First Baptist Church - How Do We Grow?

May Update

First Baptist Church

Branch, Arkansas

From the Pastor's Desk

Download Bible Reading Plan

Online Bible Reading Plan

How Do We Grow?

The Family Altar

How Do We Grow?

Growing in Christ is essential for every believer. But how does it happen?

5 avenues of growth in the life of every believer

Deuteronomy 28:1-14

#1 - Assurance of salvation

Begins with salvation

Confirmed by the Holy Spirit

Desire for Christ

#2 - Consistent walk with God

Scripture - at all times, in all ways - we need more of God’s Word

Prayer - we need to pray - it is automatic for us, like breathing - John 4:32

#3 - Worship with God’s People

This is the supreme moment for every child of God - as sweet as our individual time of worship with God may be, our corporate worship lifts us higher and farther

Give - your time, your money, your talents to the kingdom of God

#4 - Service to God

Our greatest joy is serving Jesus, you’re never happier than you are right here

Our service to God yields a fellowship with other believers that builds powerful relationships that we need. There is no other bond that is so unique and lasting as that which is forged through serving together with other believers.

#5 - Tell your story

You cannot be changed and want to hold it in. You cannot be born again and not want to send out a birth announcement. You cannot be genuinely saved and desire to stuff that up within you and sit on it. You’ve got to share it, tell it, give it to others.

Illustration: If you fall in love with a girl - you want everyone to know "that’s MY girl." If you have a new baby - you want to drag everyone in the hospital down to the nursery window and say "that’s MY baby!" How much more should we want to share what Christ has done for us!

　

We’ve reviewed some very powerful discipleship patterns. Now it’s time to make some honest analysis, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to determine where the strong and weak points are in your spiritual growth process.

1. Prayer

Do you spend time each day in prayer?

Is it a specific time of day?

Do you have a prayer list to help guide you?

Is the Lord calling you to a higher commitment in this area?

2. Being with the Body

Are you a member of a local congregation?

Do you attend church services regularly?

Do you spend fellowship time with other believers?

Do you need to increase the amount of time you spend with other believers?

3. Being in the Word

Do you read your Bible every day?

Do you follow a Bible reading plan or skip around in your reading?

Have you read through the entire Bible?

Do you have a Scripture memorization plan?

4. Tithe

Do you tithe to your local congregation?

Do you give in additional ways—offerings, time, talents?

Are there areas of your financial life that you have not brought into submission to the Lord?

Is the Lord challenging you to give more in any of these ways, or with a different attitude?

5. Accepting Ministry, Service, and Witness

Are you involved in an area of ongoing service or ministry?

Are you involved in areas that touch both believers and unbelievers?

Are you equipped to share your faith with an unbeliever?

Ask the Lord to give you the names of five unbelievers to carry in prayer that they will be saved.