Means of spiritual growth

God supplies the resources for spiritual growth

Php 2:13; 2 Pe 1:3

See also Jn 1:16; Jn 4:14; Jn 15:2; Jn 15:5; 1 Co 10:13; 2 Co 3:18; 2 Co 9:10; Ga 5:22–23; Php 1:6; Col 2:19; Jas 1:17; Jas 4:6; Jud 24

God’s people must make efforts to grow spiritually

Php 2:12; 2 Pe 1:5–9

See also Ro 6:19; 2 Co 7:1; Ga 5:16; Ga 5:25; Eph 5:15–16; Eph 6:11–13; 1 Ti 4:7; 1 Ti 6:11–12; 2 Ti 1:6; 2 Pe 3:14; 1 Jn 3:3; Jud 20

Specific means of spiritual growth

Death to self-interest

Colossians 3:5 AV

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

See also Mt 16:24; Ro 6:6; Ro 6:12; Ro 8:13; Eph 4:22; Col 3:9; 1 Pe 1:14; 1 Pe 2:11

The Scriptures

2 Timothy 3:16–17 AV

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

See also Jos 1:8; Ps 19:7–8; Ps 119:9–11; Jn 17:17; Eph 6:17; Col 3:16; 1 Pe 2:2; 1 Jn 2:14

Prayer

Mt 6:13; Col 4:2

See also 1 Ch 16:11; Mt 7:11; Mt 26:41; Jn 16:24; Ac 4:29–31; Eph 6:18; 1 Th 5:17; Jas 1:5

Focusing on Jesus Christ

Hebrews 3:1 AV

1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

See also Mt 11:29; Jn 13:15; Ro 15:5; Php 2:5; Heb 12:2–3; 1 Pe 2:21; 1 Jn 2:6

The role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual growth

Ephesians 3:16–18 AV

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

See also Eph 1:13–14; Eph 1:17; Eph 2:19–22

Christian leadership

Ephesians 4:11–13 AV

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

See also 1 Co 4:16; 1 Co 11:1; Php 1:25; Php 3:17; Heb 13:7; Heb 13:17; 1 Pe 5:2–3

Faith in God

Ephesians 6:16 AV

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

See also Heb 11:6; 1 Jn 5:4

Suffering and testing

Romans 5:3–4 AV

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

See also Job 23:10; Ps 119:67; Zec 13:9; Heb 12:10–11; 1 Pe 1:6–7; Jas 1:2–4

Perseverance

Hebrews 12:1 AV

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

See also Php 3:12–14; 1 Ti 4:15

Cultivating wholesome thinking

Philippians 4:8 AV

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

God will bring the spiritual growth of believers to completion

1 John 3:2 AV

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

See also Eph 5:25–27; Php 1:6; Jud 24–25; Re 21:2