Take your next step.

Congratulations!

You've completed the spiritual health self-assessment and taken a step towards growth. The primary purpose of this tool is to help reveal opportunities for growth. You can’t find your next step on the spiritual journey until you know where you are and what’s coming up ahead. We hope that the questions and the descriptions of the stages you are in will help you do just that!

Spiritual growth is a journey that we get to do together, and we've created some great DIY Next Steps to help you get started today!

To find your next step, we recommend you:

  1. Choose a section below (Authenticity, Biblical Foundation, Devotion, etc.) or specific question that is provoking curiosity or conviction for you or where you’re interested in growing, and pick a next step there.

  2. Check out the latest edition of CTK Life to discover relevant classes, experiences, and other next steps opportunities for you.

  3. If you’re still stuck and need some help discerning what God is calling you into next, reach out to a spiritual mentor or trusted friend that can offer you Biblical advice.

There are three main tools we will recommend in the sections below:

Spiritual Practices are activities we purposefully do to bring ourselves into effective cooperation with God and his ways which gives us access to the Holy Spirit’s power in our lives.  

Prayer Exercises are provided as a next step in each section because there is no spiritual growth without the input and influence of God.  These are often guides to starting specific conversations with the God who loves you and knows you completely.  

Recommended Resources are given because sometimes we need to dive into a deeper understanding of a part of our faith in order to cooperate with God’s work in that area of our lives. 

Authenticity

Below, you'll find four valuable resources for growing in Authenticity with God, self, and others:

    • Spiritual Practice: Confession – Regular confession opens us up to God’s healing power, restoration, and community. He knows all that we’ve done and will do, all of our shortcomings and sin, and his desire is to forgive us for all of it.
    • Prayer Exercise: Prayer of Examen  – This simple prayer exercise is an ancient practice of reviewing your day in the presence of God. With an attitude of openness and humility before God, you take a mental journey through the activities of work, home, school, and interactions with others.
    • Recommended Resource: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero – This book is a road map for following Jesus that is powerfully transformative. We highly recommend it is a foundational resource in growing in your walk with God.
    • Journaling: As you hope to grow in authenticity (being real with yourself, God, and others), journaling can be a helpful place to start. If you need guidance on where to begin, try these prompts:
      • What feelings have you been experiencing lately? Share these with God in writing and be as specific as possible.
      • Who in your life might be a safe person to be vulnerable with? What is one thing you are experiencing that you can invite them into?
      • Do you ever find it difficult to express emotions? If so, why do you think that is?
      • When you find yourself angry or sad or disappointed, what is your typical response?

Biblical Application

Devotion

  • Spiritual Practice: Each question in this section mentions a different spiritual practice.  Which one intrigues you?  Exploring a new practice will give God more access to your heart, mind and life. Find step by step resources here.
  • Prayer Exercise: Breath Prayer
  • Recommended Resource:
    • Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton.
    • Find the CTK playlist on Spotify, Apple Music, or Google Store & start spending regular time in worship whether that’s in the car, the shower, or at the end of the day.

Integration

  • Spiritual Practice: Connection – Engage the spiritual side of your life in community others.
  • Recommended Resource: Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard
  • Download the conversation guide and share your results with a trusted Christian friend who knows you well.  Talk through some of the questions, look at your results together, and they may be able to suggest some possible next steps. 

Stewardship/Generosity