Spiritual Growth - What is it?

Spiritual growth is detailed in 2 Peter 1:5-8:

"...make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Four simple, but essential steps for spiritual growth:

Step 1 – Read your Bible daily. Find a Bible reading plan that’s right for you. A plan will keep you from missing anything God has written. Furthermore, if you follow the plan, you’ll be on your way to reading through the Bible once every year! The easiest way to truly grow in the faith is to make Bible reading a priority.

• Read the Bible in one year
• Online Bible translations:
  • Bible Gateway (various English translations, also Spanish, German, etc.)
  • Parallel Bible (compare different translations)

Step 2 – Attend church services regularly. The Bible encourages us to meet together regularly with other believers: "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another..." Hebrews 10:25. This is also fundamental to spiritual growth. If you’re having trouble finding a church, check out these resources on how to find a church that’s right for you. How else will we grow spiritually unless we interact with other believers? We learn humility, gentleness and patience, developing the character of Christ as we relate within the body of Christ.

• Find a church
• Attributes of a good church

Step 3 – Get involved in a ministry group. Most churches offer small groups and ministry opportunities. A weekly Bible study group is a good place to begin. Pray and ask God where you should “plug in.” Those who “get plugged in” find their purpose and soar in their walk with Christ. Sometimes this takes a little time, but most churches will help you find the place that’s right for you. Don’t get discouraged if the first thing you try doesn’t seem to fit.

Step 4 – Pray daily. Prayer is simply talking to God. You don’t have to use big fancy words. There are no right and wrong words. Just be yourself. Pray for others in need. Pray for direction. Pray for the Lord to fill you daily with the Holy Spirit. You can pray with your eyes closed or open, while sitting or standing, kneeling or lying on your bed, anywhere, anytime.

 

Other helpful Bible passages:

 

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11