Five Things Every Christian Needs to Grow

Five Things Every Christian Needs to Grow by Dr. R.C. Sproul examines five spiritual disciplines that support growth and maturity in the Christian life: Bible study, prayer, worship, service, and stewardship.

Sproul approaches each discipline with pastoral warmth and theological clarity, drawing on Scripture, church history, and personal experience to show how these practices shape the believer’s relationship with God. The book opens by comparing the Christian life to athletic training—not as a matter of acquired skill, but as a call to diligence within a living relationship with God. Each chapter explores one discipline in depth, grounding practical guidance in biblical teaching.

From the priority of Scripture over feelings in the life of faith, to the focused intentionality required in prayer, to the reverent preparation that worship demands, Sproul presents these disciplines not as burdensome obligations but as means of grace. His treatment of service emphasizes Christ’s redefinition of greatness through servanthood, while his discussion of stewardship roots the management of all resources in God’s ultimate ownership of creation. A concluding question-and-answer chapter addresses related topics such as the Lord’s Supper, the church calendar, and the nature of Christian giving.

This book offers an accessible and encouraging guide for Christians seeking to cultivate faithfulness in the ordinary rhythms of discipleship.

Key Themes

• The role of Scripture as the foundation for faith and spiritual stability
• Prayer as kingdom-focused communion with God requiring discipline and attention
• Worship as a reverent encounter with the holy God, requiring intentional preparation
• Servanthood as the biblical measure of greatness in God’s kingdom
• Stewardship as faithful management of all that God has entrusted to His people

Featured Quotes

“He also counseled me to look to the Bible and not my feelings as the basis of the Christian life. I’ve never received wiser counsel.”

“Part of our preparation for worship ought to be reminding ourselves of who God is—the holy, sovereign Lord.”