Do You Really Want to Grow Up?

40 Days of Prayer:

Do You Really Want To Grow Up?

Ephesians 4:11-16:

So many of our problems in life are caused by immaturity!

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“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)

Five Pillars of Spiritual Growth

1. We grow when we Feed on God’s Word

“But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”” (Matthew 4:4)

“And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32)

Hear – Read – Study – Memorize – Meditate – Apply

Different Learning Styles:

• Auditory – Learn by listening
• Visual – Learn by Watching/Reading
• Verbal/Oral – Learn by Talking
• Physical/Kinesthetic – Learn by Doing/Practicing

2. We grow when we develop Spiritual Habits

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:12–14)

“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” (1 Corinthians 9:25)

“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7–8)

4 Key Habits:

• Habit of Weekly Worship (Large Group)
• Habit of Connecting With Others (Smaller Groups)
• Habit of Time Alone With God (Personal)
• Habit of Memorizing/Meditating on God’s Word

3. We grow when we Help Each Other grow

You cannot grow to spiritual maturity By Yourself

“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” (Romans 1:11–12)

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24–25)

The only way to grow is in Relationships

“The primary activity of the church was one-anothering one another.” – Andy Stanley

4. We grow when we Expect to grow

We can call this the Faith Factor

“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20–21)

“work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12–13)

“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, 'Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.'” (Matthew 17:19–20)

5. We grow when we Commit to grow

I am as close to God as I have Chosen To Be

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)

Spiritual growth is not Automatic: it is a Choice

Because I Really Want To Grow Up I Will Commit To The Following For The Length Of This Campaign:

• Attend Weekly Worship Gatherings

• Engage with a Group For Fellowship and Study

• Prioritize A Daily Time Alone with God

• Meditate on and seek to Memorize a Key Scripture Each Week