Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8200 The character of the believer » 8347 spiritual growth » 8349 spiritual growth, means of
God has provided various means by which believers may grow spiritually.
God supplies the resources for spiritual growth
Philippians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:3 See also John 1:16; John 4:14; John 15:2,5; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Corinthians 9:10; Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 2:19; James 1:17; James 4:6; Jude 24
God's people must make efforts to grow spiritually
Philippians 2:12; 2 Peter 1:5-9 See also Romans 6:19; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Galatians 5:16,25; Ephesians 5:15-16; Ephesians 6:11-13; 1 Timothy 4:7; Timothy 6:11-12; 2 Timothy 1:6; 2 Peter 3:14; 1 John 3:3; Jude 20
Specific means of spiritual growth
Death to self-interest
Colossians 3:5 See also Matthew 16:24 pp Mark 8:34 pp Luke 9:23; Romans 6:6,12; Romans 8:13; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9; 1 Peter 1:14; Peter 2:11
The Scriptures
2 Timothy 3:16-17 See also Joshua 1:8; Psalm 19:7-8; Psalm 119:9-11; John 17:17; Ephesians 6:17; Colossians 3:16; 1 Peter 2:2; 1 John 2:14
Prayer
Matthew 6:13 pp Luke 11:4 Colossians 4:2 See also 1 Chronicles 16:11; Matthew 7:11 pp Luke 11:13; Matthew 26:41 pp Mark 14:38 pp Luke 22:46; John 16:24; Acts 4:29-31; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 1:5
Focusing on Jesus Christ
Hebrews 3:1 See also Matthew 11:29; John 13:15; Romans 15:5; Philippians 2:5; Hebrews 12:2-3; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6
The role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual growth
Ephesians 3:16-18 See also Ephesians 1:13-14,17; Ephesians 2:19-22
Christian leadership
Ephesians 4:11-13 See also 1 Corinthians 4:16; Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 1:25; Philippians 3:17; Hebrews 13:7,17; 1 Peter 5:2-3
Faith in God
Ephesians 6:16 See also Hebrews 11:6; 1 John 5:4
Suffering and testing
Romans 5:3-4 See also Job 23:10; Psalm 119:67; Zechariah 13:9; Hebrews 12:10-11; 1 Peter 1:6-7; James 1:2-4
Perseverance
Hebrews 12:1 See also Philippians 3:12-14; 1 Timothy 4:15
Cultivating wholesome thinking
Philippians 4:8
God will bring the spiritual growth of believers to completion
1 John 3:2 See also Ephesians 5:25-27; Philippians 1:6; Jude 24-25; Revelation 21:2
See also
1613 Scripture, purpose 4480 milk 5051 responsibility 5840 eagerness 7966 spiritual gifts 8020 faith 8131 guidance, results 8207 commitment 8459 perseverance 8602 prayer
