Dictionary of Bible Themes The process of development and maturing, used to refer to the progress of the kingdom of God and the spiritual development of believers. Scripture uses images of growth (such as seeds, plants and infants) to stress the dynamic nature of personal faith and the kingdom of God. Ephesians 4:13-15Images of growth See also Infancy to maturity 1 Corinthians 3:1-2; 13:11; 14:20Hebrews 5:12-14 1 Peter 2:2 Luke 8:14-15 Seeds and plants See also pp Mt 13:22-23 2 Corinthians 9:10pp Mk 4:19-20 2 Corinthians 13:9The apostles worked and prayed for growth in believers See also Colossians 1:28; 4:122 Corinthians 10:15-16 Dimensions of spiritual growth See also In faith 2 Thessalonians 1:32 Peter 3:18 See also In knowledge Ephesians 1:17-18; 3:16-19Colossians 1:10 2 Peter 1:3,6 1 Thessalonians 4:10 See also In love Philippians 1:91 Thessalonians 3:12 2 Peter 1:7-8 Colossians 2:19 Growth comes from God See also 1 Corinthians 3:6-72 Corinthians 9:10 Philippians 1:6 1 Peter 2:1 Growth comes through discipleship See also Putting away the sinful self Romans 8:13-142 Corinthians 7:1 Galatians 5:24 Ephesians 4:22-24 Colossians 3:5-10 Hebrews 6:1-2 See also Moving on from basic teaching Hebrews 5:11-141 Corinthians 14:20 See also Maturing in thinking Romans 12:1James 1:4 See also Persevering in faith Philippians 2:12; 3:122 Peter 1:5-8 Ephesians 4:11-12 See also Contributing to growth in the church by exercising gifts 1 Corinthians 14:1-5Ephesians 4:13-16 1 Samuel 2:26 Examples of spiritual growth in some of God's servants Luke 2:52See also Luke 1:80Acts 9:22 Colossians 1:6 The growth of the kingdom of God See also God promises that his kingdom will grow Matthew 13:31-33Mark 4:26-29 pp Mk 4:30-32 pp Lk 13:18-21 Acts 4:4See also The early church experienced rapid numerical growth Acts 2:41,47; 5:14; 6:7; 9:31; 11:21; 14:1; 16:5See also 2375 kingdom of God4016 life, human 4408 balm 4975 week 5727 old age, attitudes 5903 maturity, physical 8026 faith, growth in 8114 discipleship 8256 fruitfulness 8257 fruitfulness, natural 8347 spiritual growth 8466 reformation |
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