Balanced Faith Walk
What is a Balanced Faith Walk?
We believe in the pursuit of a balanced faith walk to strengthen our relationship with God and get to know Him and His love for us more personally. It also prepares us to more confidently share our faith and the good news of the gospel with others while living out the purposes God has planned for our lives.
The elements of a Balanced Faith Walk are worship, prayer, bible study, Christian fellowship, and service.
Each component is essential. Finding the right balance will look differently for each of us and may change over time. Has anyone ever asked you, "How's your faith walk?" The framework of a balanced faith walk helps us answer this critical question. It can serve as a guide to help us reflect on our walk and take practical steps to strengthen our relationship with God, no matter where we are on our journey.
The Balanced Faith Walk framework also helps us support each other was we live out our faith. We invite you to join us as we reflect on our need for a Balanced Faith Walk and explore opportunities to strengthen our relationship with God and each other.
Worship
Worship is foundational to our faith walk and relationship with God. Worship is not about us - it is about God. In worship, we turn our attention away from our daily lives and focus on him. We were created to worship God, and scripture is full of encouragement to praise God for who He is and all He has done.
Scripture
O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.
Isaiah 25:1
Come, let us down down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
Psalm 95:6
Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
Psalm 150:1
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"
Luke 4:8
Reflection: How is my commitment to worship?
How often do I attend congregational worship? Every week? Once a month? If it is not as often as I would like, what is getting in the way? What can I do to make worship a priority in my schedule?
Do I take time for individual worship of God? To praise him for who he is? To thank him for all he has done?
In addition to church services, we can experience worship in other ways. Do I bring worship to my life beyond Sundays? In Prayer? Time in nature? Listening to worship music? Singing? My work? How might my faith life be changed by viewing my attitudes, actions, and use of time as an act of worship?
After reflecting on my commitment to worship, what practical steps can I take to strengthen worship in my faith walk?
Dig Deeper
View our Sunday morning worship options here.
Thats My Story - Cathy Fincham
Prayer
We were created to be in a relationship with God, and prayer is the primary way we communicate with Him. He wants us to spend time with Him. In prayer, we are able to worship, give thanks, listen, and express our hopes and fears. When we pray, scripture assures us that God hears us.
Scripture
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
1 John 5:14
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
Jeremiah 29:12
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6
Trust in him at all times...; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Psalms 62:8
Reflection: How confident am I in my prayer life?
Does my prayer life bring vitality to my relationship with God on a daily basis?
Is there variety in my prayer life? Do I think God for his blessings and answers to prayer? Do I ask God for what I need most? For what I worry about?
Am I in need of prayer right now? Do I know someone I can reach out to ask for prayer?
Am I interested in learning more about praying for others?
What can I add to my prayer life? A Prayer Journal? Join the church's email prayer list? Would I like to gain greater confidence praying aloud with others?
Am I interested in joining a prayer group? Or starting one?
After reflecting on my prayer life, what practical steps can I take to strengthen this part of my faith walk?
Dig Deeper
Are you interested in joining the Prayer Team praying with our pastors before services on Sunday Morning? Sign up here.
That's My Story - Margie Van Meter
That's My Story - Steve Digiuseppe
Bible Study
When we study scripture, we get to know God, including His character and Will, more immediately. We learn to see ourselves as He sees us and discover His wisdom and peace. While we can read God's Word any time, studying the Bible with others can be life-changing. We are reminded in scripture of the importance of being in His Word.
Scripture
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.
Isaiah 40:8
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:17
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Reflection: Does my faith walk need more time in God's Word?
Do I spend time with others learning about God?
Am I in a Bible study group? Am I interested in joining one? Or starting one?
Do I start my day with scripture or a devotional?
After reflection on the need for studying God's Word, what practical steps can I take to strengthen this part of my faith walk?
Do I pray before I open the Bible?Do I listen for God to speak to me in the Word?
Dig Deeper
Find Bible Study opportunities here.
That's My Story - John Maynard
That's My Story - Mark Reynolds
Christian Fellowship
Spending time with other believers is essential to living a Christian life. It provides strength and a chance to grow with others. We like to call it "doing life together." Ideally, we do this as part of a home group, but we also find fellowship in other groups and ministry teams. We are reminded in scripture of the importance of fellowship.
Scripture
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:42
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them.
Matthew 18:20
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.
Hebrews 10:24-25
Reflection: Does my faith walk include time in fellowship with other believers?
Am I a member of a home group? Would I like to be? Do I have a group of Christian friends with whom I can share myself freely? Do I allow myself to be accountable to someone?
Am I in ministry with my brothers and sisters in a way that allows us to support each other? Live life together?
After reflecting on Christian fellowship, what practical steps can I take to strengthen this part of my faith walk?
Dig Deeper
Find fellowship opportunities here.
That's My Story - Gary Vander Haagen
That's My Story - Ethel Samuelson
Service
We serve so God can reach others through our hands. We serve our gratitude for what God has done for us through Jesus Christ and a desire to share this good news with others. When we serve joyfully, we are following Jesus' example. What we give is often surpassed by what we receive in unexpected blessings. We are reminded to be servants in scripture.
Scripture
For what is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
Luke 22:27
Each one of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45
Reflection: Does my faith walk include using my gifts to serve others?
Have I discovered my Spiritual Gifts? Am I using these gifts to serve my church and community? If not, why? Am I missing out?
Is my service in balance with Worship, Prayer, Bible study and Christian Fellowship? Does anything in my life or faith walk need to yield to restore balance?
Have I looked at the current needs and opportunities to serve at the church? What is the process for an idea I have to serve in a new way?
After reflecting on service, what practical steps can I take to strengthen or balance this part of my faith walk?
Dig Deeper
Find our SHAPE survey here.
Find service opportunities here.
That's My Story - Brian Maiville
That's My Story - Steve Stimac