Let's Burn with Fire
It's getting to be the time of year when we get outside and begin to enjoy the cooler weather for a bit. We build fires, hang out, grill. I'm reminded, recently, of an illustration that I believe is relevant to our growth in spiritual formation and community.
Think about a pile of hot coals. When they’re piled together, the fire is blazing—it’s almost too hot to get near. Each coal feeds off the heat of the others, keeping the flame alive.
Now picture taking one of those coals out and setting it off to the side by itself. What happens? At first, it still glows red. But before long, the heat fades. The glow turns to gray. Eventually, it’s just a cold, lifeless lump.
That’s what happens when a man of God tries to live his faith isolated from other brothers. At first, he might look fine, still holding some warmth from being close to others. But slowly, without fellowship, encouragement, and accountability, the fire fades.
But here’s the beauty: if you take that cooled-off coal and put it back into the pile, it catches fire again. The same is true with us. When we lean into fellowship, discipleship, and worship together, God uses the heat of our faith to spark and sustain one another.
And this is why I talk so much about discipleship and growth happening in groups. Because it’s proven. When men gather around the Word, when they push each other, when they pray for one another, when they actually walk through life side by side—that’s where real transformation happens. That’s spiritual formation in action.
We won't grow cold in isolation if we are growing hot in community. Hebrews 10:24–25 tells us to "consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together… but encouraging one another." That’s discipleship. That’s Christian brotherhood. That’s where men are forged into Christlikeness.
So here’s the question: are you in the pile, burning brighter with your brothers? Or are you drifting off to the side, fading out? God made us to grow and battle together, not apart. We all like the symbolism of soldiers side-by-side in battle, standing shoulder to shoulder and having each other's backs. The battle scenes in Braveheart. The opening scene in Saving Private Ryan. The Patriot.
When Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12 about the struggle with the enemy, that hasn't ended. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." As a matter of fact, we live in a pretty dark time. It's visible. Evil called good and good called evil.
Hear my heart in this - I am nothing right now without the foundation of salvation and the resilience of persistent brothers. I'm Christ-created and brother-built. Christ is the cornerstone and my brothers are the scaffolding God has used to build me up. Discipleship is never meant to be solo. Growth in Christ happens in the furnace of community, shoulder-to-shoulder, life-on-life. Sound hokey? It's not.
You need to grow on the foundation that Jesus established. We have 5 opportunities on campus each week to be with other men battling against the darkness. We have a number of life groups off campus that meet throughout the week as well. We have one-on-one discipleship opportunities. I love fun events to hang out at, but I love growth through discipleship more.
My tone of urgency is intentional. I want you to grow deeply in Christ. More importantly, Jesus wants and calls you to grow. I plead with Jesus that the Holy Spirit lights a fire in you that you cannot ignore.
What's your next step, Riverdale Men? Talk to me. Message me. Let me help you get connected to grow in ways you can never lose.
"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." Romans 12:11 (Fervent - to be full of zeal, burning with passion, alive with intensity.)
In Christ,
Shannon
shannon@lifept.org
(615) 490-1327