Go Beyond

Serious athletes understand the benefits of cross training — the practice of combining exercises of other athletic disciplines in order to build strength and flexibility in muscles that their preferred sport does not utilize. Cross training keeps athletes from developing and using just one set of muscles repeatedly, something that can increase the risk of injury. The bottom line is that cross training can improve the overall fitness of an athlete.

I invested the first twenty-seven years of my ministry in Christian education and loved everything about it — equipping leaders, starting small groups, vetting curriculum, strategizing for growth, and more. One of my top priorities through those years was finding creative ways to encourage folks to apply what they learned. Ezra 7:10 was a guiding verse for me: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach His statutes and rules in Israel.” Ezra set an example of what it means to cross train, to exercise a wide range of spiritual muscles.

It’s not enough to study or to teach, we must actually apply or practice what we know. If all we do is consume Bible calories and never do anything to burn off those calories, then we actually risk becoming spiritually unfit and ineffective. If all we do is consume Bible facts and truths, then we will not make much of an impact in a world that needs to see the transforming power of God’s love in action in ways that are personal, practical, and measurable. We need to incorporate the principles of cross training.

This morning, Kingsland’s Cross Trainers ABF served at Neighborhood Kidz Club at the Western Pines Mobile Home Park in our community. I really respect this small group because they consistently live up to their name. They regularly serve through our Saturday initiatives and know that if they are going to become spiritually fit, then they need to do more than study together, they need to serve as well. They know what it means to burn off the rich Bible calories they regularly consume when they study together.

I appreciate the good work that the Cross Trainers did this morning to help Neighborhood Kidz Club, one of our favorite local partners. They cleaned carpets and tables and chairs at the Kidz Club and the Western Pines Community Church. The group also blessed a family in the park with needed repairs on their mobile home and some landscaping. And, they had a great time as they served others together. The volunteer service of groups like Cross Trainers is important to local partners like Neighborhood Kidz Club.

Thank you Cross Trainers for your good work and for exercising your spiritual muscles by serving others this morning. Keep studying and growing in the faith and keep burning off those Bible calories. You are setting a great example for your kids, helping to make God’s name famous, and making our community a better place in which to live.

PS | Watch for the October issue of our Go Beyond newsletter. This issue is dedicated to celebrating the good work of Neighborhood Kidz Club.