Foundations for Growth

Psalm 127 (NIV84)

1 Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.

2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.

3 Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.

4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth.

5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Growth is essential to our spiritual journey. Just as a building needs a strong foundation, our spiritual lives require fundamental elements to support healthy development.

1. Prayer is a building block for Spiritual Growth

Prayer forms the bedrock of our relationship with God.

A. Prayer builds resilience and trust in God

Luke 18:1–8 “1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?””

When challenges arise, prayer can serve as a source of comfort and strength, encouraging individuals to trust in God's plan and find peace amidst difficulties.

B. Prayer nourishes our relationship with God

James 1:5–8 “5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”

Through prayer, individuals can cultivate a personal connection with God by expressing their thoughts, needs, and gratitude, which strengthens their faith over time

C. Prayer builds our Faith

Acts 2:42–47 “42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

By trusting that your prayers are heard and answered, you strengthen your faith in God

2. The Bible is a Building Block for life

Scripture provides the blueprint for spiritual growth

A. Daily Meditation develops progressive growth

Joshua 1:8 “8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

As one studies and applies the Bible, their faith and character are gradually built up, like adding more blocks to a structure

We must meditate on God's Word day and night

B. We must Apply the Truth for growth

James 1:22–25 “22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”

calls us to be doers of the Word, not just hearers.

C. Multigenerational Teaching of Others

2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:15 “15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

emphasizes the importance of correctly handling God's Word.

3. Fellowship is a Building Block of Community

We grow stronger through meaningful relationships with other believers.

A. We must have Unity in Christ

Ephesians 4:1–6 “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

emphasizes the importance of maintaining unity in the body of Christ.

B. Practice Mutual Encouragement

Hebrews 10:24–25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

instructs us to encourage one another and meet together regularly.

C. We must carry each other’s Burdens

Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

calls us to carry each other's burdens.

4. Service is a Building Block of Discipleship

Growth occurs as we serve others and use our spiritual gifts

A. Service requires you use your Spiritual Gifts

1 Peter 4:10–12 “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.”

teaches us to use our gifts to serve others

B. Service must be done in humility

Philippians 2:3–4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

calls us to serve others with humility.

C. Service as a representation of our God

Matthew 5:13–16 ““You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

reminds us that our service should impact the world for Christ