To Grow: increase, develop, mature, advance, enlarge
Are you growing spiritually?
Is your church growing spiritually?
Spiritual Growth is God’s Intent
Certain spiritual gifts have been given to the Body with the key purpose being “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” to “become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-13). “Then we will no longer be infants” (Eph. 4:14).
Question: How intentional are you in lining up with God’s growth objective?
God Has an Ultimate Growth Objective
Ephesians 4:15 —
“in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”
“in all things grow up” –
We grow in grace, knowledge, faith, love, etc. (2 Pet. 3:18; 2 Thess. 1:3; Col. 1:10) which will touch all areas of our lives wherever we are in whatever we do … our feelings, thoughts, words, attitudes, actions.
“grow up into Him … “
Growth has an objective, that of becoming Christ-like so that the fullness of Christ fills all in all of our lives so we are “conformed to the likeness of Christ” (Rom. 8:29) that “in everything he might have the supremacy” (Col. 1:18).
If you want a picture of what a mature believer should be like, look at Jesus.
Questions: How Christ-like are you personally? How Christ-like is your church?
Growing isn’t Automatic but Tends to Happen Developmentally
1. We are commanded to grow (2 Pet. 3:18) and to make every effort to increase in faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. (2 Pet. 1:5-7)
2. God’s Word identifies people at varying stages in their spiritual growth: infants (Eph. 4:14; Heb. 5:13; 1 Pet. 2:2), children, young men/adults, and parents/fathers (1 Jn. 2:13-14)
In the next five posts we are going to look at different levels of spiritual growth. Follow the related posts below.
A teacher training resource published by Ministry Tools Resource Center with PowerPoint slides and worksheets, The Teacher’s Role in Discipling Students Toward Spiritual Growth, uses these same levels we will be looking at to help Bible teachers think through where students are in their walk with God in order to help them get to the next level.
Questions: At what level of spiritual growth are you? Are you growing, plateauing, regressing?
Thank You for this Spiritual Growth Levels Post. I am just beginning this study for myself before I even began to attempt it with someone else. I am a 71 year young female and recent graduate for my Masters In Religious Studies on 05/03/2014. I am re-evaluating everything I learned and was teaching because I want to teach the Bible and not Church Dogma, Traditions, and The way it has always been. There are too many revolving door ministries because these methods cause Young People to leave the Church even if their parents are long standing members. God Bless This Ministry for giving Teachers the opportunity to re-evaluate what they are teaching and learn new Biblically, Truthfully and Effective methods in Christian Ministry. I certainly could not afford all this material that You make available to me as a Senior Citizen on Social Security. I was awarded a Scholarship at age 68 for my Masters Degree. You have no idea how much Your Equipping Ministry means to us trying to reach this generations’ young people. Ms. Anita
You are most welcome, Ms. Anita. I praise God for your teachable spirit even into your senior years! Young people do want something real and relevant which God through His Word does provide. May God use you to impact their lives for Him through both your teaching and the example of your own life.