8 Steps Toward Growth
Growing Together Week #1
8 Steps Toward Growth
Christianity is simply a series of next steps
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! -2 Peter 3:18
Discipleship is not a program; it’s a process
There is a difference between attending church and following Jesus.
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. -1 Peter 2:1-3
As we follow Jesus, we should change and grow
We cannot walk with Jesus and stay the same.
If you’re walking with Jesus… he’s changing something in you, around you, and through you.
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:10-14
Eight Ways we can step into growth:
1) Read Your Bible
We cannot fully understand who God is if we’re not reading His word
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
God’s word is a lamp and a light.
Find Bible reading plans at www.youversion.com
2) Life Groups
3) Baptism
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” -Matthew 28:18-20
Baptism is after salvation
4) Commit to the Local Church
not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. -Hebrews 10:25
5) Confession and Repentance
What is there in your life that is between you and Jesus that you need to confess to God and maybe to others… and repent of?
Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me. 2 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 3 “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all? 4 Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When any of the Israelites set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet, I the Lord will answer them myself in keeping with their great idolatry. 5 I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.’ -Ezekiel 14:1-5
6) Giving
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. -Matthew 6:21- 24
If you haven’t learned to faithfully give to God, then you haven’t learned how to faithfully follow Him.
7) Sharing Jesus
I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. -Philemon 1:6
8) Serving
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms -1 Peter 4:10
We’re not requested to serve; we’re called to serve
You will never become the person God wants you to be until you start serving