Steps of Growth

In A Christian

Pastor’s copy

With basic phrases included from each passage, to serve as a reminder. The layman’s copy contains instructions to write the relevant phrase or wording for the matching step. Encourage them to fill out one step at a time and not go through examining all verses from any one book, but thoughtfully study and write out for each step before advancing.

Challenge each recipient to find where they are among these steps.

Philippians 3:14,15 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Drawn/Invited:

John 6:44 Except the Father draw him

Acts 2:37 Pricked. in their heart

1 Peter 1:2 Through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience

Rev 22:17 Let him that is athirst come

Salvation:

John 3:3 Except a man be born again...

John 10:9 I am the door, if any man enter...

Acts 4:12 none other name whereby...

Romans 10:9 if thou shalt confess...

Romans 10:13 whosoever shall call

Public Profession/Baptism:

Acts 10:44-48 Can any man forbid water command they be baptized

Romans 10:11 Whosoever believeth shall not. be ashamed

1 Peter 3:15 Sanctify the Lord in your heart be ready always to give an answer

1 Peter 3:21 answer of a good conscience

“It is my opinion and expectation as a pastor, that when someone is saved or decides to recommit their life to the Lord, they should declare it publicly.” Shane Thompson

Separation

2 Corinthians 6:17 Come out from among them

Ephesians 5:11 have no fellowship with unfruitful works

Acts 2:40 save yourselves from this generation

Luke 9:23-26 save his life shall lose it

Upon salvation and devotion to the Lord, there will be a restriction in the personal spirit of a believer and a state of being held back from free or open communication when present among nonbelievers at the workplace, school, family gatherings, or social events. It will include distancing ourselves and parting ways temporarily or permanently and will often be recognized by nonbelievers to which we testify with meekness and humility (not shame) of our salvation and devotion to Christ. To not honor such separation is to grieve the Holy Spirit.

Discipleship/Bible Study:

John 8:31 If ye continue in my word

1 Cor. 1:5 That ye are enriched in all utterance and knowledge

1 Peter 2:2, 3 desire milk of the word

Walking in the Spirit:

Romans 8:1 no condemnation

Romans 8:14 led by the Spirit

1 Cor. 2:10, 14 revealed by his Spirit

1 Cor. 3:1-3 could not speak as unto spiritual

Galatians 5:16,17 walk in the Spirit

Walking in the Spirit is a necessary activity defining our routine and practice after salvation that is seldom mentioned or taught and is not understood among believers.

Worked Out/Firmed up:

1 Cor. 11:28 Let a man examine himself

1 Cor. 1:6 testimony was confirmed

2 Cor. 13:5 examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith

Philippians 2:12 work out salvation

2 Timothy 1:12 i know whom I have believed

Resolved Commitment to God:

Psalm 57:7 my heart is fixed

Psalm 61:2, 4, 8 I will abide in thy tabernacle

Psalm 112:7, 8 his heart is fixed

1 Peter 4:19 commit the keeping of soul to him in well doing

Philippians 3:8-15

Deliberate Availability to God:

Luke 12:35,36 Let your loins be girded... That ye may open to him immediately

Luke 17:7-10 gird thyself and serve me

2 Tim 2:21 purge himself... meet for the master's use

Titus 3:1; Be ready for every good work

Isaiah 6:8 here am I send me

Commitment to God and availability are distinct items yet should complement each other. It is possible to feel committed in our heart through spiritual routine, although without expecting or experiencing the Spirit’s impression, our attitude can become that the Lord must simply ask, and we will respond; “Call and I’ll come running!” However, the mature servant’s heart is to present ourselves as being ready and expecting instruction.

Involved and Established with Other Believers:

Romans 12:10 In honor preferring one another

1 Cor 12:12-20 the body is one and hath many members

1 Cor 12:25, 26 whether one member suffers, all suffer

Ephesians 4:11-16 For the edifying of the body

Eph 6:18 watching thereunto for all saints

Phil. 2:1-4 everyman man also on the things of others

Colossians 3:16 teaching and admonishing one another

Hebrews 3:13 exhort one another daily

1 John 2:10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light

1 John3:14 we know we have passed because we love the brethren

Perfecting Ourselves:

Ps 139:23, 24 Search me o God

2 Cor 7:1 1 Let us cleanse ourselves

Peter 1:22 Seeing you have purified your souls unto unfeigned

1 John 3:3 every man purifieth

Phil 3:10-15 not as though I had already attained

Receiving Gifts:

Romans 1:11 That I may impart some gift

Romans 11:29 for the gifts and calling

Romans 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing

1 Cor 1:7 so that ye come behind in no gift

1 Cor 12:7 manifestation of The Spirit is given to profit withal

Serve, Work:

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine

John 4:35, 36 he that reapeth receiveth wages

1 Cor 9:19 I made myself servant unto all

Phil 1:27 striving toghether for the faith

Mentor:

1 Timothy 1:2 unto Timothy my own son in the faith

2 Timothy 2:2 commit to faithful men who shall teach others also

Titus 1:4 my own son after the common

Titus 2:2-6 aged men, aged women be in behavior, teach

If we look back and examine the last calendar year, we should identify specific growth, routine experiences in the Lord, and fruit (results) produced in His service and for His kingdom. We then ask ourselves if such service is adequate or consistent and then adjust. Are we an influence upon others to pose inquiry and find their place in this faith? If not, we should endeavor to demonstrate growth through this year beyond the last.

Steps of Growth

Steps of Growth in a Christian (Layman)

Self Check for Growth

Survey