tenant in Jesus’ vision of life in the kingdom. Service is also work. Modeling a life of service after Jesus naturally helps us to grow to be like Jesus.

PRAYER

Through spiritual disciplines from Jesus’ life and teaching, we make space in our life for God to transform us into people who share God’s character. These prayer practices train us to “remain in” Christ (John 14) at all times. Prayer is the essential start to growth in Jesus.

RELATIONSHIPS

God created humanity for relationship with Him and with each other. How we relate to others reflects our relationship with God. Relationships are essential for cultivating growth in Christ because they are where vulnerability and accountability take place. Consider these four categories of relationship: friendship, church, marriage and family.