As a fitness enthusiast, I find myself asking others who share my passion for fitness this question: “How are your workouts going?”  I’ve found that to be an easy way to strike up a fun conversation on a topic of similar interest.  Often times there may be some new ideas on fitness shared and we both grow.  I also enjoy the encouragement which we offer each other, within those talks.  As important as fitness is, the bible says this about fitness training: “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things…” 1 Timothy 4:8

So…why can’t we or why don’t’ we have similar conversations about our spiritual growth?  As a young believer, I had a friend who would greet me by asking, “how’s your walk?”.  Honestly at that time in my early journey as a believer, that question brought me under conviction. At first I found myself avoiding my friend, but in time, I was drawn to him.  It was his authentic concern for me and my growth as a believer.

As harmless as that question is, often it is not received well by fellow professing Christians.  I can recall a common response to that question being, “Are you judging me?” followed with “Judge not less be judged.”  People tend to be sensitive to being critiqued in an area of their lives.  And yet the bible says we are to judge those inside the church: “For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside?” 1 Corinthians 5:12

I believe in addition to holding each other accountable, we need to encourage and help equip other followers of Christ.  Sounds like discipleship doesn’t it.  I think what’s lacking as we lean into sharpening other believers is the care factor.  They need to know that you care about them.  Just as we extend love and patience as we talk to non-believers, we need that same love as we encourage one another.  We must also realize that God is going to use you and me to encourage, equip and sharpen each other. “As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”  Proverbs 27:17

With that noted: “How’s your walk?”  How is God speaking to you, how are you growing, can I pray for you about anything?  What miraculous things has God revealed or performed for you recently.  Spiritual conversations don’t have to be and should not be awkward.  You’ll be surprised how, as you intend to encourage someone, that someone ends up encouraging you.