Grow in Faith

Believers grow in faith through discipleship in the Word and prayer.

Get Prepared for Life’s Trials

Understand the purpose of trials. God allows trials in order to grow our faith.

A diamond is formed when carbon (coal) is placed under intense heat and pressure causing it to crystallize. God will use the trials of life to mold us into the image of Christ.

Satan will attempt to use trials to get us to give up and turn from the Lord. Matthew 13:20-21 The rocky rocky ground is the one who “hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.”

Paul had warned these believers that tribulation would come - Acts 14:22 “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

Paul was concerned they were not prepared to stand. Therefore he gave them three gifts:

A Means of Discipleship - Godly Fellowship

Paul sent Timothy to help disciple them in their faith. Fellowship with other mature believers is essential to grow in our walk with the Lord.

The Word of God - Grow in Faith

Paul sent them this letter to ground their faith in the Word of God. Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

The Word of God is the means by which we grow in our understanding of WHO He is and WHAT He will do in our lives.

Utilize the Power of Prayer

Paul prayed for his “spiritual children”. This prayer included three main themes:

Guidance in Life

Paul prayed that the Lord would guide their path to bring them back together so that they could be strengthened.

Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.”

Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;”

Pray that God would direct your children's path in relationships, friends, vocation, etc.

Growth in Love

Genuine love for others - “agape” giving to others - is one of the key signs of spiritual growth. John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””

Pray that your children will have an outward perspective, not an inward preoccupation.

Grounding in Holiness

Holiness is being set apart to God for His use and glory. Hebrews 12:14 “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

Holiness is motivated in the life of the believer by the anticipation of Christ’s return! 1 John 3:2-3 A purifying hope.

Pray that the Lord would establish your children to walk in holiness.