The spiritual life of every believer, regardless of physical age or academic achievements, should show marks of steady growth toward maturity.  There should always be a “reaching forth to the high (upward) calling of God” – Philippians 3:13, 14.  There should be a continued advance "unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” – Ephesians 4:13.  Where there is no further study of the Word and no growth, the spiritual life declines and becomes stunted and unproductive.  A believer should AVOID THIS!!

I.                   Scriptures to know:

A.     Deuteronomy 31:12 – Gather the people together, men and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within the gates, that they may HEAR, and that they may LEARN, and FEAR the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law.

B.      Proverbs 1:7a – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…

C.     Proverbs 8:33 – Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

D.     Proverbs 9:9 - …teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

E.      Proverbs 22:17; 23:12 – Apply knowledge (James 1:22)

F.      Proverbs 24:5 – Knowledge increaseth strength (Col 1:10; I Thessalonians 4:10)

G.     Ephesians 4:15 – Speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things…

H.     2Thessalonians 1:3 – Your faith grows.

I.       Hebrews 5:14 – “strong meat” of the Word belongs to mature believers.

J.       I Peter 2:2 – “milk of the word” for beginners.

II.                 Example of CHRISTIAN GROWTH

Timothy – Acts 16:1, 2 Tim 1:5, 3:14-15

III.              ENCOURAGEMENT TO GROW

A.     Ephesians 6:10 … Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might

B.      Hosea 6:6 – For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.  God’s desire is our knowledge of Him.

C.     Colossians 1:10 – That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

D.     2 Peter 3:18 – Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

IV.               TEACH THE WORD

A.     Proverbs 4:8 – Exalt her (doctrine) and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.

B.      I Corinthians 3:6&7 - Paul said, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.  So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”