I saw a noteworthy statistic from the Barna Group -- a Christian research company -- yesterday.
According to Barna's research, 44% of U.S. Christians don't have any kind of discipling relationship in their life.
In other words...
Almost half of the believers in America do not have someone they talk to on a regular basis about applying their faith to their everyday circumstances.
Without a doubt, those in this situation are suffering spiritually.
Growing as obedient followers of Christ, requires having people in your life who can supply you with biblical support regarding the real issues you're facing.
Listening to sermons -- as important as that is -- isn't enough...
Neither is reading good books...
Or devoting yourself to personal Bible reading and prayer...
Beyond these things...
You need the kind of interaction and modeling and encouragement that comes from meaningful, biblically-oriented relationships.
The Bible refers to this as "iron sharpening iron" (Pr.27:17).
If you don't have this kind of relationship in your life, ask God to show you how to establish one... or better yet, more than one.
Your development as a fully functioning citizen in God's kingdom depends on it!
Get Dominion,
David Bostrom