The Importance of Spiritual Growth

 Memory Verse: 2 Peter 1:2, “ May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” ESV

Materials:

*Bible (if you don’t have a Bible yet you can download it to your phone, tablet, or to your computer online)

*Notebook

*Pen/s

*Highlighter/s

Key  Verses: 2 Peter 1:2-11, 2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What should we do for us to grow spiritually?

1. knowledge (v.1)

    As Christians, we need to know more about who God is. Christianity is not a myth or just a religion. It is a truth from God. The more we understand who God is the more grace and peace will increase.

2. His Divine power (v.2)

Jesus Christ's power sustain every believer in our weaknesses. (Matt. 24:30, Mark 5:30, Luke 4:14,5:17, Rom.1:4, 2Cor. 12:9)

3. godliness (v.3)

    What godliness is?

• live peacefully (1 Tim.2:2)
• Exercising ourselves to godliness (1 Tim. 4:7)
• Truth (Titus 1:1)

            *Knowledge of Him 

                    Knowing who Jesus Christ is in our lives and putting our faith in Him.

            *Called us to His own glory and excellence

                        1 Peter 1:15 - We are called to be Holy.

             *We are called to persevere. 

                        1 Peter 2:21 - We are called to suffer and endure in our Christian walk.

                        1 Peter 5:10 - After suffering we are also called to His Eternal glory.

    We are called to witness who Jesus Christ is and what He has done on the cross. We are called to save lost souls and bring them to Jesus Christ. This is to give glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

4. We are partakers of the divine nature and escaped from corruption (v.4)

    When we are born again we are already partakers, we are imperishable thru the Word of God.  Knowing God and asking for wisdom from Him so no one can corrupt us and fall to sin.

5. for this very reason (v.5)

•  make every effort  
• We are called to work on our faith for us to grow in Jesus Christ as He works in our life.
• supplement your faith
• For us to grow spiritually we need to nourish our spirit thru prayers and reading our Bible.

Growing spiritually we need to practice our virtues thru the knowledge of the Word of God.     

6. self-control (v.6)

As Christians, we are set apart in this world. We should discipline ourselves on worldly desires. (1Cor. 9:27; Gal. 5:23)    For us to practice self-control, we need to be steadfast in the Word of God and in prayer.

 7. brotherly affection (v.7)

 We are called to love one another as we grow spiritually. Our brethren in Christ also help us to grow our faith in Jesus Christ.

8. ineffective (v.8)

As we walk in Christ let our faith in God be our breath in everything we do.

9. these qualities (v.9)

• near sighted~ blind We should not lack what is mentioned above for us to grow spiritually. A Christian must be aware also the condition of his/her spiritual growth and the assurance of his/her salvation.
• forgotten The importance of spiritual growth is to nourish our soul and to remind us that we are the children of God. So, the enemy cannot deceive us and there will be no room for fear and doubt.

10. make your calling and election sure (v.10)

• Our salvation is secure. As children of God, no one can take away our salvation.
• never fall As we pursue Christ in our lives we will become more fruitful in our spiritual walk. We will never fall on enemies' deception and life challenges.

11. richly provided for you an entrance into the Eternal Kingdom (v.11)

 As we grow spiritually here on Earth and pursue Christlikeness we will be rewarded abundantly in Heaven. (1 Cor. 4:5; Rev. 22:12)