8 Weeks to Spiritual FitnessSample

What Comes Next?

Training is essential for attaining any important goal in life. Every sports team, every unit of the military, every nurse or teacher, or lawyer—all must train in order to be ready to accomplish the goals of their profession. How much more, then, is training essential for every disciple of Jesus Christ! Paul insisted on this. He told Timothy, “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7). The most important training is that which pursues the most important goals. Instead of pursuing a trophy or a credential, every Christian should pursue the very highest goal, the eternal rewards God has promised. Paul described the contrast: “For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (v.8).

Training is essential, but it’s also temporary. Training gets us to the level where we can begin the competition, but it is not in itself the goal. No baseball team is content just to have a successful spring training. They want to have a successful season and win the championship. The same is true here. 8 Weeks to Spiritual Fitness has been designed to help us all get spiritually fit together. It’s a kick-start to forming the spiritual habits that make us into mature, growing Christians. But just as is in baseball, now that you’ve completed Spring Training, it’s time for the season to start. This is where the adventure begins!

Here are a few practical ways that you can take the training you’ve done during the last eight weeks and turn it into permanent habits that will lead to a joyful, thriving Christian life.

Here Are Some Things You Can Do

1. Consider starting a longer reading plan that will take you through the Bible. Join in with a few friends from your church and do it together so that you can discuss what you’re learning and keep one another accountable.
2. Start a prayer list that you pray over and update regularly. Pray with a friend or members of your family each day at regular times, such as when you wake up or before bed.
3. Continue to attend worship and Sunday School weekly in person. There will inevitably be weeks when you’re unable to attend. But don’t let these exceptions become the rule.
4. Find more ways to connect and serve in your local church. Reassess your walk with the Lord, and see if He might be calling you to join something new.
5. Invite others to join you at church. Church events aren’t just for entertainment. They are meant to equip you to invite others. Take advantage of these simple and effective opportunities to share Christ.