That's a nice thought, one not to be discarded. But--not to belittle your challenge--trying to grow spiritually mature (=progressively becoming more Spirit-conrtolled in behavior) by a self-improvement path; that is, by "bootstrapping oneself," is not a very effective approach. Neither is congregating in large groups for preaching/teaching that has no accountability nor intimate personal instruction.
The approved method for growing in Christ as fast as God whants you to, is by personal involvement with a discipler, a mentor, who him/herself has likewise subjected himself to learning through having been personally discipled. Sadly, that is not the typical way offered (or even only available upon request) by most church programs. But having a local, personal teaching companion is what the thread author, paladinkc, needs.
Stepping back a little, there are some distance-learning material available to him/her. Here are a few links to very usedul discipleship resources: "The Basic Stage of Discipleship" byPaul J. Bucknell (click here) I believe this ongoing course is not free, but reasonale to pay for the materials.
The Navigators (click here) The Navigators is a globally-known and respected llively group of disciplers whose theme comes from 2 Timothy 2:1-2, the pasage I previously cited. If you could find a Navigator in your area, that would be great!
How To Mature In Christ" from Happy Heralds, Inc. (click here). I personally use the materials from this site. They are absolutely free, and mailed to you upon request. Some of them are downloadable as PDF files.
AMEN.
2 Timothy 2:15.
Thanks for this post, even wrestled with it a bit, mostly agree with your assessment. Reminded of “Ideals are like Stars” - full quote on my home page.
I’d like your take on the parable on the 4 seeds & another haunts me for my many sins & loved ones - Matt 23:15
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.”
Recently watched Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan - on Amazon for just under ‘2 dollars!’ - made me realize I need to read it too. Although a deep read, avg under 400 pages.
Matt 23:15 always bothered me, too legalistic & slow to come to a full repentance, to witness well for Christ.
Worse been praying for a lot of loved ones who appear lost or confused swayed by left & right extremists.
More background, my parents raised a large Catholic family of 7, but they also accepted Jesus when I was 13. After their true conversion they began witnessing and requiring us to read the Bible out loud together for 1 hr Sundays after church. A cousin, raised strict Lutheran like my Mom, also witnessed to me in my teens & later became a pastor and moved to MN. I accepted Jesus at 18 but fully admitted God’s ways are best at 58.
All that too say, never had a mentor other than Christ, fell away from church for 2 decades, kept reading Bible and growing in my faith but loads of regrets too. Divorced, 1 bio daughter estranged from me and her faith. 3 other boys all accepted Christ, oldest lost temporarily to suicide, other 2 struggling mightily. Parents got involved in PTL club then ‘fell away’, returned to strict Catholic. Fell deeply in love in college with a girl I never even kissed and now even an estranged friendship.
Last 2 decades reading FR, listening to John MacArthur and others on OnePlace.com have led me to full repentance and much better understanding of both politics & religion, but a huge burden of 40 years of regrets of trying to get it right. Seeing too many friends and family with fractured faith and beliefs. I think it could easily take another 4 decades or more to mend these many fences - advice and prayers welcomed.
Sorry so long - “experience is the best teacher but tuition is hell to pay”