Growth Goals

 

GRYM TARGETS

Create lifelong disciples of Jesus and cultivate lifelong disciples of Jesus.

 

According to Micah 6:8

Disciples do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

 

DOING JUSTICE: living honestly and fairly and working to improve the lives of people in need.

LOVING MERCY: treating people with love and grace the way Jesus did, including hard to love people

WALKING HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD: maintaining a consistent, daily, authentic, obedient relationship with God.

 

…IN A WAY THAT WILL CONTINUE BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL!

 

 

 

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Spiritual Growth Benchmarks

(List created by Trane and Tamara Wyatt based on others’ recommendations and their own insights. This is not even nearly comprehensive.)

 

 

Kindergarten

By the time they enter school age, spending more time away from parents, a spiritually growing child should:

 

Know who Jesus is.

 

Know what sin is and its effects (separates us from God).

PROVEN BY CONSCIENCE.

 

Know that Jesus died so our sins would not separate us from God.

PROVEN BY GRATITUDE.

 

Know that kindness and loving others is being like Jesus, who was the model of kindness of love.

PROVEN BY KINDNESS, GENEROSITY AND SERVICE.

 

Know that the Bible is God's Word and the source of our truth and lifestyle.

PROVEN BY INTEREST IN THE BIBLE.

 

Know that Jesus performed miracles and other powerful things, so He can be trusted to help us.

PROVEN BY PRAYERS AND RESPONSE TO HARDSHIP.

 

Know that we are made by God, meaning we are good and not mistakes and we have a purpose we're perfectly equipped for.

PROVEN BY CONFIDENCE AND HELPFULNESS.

 

Familiar with praying.

PROVEN BY PRAYER (at this stage, mostly motivated by impressing parents and other adults).

 

 

 

5th Grade

By the time they are preparing to enter Middle School, a spiritually growing preteen should:

 

Have a more developed understanding that we are all sinners.

MORE DEVELOPED CONSCIENCE.

 

Have a greater understanding of, and appreciation for, God's plan to redeem sinners.

INCREASED GRATITUDE.

 

Take more responsibility for their character, integrity, and reputation.

INDEPENDENTLY MAKING GODLY DECISIONS, WITHOUT ADULT MANAGEMENT.

 

Understand key concepts about the Bible (how it's laid out; major themes; why it is a trustworthy source; etc.).

ABLE TO UNDERSTAND BIBLICAL CONCEPTS.

ABLE TO EXPLAIN OR DEMONSTATE UNDERSTANDING OF BIBLICAL CONCEPTS.

 

Show greater willingness to pray.

PROVEN BY PRAYER (at this stage, still likely more motivated by others but hopefully demonstrates willingness instead of resistance).

 

Talk to others about Jesus, or at least about church.

PROVEN BY TALKING TO OTHERS ABOUT SPIRITUAL THINGS.

 

Be aware of others' needs and show willingness to serve.

PROVEN BY WILLINGNESS TO SERVE WHEN ASKED (may be motivated by an authority figure but should demonstrate a willing attitude when asked).

 

Respect adults and exhibit skills at interacting with adults appropriately.

PROVEN BY RESPECTFUL INTERACTIONS WITH ADULTS.

 

 

 

8th Grade

By the time they're ready to enter High School, and soon, start driving, a spiritually growing teen should:

 

Make a decision to seek salvation and become a disciple.

PROVEN BY THE DECISION TO BE BAPTIZED.

(Not specific to a certain time, but around these preteen and teen years)

 

Develop a greater desire to pray.

PROVEN BY PRAYER (may be awkward and simple but hopefully will be self-motivated and being formed into a habit).

 

Be more aware of others' needs and find ways to serve.

PROVEN BY SERVING WITHOUT BEING ASKED (may still be simple and undeveloped but should "see a need and fill a need" without being asked).

 

Talk to others about Jesus, not just church.

PROVEN BY TALKING TO OTHERS ABOUT JESUS (satisfied customer, not a salesperson).

 

 

 

Graduation

By the time they are ready to launch from the home, a spiritually growing young adult should:

 

Be growing in discipleship.

PROVEN BY DOING JUSTICE (service to make others' lives better), LOVING MERCY (loving others radically like Jesus did), AND WALKING WITH GOD (cultivating spiritual disciplines, obedience to God, fruits of the Spirit evident).

 

Have an active prayer life.

PROVEN BY PRAYER (self-motivated, more often/continual, and more organic and conversational).

 

Have a habit and lifestyle of service.

PROVEN BY ACTIVELY SEEKING OUT WAYS TO SERVE, AS WELL AS SERVING WHENEVER AN OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS ITSELF (self-motivated and actively sought out).

 

Be discipling others.

PROVEN BY LEADING OTHERS TO JESUS AND HELPING CULTIVATE THEIR FAITH.

 

Be leading in meaningful ways (doesn't have to be "up-front" leadership).

PROVEN BY TAKING RESPONSIBILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT ROLES.

 

Have a personal story with God AND can tell that story to others.

PROVEN BY TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCE(S) AND THEN TELLING OTHERS ABOUT IT/THEM.

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