Starting Point: Finding Your Place in God’s Story

Starting Point: Your Kairos Moment

Two Greek Words

Chronos– time on a clock, time that you measure – minutes, hours, days. 

Kairos– God’s appointed timing, a pivotal or opportune moment when heaven intersects with earth. 

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I. Your Spiritual GPS: Where Are You on the Journey? 

God’s Positioning Strategy (GPS)

The Five Stages of Spiritual Growth  

Stage 1: Spiritually Seeking

Scripture: In John 14:6, Jesus said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Characteristics:

  • You’re curious about God but still have lots of questions
  • You find yourself drawn to conversations about faith and spirituality
  • You’re wondering if there’s something more to life than what you can see
  • You feel like God might be real, but you’re not completely sure yet

Key Insight: Ephesians 2:1 reminds us we were all dead in our trespasses and sins, separated from God who is life itself. But God meets you right where you are in your seeking.

Stage 2: Spiritual Infant  

Scripture: “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow” – 1 Peter 2:2

Characteristics:

  • You’ve made the decision to follow Jesus and everything feels new
  • You’re hungry to learn and grow in your faith
  • You feel excited about God and want to share that with others
  • You’re discovering what it means to live as a Christian
  • Some things about faith still feel confusing, but you’re eager to understand

Encouragement: Eagerness characterizes this stage – lean into that enthusiasm. Don’t let anyone tell you to calm down. That excitement is God’s gift to fuel your early growth.

Stage 3: Spiritual Child 

Scripture: “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child” – 1 Corinthians 13:11

Characteristics:

  • You know the basic Christian concepts and can talk about your faith
  • You’re passionate about God and enjoy being around other believers
  • You find yourself motivated to do right when you see how it benefits you
  • You’re learning to think about others, but your own needs often come first
  • You want to grow but sometimes struggle with consistency

Reality Check: This isn’t bad – it’s normal development. You’re learning to walk before you can run. You’re still experiencing forward movement toward maturity.

Stage 4: Spiritual Young Adult  

Scripture: “I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you” – 1 John 2:14

Characteristics:

  • You’ve experienced significant growth and feel confident in your faith
  • You love serving and look for ways to make a difference
  • Others see you as a strong believer and often come to you for advice
  • You care deeply about God’s Kingdom and helping others grow
  • You’ve seen people come to faith through your influence and example

Growth Edge: You’re serving intentionally, but you’re not making disciples strategically yet. You’re not yet reproducing disciple-makers who can reproduce other disciple-makers.

Stage 5: Spiritual Parent. 

Scripture: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” – Matthew 28:19

Characteristics:

  • You’re focused on helping others grow in their faith journey
  • You naturally invest in people and help them discover their calling
  • Your life is organized around making disciples who make disciples
  • You find joy in seeing others succeed and grow beyond where you are
  • You’re creating leaders and multiplying your impact through others

Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” 

II. The Community’s Kingdom Vision: Your Path from Starting Point 

Our Mission Unpacked

We exist to reach our communities locally and globally with the message of freedom and fullness found in Christ. 

The Gather, Grow, Go Framework – Your Journey Map

GATHER – Building Authentic Kingdom Community  

Scripture: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together” – Hebrews 10:24-25

GROW – Intentional Discipleship and Spiritual Acceleration  

Scripture: Ephesians 4:15-16: Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

GO – Missional Living and Kingdom Expansion  

Scripture: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” – John 20:21

III. Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts: How to Speed Up Your Growth  

Scripture Foundation

Ephesians 4:11-16 “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Visit www.tc.church/gifts to discover your gifts. 

Four Ways to Invest in Your Growth – Starting Point Application  

TIME – Where You Show Up Matters

Scripture: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity” – Ephesians 5:15-16

TALENT – Using Your Spiritual Gifts 

Scripture: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” – Romans 12:6

TREASURE – Generous Living Creates Opportunities 

Scripture: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” – Matthew 6:33

TESTIMONY – Your Story Helps Others 

Scripture: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” – 1 Peter 3:15

IV. Your Next Steps from Starting Point  

Immediate Action Steps:

  1. Connect with a CORE Leader – Someone who will be a spiritual shepherd, caring for your soul’s growth and helping you navigate from Starting Point to Kingdom influence
  2. Join Your Growth Track – Based on where you identified yourself in the five stages
  3. Discover Your Gifts – We’ll help you identify your spiritual gifts and find your Kingdom fit
  4. Take One Immediate Step – Don’t leave here unchanged – taking action is what creates change. 
    1. We have tables set up in the lobby with leaders in key areas where you can 
      1. Connect in small group meetings 
      2. Learn with bible study and conversations 
      3. Serve in key areas of our church 

Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.