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Spiritual Growth and Maturity

Spiritual Growth and Maturity. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

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Spiritual Growth and Maturity

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  1. Spiritual Growth and Maturity

  2. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

  3. Why we should study Spiritual Growth And Maturity

  4. Lesson I Definitions

  5. Definitions Spiritual Growth– The lifetime process of progressive sanctification whose ultimate goal is to be a fully-grown, completely-formed believer in Jesus Christ and prepared for Heaven

  6. Definitions Spiritual Growth– The lifetime process of progressive sanctification whose ultimate goal is to be a fully-grown, completely-formed believer in Jesus Christ and prepared for Heaven Salvation (Positional Sanctification) Christian Life SPIRITUAL GROWTH (Progressive Sanctification) Glorification (Eternal Sanctification)

  7. Definitions Spiritual Growth– The lifetime process of progressive sanctification whose ultimate goal is to be a fully-grown, completely-formed believer in Jesus Christ and prepared for Heaven Spiritual Maturity– Showing Christ-like characteristics in our earthly lives that match our position in Christ. It is the end result or product of spiritual growth. Salvation (Positional Sanctification) Christian Life SPIRITUAL GROWTH (Progressive Sanctification) Glorification (Eternal Sanctification)

  8. Can a person be SPIRITUAL but not SPIRITUALLY MATURE?

  9. Can a person be SPIRITUAL but not SPIRITUALLY MATURE? Can a person be SPIRITUALLY MATURE but not SPIRITUAL?

  10. Definitions Spirituality – A measure of a believer’s spiritual health. • “Spiritual” (I Corinthians 2:15) • Spiritual fellowship with God (Philippians 3:10) • Filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) • Walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) • Bearing fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22)

  11. Definitions Spirituality – A measure of a believer’s spiritual health. • “Spiritual” (I Corinthians 2:15) • Spiritual fellowship with God (Philippians 3:10) • Filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) • Walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) • Bearing fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) When we walk in the flesh, our spiritual growth is “stunted”; our spiritual maturity is hindered until we return to walk with God in the Spirit.

  12. Definitions Spiritual Growth– The lifetime process of progressive sanctification whose ultimate goal is to be a fully-grown, completely-formed believer in Jesus Christ and prepared for Heaven Spiritual Maturity– Showing Christ-like characteristics in our earthly lives that match our position in Christ. It is the end result or product of spiritual growth. Spirituality – A measure of a believer’s spiritual health.

  13. Bible Words About Spiritual GROWTH and MATURITY Familiar illustrations and metaphors in the Bible: • An infant or small child • A fruitful plant • The human body • A building • A full-grown adult • Ever-increasing love • An object of workmanship

  14. An Infant or a Small Child; A Fruitful Plant GROW, GROW UP • I Peter 2:2 • Ephesians 4:14-15 • II Peter 3:18

  15. An Infant or a Small Child; A Fruitful Plant GROW, GROW UP • I Peter 2:2 • Ephesians 4:14-15 • II Peter 3:18 INCREASE • I Thessalonians 4:9-10 • Colossians 1:10

  16. The Human Body or Believers as a Building BUILDING, BUILT UPON, BUILDED TOGETHER • I Corinthians 3:9 • Ephesians 2:19-22

  17. The Human Body or Believers as a Building BUILDING, BUILT UPON, BUILDED TOGETHER • I Corinthians 3:9 • Ephesians 2:19-22 EDIFY, EDIFYING, EDIFICATION • Romans 14:19 • I Thessalonians 5:11 • Romans 15:2 • Ephesians 4:12, 16

  18. A Full-grown Adult A PERFECT MAN, PERFECT • Ephesians 4:13 • James 3:2 FULL AGE • Hebrews 5:12-14 PERFECTING • Ephesians 4:12

  19. An Ever-increasing Work in Progress ABOUND (MORE AND MORE) • Philippians 1:9 • I Thessalonians 4:1 • I Thessalonians 3:12

  20. A Finished Object of Workmanship COMPLETE, FILLED • Colossians 1:9 • Colossians 4:12

  21. A Finished Object of Workmanship COMPLETE, FILLED • Colossians 1:9 • Colossians 4:12 (2:10) “Complete in Thee” Salvation (Positional Sanctification) Christian Life SPIRITUAL GROWTH (Progressive Sanctification) Glorification (Eternal Sanctification)

  22. Spiritual Maturity is Our Goal “Christlikeness” • Ephesians 4:13b, 15b • Colossians 1:28 • II Corinthians 3:18 • I Corinthians 4:10-11 • Philippians 3:12-14 • Hebrews 6:1-3

  23. Spiritual Maturity is Our Goal More Like My Savior • Luke 6:40 • John 13:34; 15:12 • I John 2:6; 3:16 • Philippians 2:5 • I Peter 2:21-23

  24. Spiritual Growth and Maturity Key Words • GROW, GROW UP, INCREASE • BUILD, BUILD UP • EDIFY, EDIFYING, EDIFICATION • PERFECT, PERFECTING • ABOUND MORE AND MORE • COMPLETE

  25. Spiritual Growth and Maturity Salvation (Positional Sanctification) Christian Life SPIRITUAL GROWTH (Progressive Sanctification) Glorification (Eternal Sanctification)

  26. Spiritual Growth and Maturity Growing, Edifying, Abounding More and More Complete In Christ Perfect Salvation (Positional Sanctification) Christian Life SPIRITUAL GROWTH (Progressive Sanctification) Glorification (Eternal Sanctification)

  27. Lesson 2 Building Blocks for Spiritual Growth

  28. Building Blocks for Spiritual Growth #1 – Life (Salvation, Regeneration)

  29. Building Blocks for Spiritual Growth #1 – Life (Regeneration, Salvation) • John 3:1-7 • Ephesians 2:1 • I Corinthians 2:14 Cautions: • Matthew 7:21-23 (13:1-9; 24:13-20) • II Corinthians 13:5 • Matthew 7:24-27

  30. Building Blocks for Spiritual Growth #2 – Nourishment (God’s Word) #1 – Life (Salvation, Regeneration)

  31. Building Blocks for Spiritual Growth #2 – Nourishment (God’s Word) Desire spiritual nourishment • II Corinthians 5:17 • I Peter 2:2 • Job 23:12 Consume God’s Word • Psalm 119:103 • Jeremiah 15:16

  32. Building Blocks for Spiritual Growth #2 – Nourishment (God’s Word) Learn the First Principles (ABCs) of God’s Word Hebrews 15:12 - 6:3 • Righteousness • Christ • Repentance • Faith • Baptisms • Identification • Resurrections • Judgment II Timothy 3:14-17

  33. Suggestions for Reading Your Bible

  34. Suggestions for Reading Your Bible • Read the Bible • Read the Bible every day

  35. Suggestions for Reading Your Bible "Varying paces [of reading] mitigate against strict rules. But daily reading forces us to read portions of Scripture to which we are not naturally drawn, feeding us with the whole counsel of God and giving us the fullest possible picture of who God is." ~ Dane Ortlund, Bible publishing director, Crossway Books

  36. Suggestions for Reading Your Bible • Read the Bible • Read the Bible every day • When we read the Bible matters • Read all of the Bible

  37. Suggestions for Reading Your Bible “For some years now I have read through the Bible twice every year. If you picture the Bible to be a mighty tree and every word a little branch, I have shaken every one of these branches because I wanted to know what it was and what it meant.” ~ Martin Luther

  38. Suggestions for Reading Your Bible • Read the Bible • Read the Bible every day • When we read the Bible matters • Read all of the Bible • Read the Bible every day according to a plan

  39. "Comprehensive reading of Scripture through assigned daily readings dates back to the early church. The deep grasp of Scripture this discipline provides is essential to Christian discipleship. One-year plans are a great way to achieve that." ~ Joel Scandrett, professor of historical theology, Trinity School for Ministry Suggestions for Reading Your Bible

  40. Suggestions for Reading Your Bible • Read more of the Bible than you ever have before

  41. Suggestions for Reading Your Bible "Given the fragmentary and out-of-context Bible sampling that pervades our Christian world, any Bible reading that is more holistic and sustained is a good thing. Feasting on whole books and getting immersed in the narrative is healthier than snacking on Bible McNuggets." ~ Glenn Paauw, Bible publisher-North America, Biblica

  42. Suggestions for Reading Your Bible • Read more of the Bible than you ever have before • Read the Bible for understanding

  43. Suggestions for Reading Your Bible “It will greatly help you to understand scripture if you note – no only what is spoken and written, but of whom and to whom, with what words, at what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstances, considering what goes before and what follows.” ~ Miles Coverdale, in his introduction to his 1535 English Bible translation

  44. Suggestions for Reading Your Bible • Read more of the Bible than you ever have before • Read the Bible for understanding • Read with childlike faith to please God

  45. Suggestions for Reading Your Bible “If there is anything in my thoughts or style to commend, the credit is due to my parents for instilling in me an early love of the Scriptures.” ~ Daniel Webster

  46. Suggestions for Reading Your Bible • Read more of the Bible than you ever have before • Read the Bible for understanding • Read with childlike faith to please God • Read to grow in communion with God

  47. Suggestions for Reading Your Bible “There is a way of reading the Bible that seems to leave God far away, off in the shadows somewhere. It is all information and technicalities and knowledge, but it feels like you're sitting with your back towards God. You come up against a difficulty or question, and you go to books, you ask pastors, friends, strangers on the internet, anyone but Him. Gradually God gets smaller and dimmer.” ~ Unknown

  48. Suggestions for Reading Your Bible • Read more of the Bible than you ever have before • Read the Bible for understanding • Read with childlike faith to please God • Read to grow in communion with God • Read to be a doer of God’s Word

  49. Suggestions for Reading Your Bible • Read and mark your Bible • Read and meditate on Bible passages

  50. Suggestions for Reading Your Bible “Some people like to read so many [Bible] chapters every day. I would not dissuade them from the practice, but I would rather lay my soul asoak in half a dozen verses all day than rinse my hand in several chapters. Oh, to be bathed in a text of Scripture, and to let it be sucked up in your very soul, till it saturates your heart!” ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon

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