The Core

GROW is an online, interactive journey that will help you grow in your relationship with God, discover Gods greater purposes for your life, and build a stronger foundation for the rest of your life. Each session includes videos, text, an e-coach, and the opportunity to chat with other participants who are taking the same journey.
For more information, visit GROW.Jesus.net

 Read and Discuss I. The Core Core Values for Growing in Christ Ten years ago, a group of Christians from around the world began a search to discover the most important core values of the Christian life. Two years of research revealed eight essential values. This online, interactive study will help you discover and live these powerful values. Individually, each value is important. They impact your attitude, actions, and faith. When you take all eight together, the impact is life changing. The brief testimony below comes from a user who recently engaged with the Eight Core Values. "These values are changing my life. I mean they are really changing my life. I needed a stronger foundation, and I was seeking for answers. Everyone needs these values." A God-shaped life is illustrated in the Bible as a flourishing tree. When you become a follower of Christ, a seed of godliness is planted in your life. God desires that you develop roots, grow strong, and experience his full power and presence. This session will give you a quick overview to the Eight Core Values. Each value is introduced along with a Biblical passage that illustrates that value. After reading over the core values, check out the additional resources and exercises in the Go Deeper section, then complete the Apply and Share sections. GROW will provide you with an opportunity for personal transformation and will help you go deeper in your relationship with God. 1. Intimacy with God God looks for men and women who live life from an intimate relationship with God. As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with MosesThe Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with a friend. Exodus 33:9,11(New International Version) God seeks an intimate relationship with you. True intimacy with God occurs through intentional effort over a period of time, as your relationship grows deeper. Q: What one thing could you do today to develop greater intimacy with God?

 2. Passion God looks for men and women who share a passion for those without Christ. In Luke 19:10, Jesus said he came to seek and to save that which was lost. God desires that everyone be reached with the life-transforming power of the Gospel. Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." - Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV) Two-thirds of the worlds population has not yet responded to Gods love. Until everyone is reached with the Gospel, every Christian is challenged to accept the awesome opportunity to share the Good News with others. Q: Can you name someone in your life that needs to know God and his love? Would you pray for this person daily for the next 30 days? 3. A Visionary Life God looks for men and women who discover Gods vision for their lives, set goals, mobilize people, and overcome obstacles in order to see Gods purposes achieved. Then the Lord answered me and said, Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run." - Habakkuk 2:2 (New American Standard Bible) God created you to be a person of purpose. Vision is Gods tool to help you discover his greater purposes for your life. Vision will help you establish life priorities, motivate your commitment, fuel your passion, and help you focus to reach your full potential in Christ. Q: Describe your best understanding of Gods purpose or vision for your life.

 4. Good News God looks for men and women who live and share the Good News of Jesus Christ with cultural relevance, sensitivity, and power, so the Gospel will be understood and received in every culture of the world. Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. - 1 Corinthians 9:19, 22 (NIV) The Good News of Jesus Christ must be communicated with cultural relevance in every action we take and word we speak. The Gospel is equally relevant to every language and culture in the world. Q: What are the best ways to share Gods love with people in your environment? 5. Discipleship God looks for men and women who are disciples and who help others to become disciples of Jesus Christ. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. - 2 Timothy 2:2 (NIV) Gods main strategy to reach the world with the Gospel is through the multiplication of faithful disciples of Christ. Q: Who is discipling you to follow Jesus? How could you help disciple someone to follow Jesus? 6. Family Priority God looks for men and women who are convinced that the family is Gods building block for society and give their family priority in their lives. So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. - Genesis 1:27-28a (NIV)

 God ordained the family and provides guidelines for developing healthy, strong families. Family is the first place that you should extend your love and influence. Q: What are the greatest opportunities and challenges facing your family right now? 7. Faithful Stewardship God looks for men and women who are faithful stewards of finances, time, and spiritual gifts in their personal lives and in their service to God and others. His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your masters happiness! - Matthew 25:23 (NIV) Every follower of Christ is responsible for using Gods gifts to achieve maximum impact for the Kingdom of God. Q: How are you using your finances, time, and spiritual gifts to bring the Kingdom of God on earth? Is there anything that you would like to do differently? 8. Integrity God looks for men and women of integrity who live holy lives that are accountable to God and to the Body of Christ. Integrity glorifies God, protects us from stumbling, and encourages growth. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV) God desires that all Christians maintain integrity and finish well in their lives. Integrity provides moral authority for our lives. Q: What does living a life of integrity look like in your world? How could it influence those around you? 9. The Importance of All Eight Core Values The Eight Core Values are like a bookshelf with eight books listed in a special order. The two bookends are Intimacy with God and Integrity. In between are the other six core values. Each is critically important by itself; however, the real power and synergy of the core values come from balancing all eight in your life. With all eight, your life has strength and great satisfaction. Although life brings

 many challenges, you will be equipped to experience Gods power and presence each day. Apply To summarize, the eight essential core values are Intimacy with God, Passion for the Harvest, a Visionary Life, the Good News, Discipleship, Family Priority, Stewardship, and Integrity. In each session, you will explore a different core value. As you begin this spiritual journey, what are the core values where you feel the strongest? What are the core values where you need to grow the most? Write your answer below: Share What is the most important insight you learned in this session? An important step to grow in your faith is sharing. Let others know about the Eight Core Values to Christian living. Post your thoughts on Facebook, Twitter, email, and more. Also make sure to discuss your thoughts with your group in the Group Forum. Interesting Thoughts But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (NIV) Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NIV) I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 (NIV) The Eight Core Values are like a bookshelf. The two bookends are Intimacy with God and Integrity. In between are the other six core values. Each is critically important, but the real power and synergy come from balancing all eight in your life. Christian to the Core