Five Learning Resources for Christian Creatives

These past few weeks we have been looking at the life of a Christian creative.

In the first post, I shared 10 scriptures to propel your creative life and in the second one, we considered three things that stifle our progress.

If you haven’t already, do check out those two posts before you read this, as I believe they set the tone for this next aspect of the discourse.

 

Four Important Areas of Growth

There are four main areas of growth for Christian Creatives:

1. Spiritual – This is the most important aspect of our growth. Firstly, life is spiritual, this means that our ability to thrive physically often depends on the work we do in our spiritual life.
2. Mental – increasing your knowledge and refining your perspective is important. There are so many. Our minds are the seat of our souls and they stifle our ability to live in the fullness of God’s best for us.
3. Emotional/social – Our ability to manage our emotions and interact with others healthily and meaningfully is crucial.
4. Physical – this is the manifestation of the other three and requires constant action and refinement.

Five Learning Resources for You

1. Books

If you follow this blog, then you know that I love reading. I have also realised that there is one book that trumps them all – the Bible. This is the complete book, and even if you don’t read anything else (though I hope you will), you need to make the Bible a constant companion. This is not just about reading devotionals but about studying and meditating on the words of our maker.

Here’s why:

 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

2. YouTube

YouTube is the most extensive educational platform on the web bar none. I have heard many people refer to it as “YouTube University.” It is a rich resource for every kind of information you can think of.

Basically, it is a mode to learn almost anything you need.

How do you use YouTube?

Do you usually fall into the spiral of comedy skits and cat videos? I know how addicting those can be.

However, it would be a waste to have such an opportunity and not make the most of it. Here are some ideas:

• • Spiritual growth: Apostle Joshua Selman, Prophetess Tiphani Montgomery
  • Productivity: Ali Abdaal, Matt DaVella
  • Family: Intentional Parents
  • Career/business: Pastor Myles Munroe,
  • Health:

1. 3. Blogs

Blogs and interest-based websites are great resources for Christian creatives. You should choose blogs and resources in the areas of growth mentioned above.

1. 4. Podcasts

Podcasts are great and convenient modes of information gathering and assimilation. There is a plethora of podcasts that cover different topics. Here are some podcast ideas.

1. 5. Courses/Conferences

Courses and conferences are a great way to practicalize the learning experience. They also provide room to learn and network with others. Consider a mix of online and physical conferences/courses.

Bonus

6. Social media

I have realised that social media can be a treasure trove of information if used well. However, I do acknowledge that it is much harder to be disciplined with SM compared to some of the options above. Nonetheless, it is an option to try. You can check out this post for ideas on how to use IG and people to follow.

 

Your calling is not about you.

As a Christian creative and business owner, I have learned the importance of developing the skills and talents God gifted me with. Before this, I had taken these giftings for granted. Believing I could just get up and go, literally. But by God’s grace, I am now learning to be sensitive to the leading and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

I am learning to be a good steward of all he has poured into me. We often forget that it is an incredible privilege to serve and reflect on God through our lives and our actions.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned is to allow God to dictate how and what we create – not the world or people.

 

Bible says he created these “good works” for us before we were born, from the very beginning (see Ephesians 2:10)