A Heart for Spiritual Growth

Connection Group - 07.22.11

This past Friday we studied A Heart for Spiritual Growth “The power of maturing in  every area of life”. Elizabeth George shared five principles with us:

1.The foundation of spiritual growth is knowing and following Jesus Christ. 

  Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

     “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:21-27

2.-True wisdom comes from regularly spending time studying God’s Word. 

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,
   for the ears of the wise seek it out. Proverbs 18:15

3.-Our physical condition either enhances or limits our availability to serve God. We have studied the need to get up early for Bible study and prayer and the need to work fitness and exercise into your busy schedule. Do you think all this is too much or a needed message? 

4.-Daily attention to spiritual growth increases our effectiveness in serving God.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22

5.-Spiritual growth enhances our relationships inside and outside the church. 

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.  Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 

1 Thessalonians 5:12-15

This Friday at 10:30 am we would be studying “A Heart for Service”. I hope to see you all there.