February 11, 2016

Spiritual Development

The SBA Subang 2 Spiritual Growth

Spiritual growth is the process of becoming more mature in one’s relationship with Jesus Christ. Someone who is growing spiritually will become more and more like Christ. The spiritually mature will be able to “distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14). Spiritual growth begins the moment a person comes to faith in Christ and should continue until a person enters Christ’s presence after this life.

Spiritual growth is expected of the believer. The author of Hebrews reprimands his readers for “no longer try[ing] to understand” (Hebrews 5:11 NIV) and “being still an infant” (verse 13). The criticism leads to exhortation: “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity” (Hebrews 6:1).The apostle Peter says, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

 

The Supernatural Breakthrough Assembly Leadership Strategies

Jesus Eight Strategies – Looking For Leaders

1. LOOK FOR LEARNERS

Jesus looked for some disciples in whom He could invest His life most productively. Peter, James, and John had an even closer relationship. It was not that He loved the multitudes any less;, it was for the sake of the world that He concentrated on persons who would learn to lead them. They were not the most clever students, perhaps not the most reli­gious, but with the exception of the traitor, their hearts were big and they were willing to lay other things aside to follow Jesus.

2. STAY WITH THEM

Jesus’ disciples learned by being with Him. They walked the streets together; they ate together; they attended the temple together; they went on retreats together. Even when He ministered to others, whether preaching in the marketplace or talking with lonely beggars along the road, His leaders were usually at hand to observe and listen.

3. SHOW THEM HOW THE KINGDOM COMES

In this ongoing fellowship, the disciples of Jesus were always learning. Every aspect of His life was opened to them—prayer, use of Scripture, public worship, stewardship, caring for the needs of the sick and the poor, always seeking their ultimate welfare in the Gospel. What is also obvious, with­out realizing it, the disciples were being mentored in the way disciples are made.

4. TEACH THEM OBEDIENCE

From the beginning Jesus asked his disciples to follow Him, and reinforced throughout their training. That was how their faith was expressed.

5. INVOLVE THEM IN MINISTRY

Jesus gave His leaders-in-training something to do. First assignments were small, common tasks where they were already capable, like providing hospitality. But as they developed in their confi­dence and skill, He began to use them to confirm others in the faith. Later He sent them out in new areas two by two to reproduce what they had watched Him do.

6. KEEP THEM GROWING AND GOING

Jesus would check on them, asking them questions, responding to their queries, building in them a sense of accountability. It was “on-the-job-train­ing” all the way. Their encounters with life situations. Need to comprehend the cross – WORD OF GOD!

7. EXPECT THEM TO REPRODUCE

Jesus turned His work over to His followers. They were commissioned to go to the world and replicate what He had done.

8. TRUST THEM TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

As observed in His command to pray, workers for the harvest do not come by human power Jesus made it abundantly clear that His life and work is possible only through the Holy Spirit (John 14:16).