December 30, 2025
What’s Next?
For the Christian, a new year means another growth step to take, another goal to set, and more fruit to bear in God’s kingdom.
Articles for tag: Spiritual Growth
December 29, 2025
New Year’s Resolutions Every Christian Should Make
From the Christian Standard archives, Dorothy Errett reminds every Christian of New Year's resolutions we all should make to begin the new year.
November 17, 2025
Don’t Be Lukewarm
This is the last in a series of weekly articles based on Christ’s letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation. This week’s church is Laodicea.
November 6, 2025
Planting the Seeds of Peace in Marriage
Peace isn’t just a seed. It’s a strategy. It’s strength. It’s Spirit. And peace, just might be the generational tree where your legacy rests.
November 5, 2025
When It Comes to Evangelism, Start with Why
If our focus is primarily on what (telling people about Jesus) or how (training and tactics), the work of evangelism can feel forced and uncomfortable. But once the why sinks in, everything changes.
November 5, 2025
The Missing Piece of the Great Commission
As those who have been charged with carrying out the Great Commission to go to all the world making disciples, let's remember that baptizing and teaching is not complete if obedience is not also taught and modeled by those who claim to follow Jesus.
The Slow Work of God: Why Spiritual Growth Takes Time
Spiritual growth is not a checklist—it’s a journey. And journeys take time.
December 4, 2023
Dec. 10 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Eternal Life” (John 3:1-21), by Mark Scott.
October 24, 2022
October 30 | Discovery
Psalm 92:14 says, “They will still bear fruit in old age.” What fruit do you want to bear more of as time goes on?
March 1, 2022
Authentic Community
By Rick Lowry God created every person with a “community gene.” We all have a natural longing to be with other human beings. From an early age, we have known the value of being a member of a group. Everyone grew up in some version of a family, a place where we belonged, living with significant others who helped shape us. We are in community, in groups, every day: the staff team at work, the board or committee on which we serve, the Thursday night Bunko ladies group, the guys who gather to watch NFL games—all small groups that satisfy,
February 20, 2022
Real Friends and Real Transformation
Editor Michael C. Mack shares how God used the first-ever small group he joined to change his life.
November 8, 2021
Nov. 14 | Grow Up
Ongoing growth was a challenge for the Hebrew Christians. In this section of the Epistle (Hebrews 5:11–6:12), the writer inserted this aside to exhort people to Christian maturity.
November 8, 2021
Nov. 14 | Application
Sometimes Christians stay spiritually stagnant instead of maturing. Here are five disciplines the Lord uses to help us grow.
November 8, 2021
Nov. 14 | Discovery
What warnings does the writer give to people who remain in their spiritual immaturity and don’t grow up?
September 28, 2020
Are We Making Progress? (Oct. 4 Lesson Application)
This “Application” column goes with the Bible Lesson for Oct. 4, 2020: Teach (1 Timothy 4:6-16) ________ By David Faust Ronald Reagan quipped, “Status quo is Latin for ‘the mess we’re in.’” We won’t get out of this mess without God’s help. That’s why we need teachers who communicate God’s grace and truth with reverence and relevance. Progress Requires Intentional EffortPaul urged Timothy to carry out his ministry “so that everyone may see your progress” (1 Timothy 4:15). That verse compels me to ask, Would others say I’m communicating God’s Word more effectively today than I did five years ago?
SPOTLIGHT: Mount Carmel Christian Church, Batavia, Ohio
Spiritual Growth Emphasis Spurs Numerical Growth By Rick Lowry Mount Carmel Christian Church in Batavia, Ohio (about 20 miles east of Cincinnati), has experienced significant growth in recent years. Didi Bacon became senior minister 21 years ago when the church averaged about 400 in worship. In 2015, Mount Carmel moved into a beautiful new facility and now consistently averages more than 1,000. Bacon and the rest of the staff are convinced a major reason for the numerical growth has been their emphasis on spiritual growth. Teaching minister Tim Peace, who works with groups, said a significant dialogue started when the
October 7, 2019
Lesson for Oct. 13, 2019: Persevere Through Growth (2 Peter 1:3-11)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 11 (weeks 41-44; October 13—November 3, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ________ Lesson Aim: Add to your faith so that you grow and do not fall. ________ By Mark Scott Chuck Swindoll wrote a book entitled Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back. Sometimes the Christian life seems that way. But, even if that is the case, the believer is one step closer to
May 29, 2019
In Praise of ‘Holiness’: New Book Seeks to Reclaim the Word
By Jim Nieman A new book by Shawn McMullen, editor of The Lookout, seeks to explain the importance of holy living and help people nurture a deeper relationship with God. McMullen titled his book Coming Home to Holiness, though he admits holiness isn’t a popular topic today. “The concept of holiness is routinely misrepresented and misunderstood in our culture,” McMullen says, “to the point that many people today are turned off by the mere mention of the word.” “I think this is why some sincere Christians, with all their love and service and devotion, still feel incomplete—like something is missing
May 22, 2019
What Core 52 Is Doing for Us
By Dale Reeves How desperate are you to know God’s Word, what he wants to say to you, and what he wants you to do about it? “I don’t just want to read God’s Word weekly. I am implementing changes in my life—sometimes daily—as a result of reading Core 52.” “When we’re out of town during the week, we love staying on track by reading the same Scriptures many others at Christ’s Church are reading.” “Even in the midst of my busy lifestyle, I am staying committed to a daily reading of God’s Word. The practical action steps each week
December 31, 2018
Make Next Year a Great One for Your Staff, Elders, Group, or Family
(Start your year off right by considering our editor’s suggestions in this brief item we first published two years ago. This approach can be used successfully among a wide variety of people who meet regularly and seek to love and honor God.) _ _ _ By Michael C. Mack When we make resolutions, we usually emphasize what we will do under our own power and will. When we run out of willpower, we begin to fail at keeping those resolutions. For Christians, there’s a far better way. Move from New Year’s resolutions to spiritual reconstitutions! Here’s how. At your first
