12 Steps To God

All Scripture quotations have been taken from the Christian Standard
Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by

permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally
registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and
sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
— I John 4:10
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

— James 4:8
12 Steps to God is dedicated to my wife, Mo, for showing

me what it looks like to follow Jesus.
Special thanks to Lakshmi, Alison, Tony,

Kathleen, Lisa, Roger, Jack, and Rob.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
WHY I WROTE 12 STEPS TO GOD 1
STEP 1: EMOTIONAL HONESTY 7
STEP 2: LIVE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT 13
STEP 3: AWARENESS 19
STEP 4: GRATITUDE 25
STEP 5: GOD IS YOUR FRIEND 31
STEP 6: SACRED READING 36
STEP 7: WISDOM 42
STEP 8: A ROYAL SECRET 48
STEP 9: COMMUNITY 54
STEP 10: PURPOSE 60
STEP 11: RISK 65
STEP 12: YOUR NEXT STEP TO GOD 71
MY PLAN FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH 76
THANK YOU 78
12 STEPS TO GOD
Copyright © 2023 Carson Weitnauer
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Perhaps this may seem little enough, that Jesus should come, clothed with human flesh, God for human
beings, the just one for sinners, the innocent one for the guilty, the king for prisoners, the Lord for slaves;
that he should be seen on earth and converse with men.
So in addition he was crucified, died and was buried. Don't you believe it?
You are saying perhaps, "When did this happen?" Listen to when: Under Pontius Pilate. Even the name of
the judge is put there to tell you something, so that you needn't have any doubts even about the date. So
believe that the Son of God was crucified under Pontius Pilate and buried.
But greater love has nobody than this, that one should lay down one's life for one's friends (Jn 15:13).
Nobody, do you think? Absolutely nobody. It's true; Christ said it. Let's question the apostle, and let him
answer us: Christ, he says, died for the ungodly. And again he says, While we were enemies, we were
reconciled with God through the death of his Son (Rom 5:6-lO).
So there you are; in Christ we do find greater love, seeing that he gave up his life not for his friends but his
enemies. How great must be God's love for humanity, and what extraordinary affection, so to love even
sinners that he would die for love of them! For God emphasizes his love toward us — they are the apostle's
words — because while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Rom 5:8).
— Augustine
Essential Sermons (Augustine Series), p. 275
WHY I WROTE
12 STEPS TO GOD
I
wrote 12 Steps to God to organize what I've learned about walking with God. I hope it will also
enable you to develop and implement a lifelong plan for your spiritual growth. But before we
start, I want to share my story of walking with God. By hearing my story, it can encourage you to
see how God is already at work in your life.
The best place to start is when I was in fifth grade. I was singing soprano in a boy's choir at church.
And even though I was at church, I was so focused on looking good for the TV cameras that I wasn't
paying attention to God. Ironically, what I did for vanity has become an ongoing reminder of how
God not only humbles us but can work in the midst of our mess. As I adjusted my choir robe for the
hundredth time, I looked across the choir loft and saw an older man not just singing but worshiping
God with joy. His way of connecting with God was compelling and beautiful.
I prayed, "God, I want what that man has." As soon as I said this prayer, I had a shocking,
consequential, immediate experience of joy. I knew that God was real, that God loved me, and that
God was with me. (How did you first experience God?)
That moment changed everything.
But then I learned that a relationship with God isn't easy. There are dead-ends, struggles, and
problems. I feel like I've tried it all (what have you tried?):
• I served as a campus minister for ten years. I invested in the lives of hundreds of students at
Emory, Rhodes College, LeMoyne Owen College, Harvard University, and Boston College Law
School
• I earned an M.Div. at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
• I'm enrolled in the Doctorate of Ministry program at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
• I've attended high-powered Christian conferences, then forgotten everything I learned a few
weeks later
12 STEPS TO GOD | 1
• I've searched Google and found contradictory, weird, and unhelpful answers (and some good
ones!)
• I've gone to thousands of church services
• I've read many books on these topics
Even with all I've invested in Christian ministry and education, I've often gotten it wrong. I've made
a lot of mistakes. I'm not talking about little things, but more like getting off the main road and
walking in a ditch, for years at a time:
• I've been legalistic. I zealously kept certain rules, but that didn't mean I was becoming loving,
holy, or kind.
• I've been passive. I've waited for God to change me, but I've learned that he doesn't zap us.
• I've been skeptical. What are these religious experiences? Are they an encounter with God,
or a brain malfunction?
• I've continued to struggle with sin. Ask anyone who knows me. And that can be discouraging.
I've struggled with guilt and shame - both for what I've done and for what I've left undone.
• I've had burnout. I got so tired of all the religious stuff. There were seasons when I wondered
if prayer and Bible study do anything.
The hardest part of my life is what I experienced at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. I worked
there for seven years. In my last few years, I started and developed an online community where
people created over 150,000 posts that were read millions of times, by people worldwide. I loved
my job!
But in 2020, when I spoke up for the women that Ravi abused, I endured traumatic retaliation. And
so in January of 2021 resigned in protest. That experience took me out. For most of the next year, I
tried to recover from the pain I endured. I thought our organization was dedicated to truth and
respect. But I learned that the organization's leaders would tell lies and bully staff to enforce loyalty.
After that experience, I felt hurt, disillusioned, and dead inside. I was walking around like a zombie.
But with the support of a counselor, my family, and good friends, I slowly started to recover.
In September 2021, I started Uncommon Pursuit with the support of a strong board of directors.
Uncommon Pursuit is not our uncommon pursuit. It's God's. 1 John 4:10 says, "Love consists in this:
not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins."
2 | CARSON WEITNAUER
Because God loves us, we are learning to love one another. We are building a supportive community
for your spiritual growth. I don't want you to watch me follow God. I'm not interested in you giving
me a round of applause in an auditorium or hitting buttons on social media. I want to empower you
to live your life with God.
Most days I study academic theology and translate it into actionable resources for your spiritual
growth. But my true goal is neither to be academic nor charismatic but to live my life with God and
share that experience with you.
As you start 12 Steps to God, here's what I recommend.
First, take the course with friends. Spiritual growth always happens in the context of relationships.
Second, take the course with the Uncommon Pursuit community. Contribute to the discussions. Your
posts will help others, and their posts will help you.
Most importantly, spend some time in prayer. On the next page, I've placed some questions that
will help you clarify why this course matters for your life with God. I encourage you to skip the
questions that aren't helpful and focus on the ones that connect you to God's care for your heart.
It's one thing to have a fuzzy answer in our minds. But I encourage you to write down your goals for
this course. Once you write down what God has put on your heart, it gives you clarity and excitement
for this journey. Also, sharing your goals with others will reinforce your investment in this critical
journey to spiritual growth. You can share what's on your heart and get encouragement from your
friends and in the Uncommon Pursuit community.
We're all about slow and steady growth. It's better to spend two minutes a day working through 12
Steps to God than try to binge it like a Netflix show. Why? Because the goal isn't to 'complete the
course' but to have your heart and life transformed by God every day for the rest of your life.
I look forward to taking this journey with you and helping you draw closer to God.
From my heart to yours,
Carson
12 STEPS TO GOD | 3
GETTING STARTED
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Do I have a plan for lifelong spiritual growth?
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What have I tried in order to be close to God? Make a list and evaluate each
choice:
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What mistakes have I made in following God? Make a list and evaluate each
choice:
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How has God pursued me with his love?
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Which friends could I invite to take 12 Steps to God with me?
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In five years, what could my life be like if I grow close to God?
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What happens if I ignore God and drift through life without him? How will that
path affect my work, marriage, kids, friends, roommates, etc.?
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Why does spiritual growth matter to me?
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12 STEPS TO GOD | 5
MY STEP WITH GOD
God, I want to draw near to you. I trust that you will draw near to me
(James 4:8).
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STEP
EMOTIONAL
HONESTY 1
Our first step towards God is to be emotionally honest.
W
e start here because one of the most important ways to measure the health of any
relationship, including with God, is how vulnerable we can be with one another. If
someone is a stranger, we have little to no emotional disclosure in our relationship with
them. But with our closest friends, we can be transparent. When there is trust, safety, and love, it's
appropriate to disclose our innermost feelings.
Unfortunately, emotional authenticity isn't always valued in churches and Christian organizations.
Instead, we emphasize trying harder, looking good, doing what's right, or participating in spiritual
activities.
For some of us, we may find it difficult to express our emotions, especially if we have been raised to
believe that certain emotions, such as anger or disappointment towards God, are inappropriate or
sinful. It grieves me, but we've used Biblical language and Christian terminology to shut down our
hearts. That's messed up! God wants to restore our hearts, but his words have been twisted so we
feel like we have to fake it.
It's not just the church. As a man, I was taught that I should never cry, and especially that I should
never let other people see me cry. In your culture, there may be other 'rules' that prohibit you from
being emotionally expressive. Or perhaps there are ways that you've observed people acting out
emotions in public that you know they don't feel in private. Every culture has its own way of
camouflaging emotion.
We want to be fully known and fully loved, but that seems to be a rare experience.
12 STEPS TO GOD | 7
What I want us to see is that reading our Bibles with closed hearts won't help us experience God.
So let's talk about emotional authenticity.
First, did you know that God wants us to acknowledge our feelings?
For instance, in the Garden of Eden, God asked Adam and Eve, "Where are you?" He didn't need
new information, but rather, he cared about their fear and shame.
And in Mark 8:29, Jesus asked his disciples, "But who do you say that I am?" This question wasn't
meant to condemn or judge, but rather to invite the disciples to reflect on their understanding of
him.
Another way that God encourages us to be real is through the Psalms. These raw prayers show us
that it's good to express our emotions to God, whether we're angry, sad, confused, happy, grateful,
or excited.
Consider the diversity of Biblical stories. In the Bible, God shows us humans in every emotional
experience. We see people grieving death and celebrating new life. Some are burdened by shame,
guilt, and fear, and others are empowered by faith, hope, and love. We see vivid depictions of those
who are anxious about the future. And there are moving narratives where people embrace one
another in friendship. These stories form us in many ways, but one of their roles is to restore our
emotional experiences. God wants wholeness in every part of our who we are.
We need emotional self-awareness and expression to have a meaningful relationship with God. How
can you have a great relationship with God if you are emotionally distant from him?
But how does this happen?
We're going to talk about how God forms us throughout this course. For now, it helps to know that
God wants to connect with you as you are, not as you wish you were or as you will be in the future.
God already knows the state of your heart; he gently invites you to bring those realities into the
context of his loving care for you.
For now, let's notice that God has provided us with many tools to practice emotional honesty. One
of them is 150 Psalms. The Psalms are not just a good example, but a pathway to help us connect
with God. That is, we can pray the Psalms to God. So if we are angry at God, we can find words to
talk with God in Psalms 13, 22, 42, 44, or 74. Or you might find a better Psalm for your situation.
This isn't plug-and-play! It isn't like, you have a cold, take Psalm 24. No, the point is that these
particular Psalms, among others, express genuine frustration with God - and God authorized them
as prayers for us. By making their words our own, or improvising as we read them, we can expand
our capacity to tell God how we really feel.
What do you think you might tell God that he doesn't already know? Do you fear that you might say
something to God that would offend him? But he already knows what's in our hearts! And he loves
us.
The question isn't whether we will have a wide variety of emotions in our experience of God - that's
unavoidable. What we need to ponder is whether or not we will discuss these feelings with him.
Our first step to God is to be emotionally honest.
On the next two pages, I've provided some reflection questions and space to journal in God's
presence. Remember, your answers won't be graded. You don't need to impress anyone with your
theological insights. There's no expectation to answer every question - skip the ones that aren't for
you. These questions are only an invitation to connect your heart with God's constant love for you.
12 STEPS TO GOD | 9
How does emotional honesty measure the health of a relationship?
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What have I been taught that makes it hard to be emotionally honest with
God?
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What have I been taught that makes it easy to be emotionally honest with
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How does my culture encourage or discourage emotional honesty?
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How does my church encourage or discourage emotional honesty?
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How do my life experiences encourage or discourage emotional honesty?
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What's one Psalm that could help me express my emotions to God today?
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12 STEPS TO GOD | 11
MY STEP WITH GOD
God, I want to share my heart with you. I trust that your
faithful love is with me in every circumstance
(Psalm 136).
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STEP
LIVE BY THE
HOLY SPIRIT 2
Are you trying to do Christianity by yourself? Is the Bible a self-help book?
E
ven taking the 12 Steps to God course could be self-help. "I'm going to take 12 Steps to
God. I'm going to learn these steps, I'm going to practice them, and I'm going to make
myself into a strong Christian!"
But here's the problem: the self-help approach doesn't work with God.
I've invested nearly twenty years in full-time ministry, earned a Master of Divinity degree, and spent
countless hours looking for answers on how spiritual formation happens.
However, the information overload led me to zig-zag from one approach to another, unsure of what
helps.
At times, I've been influenced by the idea that "it is the work of God," which led me to a passive
approach. Ok, if God is responsible for my spiritual growth, I can sit back and wait for God to change
me! But that failed. Candidly, this approach, for me, was an excuse to justify my selfishness and
blame God for not doing anything about it.
At other times, I was swayed by the belief that spiritual disciplines are the key to spiritual growth. So
I set up plans to read the Bible, pray to God, go to Bible study, spend Sundays at church, and give
money to others. But then I realized that no matter how religious I became, that didn't necessarily
mean I was becoming more loving, holy, or humble. Have you ever started the day with a Bible study
and then lost your temper twenty minutes later while driving to work? I was 'holy' when I read the
Bible, but then I left my spirituality behind for the rest of my day. It was a compartmentalized
approach.
Have you also veered between these two approaches? Waiting for God to do it? Or trying to make
it happen by yourself?
Our confusion keeps us from experiencing God. But clarity can help us enjoy his love.
In the simplest terms, spiritual formation is the work of the Holy Spirit in our spirits, so that we
become like Christ for the glory of God.
In this lesson, we will examine 2 Corinthians 3:18, which reveals the destination, context, and primary
work of spiritual formation.
2 Corinthians 3:18 reads:
We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being
transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Notice, first, that spiritual formation aims to transform us into the image of Christ. The logic of what
Paul says is amazing: We are made in God's image. Christ, who was fully human and fully God, was
also made in God's image. So when we look at Christ, it's like looking into a mirror. Except when we
look at Christ, we see a perfect human: even the glory of the Lord!
So spiritual formation is not about acquiring new habits, becoming a good person, or being a regular
church member. It can include this, but it is much better: we are being transformed into the likeness
of Christ. God is restoring our humanity. We are becoming whole in every way. We are being
transformed into the same image as our Lord!
Second, we need to understand that spiritual formation happens in the context of love.
Sometimes we get the idea that God is up in heaven and we're down here on earth, but if we work
hard, we can get to God.
But in this verse, Paul is building on the idea that, just as Moses was transformed in the presence of
Yahweh, Christians now experience God. Because we are filled with the Spirit and united to Christ,
we have direct access to God. We are embedded in the life and the love of our Triune God. We are
already and always with God, because God has chosen to be with us.
Third, God's work is primary in spiritual formation. Paul says "we are being transformed."Paul does
not say, we are transforming ourselves! This work of transformation "is from the Lord who is the
Spirit."
It is the Holy Spirit who works within us to transform us, and nothing we do by our own power can
change us. However, as we respond to the Spirit's work, everything we do can transform us into
Christlikeness. Spiritual formation is a spiritual work, so we depend on the Holy Spirit to be
transformed.
Fourth, our work is to respond to the Spirit's work in our lives. Paul writes this letter, in part, to inspire
and persuade the church at Corinth to live by the power of the Holy Spirit. Christianity is not a hobby.
It's about all of who we are responding to the fullness of God's presence in our lives. The Holy Spirit's
work isn't inviting us to be 10% religious but 100% like Christ.
We actively give ourselves to the work of the Spirit in our lives, animating an energetic life of service
to others. One evidence of knowing God is our response to His love in our hearts, which leads us to
love others.
So we respond to the Spirit's work in our spirit in all of our lives. We can engage with spiritual
practices such as Bible reading, prayer, serving the poor, fasting, friendship with Christians, hearing
the preaching of God's word, and the discipline of study. But we can also be transformed by the
Holy Spirit as we cook a meal, sit in traffic, update a spreadsheet, or exercise.
If you try to do spiritual formation without the Holy Spirit, you'll eventually give up in despair. It's
too hard. But if you wait for spiritual formation to happen without your involvement, you won't see
any progress. We cannot grow in love for God if we are passive and disinterested. But because God
loves us, and we love God, we can rely on the Holy Spirit in all of our lives.
Our second step to God is to depend on the Holy Spirit.
How have I turned Christianity into a self-help program?
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How have I become passive in my relationship with God?
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How have I participated in religious activities with a legalistic mindset?
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How have I compartmentalized my life into "spiritual" and "non-spiritual"

spheres?
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One definition of spiritual growth: "Spiritual formation is the work of the Holy
Spirit in our spirits, so that we become like Christ for the glory of God." What
do I think about this definition? How could I improve it?
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What would it look like for the Holy Spirit to transform my interior life
throughout my day?
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How have I experienced the Holy Spirit at work in my spirit?
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MY STEP WITH GOD
Holy Spirit, transform me into the image of Christ,
from glory to glory
(2 Corinthians 3:18).
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STEP
AWARENESS 3
So far we've discussed the first two steps:
1. To be emotionally present to God

2. To depend on the Holy Spirit
I
t's important to remember the first two steps because we want to build them into our everyday
lives. It's not like, "Ok, I completed the Emotionally Present Lesson. I'm ready to move on"! For
the rest of our lives, we will continue to grow in our capacity and desire to be honest with God.
Our third step is to become aware that God is at work. Instead of drifting through life, we want to
be alive to God and all he is doing!
This isn't an innovative idea! For instance, in the fifteenth century, Ignatius of Loyola was teaching
children to reflect, every evening, on how God has been active in their life that day. This is a habit
we can all develop to experience spiritual growth.
As you read through the Gospels, one of the surprising and sometimes even humorous themes is
that most people don't understand Jesus. They don't understand who he is, what he is teaching, or
how to make sense of his miracles. From the religious leaders to one of his disciples, many cannot
see that Jesus is the Messiah. What is revealed through these interactions is their spiritual blindness.
In Terrence Malick's film The Tree of Life, the cinematography depicts the stunning beauty of
Creation and the complexity of human life. There's a moment where Mr. O'Brien, a hard man of
nature, confesses, "I wanted to be loved because I was great. A big man. I'm nothing. Look: the
glory around us, the trees, the birds. I lived in shame. I dishonored it all and didn't notice the glory.
A foolish man."
It's a moment that grabs your heart. It's a sad part of the human condition: not noticing that we're
surrounded by glory. Pause with me. Have you ever gone through an entire day without noticing
God? Does everything seem ordinary - or filled with splendor?
In John 8, Jesus makes a momentous statement: "I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows
me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."
It reminds me of C.S. Lewis' famous quote, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has
risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."
When we see Jesus, the Light of the world, he opens our eyes to the light of life. But that raises the
question: Where is God working? What is God doing?
Spiritual growth happens when we orient ourselves to who God is and what God is doing. It's that
simple.
So here's a simple framework for gaining awareness of what God is doing:
God is working in us, among us, through us, and around us.
First, God is working in us. This is Step 2: to depend on the Holy Spirit to make us like Christ so that
we can glorify God whatever we do, wherever we are, and in whatever task we attempt. God wants
to restore us and make us fully whole as individuals.
Second, God works among us. Christianity is not a single-player video game. Our Triune God created
us to thrive in loving, holy relationships. Jesus did not have one disciple, but twelve. Through our
interactions with one another, God is showing us how to love and care for one another as we become
more like Christ. That's why this course is intended for a community to experience together. (For
instance, read Hebrews 10:24-25).
Third, God works through us as we participate in God's mission to announce the love of Christ to
the world. As we join God's work, we discover our purpose in life. As God's people, we advocate for
justice and oppose injustice. When God blesses us with Christlikeness, we earnestly desire to be a
blessing to our neighbors. (For instance, read Micah 6:8 and James 1:27).
Fourth, God works around us. We don't carry the burden of the whole world by ourselves. God is
doing far more than we can ask or imagine. God intends to redeem not just our souls but the entire
cosmos. This is the breathtaking scope of God's mission! When the Israelites were stuck in Egypt,
God designed and implemented a plan to free them. (For instance, read Isaiah 55:8-9 and 1
Corinthians 2:1-16).
God doesn't require us to get a Ph.D. in order to understand what's going on: God is and God is
active.
Our third step to God is to be awakened to what God is doing.
What might be some reasons I am unaware of God's activity in my life and

environment?
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What's the difference between 'being religious' and 'paying attention to God'?
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In the past week, how has God been at work in my heart?
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In the past week, how has God been at work among my Christian community?
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In the past week, how has God been empowering our church to serve others?
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In the past week, how has God been working around me/us?
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What habits would help me notice how God is already, always at work?
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MY STEP WITH GOD
Jesus, you are the Light of the world (John 8:12).
Open my eyes to see how you are at work in,
among, through, and around me/us.
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STEP
GRATITUDE 4
A
s we move on to step four, I want to gently encourage you to keep practicing the first three
steps. Every day is an opportunity to experience God's love as we openly talk with him
about our experiences and feelings. Every moment is an invitation to live a supernatural
life by the power of the Holy Spirit. Everywhere we go, we look to see how God is at work.
Our fourth step is to practice gratitude. In Mark 12:41-44, we read,
Sitting across from the temple treasury, Jesus watched how the crowd dropped money into the
treasury. Many rich people were putting in large sums. Then a poor widow came and dropped in
two tiny coins worth very little. Summoning his disciples, he said to them, "Truly I tell you, this
poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. For they all gave out of their
surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had—all she had to live on."
Clearly, Jesus and his disciples are attentive to the importance of money in shaping our lives and
societies. Money is one way we express our priorities. From the outward appearance, it seems to me
that the rich contributed more than the poor widow. But a deeper look indicates otherwise. This
passage invites us to consider how the rich used their wealth to show off their abundance while
neglecting the obvious needs of the poor widow.
But this story functions on another level. How many stories have you heard where the hero is a poor
widow? Jesus identifies unusual people to be models for us to imitate. What's remarkable is that this
widow gave all of her resources to God. What motivates such an unconditional surrender to God?
I believe it is the transformative power of gratitude. When we experience that God is everything to
us, we are grateful. We are astonished that he made us in his image, that he died on the cross for
our sins, that he adopted us into his family, that he fills us with the Holy Spirit, and that he assures
us of eternal life in his presence. We could fill libraries with all the reasons to thank God for who he
is and what he has done.
Again, spiritual formation is very simple. It's something that a poor, uneducated widow understood,
even as rich people and religious leaders missed it.
But sometimes spiritual formation seems like something for high-status people. If you can afford the
leather Bible, the luxury weekend at the Christian retreat center, or nice clothes for the church
service, then you're part of the club. If you have a good marriage with wellbehaved children and a
respectable job, then God is interested. If you're hard-working and conscientious, then you qualify.
But if your life is a mess? If you've made bad decisions? If you're poor?
Consider what Jesus says in John 10:14-15, "l am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my
sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the
sheep." Our walk with God begins and continues with his care for us. In a very concrete manner,
Jesus gave everything for us. The natural response to this love is wholehearted gratitude.
The implication is that all of life is an opportunity to respond to God with gratitude. We don't own
anything; rather, we steward our lives and everything entrusted to us for God's glory.
This means that we don't have to practice every spiritual discipline. It's more important to read the
Bible with gratitude than to fast with a grumpy heart. But when we are experiencing God as good,
we want to draw close to God. We're eager to pray, listen to the Scriptures, attend church, and
otherwise open our lives to God's presence. With gratitude, spiritual growth is not an intense training
program, but a gift from God.
Living with gratitude also means that we are open to experiencing God in different ways, in different
seasons. At certain times of our life, generosity might be a vital way that we respond to God's love.
In other seasons, it might be fasting. At times, we might especially invest in hospitality, evangelism,
or a life of simplicity.
Whatever spiritual disciplines you feel drawn to, the Holy Spirit dwells within us to restore us to our
full humanity. The spiritual disciplines are another means by which He works in our lives. For instance,
you can ask: will this habit or process form me to be like this poor widow? Do you see? Her beautiful
life is a signpost for us.
By viewing spiritual formation as a gift, we experience gratitude. And we free ourselves from
unnecessary burdens. Remember, God is a loving Father, a kind Savior, and a good Friend.
Our fourth step to God is gratitude.
4 REFLECTION QUESTIONS
I am grateful to know God personally because:
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What has God done for me?
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What are some ways that spiritual growth is marketed to those who are
already doing well?
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In what ways, if any, do I feel entitled or deserving?
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If I saw my entire life as a gift from God, how would that change my heart?
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As I study Mark 12:41-44, what do I learn from the poor widow's example?
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In what ways do I see religion as a burden rather than a gift? Why is that?
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What would it look like for the Holy Spirit to grow me into a grateful person?
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MY STEP WITH GOD
Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd (John 10:11).
Thank you for laying down your life for me.
I am grateful for you and your gifts.
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STEP
GOD IS YOUR
FRIEND 5
What image do you have of God? Is he a tyrant? Silent and quiet? A judgmental parent?
I
t's hard to grow as a Christian if you think God disapproves of you. It took me a long time to
learn that God is my Friend - and I'm still learning to believe this is true in my heart. But one
simple, uneducated, and poor person showed me how to build a friendship with God.
In 1692, a book by an unknown author was published in Paris. Since then, this small collection of
letters and reflections has never gone out of print. The book's author, Nicolas Herman, was born in
a small village without the advantages of class or money in a culture with a rigid social hierarchy. He
lived through the Thirty Years War, the Black Death, and the Little Ice Age. As a former soldier, he
endured chronic pain from an unresolved leg injury. For most of his life, he was a monk who lived
under a vow of complete poverty, working in a kitchen and repairing sandals.
His story evoked strong emotions within me. He suffered in so many ways. Yet today, he is better
known as Brother Lawrence, the author of a spiritual classic, The Practice of the Presence of God. In
the midst of a difficult life, his book is bursting with joy in God's presence. No publisher could have
predicted that Nicolas would write an international bestseller that would be read for over three
hundred years!
What was his secret? As a simple man, Brother Lawrence instinctively understood that God was his
Friend. As he put it in one of his letters, "Your confidence in God is beautiful; may He bless you for
it. We can never trust this Friend of ours too much."
So let's be practical. What does it look like for God to be our Friend? Brother Lawrence taught that
it involves two basic commitments.
The first commitment is to renounce whatever does not lead to God. The second is to remember
that God is already our Friend.
As Brother Lawrence put it, "...The most important part resides in renouncing, once and for all,
whatever does not lead to God. This allows us to become involved in a continuous conversation with
Him in a simple and unhindered manner. All we have to do is to recognize God as being intimately
present within us."
He also wrote, "If I were to be responsible for guiding souls in the right direction, I would urge
everyone to be aware of God's constant presence, if for no other reason than because His presence
is a delight to our souls and spirits."
It might seem mysterious, but the process is straightforward. Instead of trying to be in God's
presence, we recognize that God is already present within us. And if we are in the presence of God,
of course, we want to renounce anything that isn't holy and loving. Over time, we learn to engage
in a continuous conversation with God in a conversational way. As Brother Lawrence knew, God's
presence is a delight to our souls and spirits. We naturally want to spend time with Someone who
brings us joy.
For a long time, I had this mental image that God was up in heaven, and I was down on earth. I had
to start each day by doing something to get to God. If I earnestly read the Bible or passionately
prayed, then I could ascend to be with God for a little bit. But reading The Practice of the Presence
helped me see that I had it all backward. God is already and always my friend. Jesus promised that
he would always be with us (Matthew 28:20). Likewise, we're promised that God will never leave us
or forsake us (Joshua 1:5, Hebrews 13:5).
There are many other pathways to experiencing God as a Friend. I needed to read a book.
My grandmother sang hymns. One of my mentors memorized hundreds of Bible verses. Some
people dedicate a space in their homes to be with God. Another friend found a remote place in the
woods that he visits on the weekends. We're all different, and God offers us his caring presence in
a way that meets each of our personalities and capacities.
Our fifth step to God is to experience God as a Friend.
In my heart, speaking honestly, how would I describe God? Tyrant?

Judgmental? Irrelevant? Harsh? King? Father? Savior? Friend?
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How do I feel about God? Do I trust that God is good to me?
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How do difficult circumstances - especially evil and suffering - affect how I

think and feel about God?
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In what ways is my trust in God half-hearted?
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What do I need to turn away from? What is not leading me to God?
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God is already with me. How does that reality change my experience of God?
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What would it look like for the Holy Spirit to convince my heart that God is my
Friend?
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MY STEP WITH GOD
Triune God of love, you are always with me (Matthew 28:20).
Teach me to live my life as your friend
(John 15:15).
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STEP
SACRED READING 6
W
hat's at the heart of any relationship? There are a lot of right answers, but
'communication' has to be at the top of the list. In prayer, we communicate with God.
And God speaks to us by the Holy Spirit.
But how do we discern the difference between a crazy idea I had and something God says? It's
important not to confuse these! If we try to "live by the power of the Holy Spirit" but we never read
the Bible, we might start to give divine authority to our desires.
For instance, there was a coffee shop run by a local church that was near my college campus. One
day, I confess that I listened in as a guy and a girl talked at the table beside me. This guy had the
audacity to say that God had revealed that they were supposed to date one another. It's an offer
you can't refuse! God said so! Of course, it's wrong to use religious language to coerce others to do
something that benefits us.
So what's the answer? We need to listen to God speak to us through the Scriptures.
Unfortunately, we've often picked up other ideas about what the Bible is for. Sometimes we might
read the Bible to get more ammo to justify what we've already decided to do. Or reading the Bible
can feel like a chore. It becomes something we do to check off our spiritual to-do list. We may feel
pressure to memorize Scripture, learn Greek, or read several chapters daily. At other times, I've read
the Bible to gain status in my Christian organizations, to feel important, or to escape from my other
responsibilities. Perhaps the guy in the coffee shop even had a few Bible verses to justify his dating
preferences!
Still, we need the Scriptures. But how do we benefit from God's word?
By approaching the Bible as a source of nourishment for our souls.
In Eat This Book, Eugene Peterson writes, "What I mean to insist upon is that spiritual writing —
Spirit-sourced writing — requires spiritual reading, a reading that honors words as holy, words as a
basic means of forming an intricate web of relationships between God and the human, between all
things visible and invisible."
To attend to the Scriptures is to commune with the Trinity. It is a holy occasion to be impressed with
God and to be transformed by him. It is a mystery that fills us with wonder as we marvel at a God
who is beyond us and yet with us.
So how do we experience God's word as nourishment, rather than as a slogging duty? Instead of
treating the Bible like a spiritual performance, we need sacred reading.
This is a way of approaching Scripture that developed over centuries in the church. Over time, sacred
reading developed into four stages: lectio (reading), meditatio (reflection), oratio (response), and
contemplatio (rest).
Each stage prioritizes a relationship with God rather than mastery of the text.
The first stage is simply reading (lectio) a small passage of Scripture. All we do is reverently read the
text many times without trying to accomplish anything other than taking in its grandeur.
Next comes reflection (meditatio). Rather than monitoring our performance, we savor the feast of
God's word. We meditate on what we have heard. It's like the perfect plate of food. Do you gobble
it down? Or take your time to enjoy it?
The third stage is response (oratio). As God's word goes into the depths of our being, we respond
with words of praise to God, straight from our hearts. We are emotionally honest with our Friend.
We rely on the Holy Spirit as we encounter God's word.
Finally, we enjoy God (contemplatio). All our hurried strivings to be someone or do something great
are met with Jesus' words, "Peace, be still!" We realize we are beloved. God's communication to us
is important, but our ultimate goal is to experience God ourselves.
Sacred reading can be done alone or in community, in a prayer closet or an office chair, on the
subway, or while riding a bike. We don't have to be experts in theology or biblical studies to
experience the Bible as nourishment for our souls.
I invite you to approach the Bible with a sense of wonder and awe rather than accomplishment and
performance. When the Scriptures have filled you, changed you, and brought you close to God, you
benefit from your time in God's word.
All of God's word can nourish us. But as you get started, it's easiest if you choose one of your favorite
Bible passages. For instance, you might begin with Psalm 1, Psalm 23, Matthew 5, or Romans 8.
Our sixth step to God is to be strengthened by the Bible.
Have I ever seen someone talk about "The Holy Spirit" inappropriately? If so,
how has that affected my view of God?
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When I read the Bible, why? What motivates me to read the Bible?
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When I don't read the Bible, why? What keeps me from enjoying God's word?
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Have I experienced the Bible as nourishment for my soul, in God's presence?

What could help me regularly approach the Bible with that attitude?
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What is a small portion of Scripture that I want to meditate on?
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When and where can I meditate on God's word each day?
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Who could regularly join me in enjoying God's word together?
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MY STEP WITH GOD
God, you want us to be happy when we
delight in your Word (Psalm 1:1-3).
Help me to enjoy you and your Word.
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STEP
WISDOM 7
D
uring my high school years, I once went kayaking around a lake with some friends. We
were young, energetic, and in good shape. One of my friends suggested that we paddle
across the lake to see where a road became a tunnel on the side of a mountain. Looking
back on it, that's not very exciting, but at the time it seemed like a thrilling sight. So we embarked
on this adventure.
As we paddled across the lake, the wind was at our backs, and we were having a great time.
However, after about an hour, we realized that the tunnel was too far away, and we wouldn't be able
to make it there. We turned around to find the rest of our group, only to realize that no other boats
were on the lake. Everyone else had already left, and we were alone. To make matters worse, the
shore was much further away than we had anticipated.
We were tired, and the strong wind blowing across the lake didn't help. When we finally got out of
the water, we were exhausted, and we had to walk back to our hotel, stopping in little stores to ask
for directions. Looking back on it, what started as an innocent day on the lake could easily have
turned into tragedy.
It's important to note that reading the Bible, praying, or singing worship songs wouldn't have fixed
our basic problem of youthful immaturity. While we survived the experience and can now look back
on it as a fun story, the truth is that foolishness can ruin our lives.
Now imagine if something tragic had happened. For many people, it'd be natural to blame God for
the disaster. As Proverbs 19:3 explains, "A person's own foolishness leads him astray, yet his heart
rages against the LORD." How could God let this happen? They were so young! But whose fault
would it be?
In my experience, one neglected theme of the Bible is the contrast between wisdom and foolishness.
But the Bible tells us that fools despise God and his wisdom. If we are foolish people, we will lack
the sense to trust God or to benefit from his wisdom.
Now, I'm not saying that the only reason we distrust God is because we are foolish.
Sometimes we have doubts because we've been abused, we're curious about various ideas, or we
are depressed. We are complex creatures; I don't intend to give simplistic explanations of our
spiritual growth or relationship with God. Nor should we assume that those who suffer are
automatically responsible.
If you are attentive to wisdom, your relationship with God will make you fully human. But if you
ignore wisdom, then you will at best become very religious.
And if we try to be spiritually mature within the narrow confines of 'religion' we are missing the point.
God isn't helping us to become good church members, but fully alive image bearers. Putting aside
foolishness and learning to navigate life with wisdom is a crucial part of our spiritual growth.
So how do we gain wisdom? James 1:5-8 instructs us,
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and
ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the
doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to
receive anything from the Lord, being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.
The path to wisdom starts by resolving to wholeheartedly trust God.
How do I know? Because James tells us how to get wisdom: ask God, then put into practice what
God says.
It's a theme of the entire Bible. The Scriptures celebrate the people who hear God's word and
faithfully respond to it. But it's a different outcome for those who hear God's word and then twist it,
ignore it, or disobey it.
Biblical wisdom is learning to faithfully navigate God's world in God's presence with God's help. So
I recommend that you solemnly resolve to seek after God so that you can become a wise person.
Spiritual formation is about far more than technique or accomplishment. It is about becoming the
person who can make good decisions and choices that align with God's work in your life. It involves
a deep understanding of oneself, others, and the world. We gain an awareness of the consequences
of our actions. A wise person has the ability to discern between right and wrong. We can navigate
complex situations with grace and humility, and learn from our successes and failures. Wisdom is a
quality developed over time through a life of seeking God, learning from others, and gaining
practical experience.
If you don't want to be wise, you'll have difficulty becoming spiritually mature. In fact, you'll have a
hard time building strong friendships, being successful at work, or even becoming proficient in a
hobby. Foolishness can sabotage our lives. Gaining wisdom is part of becoming like Christ.
Our seventh step to God is to grow in wisdom.
What are some foolish things I've done? How have those decisions affected my
walk with God?
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What are some ways I am currently acting foolishly?
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Have I asked God for wisdom?
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God provided the Proverbs, among other resources, to enable me to live with
wisdom. How have I incorporated God's wisdom into my life?
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How does my church enable its members to live with wisdom and maturity?
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Describe a problem I need God's wisdom to navigate well:
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What are some resources God has provided to give me wisdom for this area of
my life?
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MY STEP WITH GOD
God, I thank you that you generously and
gladly give us wisdom (James 1:5-8).
Show me the path to maturity.
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STEP
A ROYAL SECRET 8
A
re you distracted? We are inundated with information. We hop from app to app, website
to email to Slack, TV to podcasts, all day. Amidst all the noise, we can lose sight of what's
important to us. It's like asking for directions and getting hundreds of different answers for
the best way. It's confusing, even disorienting.
Today, I want to give you a very simple, basic tool. It's so familiar that we've lost sight of its power.
It's a practice that was initially designed for kings. It is a way of being loyal to God that can aid in
spiritual formation.
This secret is hidden in an obscure passage in the Old Testament that has never been discussed in
any sermon I've heard. In Deuteronomy 17:18-20, we find remarkable words that reveal how the king
was expected to remain loyal to God:
When the king is seated on his royal throne, he is to write a copy of this instruction for himself on
a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it
all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to observe all the words of
this instruction, and to do these statutes. Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen,
he will not turn from this command to the right or the left, and he and his sons will continue
reigning many years in Israel.
In ancient Israel, the king's influence on the entire nation was enormous. Writing out a copy of the
Torah for himself or commissioning a scribe to do the work was a significant investment of resources.
When the writing was finished, there would be a major celebration. Afterward, the king was to review
his Torah scroll every day, so he could understand God's will and put it into practice. If the king did
this, then God promised that the king would be humble, obedient, and successful.
By writing God's words down, the king would focus his heart and mind. It would take time, effort,
and care to pay attention to the details of what God has said. He would hold the words in his mind
as he copied each of them to a new scroll. As he wrote God's words on a scroll, he might consider
if he was writing God's words with his life.
So here's the royal secret: write down what God is teaching you.
For most of human history, writing was a privilege for the rich and well-educated. It was reserved for
kings! However, now that we can read and write, we have a new problem: too many distractions.
Netflix, YouTube, TikTok... it's easy to amuse ourselves to death.
There is spiritual power in writing. Here are some benefits of writing:
• From confusion to clarity

• From shallow to deep understanding
• From stuck to gaining momentum
• From passive consumption to active participation
Consider each of our steps so far.
Step 1: How can writing help you connect with your emotions?
Step 2: Could you write a prayer to depend on the Holy Spirit?
Step 3: Every evening, write one paragraph on how you saw God at work.
Step 4: Create a list of what you are grateful for.
Step 5: Journal what it means to know God as a Friend.
Step 6: Write down the Bible verses you want to meditate on.
Step 7: Make notes about living with wisdom.
Have you written answers to the reflection questions? If so, how did that help you understand and
apply each step?
Imagine starting every week by listening to God and his word and writing down your priorities.
Would that help you become a mature Christian?
If you wanted to prepare for a meaningful conversation with a friend, would writing out the main
points you wanted to communicate and how you wanted to demonstrate your love for him work
better than an improv effort?
The benefits of writing are immense. The royal secret of writing down what God is teaching you is
an invaluable step to God.
Our eighth step to God is to write down what God is teaching us.
Looking back on the past week, where did I spend most of my leisure time?
How have those activities helped or hindered my spiritual growth?
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What's the difference between passively receiving information and actively

writing down my thoughts?
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What passage of Scripture could I write out to better understand it?
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What's a complex or confusing question that I've been ignoring?
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What is God inviting me to prioritize in this season of my life?
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What is the best time of day for me to spend focused time with God?
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How could writing help me experience spiritual growth?
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MY STEP WITH GOD
God, I want to live in holy awe of who you are. I want to
observe all the words you have given me to practice
(James 1:22-25).
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STEP
COMMUNITY 9
W
hen I was in high school, I had a heated argument with a friend who believed that
emotions mattered. l, on the other hand, believed in the superiority of cold logic and
careful reasoning. I was a weird kid, always in search of syllogisms.
Looking back, I realize that at that moment, what I really needed was community. My friend was
inviting me to understand myself and other people.
If you have ever attended church or read the Bible, you've likely heard that community is important.
However, sometimes the word "community" is misleading. Just because the word "Community" is
displayed in a church lobby on a cool sign doesn't mean that true connection is occurring. And many
people have experienced spiritual abuse, which creates an understandable resistance to
participating in Christian organizations.
If you watch nearly any movie or TV show, it's evident that people care about other people and their
relationships. Drama is all about the ups and downs of relationships. A good story and compelling
characters hook us every time. Still, the value of community is often overlooked in individualistic
societies, where the emphasis is placed on individual success and achievement. We are often
watching Netflix alone.
It took me a lot of time and struggle to learn why community matters to God - and to me. So, why
is community so important? Why does God care about it?
In Step 9, we will examine two reasons: love and imitation.
LOVE
Jesus said that the most important commandments were to love God and others. I can be peaceful
when no one is around to bother me, but being alone does not make me holy. True spirituality is
found in how we treat others. Jesus came to earth because God is love, and love is how we become
more like God.
Jesus's love went so far as to wash the feet of Judas, mere hours before his disciple would betray
him. He went so far as to die on the cross to pay the price for our sins and give us forgiveness, divine
acceptance, and a new life.
So to be like God is to love. In other words, you can test your spiritual maturity by asking trusted
people in your life if they experience you as a loving person. (As a side note: This does not work if
you ask an abusive person this question).
Imitation
In Philippians 2, Paul reproduces an early Christian hymn that encouraged the first churches to imitate
the example of Jesus. It's in Philippians 2:5-11.
But if you look closely at the rest of the chapter, you'll notice that Paul also encourages the Christians
in Philippi to imitate him (Philippians 2:2, 17-18), Timothy (Philippians 2:19-24), and Epaphroditus
(Philippians 2:25-30). By contrast, the Philippians are to avoid imitating the example of those who
do evil (Philippians 3:2).
Does this seem like an exaggeration? Look at Philippians 3:17. Paul specifically invites other
Christians to imitate his example: "Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful
attention to those who live according to the example you have in us."
When we become embedded in a community, we become like those people. So it is important to

exercise wisdom about the communities we join. To the degree we are able, we seek out those
whose lives and relationships show the goodness, holiness, love, and kindness of Christ.
(Another side note: I am not suggesting we avoid having friendships with nonChristians. That would
be weird).
We thrive when we participate in spiritually healthy communities. Relationships provide us with the
opportunity to learn, grow, and connect in meaningful ways. One essential step towards God is to
find and participate in loving communities where you can meet people whose lives are worthy of
imitation.
Our ninth step to God is to get close to God's people.
What "lessons" have I learned about community from my culture?
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What does my church teach about community? How would I describe my

experience of community at church?
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"True spirituality is found in how we treat others." What do I think about this
definition? How could I improve it?
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Who can I trust to give honest, caring feedback on how well I love others?
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Who are my role models? Whose Christian life would I want to imitate?
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Which relationships are helping me develop spiritual maturity? Which

relationships are pulling me away from God?
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Who is God inviting me to love? What does love look like in this relationship?
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MY STEP WITH GOD
Triune God of love, thank you for the gift of Christian community.
Teach me to love as you have loved me
(John 13:34-35).
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STEP
PURPOSE 10
I
n today's world, headlines are often dominated by stories of political crises, tragedies, and wars.
The media industry follows the saying, "If it bleeds, it leads," and focuses on stories of death and
destruction. While this can be discouraging, journalists have the privilege of covering these
stories and broadening our perspectives. They can activate our empathy and encourage us to make
a difference.
But do we want to pursue justice? Sometimes I get discouraged as Christians identify enemies they
want to defeat. Sometimes politics warps our faith so that we become combative. It's us-vs-them.
We want champions who will raise hell and go to war on our behalf. I struggle to see how this
approach fits with the life and ministry of Jesus. The politics of his day were ruthlessly oppressive.
Yet instead of raising an army or calling down legions of angels to defeat Rome, he died on the
cross. Sacrificial love was his method of defeating evil.
In the book of Isaiah, we see how the prophet challenged the hypocritical religion of his day and
drew attention to the suffering of oppressed workers. He called out the people of Israel for
neglecting the needs of the hungry, homeless, and poor. He warned that spiritual formation cannot
happen if we are oppressing others. He wrote:
Cry out loudly, don't hold back! Raise your voice like a ram's horn. Tell my people their
transgression and the house of Jacob their sins.
They seek me day after day and delight to know my ways, like a nation that does what is right
and does not abandon the justice of their God. They ask me for righteous judgments; they delight
in the nearness of God."
"Why have we fasted, but you have not seen? We have denied ourselves, but you haven't
noticed!"
"Look, you do as you please on the day of your fast, and oppress all your workers. You fast with
contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today, hoping to
make your voice heard on high" (Isaiah 58:1-4).
God is not just working in, among, and through us. He is also working around us. An honest
assessment of our world is that it is groaning under the devastation of sin. God cares about
redeeming people, communities, and all of creation. He is committed to restoring the world and
providing justice to the oppressed.
Would you want to worship a God who was indifferent to injustice?
Isaiah 58 makes it clear that spiritual formation cannot happen if we are oppressing others. Even if
we fast, and pray, and seek God "day after day", God says he doesn't listen if we are neglecting the
needs of the hungry, the homeless, and the poor.
At the end of Isaiah 58, God says he will honor those who restore entire communities:
The LORD will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen your bones. You
will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose water never runs dry.
Some of you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will restore the foundations laid long ago; you will
be called the repairer of broken walls, the restorer of streets where people live (Isaiah 58:11-12).
If we are responding to God in faith, then our spiritual formation will also include caring about these
issues. A selfish life lacks purpose, but when we serve others, we experience a life full of meaning.
As we work to restore broken communities and rebuild ancient ruins, we become repairers of broken
walls and restorers of streets where people live. This is a critical part of our spiritual journey because
pursuing justice is part of how we demonstrate the love of Christ.
Our tenth step to God is to participate in his mission. In doing so, we experience a life full of purpose.
Do I want to pursue justice?
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Am I caught up in any culture wars?
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Would I want to worship a God who was indifferent to oppression?
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How did Jesus care for the needs of the poor and the suffering? What
passages in the Gospels can I study to understand this better?
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Injustice can feel overwhelming and unstoppable. Am I discouraged from trying
to make a difference?
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What would it look like if every Christian and every church opposed injustice
and empowered those who suffered?
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Holy Spirit, what's one step I can take this week to participate in your mission?
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MY STEP WITH GOD
God, I want to be near to you. Please lead and strengthen me to be
"the restorer of streets where people live"
(Isaiah 58:12).
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STEP
RISK 11
T
he reality TV show Alone is a popular program that captures the essence of the human
condition. Each participant attempts to survive in a remote and harsh environment entirely
on their own. I love watching the contestants face their fears as they find a way to thrive in
extremely challenging circumstances. Of course, they all eventually hit their breaking point. The one
person left standing, finally alone in the backcountry, is crowned the winner.
However, whether or not we attempt to stay alive in the Arctic wilderness, we all face seemingly
impossible challenges. When we allow ourselves to honestly acknowledge the problems we face,
fear is the natural response. It's built into our biology and psychology. For some, it's the fear of
rejection, while for others, it's the fear of conflict. The Bible tells us that powerful forces oppose our
desire to be close to God: Satan, the world, and our sins.
Yet sadly, spiritual formation is often marketed based on its benefits. We reduce knowing God into
a consumer-friendly product. The focus is on personal well-being and comfort, rather than following
Jesus, even when difficult. For instance, church growth specialists sometimes focus on designing
parking lots, campus signage, and auditorium seating to make it easy for people to enjoy their
experience at church. It's the same design principles as building a successful movie theater.
I'm not saying we need to return to wooden benches. But a pampered spirituality is totally insufficient
to handle the challenges of life. Worse, it leaves us grossly unprepared to live a courageous life for
God's glory.
Taking risks is an essential component of spiritual formation. Without trying something new, we can
never change, and without risk, we can never experience the fullness of God's plan for us. If you are
signed up for God's mission, you must face your fears, be uncomfortable, and take chances that
might not work out. We are invited to be faithful to Jesus. That's miles away from a promise that
we'll be successful.
So how does God send us on mission?
First, God fills us with His love. 1 John 4:18-19 says, "There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love
drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. We
love because he first loved us."
It is God's love that prepares us to participate in God's mission.
Second, we are sent on this mission with friends. We are not meant to be solo superheroes but a
community on a mission. For instance, Jesus organized his twelve apostles into three groups of four,
with a leader in each group, and sent his disciples on mission in pairs of two.
A core value of Uncommon Pursuit is "togetherness that empowers mission." Notice in Acts 2:43-47
that the early church "devoted themselves to meeting together" and "every day the Lord added to
their number those who were being saved." In God's plan, community and mission are completely
aligned.
Third, God reframes the rewards. God understands that we fear rejection. With his help, we can
remain a blessing, even in the face of persecution and insults.
Jesus said, "You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of
evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that
is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Similarly, the Apostle Peter instructs his listeners, "Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic,
love one another, and be compassionate and humble, not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult
but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a
blessing" (1 Peter 3:8-9).
Yes, persecution is real. But God will bless you so you can remain a blessing.
Fourth, God goes first. He is already at work, and we are invited to join him where he is active. God
is already on mission. He's always working to redeem his image-bearers from their sin and self-
destruction. You'll never "bring God" to a new environment. Rather, we're responding to the work
of the Holy Spirit to participate in what God is already doing.
Finally, we are invited to be courageous, to do what is good and honorable, even though we may
be afraid.
The Apostle Paul is a perfect example of courage in the face of fear. Suffering in a Roman jail, his life
at risk from an upcoming trial, he pressed on. He encourages others to gain confidence in the Lord
and speak fearlessly. We read in Philippians 1:20, "My eager expectation and hope is that I will not
be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored
in my body, whether by life or by death."
To grow spiritually, risk is necessary. We can choose to be comfortable and bored. Or we can take
some risks to love others — and see God at work.
Our eleventh step to God is to take risks to love others.
How have I seen spiritual formation marketed as a benefit, to make me

comfortable, happy, and better off?
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Is my spiritual life "pampered" or comfortable?
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To courageously follow God, what fears do I need to face?
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If I obey God, what's the worst-case scenario?
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How can God's love drive out my fear?
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Where do I see God working around me? How does that encourage my heart?
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How do the stories of God's people in the Bible encourage me to take risks?
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Who do I know who will join me and be with me in God's mission?
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MY STEP WITH GOD
God, it is your love that gives me the courage to take risks
and participate in your mission (Psalm 27:1).
Show me the next steps.
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STEP
YOUR NEXT
STEP TO GOD 12
T
here are a lot of everyday tasks that are never finished. As soon as we do the laundry, there
are more dirty clothes. Once I organize our budget, there are new expenses to categorize.
When my wife and I start a movie, we get halfway through it before falling asleep. I start to
work on a photography project but never sort through all the photos. I once tried to organize my
genealogy and got overwhelmed by all the branching trees of my ancestors.
Uncompleted tasks are an ordinary part of life. So it's no surprise that our life with God is incomplete.
We're always in progress. In some areas, God is forming us into Christlikeness. In other areas, we're
seeing regression.
On the most basic level, the two greatest commandments are to love God with all of our heart, mind,
soul, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Has anyone, on a single day, ever fully
accomplished either of these tasks?
We are all wandering through life. There's confusion, ambiguity, and uncertainty in our journeys.
Yet I hope that in 12 Steps to God, you now have some ways of staying connected to God. Our
emotions span the gamut, but we talk with God about our hearts. We'll never understand all the
Scriptures, but we have an approach to allow God's word to nurture our souls. We'll always make
mistakes, but we intentionally grow in wisdom. We're not as connected as we could be, but we build
healthy relationships. We could do more to love our neighbor, but we pursue justice as best we can.
The Bible is realistic about our limitations as well. I love how Paul expresses this thought in Philippians
1:3-11:
I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in
my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure
of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ
Jesus. Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart,
and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and
confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection
of Christ Jesus. And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind
of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and
blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus
Christ to the glory and praise of God.
Paul's confidence is not in our steadfast character but in God's. He sees God at work in the Philippian
church, so he is confident that God will bring that work to completion. God has the infinite capacity,
knowledge, and love needed to make us fully whole - forever.
So what's our response? We earnestly grow in love for God and others! We are filled with faith in
Christ as we hope for the day of Christ to come. Our lives and our community are animated for the
glory and praise of God. We're all in process. But we eagerly press ahead, knowing that God is the
one who will bring this work to completion. Don't you want to live in such a way that the Holy Spirit
prompts you to love your neighbors throughout each day?
As you complete this course, it's time to create your lifelong plan for spiritual growth. The goal is to
clarify what God is doing in your life and how you can respond to Him. It's time to reflect on your
relationship with God, priorities, and goals.
On the following pages, I've provided space for you to write down your plan for spiritual growth.
The good news is that you've already started! You now have pages of notes to review as you create
your plan. I encourage you to keep it simple and achievable. Break it down to questions like this:
• When and where can I enjoy God's word for five minutes daily?
• How could I remind myself at lunch to live by the Holy Spirit?
• What's one question I need to answer to live with wisdom?
Imperfectly, but faithfully, we make holy resolutions to be transformed for God's mission.
Our twelfth step to God is to develop habits of following God.
How do I feel about being unable, in this life, to achieve spiritual perfection?
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What difference does it make that God is graciously involved in my imperfect

life?
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God promises to complete the work he began in me. How does God's
commitment encourage my heart?
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Do I hope for the day of Christ to come soon?
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Spiritual growth includes my love "growing in knowledge and every kind of
discernment." What's one area where I need to gain wisdom in how I love?
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What does God want to purify in me? What keeps me from being blameless?
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What's my next step with God?
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MY STEP WITH GOD
God, thank you for beginning a good work in me
and promising to bring it to completion
(Philippians 1:6).
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MY PLAN FOR
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and
sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
— 1 John 4:10
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

— James 4:8
Prayerfully review what you've learned in 12 Steps to God.
Then, in God's loving presence, write down your plan for spiritual growth.
This plan will change as your life circumstances change. As we experience spiritual growth, gain
wisdom, develop Christian friendships, and trust God more, we will embrace new challenges to love
others and live purposefully.
Don't create unrealistic expectations for yourself. Instead, consider what your next step to God looks
like. It's all a gift from a good and loving God.
When you've completed a "first draft" of your plan, I encourage you to discuss it with a trusted
friend.
It's important not to be too ambitious. Start very small. Be very specific. For instance, ask yourself,
"When and where could I read God's word for five minutes daily?" Or, "Who could I talk to this week
about serving the needs in our community?"
Finally, I encourage you to plan for when you 'fail.' "How will I remember God's grace, and get going
again?"
MY PLAN FOR
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
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THANK YOU
Thank you for joining me on this journey into life with God.
I'd be honored to continue this journey with you.
You can learn about our other courses and resources at our website,
uncommonpursuit.net.
You're also warmly invited to participate in our online community,

available at up.uncommonpursuit.net.
If you'd like to financially participate in our mission, you can conribute at

uncommonpursuit.net/donate.
For the price of a weekend conference, or about ten books, you can also
become a Missional Partner. It gives you lifetime access to all of our self-
paced courses, regular group meetings with me, and a private
community. You can learn more and sign up at
uncommonpursuit.net/missional-partnership.
Finally, if you enjoyed the course, please share your thoughts at

uncommonpursuit.net/testimonial. It only takes a few minutes. After you
send it in, I'll give you a $25 discount off the price of our Missional
Partnership to thank you for your time.
Thanks again.
From my heart to yours,
Carson

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All Scripture quotations have been taken from the Christian Standard

Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

12 Steps to God is dedicated to my wife, Mo, for showing

Special thanks to Lakshmi, Alison, Tony,

STEP 1: EMOTIONAL HONESTY 7

STEP 2: LIVE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT 13

STEP 5: GOD IS YOUR FRIEND 31

STEP 6: SACRED READING 36

STEP 8: A ROYAL SECRET 48

STEP 10: PURPOSE 60

STEP 11: RISK 65

STEP 12: YOUR NEXT STEP TO GOD 71

MY PLAN FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH 76

• Attribution: You must give appropriate credit to the original author.

That moment changed everything.

As you start 12 Steps to God, here's what I recommend.

From my heart to yours,

Do I have a plan for lifelong spiritual growth?

How has God pursued me with his love?

In five years, what could my life be like if I grow close to God?

Why does spiritual growth matter to me?

So let's talk about emotional authenticity.

But how does this happen?

Our first step to God is to be emotionally honest.

How does emotional honesty measure the health of a relationship?

How does my culture encourage or discourage emotional honesty?

How do my life experiences encourage or discourage emotional honesty?

2 Corinthians 3:18 reads:

Our second step to God is to depend on the Holy Spirit.

How have I turned Christianity into a self-help program?

How have I become passive in my relationship with God?

How have I participated in religious activities with a legalistic mindset?

How have I compartmentalized my life into "spiritual" and "non-spiritual"

How have I experienced the Holy Spirit at work in my spirit?

1. To be emotionally present to God

So here's a simple framework for gaining awareness of what God is doing:

Our third step to God is to be awakened to what God is doing.

What might be some reasons I am unaware of God's activity in my life and

In the past week, how has God been at work in my heart?

Our fourth step is to practice gratitude. In Mark 12:41-44, we read,

Our fourth step to God is gratitude.

I am grateful to know God personally because:

What has God done for me?

In what ways, if any, do I feel entitled or deserving?

Our fifth step to God is to experience God as a Friend.

In my heart, speaking honestly, how would I describe God? Tyrant?

How do I feel about God? Do I trust that God is good to me?

How do difficult circumstances - especially evil and suffering - affect how I

In what ways is my trust in God half-hearted?

Our sixth step to God is to be strengthened by the Bible.

Have I experienced the Bible as nourishment for my soul, in God's presence?

When and where can I meditate on God's word each day?

Who could regularly join me in enjoying God's word together?

So how do we gain wisdom? James 1:5-8 instructs us,

The path to wisdom starts by resolving to wholeheartedly trust God.

Our seventh step to God is to grow in wisdom.

What are some ways I am currently acting foolishly?

Have I asked God for wisdom?