Stages of Growth

While salvation is instantaneous, spiritual maturity involves a process. It’s one filled with twists and turns and failures and successes. And each stage of our growth requires an awareness of whether we’re a spiritual baby, a young person in the faith or a mature believer. God desires believers to grow. That requires diligent cooperation on our part to grow through all the stages of spiritual development. No matter where you are now, the goal is to grow up.

1. What similarities can you observe between growing physically—from childhood to adulthood—and growing spiritually? Describe your current stage of spiritual growth.

2. God wants us to make progress as Christians. Read 2 Peter 1:5-8. How does this passage point to a progression? How do each of these qualities build on the previous one?

3. Your spiritual progress can become stunted. Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-3. What is a carnal Christian? As a believer, have you experienced seasons of carnality? What helped you grow beyond that behavior?

4. John seems to appeal to his readers at various stages. Read 1 John 2:12-14. In what sense are all believers “little children?”

5. Considering the Reveal study, what category of growth do you most align with? 1) Exploring Christ, 2) Growing in Christ, 3) Close to Christ, 4) Christ-centered. How is your progress evident to those around you (1 Timothy 4:15)?