Originally published by The Round Farmhouse on September 10, 2025.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15, ESV)
I care about my physical health. I try to eat well, sleep well, and move well through running, kickboxing, and strength training. Each of these things contribute to my overall health (and tend to make me a more pleasant person, which I think is good for everyone).
Cross-training involves incorporating different types of exercise into our workout routines. This ensure that your body works in different ways, therefore getting stronger and maintaining good physical health.
The same can be said of our spiritual health. We need to cross-train and not rely on one source for strengthening and development. Let’s look at how we do this.
Exercise Classes
Think of going to church as exercise class. You’re with people in a similar situation who can motivate each other, model for each other, and help each other reach shared goals.
Church isn’t meant to fill you up enough to last the week, and no, you’re not going to have those “mountain moments” of worship every week. But you still need to go: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV).
Running
Think of reading your Bible, devotionals, and books as running. You need to run (or walk!) regularly or else your body will hate you the next time you try to run. It gets your blood flowing, your muscles working, and your heart pumping. It’s a time to explore new trails, new passages, and new ideas.
Scripture is the foundation of truth and has more of an impact than we may ever know. Ever have a moment when a Bible verse pops into your head? That’s because you read it in the first place. And Scripture has multiple purposes:
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV).
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4, ESV).
Strength Training
Think of studying as strength training. You need to slow down and focus on specific muscle groups (Biblical topics!). You may even reflect on what you need in that moment and let that guide your training (study!).
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2, ESV).
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, ESV).
Prayer in all!
And prayer, with thanksgiving, should be included in all aspects of our spiritual cross-training. We are to “pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, ESV) and “continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2, ESV).
