Most of us can remember being asked this question when we were kids, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” With the possible exception of Peter Pan, every kid wants to grow up. One of the chief occupations of childhood is growing up.
Jesus was no exception to this. According to Luke 2:52, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” In that verse we see the four dimensions of growth:
1. Intellectual Growth — Jesus grew in wisdom
2. Physical Growth — Jesus grew in stature
3. Spiritual Growth — Jesus grew in favor with God
4. Social Growth — Jesus great in favor with man
While physical growth is automatic, the other three areas require intentional effort.
Among the many things the Bible tells us about the Church of Jesus Christ is that the Church is a place to grow. Being an active part of a local body of believers can greatly contribute to a person’s growth intellectually through the study of God’s Word, spiritually through the ministries of the church, and socially by becoming part of the church family.
We would all agree that it would be a real tragedy for a child to advance through the years without experiencing growth and maturity. Equally tragic (if not more so) is when a Child of God fails to grow.
Paul regretted that he could not speak to the Corinthian believers at a spiritually mature level because they were still infants in Christ (1 Cor. 3:1). Later, the Hebrew writer informed his Jewish audience they were behind in their spiritual growth (Hebrews 5:12). Rather than moving on to deeper subjects, they needed to re-learn their spiritual ABC’s.
In 1 Cor. 13:11 Paul said there comes a time when you must move on from childhood to adulthood. Likewise, in the Christian life it is God’s will that we grow up. Growth is a sign of health and life. As long as you live, never stop growing.
River of Life Assembly (RLA) is a place to grow. Don’t be a non-growing Christian who merely exists on the margins of church life. Commit to growth by connecting to your church and church family. Come on and grow with us!
Pastor Todd Weston
Jesus was no exception to this. According to Luke 2:52, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” In that verse we see the four dimensions of growth:
1. Intellectual Growth — Jesus grew in wisdom
2. Physical Growth — Jesus grew in stature
3. Spiritual Growth — Jesus grew in favor with God
4. Social Growth — Jesus great in favor with man
While physical growth is automatic, the other three areas require intentional effort.
Among the many things the Bible tells us about the Church of Jesus Christ is that the Church is a place to grow. Being an active part of a local body of believers can greatly contribute to a person’s growth intellectually through the study of God’s Word, spiritually through the ministries of the church, and socially by becoming part of the church family.
We would all agree that it would be a real tragedy for a child to advance through the years without experiencing growth and maturity. Equally tragic (if not more so) is when a Child of God fails to grow.
Paul regretted that he could not speak to the Corinthian believers at a spiritually mature level because they were still infants in Christ (1 Cor. 3:1). Later, the Hebrew writer informed his Jewish audience they were behind in their spiritual growth (Hebrews 5:12). Rather than moving on to deeper subjects, they needed to re-learn their spiritual ABC’s.
In 1 Cor. 13:11 Paul said there comes a time when you must move on from childhood to adulthood. Likewise, in the Christian life it is God’s will that we grow up. Growth is a sign of health and life. As long as you live, never stop growing.
River of Life Assembly (RLA) is a place to grow. Don’t be a non-growing Christian who merely exists on the margins of church life. Commit to growth by connecting to your church and church family. Come on and grow with us!
Pastor Todd Weston
