The “Raw Materials” of Spiritual Growth

Our church’s theme for 2023 is ‘Draw Near to God’ from James 4:8.

by Cecil Sanders on January 26, 2023

In the industrial world raw materials are “crude or processed materials that can be converted by manufacturing, processing, or a combination into a new and useful product.” (Merriam Webster) In the spiritual world, God has ordained certain ‘raw materials’ for followers of Christ to grow, mature, and reproduce. These include the Spirit of God, the Word of God, and the People of God – or the Spirit, the Scriptures, and the Saints.

When God saves us, He imparts His Holy Spirit to indwell us and lead us toward increasing Christlikeness. He gives us His Word to read, memorize, study and apply to our lives so that we look and live more like Jesus. And God gives us a family – the church family – to come alongside us for encouragement and accountability. When a Christian indwelt by the Holy Spirit receives and applies the truths of the Bible via multiple inputs in the context of God’s people, he or she experiences real transformation. This believer resembles Jesus and has an effective witness for Him to the glory of God.

Our church’s theme for 2023 is ‘Draw Near to God’ from James 4:8. God wants to see our church family flourish and thrive spiritually for our good and His glory. Let each of us make sure we are regularly availing ourselves of opportunities to be in God’s Word with God’s people. If you are not connected to a Sunday School Class, this is a great next step of spiritual growth. Call the church office for assistance in making this connection. Another opportunity is our weekly Wednesday evening prayer gathering during which we study God’s Word and pray for our church family. Join us each Wednesday at 6:00 PM in CH 103. Also, I encourage you to follow along with our church’s Bible Reading Plan this year in the Old Testament. You’ll find it on the back page of The Clarion. And beginning this Sunday at 5:00 PM we offer an Intentional Discipleship course in the Old Testament taught by Larry Dunagan in the Ministry Center.

In each environment we seek the teaching ministry of our Ultimate Teacher – God’s Holy Spirit. He will lead us into all truth and use God’s Word to make us like Jesus.

Let’s Grow!
Cecil Sanders

Tags: disciple, grow, holy spirit, connect

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