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SUMMER SPIRITUAL WORKOUT PLAN
don't settle for shallow faith
Go deeper this summer with Pastor Mark’s Spiritual Workout Plan — a practical routine to read through scripture, memorize key verses and practice accountability that builds lasting roots. Let’s move beyond shallow faith as a church family as we develop spiritual disciplines that will deepen our relationship with God and grow our strength for every season of life.
Jump to:
Daily • Weekly • Accountability • Pro Tips
HOW IT WORKS
Pray • Read • Memorize • Sabbath • Accountability
Rhythms to Practice:
Morning
- Pray over your day
- Read the New Testament passage (don’t take notes—just receive) and watch correlating Bible Project videos before and after each book
- Meditate on your weekly memory verse
- Close with The Lord's Prayer
Noon
- Pause to communicate with God throughout your day
- Work on your weekly memory verse (read and say it ten times)
weekly
- Take one day each week for sabbath rest (a day of JOY)
- Worship with your local church on Sunday
- Meet with friends and together answer accountability questions
evening
- Read the Old Testament passage and watch the correlating Bible Project video before and after each book
- Read The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges
- Bonus Resources: Knowing God by J.I. Packer John Piper sermons Tim Keller sermons
- Close with thankful prayer
weekly
- Take one day each week for sabbath rest (a day of JOY)
- Worship with your local church on Sunday
- Meet with friends and together answer accountability questions
Accountability
You weren’t meant to follow Jesus alone. Meet with a few people you can be honest with every week in person or virtually. Walk through the accountability questions together using a simple two-step rhythm:
Round 1: Ask each question and give a brief 1–2 sentence answer, do not elaborate. Take ownership before giving explanation.
Round 2: Return to any areas that need more attention from Step 1. Always take time to unpack any confession or temptation that came up—this is where healing and growth really begin.
Accountability Questions
- Bible Reading: Did you complete your reading this week?
- Memory Verse: What verse did you memorize this week? Recite it word-for-word.
- Confession: What sin or temptation do you need to bring into the light?
“Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.” James 5:16
“But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.” James 1:14-15
- Celebration & Stress: What joy can we celebrate? What stress do you need help carrying?
- Relationship Health: Is there any brokenness in your relationships that needs to be mended or prayed over?
“If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18
-
Spiritual Goals: What sin do you want to kill or discipline you want to grow in over the next 4 months?
How was your growth this week? Green / Yellow / Red
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” 1 Cor 15:10
- Integrity Check: Have you been completely honest?
“There’s nothing more valuable in your life than knowing the living God. Nothing.”
– Mark Vance
Pro Tips from pastor mark
Bible
- Don’t just read the Bible—receive it. Read your passage each morning without taking notes. Let it shape you before you analyze it.
- Prep and review with BibleProject videos. Watch the video for each NT and OT book before and after reading to anchor the story.
- Use a Study Bible. The CSB or ESV Study Bible adds helpful notes, context, and clarity. It’s like walking through Scripture with a guide by your side.
Verse Memorization
- Say the verses out loud every day. Read it out loud and say it out loud 10 times, then review all past verses once.
- Use memory tools. Write the first letter of each word on a notecard or rubber band on your wrist to carry it with you.
- Put Scripture where you’ll see it. Set your memory verse as your phone lock screen or stick it on your bathroom mirror.
Prayer
- Use “breath prayers” throughout your day. Short prayers like “Jesus, I trust you,” “Jesus, you’re here,” “Jesus, give me strength,” or “Jesus, help me” can reset your heart and re-center your focus.
Sabbath
- Make Sabbath a day of joy. Sabbath isn’t just stopping work—it’s receiving joy. It’s a gift from God, made for you. Schedule it. Protect it. Make it your favorite day of the week. Put away your phone. Eat good food. Be with people you love.
Accountability
- Call each other to the light. Confess temptation and sin in community—it brings healing, not shame.
- Be honest in accountability. Don’t give surface answers. Be fast, full, and free in confession.
Growth
- Track your spiritual growth honestly. Use green/yellow/red to reflect on how you’re moving toward your spiritual goals.
- Read theology in addition to Scripture. Books like The Discipline of Grace can deepen your understanding and anchor your day in truth.
- Filter your input. Trade the worldly noise for truth—listening to sermons from John Piper or Tim Keller can help you see and savor Jesus more clearly.
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Spiritual strength grows where discipline takes root.
Let’s grow together this summer!
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