Stepping Stones...a practical resource guide for taking next steps in your growing
relationship with Christ.
CONTENTSIntro and How to use this guide 4Trusting Jesus 6Worshiping God 8Authentic Friendships 10Prayer 12Applying the Bible 14Family 16Holy Spirit 18Kingdom of God 20Service 22The Gospel 24
butgrow in the grace and knowledgeof our Lord and Savior Jesus Christboth now and to the day of eternity 2 Peter 3:18
INTRO:Welcome to an adventure! When you put your trust in Jesus Christ, you began a journey of spiritual growth. In doing so, you are getting to know Jesus better, learning to trust Him more, and growing in your love for Him and His people.
As with any journey, your growth in Christ will happen one step at a time. As you look at Stepping Stones, remember that you are not alone. You have many brothers and sisters in Christ who are taking the same steps, learning the same things, and growing in the same way – together we are becoming more like Jesus Christ every day.
“. . . 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.” Ephesians 4:12-13
Why this resource and how to use it
All of us would likely say that we want to grow and live the life God made us to live. But sometimes it’s difficult to know if we’re actually growing in all the ways God desires or whether we’re growing at all. This resource is intended to help you determine potential areas of personal growth and then provide a pathway on which to walk—a collection of stepping stones—that will give you some direction and forward momentum. You may consider Stepping Stones your personal roadmap to spiritual maturity.
Every human being is unique, has different challenges, learns differently, and is designed by God to reflect His glory and to be His presence to the world in a way like no other. Spiritual growth is not a “one size fits all” thing. God allows us to grow in a variety of ways—if we are regularly getting together with other believers, listening to teaching, praying, and reading the Bible, we are definitely going to be growing. Nonetheless, it is good to be intentional in our growth and take steps to grow in a comprehensive way. Stepping Stones can allow each of us to take steps in our spiritual growth that are unique to our lives.
A few notes about how Stepping Stones is organized….1) Stepping Stones is divided into ten areas of spiritual life, which are identified as ten markers of spiritual maturity. The ten areas are arranged into the four strategic components of Cornerstone Church: Belong, Grow, Serve, and Go. If everyone who is a part of this church family is belonging in community, growing in Christ, serving God and others, and going with the message of Jesus, then we as a church will be able to accomplish the task God has given us of leading more and more people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.2) The ten areas are in no order. If in looking over this resource you feel compelled to learn more about the Holy Spirit, for instance, then start there. It makes no difference where that area is in the sequence of this resource. The only exception might be the first one listed: Trusting Jesus for My Salvation. Without this, there is no relational foundation with God on which to build. 3) Within each area you will find resources arranged into Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3. These steps refer to the depth and extent of the content similar to beginner, intermediate, and advanced. In general, the content in Step 1 will set you up for success with the content in Step 2. However, the resources in Step 2 don’t specifically build on the resources in Step 1. So, feel free to start with any step in any section. Keep in mind, though, that it never hurts to review the fundamentals before going on to more advanced practice.4) Within each step, you will find four different avenues or forms of delivery: Book, Study/DVD, Media and Experience. Since we’re all wired differently, various options are in place for you to pursue. Choose whichever one will work best for you or utilize them all.
May God make Himself known to you as you walk with Him on this journey.
The leadership of Cornerstone does not necessarily endorse 100% of the views of all authors in this resource. These are simply solid resources that should be understood in light of the truth of Christ Himself, who is the
Word of God.
6 7
Trusting Jesus Christ
and His Work on the Cross for my Salvation
BELONG
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have
life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have
eternal life. 1 John 5:11-13
Other Resources:Books: All Is Grace - Brennan Manning
The Steps to Freedom in Christ - Neil Anderson
Undaunted - Christine Caine
Studies/ DVD: The Steps to Freedom in Christ DVD
Freedom in Christ Small Group Study
Undaunted DVD Study
Media: I Am - Louie Giglio Sermon
Step 3Book: The Longing - Joey O’Conner
Study/DVD: Altar Ego: Becoming Who God Says You Are - Craig Groeschel
Media: ficm.org - Freedom in Christ Ministries
Experience: Baptism
Step 2Book: I Am Not But I Know I Am - Louie Giglio
Study/DVD: New Christian Handbook - Max Anders
Media: Coffee with Chris Caine podcast
Experience: Answering the two diagnostic questions
]]
Step 1Book: How Good is Good Enough? (Adults) - Andy Stanley
Am I Good Enough (Students) - Andy Stanley
Study/DVD: Cornerstone Next Steps Booklet/Study
Media: “How Can I Know God?” Resources page of the Cornerstone website
Experience: Starting Point
It all starts with Jesus – knowing Him, trusting Him, loving Him. This is the key relationship that shapes my entire spiritual life. To know that I indeed have eternal life, that my sins are forgiven and that I am a new creation in Christ creates the foundation for all of my other experiences with God – both in this life, and for all of
eternity!
8 9
BELONG
Sincerely Worshiping God
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father
seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.
John 4:23-24 ]
Step 1Book: The Air I Breathe – Louie Giglio
Study/DVD: Passion Talk Series - Louie Giglio
Media: A Biblical Theology of Worship Podcast Episode - Scotty Smith
Experience: Make Sunday mornings at Cornerstone a priority
Step 2Book: The Knowledge of the Holy - A.W. Tozer
Study/DVD: The Way of a Worshiper Bible Study and DVD
Media: worshipmatters.com - Bob Kauflin
Experience: This is Our God DVD - Hillsong
Step 3Book: Engaging with God - David Peterson
Study/DVD: Alleluia Series - Robert Webber
Media: search “worship” at ligonier.org
Experience: Serving on the worship team
Other Resources:Books: The Purpose of Man: Designed to Worship - A.W. Tozer
Whatever Happened to Worship - A.W. Tozer
The Way of a Worshiper - Buddy Owens
Worship by the Book - D.A. Carson
Worship Evangelism - Sally Morganthaler
Studies/DVD: The Complete Library of Christian Worship - Robert Webber
Media: Theology of Worship Podcast- Erwin McManus
davidgpeterson.com
Experience: Revealing Jesus CD/DVD set
]When I truly worship God in spirit and in truth, I bring myself into the right relationship with God. I experience His Presence
in new ways, I tap into His power, and I learn to know Him better and trust Him more. A vibrant and real worship life is part of
having a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
10 11
BELONG
Enjoying Authentic Friendships and Relationships through personalwholeness
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we
were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all
given the one Spirit to drink. Corinthians 12:12-13 ]
Step 1Book: Love Focused - Bob Hughes
Study/DVD: Boundaries - Cloud and Townsend
Media: Ransomed Heart podcast - John Eldredge
Experience: Cornerstone Small Group or Bible Study
Step 2Book: Healing the Masculine Soul - Gordon Dalbey (for men)
Breaking Free - Beth Moore (for women)
Study/DVD: The DNA of Relationships - Gary Smalley
Media: paultripp.com/resources
Experience: Men’s or Women’s Retreat
Step 3Book: When People are Big and God is Small – Ed Welch
Study/DVD: Change and Your Relationships - Timothy Lane & Paul Tripp
Media: ccef.org/resources
Experience: Long-Term Service Project or Mission Trip
Other ResourcesBooks: Measure of a Man - Gene Gentz
Sacred Companion - David Brenner
Boundaries - Cloud & Townsend
Becoming Myself - Stasi Eldredge
Relationships: A Mess Worth Making - Paul Tripp
]A follower of Jesus does not live in a vacuum. They are part of a body of believers, experiencing Christ through their spiritual brothers and sisters. God desires for us to have real and lasting
friendships that stand both the test of time and the inhumanity of the world we live in.
12 13
GROW
Taking Significant Time for
Prayer
Ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7 ]
Step 1Book: Power of Praying Through the Bible - Stormie Omartian
Study/DVD: When God’s People Pray - Jim Cymbala
Media: Permission to Speak Freely - Andy Stanley sermon series on youtube
Experience: Praying on your own or as a family. Use our “At the Table” family prayer resource designed to keep at the center of your family dinner table to guide your prayer before meals.
Step 2Book: Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire - Jim Cymbala
Study/DVD: A Journey to Victorious Praying DVD - Bill Thrasher
Media: Unceasing Prayer - James MacDonald blog
Experience: 24/7 Cornerstone Prayer Event each January
Step 3Book: Destined for the Throne - Paul Billheimer
Study/DVD: The Circle Maker - Mark Batterson
Media: dwillard.org/resources/HearingGod.asp
Experience: Prayer Walk
Other ResourcesBook: Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God - Dallas
Willard
The Practice of the Presence of God - Brother Lawrence
Studies/DVD: The Power of the Whisper - Bill Hybels
Hearing God DVD - Dallas Willard, Richard Foster & John Ortberg
Media The Power of Prayer radio teaching series - Chip Ingram
Experience: Family Prayer Resources
]So often, prayer becomes a religious performance and tradition rather than a living, breathing conversation with the Creator of the Universe who loves us more than life itself. God desires for
us to both talk with Him and listen to Him . . . experiencing life with Him every day.
14 15
Reading, understanding and applying the Bible to my daily life
GROW
]All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in
righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ]
Step 1Book: The Story
Study/DVD: What You Need to Know About Spiritual Growth - Max Anders
Media: blueletterbible.org or biblegateway.com
Experience: L3
Step 2Book: 30 Days to Understanding the Bible - Max Anders
Study/DVD: Read the Bible for Life Workbook & DVD - George Guthrie
Media: Cold Case Christianity youtube channel
Experience walkthru.org/list-of-events
Step 3Book: Cold Case Christianity - J. Warner Wallace
Study/DVD: The Truth Project - Focus on the Family
Media: Stand to Reason podcast - str.org
Experience: Bible Study Fellowship
other resourcesBooks: Life with God: Reading the Bible for Spiritual Transformation -
Richard Foster
Read the Bible for Life - George Guthrie
Study/DVD: The Life Application Study Bible
Experience: Bible School or Seminary Courses
God speaks to us in His Word – the Bible. Learning to read, understand, and apply the Bible to our daily lives is the single biggest key to living the abundant life that Jesus talks about.
The Bible is the Word of God—its power and meaning is limitless. Welcome to a lifetime of learning about the mind of
God through study of the Bible!
16 17
GROW
Thriving Family Relationships
Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers do
not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
Colossians 3:18-21] ]
Step 1 Books: The Mystery of Marriage - Mike Mason
Think Orange - Reggie Joiner
Study/DVD: House or Home - Marriage Edition - Chip Ingram
House or Home - Parenting Edition - Chip Ingram
Media: God’s Sacred Design for Marriage radio program (2 parts)
Experience: Marriage Seminar
Step 2Books: Sacred Marriage - Gary Thomas
Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Reggie Joiner & Carey Nieuwhof
Study/DVD: The Art of Marriage Small Group Study
Media: familylifetoday.com/topics
Experience: Marriage Weekend - Weekend to Remember by Family Life
Step 3Book: The Most Important Place on Earth - Robert Wolgemuth
Study/DVD: Love & War video series - John & Stasi Eldredge
Media: Sermon series on sex, love & God at costamesa.rockharbor.org
Experience: Parenting Seminar
Other ResourcesBooks: Love and Respect - Emerson Eggerichs
Everyday Talk: Talking Freely and Naturally about God with Your Children - John Younts
Effective Parenting/Defective World - Chip Ingram
Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages - Shaunti Feldhahn
Getting to the Heart of Parenting - Paul Tripp
Media: garythomas.com/dvd/sacred-marriage
Uncovered: A real look at Love, Sex and Dating - Eaglebrookchurch.com/sermonseries
God invented the family when He created woman and man. He has a plan for every family that involves truth, love, and service...a plan that reflects the heart of Christ for the home where all family members submit to each other out of a self-giving love. The best way that we can bless our children and, by definition, our world, is by following that plan, living out the character of God every day.
18 19
Ordering my life in a way that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God.
GROW
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you
in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”
Matthew 25:23
Step 1 Books: Genius of Generosity - Chip Ingram
Study/DVD: Managing God’s Money - A Biblical Guide (based on Treasure Principle)
Media: Balanced - Andy Stanley podcast
Experience: Advent Conspiracy
Step 2Books: Sacred Rhythms - Ruth Haley Barton
Study/DVD: Financial Peace University - Dave Ramsey
Experience: Mission Trip to the Poor
Step 3Books: The Divine Conspiracy - Dallas Willard
Study/DVD: Celebration of Discipline DVD Curriculm
Media: generouschurch.com & renovare.org
Experience: Silence and Solitude Retreat
Other ResourcesBooks: A Life God Rewards - Bruce Wiilkinson
Chasing Francis - Ian Cron
Just Leave God Out of It - David Timms
Living the Lord’s Prayer - David Timms
Studies/DVD: R12 - Chip Ingram
A Life God Rewards DVD
Devotional Classics - Richard Foster
Media: Spiritual Simplicity: doing less, loving more - Chip Ingram teaching series livingontheedge.org
Your Move Balanced Financial Tools - yourmove.is/balanced
True Spirituality - truespiritualityonline.org
]]Money, talents, abilities, possessions – all these are entrusted to us by God for the purpose of doing His work and bringing Him glory. How do we move from thinking, “What’s mine is mine” to “Not my will, but Your will be done?” Learning to truly use what God has entrusted to us for His purposes is the key to true wealth
and blessing.
20 21
SERVE
Using the presence and power
of the Holy Spirit to live the life
God wants me to live.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you
what is yet to come.John 16:13
Step 1 Book: The Power of a Whisper - Bill Hybels
Study/DVD: Divine Design - Chip Ingram
Media: The Holy Spirit and You - sermon by Billy Graham
Experience: Spiritual Gifts Inventory and meeting with a Connection Coach atCornerstone
Step 2Book: Forgotten God - Francis Chan
Study/DVD: When God’s Spirit Moves - Jim Cymbala
Media: Four Sermons on the Holy Spirit - John Piper
Experience: Monthly Prayer
Step 3Book: Hearing God - Dallas Willard
Study/DVD: Experiencing God - Henry Blackaby
Media: www.blackaby.net/expgod
The Holy Spirit 12 Part Sermon Series - brooklyntabernacle.org/media/sermons
Experience: Healing Service
] ]We aren’t in this life alone. God has given us His Holy Spirit to
guide us, teach us, and empower us. Getting to know Him, learning how He works in us, and living our lives with Christ through the
power of the Spirit is crucial to becoming all that God has called us to be.
22 23
Serve
SERVE
Valuing others above myself by offering my service to God with my time, resources, & talents
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you.
Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but
to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”Matthew 20:25-28
Step 1 Book: Love Does - Bob Goff
Study/DVD: Holy Ambition - Chip Ingram
Media: emotionallyhealthy.org
Experience: Complete Personal Profile and meet with a Connection Coach at Cornerstone
Step 2 Book:: In the Name of Jesus - Henri Nouwen
Study/DVD: Let Your Life Speak - Parker Palmer
Media: workasworshipnetwork.org
Experience: Serve in a ministry role at Cornerstone
Step 3Book: Next Generation Leader - Andy Stanley
Study/DVD: Leadership Essentials - Craig Groeschel
Media: yourmove.is/podcasts - Andy Stanley leadership podcast
Experience: Leadership Conference
Other ResourcesBooks: Crazy Love - Francis Chan
Leadership That Works - Leith Anderson
Under The Unpredictable Plant (a study in vocational holiness) - Eugene Peterson
All In - Mark Batterson
The Heart of Mentoring - David A. Stoddard and Robert J. Tamasy
Study/DVD: Jesus on Leadership: Developing Servant Leaders - DVD
Media: christianjobs.com
Experience: Catalyst Conference
]]The Kingdom of God is upside down. Jesus says that those who want to be great in God’s kingdom must be servants of
all. Learning to serve others in the name of Jesus is really a call to spiritual greatness. Learning to serve with the abilities and interests that God has given us allows us to fulfill the unique
mission for which God has given each one of us.
24 25
Letting others hear, understand, & freely respond
to the gospel through what I say and do
GO
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given
to me. 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. And surely I am
with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
Step 1 Book: Becoming a Contagious Christian - Bill Hybels/Mark Mittelberg
Study/DVD: Walk Across The Room - Bill Hybels
Media: shareyourfaithapp.com
Experience: Local Missions Experience
Step 2Book: The Heavenly Man - Brother Yun
Study/DVD: God’s Heart for the Nations - Jeff Lewis
Media: operationworld.org
Experience: Out-Of-State Missions Experience
Step 3Book: Bridges of God - Donald McGavron
Study DVD: Perspectives Course
Media: radicalexperiment.org
Experience: Career Missions
Other ResourcesBooks: Let the Nations Be Glad - John Piper
The Hole in the Gospel - Richard Stearns
A Chance to Die - Amy Carmichael
Study/DVD: Faith Path: Friends Helping Friends Find Christ- Mark Mittelberg
Media: Catalyst Conference
rightnow.org/ministry
Experience: Urbana Conference
christmasgatherings.com
]]The most dangerous thing we can do with God is to play it
safe. The Great Commission of Jesus tells us to go and make discriples. The Great Commandment of Jesus tells us to do it because we love God and others. The words that God loves to
hear from each of his childfren are “Here am I! Send me!”