Christian Growth

(a study outline)

1. What is Growth : increasing conformity to the character of God as revealed in Christ (Col 3.1, Eph 4.22f, Heb 1.3, Jn 14.7-10)
   
   
2. Why is this an Issue?
   
   
   • God's desire for our robustness (Eph 4.14-15)
     
     
   • Our desire for us! (Gal 5.22-23; Is 32.17)
     
     
   • The importance of freedom (I Pt 2.2; Rom 8.21; 2 Cor 3.17 with Gal 5.24; Gal 5.13; I Cor 6.12)
     
     
   • The goal of history (Rom 8.29)
     
     
   • Commanded to grow (2 Pet 3.18)
     
     
   • We actually have to resist God to not grow! (Philp. 1.6; 2.12)
     
     
   • Theology: value in the universe/plenitude
     
     
   • Failure: Corinthian babies (I Cor 3.1-4)
     
     
   • Failure: Hebrews babies (Heb 5:11-14)
     
     
   • Failure: "detached" believers (2 Pet 1.5-9)
     
     
3. What is the overall model of Growth in the NT? (Rom 7.14-25; Jas 1)
   
   
   • old nature never gets better
     
     
   • we are captive before salvation
     
     
   • new spirit (with Holy Spirit inside) now breaks the link
     
     
   • flesh' seduces through old habits/thinking patterns and uses deceit
     • Rom 7.11
     • Eph 4.22
     • Tit 3.3
     • Heb 3.13
     • Jas 1
     
     
   • new nature leads, teaches
     
     
   • this produces a life-long struggle/battle between the two (Gal 5.17)
     
     
   • the new "agent" responds to both and becomes more like the nature it listens to (Proverb 13.2 and 22.24-25)
     
     
   • growth comes from strengthening the new agent to say yes/no (the spiral--Rom 8.12ff)
     
     
4. Means of Growth
   
   
   • Exposure to the person of Christ (2 Cor 3.12-18)
     
     
     1. in prayer (through Spirit's feedback)
        
        
     2. in Word
        
        
     3. in providence
        
        
     4. in other believers
     
     
     
   • results = renewal/transformation (Rom 12.2; Eph 4.22f; Col 3.10)
     
     
   • 'hardening' it into a habit
     
     
     1. the six weeks issue (therapy)
        
        
     2. experience/constant use (Heb 5.14)
        
        
     3. discipline (Gal 5.23)
        
        
     4. train yourself (Heb 5.14; I Tim 4.7)
        
        
     5. suffering (Jas 1.2-4)
        
        
     6. ever-varying circumstances (always stretching us)