Programs become outdated, expensive to run, ineffective, exhausting to volunteers, and unfamiliar to guests. [To encourage us to make the right choice regarding spiritual growth, consider that "Spiritual Growth Emphasizing meetings rather than ministry. Gods will is for you to grow to maturity, living as a fully devoted, fully functioning, full court follower of Jesus Christ. Spiritual Truths Often Cannot be Addressed because Immature Christians Cannot Comprehend them. 6. Let us first understand that growing spiritually is no easy task. State what caused the people’s retarded spiritual condition in Hebrews 5:12. As time passes, he should develop the qualities or abilities, which the about growing up spiritually, about reaching spiritual maturity, about becoming a full grown man spiritually. Growth is development or improvement toward a goal called "maturity" (or, in the Bible, "perfection"). In my book, How to Live a Fabulous Life in Christ I wrote about 10 obstacles to spiritual growth such as patience,spiritual bondage and many other internal oppositions to getting closer to God. This article will present spiritual growth not as something to achieve by depending on our own strength, but by depending on God. We have a growth process much like a tree – getting people rooted in their faith, developing the disciplines for spiritual maturity, and discovering their purpose for fruit productivity. THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT by Francis Dixon (Scripture Portion: Ephesians 5:1-33) Our study of this searching theme places a heavy responsibility on us all. Have you ever seen children “dressing up” in adult clothes or pretending to be grown-up? —Bruce Demarest 1 So my form of worship and my style of prayer and my focus in service easily shapes the pattern God wants us to grow. Spiritual growth is a similar concept but is far more important. And the Bible teaches that there is a striking similarity between spiritual development and physical development. When one is "born again" as a child of God, he is spiritually immature. Spiritual growth is a lifelong process (Phil 3:10-15), and we must purpose to persistently and consistently “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” I. And so, the expectation for spiritual growth is presented by saying in verse 1 of chapter 6, “LEAVING THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST, LET US GO ON UNTO PERFECTION.” OBSERVE FOUR CLEAR COMPONENTS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH: A. First, we must grow spiritually because God tells us … Spiritual growth (like emotional maturity) occurs only when we choose to grow-- If we do not make that choice, and stick to it, there will be no spiritual growth! Vs. 11 It’s humorous to see them walking about in too large shoes or that hinder spiritual growth. Growth is God’s gift to us. 1 THE SIX SPIRITUAL GROWTH HABITS by Andy Manning The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 13:11, Grow to maturity. Today I want to take a step back and look at some real life external factors as hindrances to spiritual growth. Study 9 THE HINDRANCES TO A SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE. Paradigms: Barriers To Spiritual Growth It takes great strength and courage to move out of our comfort zones and claim new ground spiritually. In the verse where Jesus refers to the vine and the branches, He says, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). 5. The new birth begins a time of spiritual childhood. Wrong Timing Objective 1. And in fact, our greatest potential for growth lies in our areas of weakness. The Need for Spiritual Growth a. 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