On Growing Up with Wisdom
Phases in Personal Growth and Development
Almost all of the students I have interviewed have an answer to the question "What do you want to be or do when you grow up?" However, many of these same students do not have a plan to get them from where they are to where they want to be after graduation.
I have found that the following elements are key considerations in accomplishing the goal of Growing Up:
AWARENESS of need, personal life history, life circumstances and situation, resources, passion and motivational contexts. Self-awareness precedes self-acceptance, which precedes en-visioning a better future.
INTENTIONALITY. This deals with the degree to which I am willing to make decisions based on a well-designed life map or plan. It refers to living life in a specific manner, for specific reasons, and under specific conditions. (Ephesians 5:18)
RESPONSIBILITY for personal choices and decisions, for personal values, for relationships, allegiances and alliances, and for personal life stewardship
ACCOMPLISHMENT. This refers to the result of sustained effort over time
Every growing Christian has made a decision to grow. Growing in Christ is never passive or accidental. Growing in Christ is proactive and intentional, and faces continued resistance. Wise builders always lay a solid foundation, following a well-designed plan.
ENCOURAGEMENT: To infuse courage into your life as you choose to grow up in the Lord. Fellowship : "Two or more people on the same side of a struggle"
LEARNING: Change in a pre-determined manner with intentionality, accountability, and perseverance.
RESOURCES: Time-tested tools to assist you in reaching your goals and objectives, and to prepare you for the various phases of that process.
SUPPORT: To come alongside you in a helpful way to guide and encourage you as you press on toward full maturity in Jesus Christ.
Titus 2:11-14 (The Message)
God's readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation's available for everyone! We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.
Titus 2:11-14 (NLB)
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God, while we look forward to that wonderful event when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing what is right.
