Category: Level: Intermediate

stages of growth

What Spiritual Life Stage Are You In?

Posted on by

In the last post we looked at the benefits of understanding stages of spiritual growth as well as two repeating patterns of growth. In this post we look at two popular models of progressive growth. The second one is an expansion of the first. These models are non-repeating models of growth. This means they cover the entire lifetime of a believer and do not repeat; they will help you identify your spiritual life stage. These models are part of spiritual theology, or the theology of maturity. They are based on what the writers saw in Scripture and in their experience so they are attempts to do biblical spiritual theology. As you read through this it will help to ask yourself how it applies to your life. What spiritual life stage do you most identify with? Do you see a flow to your spiritual growth that is reflected in one of these models? Continue Reading →

fivefold way stages of growth

What Stages Of Growth Are You Going Through?

Posted on by

Many have found it very helpful to understand the different stages of growth that Christians go through. Here are some of the reasons we might find it helpful to recognize stages of growth: Stages of growth can be grouped into three categories: non-cyclical, cyclical, and felt. This post looks mostly at cyclical stages; sequences of stages that repeat during our lives. Below are two different models of cyclical stages. CROSS AND RESURRECTION This is the most basic and biblical model of stages of growth. We follow the same pattern that Jesus did in his life and in his death. This two-fold process is mentioned many times in scripture. 1.Cross. The old self is crucified. 2.Resurrection. The new self dominates more. We can see that it is biblical, for example: Cross=“putting off” (Eph 4:22), Resurrection=“putting on” (Eph 4:24). Also, in Philippians 3:10 Paul desires: … that I may know him and the power Continue Reading →

joy new earth

Classic Practices for Spiritual Growth

Posted on by

One of my hobbies is reading the history of Christian spirituality back to the 2nd century. This led me to collect a list of the most common practices for spiritual growth. Following is a collection of practices based on scripture that believers have used for centuries to open up to God and grow spiritually. These are many of the most common practices for spiritual growth used across many cultures and times. If you truly want to grow then begin to incorporate these into your life. The first three are the most important. (Hint: The second one may be the most helpful!) Which of the first three are you weakest in? Are you willing to spend time on that one? Which of the other practices for spiritual growth do you want to explore more? May God bless you in these! What Is A Mature Christian?February 21, 2025Loving The Beauty Of HolinessFebruary Continue Reading →

pure water drop

You Can Make Progress Overcoming Your Key Fault

Posted on by

Our lack of holiness can be very frustrating. We have the desire to be holy and to be Christlike but we struggle with our disordered desires for pleasure. Our culture provides many opportunities to satisfy our sensuality. As the passage below from Titus teaches, we have grace from God to reject worldliness and to be self-controlled. How do you make progress overcoming your key fault? Below is an exercise to help us receive God’s grace and to activate our will. It follows the general format of lectio divina. Do part or all of it and change it as you desire. For the complete guide go here. Purification Exercise: Read twice: Titus 2:11-14 (ESV): “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we Continue Reading →

heavenly body, shining

You Will Have The Glory Of God

Posted on by

How much do you reflect on the idea that the people of God will have the glory of God? Revelation 21:11 promises that in the coming New Heaven and New Earth believers will have “the glory of God”. But this promise is not confined to Revelation ‒ it is a major New Testament theme. In a previous post we looked at the future luminosity of the body of Christ which is one dimension of God’s glorification of his people. Now we will consider what the New Testament says about this glorification in general. Warning: this is a very encouraging subject! It is surprising how often Scripture speaks of the glorification of believers. Apparently, this is an important truth for believers to keep in mind. Some of the mentions of this theme in the New Testament include (Bible quotes are from the ESV translation): • In John 17:22 Jesus states in Continue Reading →