Wondering what the next step is in your spiritual growth? This map gives suggestions on how to develop your faith in Christ. Don’t see this list as a to-do list, but as a resource to help you along your spiritual path. See ucov.com for more details, helpful links, and how- to’s on the items found in this map.

Spiritual growth is not a linear process, so focus on the steps that you feel will best help you grow closer to Jesus.

UCC’s goal is that every person will be connect, grow and serve regularly as we travel together in our faith.

base camp

Connect

 

The Base Camp is where many of us start our journey in faith, by investigating and discovering Jesus and beginning to build relationships with other people. We should continually seek to connect more deeply with God and others throughout our entire spiritual journey.

trailhead

Grow
 

The Trailhead helps us grow on our journey with Christ. We develop our spiritual knowledge and take steps each day to practice what we are learning. This is done in the context of community, primarily through small groups and spiritual friendships.

vista point

Serve
 

The Vista Point is not the end of the journey—some people even start their journey here. Serving allows us to live beyond ourselves, whether at UCC, in the local community, or globally. We are also all called to invest in other people, whether through loving, evangelizing, teaching, mentoring, or leading.

 

 

base camp

connect with God and people

Attend services every week

• Participate in worship services
• Focus on and worship God during worship, taking notes durin the message
• Examine related Scriptures during and after the sermon (Acts 17:11)

Take the Alpha Course

• Attend Alpha classes
• Help lead a small group table at Alpha

Take initiative to meet others

• Attend a church picnic, potluck, etc.
• Attend Starting Point
• Attend a UCC retreat

Access care and counseling resources if needed  

• Contact a Care Ministry
• Meet with a Stephen Minister
• Use UCC's Conseling Center

Read the Gospels

• Read the book of John with a guide book
• Read all four of the gospels
• Read all the gospels and Pastor Jamie's GSPL booklet

Share your faith story

• Write a 100-word witness (resources online)
• Write a page describing your faith story and practice sharing it to a friend
• Share your testimony at UCC during one of the services (contact Pastor Jamie)

Investigate faith through reading

• See ucov.com for suggested reading lists

trailhead

grow in your faith
 

Have a daily quiet time

• Read a devotional book and pray about insights
• Use a daily Bible reading plan to guide your Scripture reading and prayer life
• Practice spiritual journaling and Scripture memorization

Get baptized

• Attend a baptism class
• Take the plunge and invite your firends to come watch
• Share your story during or after baptism (contact Deanna)

 Join a group

• Try out one or more small groups
• Commit to attending the group regularly
• Assist with leading discussions or hosting a small group

 Tithe regularly

• Start putting God first in your financial decisions
• Give 10% of your income
• Give above and beyond in a sacrificial way

 Practice fasting

• Learn the purpose and practice of fasting
• Give up a meal or something important to you for one day
• Make fasting a regular (weekly or monthly) spiritual discipline 

Take a UCov U class

• Attend classes regularly
• Pursue the Ucov U certificate program  

 Enjoy God’s presence

• Spend time in solitude and silence before God
• Eliminate optional activities from your schedule to slow down life to hear God better
• Take a Sabbath rest day every week   

vista point

serve others

Be a part of a UCC ministry team

• Be an usher or greeter on Sundays
• Serve on a team on a regular basis 
• Start or lead a ministry team 
• Volunteer to lead an event or team    

Lead a small group

• Lead a discussion once in a  while
• Be an assistant leader
• Attend group life training and become a small group leader, mentor or invest in another person 

Mentor or invest in another person

• Regularly affirm/encourage others
• Meet with someone for a one-on-one book study or accountability relationship
• Learn and practice discipline someone  

Join a local service team

• Help the Sandwich Brigade
• Serve at Davis COmmunity Meals
• Get involved regularly at Grace House or other volunteer service opportunity 

Get involved in missions efforts

• Attend missionary lunches to gain a vision for global missions
• Join the Missions Team
• Go on a missions trip 

Develop spiritual leadership skills

• Read books on spiritual leadership
• Attend UCC leadership event or church leadership conference

Invest in relationships with nonbelievers

• Get to know your neighbors or people at work, school or in the community 
• Invite your friends to a church outreach event or Sunday service
• Engage friends in spiritual conversations and share your faith