3. Challenging Circumstances - Growth is not all intellectual, it also is experiential. You have to experience some things to spiritually grow. Growth is not imparted just by attending a class. Though teaching is a part, so is putting that teaching into action. I have no doubt that Peter learned as much about trusting Christ when Jesus asked him to get out of the boat and walk on the water, as he did sitting and listening to him teach. There is not doubt that if you pursue Christ that he is going to allow to experience circumstance that will challenge everything you have learned. Circumstance that cause you to have nothing to hold on to but your faith.
4. Relationships - Fact:you become like who you hang around the most. As much as you may want to deny this...you can't. If you hang around people who play church but are not really pursuing Christ, chances are you will too. If you hang around people who are consumed with what other people think about them, I promise you that you will be at least somewhat consumed with what people think about you. If you hang around with people who are striving to live in a way that honors God in everything they do, you will think more about honoring God with your life. You will not grow without healthy relationships with people who are growing. This is why I love community groups.
5. Live beyond yourself - I heard a statement recently that I love; "You are most like Jesus when you are serving someone else." In today's culture are encouraged to first live for ourselves, and that keeps many of us locked out of spiritual growth. When serving others becomes not just something that you do, but a part of your understanding of what you were created to do, you are on the path of spiritual growth.
None of these 5 things are optional for growth. They are what will grow you.
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