Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8400 The tasks of the believer  »  8443 growth

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.

Images of growth

Infancy to maturity

Ephesians 4:13-15 See also 1 Corinthians 3:1-2; Corinthians 13:11; Corinthians 14:20; Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 Peter 2:2

Seeds and plants

Luke 8:14-15 pp Matthew 13:22-23 pp Mark 4:19-20 See also 2 Corinthians 9:10

The apostles worked and prayed for growth in believers

2 Corinthians 13:9 See also Colossians 1:28; Colossians 4:12

Dimensions of spiritual growth

In faith

2 Corinthians 10:15-16 See also 2 Thessalonians 1:3

In knowledge

2 Peter 3:18 See also Ephesians 1:17-18; Ephesians 3:16-19; Colossians 1:10; 2 Peter 1:3,6

In love

1 Thessalonians 4:10 See also Philippians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 2 Peter 1:7-8

Growth comes from God

Colossians 2:19 See also 1 Corinthians 3:6-7; 2 Corinthians 9:10; Philippians 1:6

Growth comes through discipleship

Putting away the sinful self

1 Peter 2:1 See also Romans 8:13-14; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Galatians 5:24; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:5-10

Moving on from basic teaching

Hebrews 6:1-2 See also Hebrews 5:11-14

Maturing in thinking

1 Corinthians 14:20 See also Romans 12:1

Persevering in faith

James 1:4 See also Philippians 2:12; Philippians 3:12; 2 Peter 1:5-8

Contributing to growth in the church by exercising gifts

Ephesians 4:11-12 See also 1 Corinthians 14:1-5; Ephesians 4:13-16

Examples of spiritual growth in some of God's servants

1 Samuel 2:26; Luke 2:52 See also Luke 1:80; Acts 9:22

The growth of the kingdom of God

God promises that his kingdom will grow

Colossians 1:6 See also Matthew 13:31-33 pp Mark 4:30-32 pp Luke 13:18-21; Mark 4:26-29

The early church experienced rapid numerical growth

Acts 4:4 See also Acts 2:41,47; Acts 5:14; Acts 6:7; Acts 9:31; Acts 11:21; Acts 14:1; Acts 16:5

See also

2375  kingdom of God
4015  life
4406  agriculture
4971  seasons of life
5726  old age, attainment
5902  maturity
8026  faith, growth in
8114  discipleship
8255  fruit, spiritual
8256  fruitfulness
8347  spiritual growth
8465  progress