Spiritual Growth

Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:7-14

Spiritual Growth

An Command. v. 7-11

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34 NIV

Stages of spiritual growth

1. Spiritual – walk with God. v. 12, 14a

So Jesus called to them, “Boys, you have not caught any fish, have you?” They Called back to him, "No" John 21:5

Characteristics of spiritual children:

a. the forgiveness of Christ. v. 12

b. the Father. v. 13b

2. Spiritual - Overcoming with God. v. 13b, 14c

Characteristics of spiritual adolescence:

a. You are v. 14b

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. 1 Peter 1:3 NLT

b. The lives in you. v. 14c

be doers of the word, and not hearers only James 1:22 ESV

c. You have the evil one. v. 13b, 14d

3. Spiritual – share the way of God. v. 13a, 14b

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. Colossians 1:28 NIV

Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk not solid food. 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 NIV

Questions for Discipleship Groups or Self Study

Read 1 John 2:7-11

• In what ways is the command to love an old/new command? Read v. 12-14.
• What are the characteristics that John mentions of each stage?
• In what ways are you a spiritual child? Spiritual adolescent? Spiritual parent?
• What stage are you at today? What would it take for you to move forward in your spiritual growth?
• How can your D group help you?