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The Baseball Diamond Example / Illustration…
The baseball diamond field provides an illustration of how spiritual growth happens at NLCC. This concept originated with Rick Warren, but we’ve adapted the basic idea specifically for our situation at Northern Lakes Community Church. The main idea is that our spiritual growth is likened to a journey around the bases on a baseball diamond. Each base represents an important spiritual happening that we can identify with and understand when we’ve arrived at that specific base/place in our spiritual journey and formation.
We all begin at home “at bat”. Spiritually we begin as “lost”. Getting to first base in our spiritual journey is likened to being born again. We need to hear and understand God speaking to us leading us to confess our sin and repent to God. God forgives us by grace through faith. The very faith that saves the sinner is a gift from God and we get that gift in accepting that which Jesus has done by dying on the cross. We experience that God loves us so much that He accepts us just as He finds us. However, He loves us too much to leave us where He found us. So we continue on our spiritual journey of following Jesus from first to second base. We move to second base by learning to practice spiritual disciplines such as reading the Bible, learning to pray, and knowing right from wrong. Arriving at second base is being a true disciple who regularly practices these spiritual disciplines as he or she follows Jesus. Our journey to third base gives focus upon identifying our spiritual gifts. Coming to third means that we know what our spiritual gifts are and how we should minister in them. The journey from third to home happens as we begin to serve in the church. Reaching home, means that we are now ready to be a leader of others who we will also help move around the spiritual bases as they learn to love God.
If we take our own spiritual life and in honesty try to overlay it on the baseball diamond illustration, we can identify where we personally are in our journey around the bases. Where are you? Where do you want to be? Are you ready to join with us at NLCC and grow spiritually?
CLICK HERE FOR ANIMATED ILLUSTRATION of THE BASEBALL DIAMOND EXAMPLE (opens in a new window, close the window to return to this page) Life Groups… Growing spiritually takes more than simply attending one church service a week. We’ve noticed that people who tend to only attend one service a week tend to spiritually survive, but are often not growing spiritually. They may tend to “stay at the same place” in their spiritual journey. To help us grow, we also want people to meet once a week in a small group. These “Life Groups” meet in homes. They do life together. They will discuss how their spiritual lives are doing, they will pray for one another, they have fun together, and often they eat or drink coffee, and usually have a Bible study. It’s an opportunity to share or to simply sit, listen, and learn. Above all else, it’s a great way to grow spiritually. Below we list the various Life Groups that meet each week. Some are Bible Studies. Others review a book together. Some discuss a topic of common interest, but all are learning from God and praying together for each other. You will be able to find a group that fits your interest and schedule. Try one out and visit soon. You’ll be glad you did.
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Saturday Worship Service - 6:30 PM
Sunday Worship Service - 10:30 AM
Nursery Provided Ages 0-4 KID Zone Grades K-5
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