Is there a more mysterious topic in the Christian life than sanctification?

That lifelong process of growing spiritually is tough (maybe impossible?) to measure. How can you really tell if someone is more like Jesus this year than they were last year? Maybe that’s why we gravitate towards examining the kinds of things we can measure, like church attendance, giving, and participation in small groups. While these are all important, we know full well someone can do all of them without truly growing into a mature follower of Jesus.

The truth is that sanctification is complex and looks differently for everyone. It’s a problem Leopoldo Sanchez addresses: “Does every Christian experience the spiritual life in the same way? Of course not. Yet we often teach sanctification as if they do.” To correct this faulty approach, Sanchez points readers back to Scripture. “The Bible’s stories and images provide us with a visual grammar to articulate what life in the Spirit looks like at various times in one’s spiritual journey.”

To discover even more practical ways to help people grow, check out Fostering Transformation. This 23-page resource offers biblical reflection, wisdom from experienced pastors, and practical tips on how to move those you lead through the process of spiritual transformation.