FRESH IMPACT BATCH B PRESENTATION

GROUP 2

PRESENTATION TOPIC: ATTAINING SPIRITUAL GROWTH AS A BELIEVER

GROUP MEMBERS

Emmanuel Wayas HA/25/0030

Okeke Sobechi Rachael HA/25/0038

Chioma Eucharia Nwokocha HA/25/0034

INTRODUCTION

2 Peter 1:3
ESV - His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,
through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.

Some Christians in our society struggle with sin, spiritual weakness, and apathy to
the things of God. Our opening scripture told us that we are fully equipped to live a
holy life but we have a choice about whether or not we'll really use those spiritual
tools giving to us and this requires effort on our part.

HOW ARE WE EQUIPPED?

It didn't happen naturally. We weren't born with it. We didn't earn it through hard work
or good behaviour. For those in Christ, God's divine power has given us everything
we need for life and godliness. Like salvation, all of this was ours when we came to
know God through our faith in Christ. As Peter will make clear, knowing God, the
source of all life, is the only path to being fully equipped to live as God calls us to do.
2 Peter 1:3
Jesus sets the standard for what is good and glorious, calls for us to follow, and fully
equips us to make the journey for spiritual growth.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Spiritual growth is the process of becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. When
we place our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins the process of making us more like
Him, conforming us to His image. Spiritual growth which is best described in 2 Peter
1:3-8, which tells us that by God’s power we have “everything we need” to live lives
of godliness, which is the goal of spiritual growth. Notice that what we need comes
“through our knowledge of Him,” which is the key to obtaining everything we need.
Our knowledge of Him comes from the Word, given to us for our edification and
growth.

As a seed grows when it’s planted and watered, followers of Christ grow in spiritual
maturity when they are planted and watered in good soil.In the Bible, Jesus
describes a fictional scene of a farmer planting seeds. Some seeds fall on the path,
some on rocky places, some on thorns, and some on good soil (Matthew 13:3-8), but
only the seeds that fall on good soil grow into healthy plants. Jesus explains the
meaning of the story this way: The one who hears the Word of God and understands
it is the one who grows in their faith.
The Christian life is a relationship with God that develops over time. To grow in
spiritual maturity (i.e. to grow spiritually) is to look more and more like the person
God designed you to be, more and more like Jesus.

HOW TO GROW SPIRITUALLY

You can grow spiritual by persevering in following God’s plan through the trials and
challenges of your life (James 1:2-18) and living a life that is Spirit-filled — that is,
learning to be aware of and listen to God’s Spirit, who lives within all Jesus followers
(Ephesians 5:18; Romans 6:11-14).
In order to grow spiritually to have a good life in Christ, these are the essentials for
spiritual growth.

1. WORD:
1 Peter 2:2
“Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow
up into your salvation”.
The Christian life is a journey. When most of us start out, we don’t know a lot about
God or His plan for our lives. Like a child learning to walk, we grow and mature. The
key to that growth is studying God’s Word. Like milk for a newborn, the Bible
provides strength and nourishment. We can’t experience spiritual growth without it.

2. PRAYER:
Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace
of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus."
The most basic definition of prayer is “talking to God.” Prayer is not meditation or
passive reflection; it is direct address to God. It is the communication of the human
soul with the Lord. Prayer is the primary way for the believer in Jesus Christ to
communicate his emotions and desires with God and to fellowship with God.

3. WORK:
“Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere
heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but
as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service
with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good
anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a
bondservant or is free.” (Ephesians 6:5-8).

We do not carry out our work as mere human drones or workers. We do so as

“bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a
good will as to the Lord and not to man.”

The bible elevates our work far above anything the world can conceive. It reminds us
that we are bearing witness to the nature of God as we work. On the other hand, it
resists the lie of the world that our work is what defines us and comprises our central
identity.

4. Fellowship:
Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not
neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging
each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching”.
This Scripture reminds us of another important element for maturing in our faith:
fellowship. The Christian life is not an individual sport. We need the encouragement,
support, and accountability other believers provide. If we’re going to grow spiritually,
we need to be connected to a solid, Bible-preaching local congregation.

5. Forgiveness:
Forgiveness (i.e. love, longsuffering, kindness, gentleness, self-control) is a
fundamental concept deeply rooted in the Bible, offering a path to spiritual renewal,
mental peace, and emotional healing. The Bible provides profound insights into the
nature of forgiveness, emphasising its importance in our relationship with God and
one another.

In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus teaches Peter about the extent of forgiveness,

saying, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times
seven.” This passage highlights the boundless nature of forgiveness, urging
followers to forgive others as often as necessary.

In the Lord’s Prayer, we are taught to ask God, “forgive us our debts, as we also
have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). This petition underscores the
reciprocal nature of forgiveness; we are forgiven as we forgive. Ephesians
4:32 further encapsulates this message, urging believers to be “kind and
compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God
forgave you”.

HOW FORGIVENESS BENEFITS US

SPIRITUALLY: Forgiveness connects us more deeply with God. It allows us to
mirror God’s mercy, fostering a closer relationship with Him. By forgiving, we obey
God’s command, opening ourselves to receive His forgiveness and grace.

MENTALLY: Forgiveness can lead to a significant reduction in stress and anxiety.

Holding onto grudges and bitterness can weigh heavily on the mind, leading to
negative thought patterns. Forgiveness allows us to release these burdens, offering
peace and liberation.

EMOTIONALLY: Forgiveness promotes healing and emotional well-being. It enables

us to move past hurt and resentment, fostering empathy and understanding towards
those who have wronged us. This emotional release can improve our mood,
enhance our relationships, and increase our happiness.
HOW DO I KNOW I AM GROWING SPIRITUALLY
Spiritual growth is expected to be a result-oriented process which is a proof that you
are in right standard with God and that should be visible not only to you as an
individual but to the public as well. These are few ways to know you are growing
Spiritually;

1) THERE IS A VISIBLE CHARACTER CHANGE: On this walk to attaining spiritual

growth, if your desires, hunger, habits are still the same as it was when you were an
unbeliever then there is no growth. There should be a change and it should reflect
visibly in one's attitude, habits and character cause henceforth you are guided by the
spirit which dwells in you and no more subject to the law Galatians 5: 16-18.
The spirit guides us to all truth and it should be seen in our actions and reactions
hence putting to death human nature and fixing our minds on things that are
heavenly and things are please God. Galatians 5:22-25, Colossians 3:1-3

2) INCREASED PASSION TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT: Dealing with human nature by

the help of the spirit grants one the grace to do what is right always even when it's
not comfortable so that in so doing, the knowledge of God is increased in his or her
life. Colossians 1:10, Titus 3:8.

3) CHANGE OF ASSOCIATION: Proverbs 13:20 portrays that our association is one

determinant of our life in taking profitable steps with God. Association stands as our
centre of accountability, so it is advisable to change them for better ones.
Bad association corrupts good manners and this is a big problem in spiritual growth
so be blunt about choosing the persons in your circle without sentiments towards
their feeling or the public 1st Corinthians 15:33.

4) FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD: Enjoying being in the presence of the father is

evidence that's you are growing spiritually. Consistent communion and
communication with God yield openness and in-depth knowledge the will of the
father just as the Bible instructed that we should pray without ceasing (1
Thessalonians 5:17) as well as constant studying of the word of God. 1 Corinthians
1:9.
WHAT IF I FALL (1 John 3:4)
As Christians, we are faced with temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13), fear and anxiety.
It could be fear of what if I fall into sin, what if I don't meet up with what is expected
of me as a believer, what if I am not good enough as a Christian, what if God won't
answer my prayers because I've sinned and we see ourselves going back to sin and
we end up ladened with guilt. The fear of falling is something all Christians at some
point has faced or struggled with, some have even sinned as a result of fear.
(Romans3:23) A fall is basically not living like Christ and not doing His will. We
should also note that when we fall, it does not signify the end of our Christian life
( Isaiah 53:5-6), it does not mean Christ hates us but God's plan is for us to come to
His light and live a life as He has commanded us.

WHY WE FALL
1. Fear (1 John 4;18)
2. Pride and ego (Proverbs 16;18)
3. Peer pressure (1 Corinthians 15:33)
4. Greed (Luke 12:15)
5. Disobedience to the will of God (1 Samuel 15:23)

STEPS TO RESTORATION
1.It is important to acknowledge we have sinned (Hebrews 4:16)
2. Confess your sin (Psalm 32:5)
3.Look up to God for help (1 Peter 5:7)
4. Trust God (Psalm 37:5,55:22)
5. Stay in the place of prayer (Joel 2:32, Hebrews 4:16)
CONCLUSION

As we seek spiritual growth, we should pray to God and ask for wisdom concerning
the areas He desires us to grow in. We can ask God to increase our faith and
knowledge of Him. God desires for us to grow spiritually and he has given us all we
need to experience spiritual growth. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can overcome sin
and steadily become more like our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Above all let love
lead, forgiving one another as we would want to be forgiven in return.