Watch The Sermon Series
What is "The Process"?
"The Process" is a sermon series and discipleship tool that will help everyone that wants to grow in Christ. There are 4 parts to the process. Discern, Learn, Practice, and Reflect.
Step 1 of "The Process" - Discern
(Watch the sermon by clicking HERE)
The first and a very important step in “The Process” is to DISCERN, perceive or recognize, an area one needs to grow in. Follow this helpful assessment to discover how God is challenging you.
Step 1 - Prayer
𝤿_____ I have prayed about what area God wants to grow me in
If you have not, STOP and connect with God before continuing the assessment.
𝤿_____ God has already led me to an area where I need to grow (if checked, skip to Step 4)
If God has NOT shown you a specific area continue to Step 2
Step 2 - Community Input
𝤿_____ In the past month, through sermons, small groups, or conversations with my friends and family, God has clearly shown me an area He wants me to grow in my spiritual life. (if checked, skip to Step 4)
If God has NOT shown you a specific area continue to Step 3
Step 3 - Inventory
Which of these statements least represents you (please check only one)
𝤿_____ I am not afraid to have God conversations with a friend who is a non-Christian
𝤿_____ I can easily talk with and care for those in need
𝤿_____ I let go of things easily and can easily forgive
𝤿_____ I talk to God in intentional prayer at times other than meals or bedtime
𝤿_____ I spend regular time in God's Word, the Bible, each day
𝤿_____ I am very responsible with the money that I earn
𝤿_____ I can communicate the truth of the Bible and what I believe to those around me
𝤿_____ I do not have any sins in my life that could be considered addictions
𝤿_____ I enjoy spending time with Christians and like to have faith conversations with them
𝤿_____ I am enjoying the season of life I am in within my family and friends’ unit
𝤿_____ I find it easy to be generous
𝤿_____ I know my spiritual gifts and use them to serve God
Which of these outcomes would you be MOST excited to see growth in? (please check only one)
_____ Leading someone to faith in Jesus
𝤿_____ Creating an ongoing relationship with someone who is in need
𝤿_____ Becoming a better parent or spouse
𝤿_____ Having the confidence to talk to and hear from God
𝤿_____ Having a financial budget that I stick to
𝤿_____ Finding freedom from a particular struggle in my life
𝤿_____ Becoming content with my life and relationships
𝤿_____ Knowing how to read the Bible so it impacts my life everyday
𝤿_____ Experiencing healing in my body and/or mind
𝤿_____ Being able to define and defend what I believe
𝤿_____ Having a Christian community that encourages me and keeps me accountable
𝤿_____ Using my spiritual gifts to make a difference in my world
Step 4 - Discovery
After taking this assessment, I believe God wants me to grow in:_____________________.
In the next step, “LEARN”, you will discover what to do now that you know the area of growth God is leading you to.
Step 2 of "The Process" - Learn
(Watch the sermon by clicking HERE)
DEALING WITH THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE:
Book: Handling Death, Dying and Grief by Marc Royer
Book Series: Journeying Through Grief by Kenneth C. Haugk
DEFENDING THE FAITH:
Book: The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
Book: On Guard by William Lane Craig
Book: Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis
Book: I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist by Frank Turek and Norman Geisler
https://www.churchoftheheartland.com/answerstohardquestions
https://holdtheline.live/podcasts/
Growth Track Class: Apologetics
Growth Track Class: Comparative Religions
EVANGELISM AND HELPING THE HURTING:
Book: Contagious Faith by Mark Mittleberg
Book: Hell’s Best Kept Secret by Ray Comfort
Book: Servolution by Dino Rizzo
Book: The Church That Never Sleeps by Matthew Barnett
Book: Azusa Street by Frank Bartlan
Growth Track Class: Outreach and Evangelism by Chris Miller
FINANCIAL HELP:
Book: The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
Book: The Richest Man in Babylon by George Samuel Clason
Book: Financial Freedom by Marc Royer
Financial Peace University - Small Group
https://www.ramseysolutions.com/
FOLLOWING CHRIST
Book: Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Book: What’s Next by Chris Hodges
Growth Track Class: Gospels
Faith Roots podcast with Willie George
FORGIVENESS:
Book: Beauty for Ashes by Joyce Meyer
Book: From Anger to Intimacy: How Forgiveness Can Transform Your Marriage by Gary Smalley
HEALING AND HEALTH:
Book: Christ the Healer by FF Bosworth
Book: Destined to Reign by Joseph Prince
Book: Leaving Egypt by Chuck DeGroat
MARRIAGE:
Book: The 5 love Languages by Gary Chapman
Book: Making Love Last Forever by Gary Smalley
Book: The Great Sex Rescue by Sheila Wray Gregoire
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/
https://www.authenticintimacy.com/
Blog: “To Love, Honor, and Vacuum”
Podcast: “The Bare Marriage”
MEN:
Book: Wild at Heart by John Eldredge
MENTAL HEALTH:
Book: Out of the Cave by Chris Hodges
Book: Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
Book: Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud & John Townsend
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/
PARENTING AND GRANDPARENTING:
Book: Foundation 260 Bible Reading Plan by Robby Gallaty
Book: Talking With Your Kids About God: 30 Conversations Every Christian Parent Must Have by Natasha Craine
Books: Five Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter/Son by Vicki Courtney
Book: The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps For Putting Technology In Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch
Book: Parenting is Heart Work by Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller
Book: 52 Creative Family Time Experiences by Timothy Smith
Book: Overcoming Grandparenting Barriers: How to Navigate Painful Problems With Grace and Truth by Larry Fowler
Book: Long-Distance Grandparenting: Nurturing the Faith of Your Grandchildren When You Can’t Be There In Person by Wayne Rice
Book: Extreme Grandparenting by Tim Kimmel
Book: Parent Checkup: Seeing Through The Eyes Of Your Teenager by Richard Ross
Book: Becoming A Stepkid by Jay and Tammy Daughtry
Book: Co-Parenting Works! Helping Your Children Thrive After Divorce by Tammy Daughtry
Book: Going Solo: Hope and Healing for the Single Mom or Dad by Robert Beeson & Robert Noland
Book: My Single Mom Life: Stories and Practical Lessons for Your Journey by Angela Thomas
Book: The Smart Stepfamily by Ron Deal
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/
www.CoParentingInternational.com
PRAYER:
Book: The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson
Book: Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets
Book: Problem Solving Prayer by Marc Royer
Books: The Power of Praying for Wife, Husband, Children and Through Fear by Stormie Omartian
Book: Fervent by Priscilla Shirer
Book: Prayers by Christian Word Ministries
Book: The Papa Prayer by Larry Crabb
Growth Track Class: Spiritual Warfare
PURPOSE AND KNOWING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS:
Book: The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
Book: Fresh Air by Chris Hodges
Book: Finding Persona Significance by Marc Royer
Book: Square Peg, Round Hole by Marc Royer
Book: Teen Survival Guide for Life by Marceil Royer
Book: Girls with Swords by Lisa Bevere
Book: Fight Like a Girl by Lisa Bevere
Book: Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer
Book: Elijah:Faith and Fire by Priscilla Shirer
Book: Nineteen Gifts of the Spirit by Leslie Flynn
Growth Track Class: Ministry of the Holy Spirit
STRUGGLES AND ADDICTIONS:
Book: The Bondage Breaker by Neil T. Anderson
Book: The 40 Day Sugar Fast Wendy Speake
Book: Rethinking Sexuality: God’s Design And Why It Matters by Dr. Juli Slattery
https://www.celebraterecovery.com/
https://www.thejourneycourse.com/
App: Covenant Eyes
STUDYING THE BIBLE:
Book: How to Study the Bible by Dwight Moody
Book: Living by the Book Howard Hendricks
The Bible App
WOMEN:
*** These resources are suggested, and as with any resource there might be smaller things mentioned in these resources that are not the exact beliefs of Church of the Heartland
Step 3 of "The Process" - Practice
(Watch the sermon by clicking HERE)
CHANGES WE CAN MAKE TO REACH PEOPLE FOR CHRIST
- Pick a non-Christian friend to develop a deeper relationship with
- Practice sharing your testimony
- Ask people if you can pray with them
- Invite a non-Christian over for dinner
- Find a group that you can join to meet non-Christians
CHANGES THAT CAN HELP US BETTER SERVE PEOPLE
- Serve your family/friends by cooking a meal or helping them clean up
- Spend a morning cleaning up a local park or neighborhood
- Create small food/essential bags that you keep in your car to give to those in need
CHANGES THAT CAN IMPROVE OUR PRAYER LIFE
- Pray before every meal
- Pray before the start of your day
- Read a Psalm in your prayer time
- Journal your prayers down, and see how God answers
- Write your own song or poem to God
CHANGES WE CAN MAKE TO BUILD OUR FAMILY
- Assist without being asked
- Just listen as they tell you how they are feeling
- Make memories together
- Say how thankful you are for them
- Do what they want to do instead of what you want to do
CHANGES THAT CAN HELP US STUDY GOD’S WORD
- Use the Bible app to read the Bible every day
- Memorize a verse
- Research the passage you are reading using a commentary, or study Bible. Dive in and look for things that you may have missed
CHANGES WE CAN MAKE TO CONNECT WITH BELIEVERS
- Join a small group or go to a church event
- Invite another Christian family over to your house for dinner
- Share a sin that you struggle with to a trusted Christian friend
- Mentor someone newer in their faith
- Sign up to serve here at the church
Step 4 of "The Process" - Reflect
(Watch the sermon by clicking HERE)
- Properly reflect back on each stage of the process
- Reflect back and see if you did discern the right area that God wanted you to grow in
- Reflect back and see if you got the information you needed to get and learned what you needed to learn
- Reflect back and see if you put the information into practice
- There may be a few adjustments needed after looking back and reflecting on the process
- If you reflect back and no adjustments are needed, then celebrate all that God has done in you and through you in the process
STEP 2 "LEARN"
STEP 1 "DECERN"
STEP 3 "PRACTICE"
STEP 4 "REFLECT"