I lead a small group of men on Monday and Thursday nights. It is one of my favorite things to do right now. Over 20 men show up and participate each week as they attempt to grow in their faith.

Every time I facilitate a new group, God has a way of teaching me as I lead them. So far, with this group, he has reminded me that many Christians know the right thing to say, even when they are not doing it. The answers to many of my questions are the same; “We need to pray about it. We should be reading our Bibles. We all should have people to which we are accountable.”

These sentences are all true, but they have no practical connection to life. For example, when someone answers a question by declaring that we need to pray, I always respond in the affirmative. But I never like to let it stop there. I follow that statement by asking, “When do you pray?” Possibly, I inquire as to the nature of their prayers. “What exactly do you say to God when you pray about these things?” Another approach might be to ask, “And what do you hope to see as a result of your prayers?”

I have noticed that whenever I ask more questions, they stop in their tracks. They are used to simply giving an answer that sounds spiritual and then moving on to something else. As a Christian, it is easy to use the language of faith to deflect genuine reflection and participation.

Always remember, it is one thing to talk a good game, and it is quite another to play one. Just because someone knows all the correct answers, including you, does not mean you are growing spiritually. In fact, it might be a smokescreen to hide a lack of spiritual growth.