Growing Faith: Five Faith Catalysts

by flaivoloka – from www.sxc.hu

In Andy Stanley’s book Deep and Wide he lists “The Five Faith Catalysts” that are a part of a disciple’s faith development (ch. 7).  These are not unique or invented by him, but his titles and categories are helpful.

On this blog I want to look at these from the perspective of developing disciples instead of just members in our congregations and instilling faith in our children.  Over the next few weeks on this blog I will be publishing single posts about one of these catalysts.

I will use the titles given in the book, some of his thoughts, and much of my own thoughts.

Here is his list using the classic preacher point format with them all beginning with “p.”

1. Practical Teaching
2. Private Discipline
3. Personal Ministry
4. Providential Relationships
5. Pivotal Circumstances  

These five focus on growing a person’s faith, rather than just increasing a person’s knowledge.  Many of the models we have often focused upon increasing a person’s knowledge.  That definitely must be a part of the process (Rom. 10:17), but it should not be the whole system and philosophy.  It is not enough for people to just get information, they must be transformed as well (Rom. 12:1-2).  

The book and I are suggesting that these five things need to be considered and intentionally done by parents and congregational leadership to develop disciples.  These five represent how God works and has worked in growing faith throughout the centuries.  This is an attempt to take the wisdom and experience of Scripture and history and intentionally apply them in the church and in the home today.

Stay tuned for these five posts.