Anderson Hills

In the Bible we see a call for growth in spiritual maturity. Healthy spiritual development is not automatic, but occurs within the confines of a healthy community of Christians. When we understand that our development as mature disciples can become impeded, and that we can even regress spiritually, we see how important it is for us to encourage one another. We all are “a work in progress” and many may occasionally oscillate from one stage to another. Growing up spiritually requires our willing cooperation with the work of the Holy Spirit. Becoming familiar with the stages and the catalysts that help people to continue to grow will help us to be better at discipling others.

In the Bible we see a call for growth in spiritual maturity. Healthy spiritual development is not automatic, but occurs within the confines of a healthy community of Christians. When we understand that our development as mature disciples can become impeded, and that we can even regress spiritually, we see how important it is for us to encourage one another. We all are “a work in progress” and many may occasionally oscillate from one stage to another. Growing up spiritually requires our willing cooperation with the work of the Holy Spirit. Becoming familiar with the stages and the catalysts that help people to continue to grow will help us to be better at discipling others.

In the Bible we see a call for growth in spiritual maturity. Healthy spiritual development is not automatic, but occurs within the confines of a healthy community of Christians. When we understand that our development as mature disciples can become impeded, and that we can even regress spiritually, we see how important it is for us to encourage one another. We all are “a work in progress” and many may occasionally oscillate from one stage to another. Growing up spiritually requires our willing cooperation with the work of the Holy Spirit. Becoming familiar with the stages and the catalysts that help people to continue to grow will help us to be better at discipling others.

A disciple is considered a student, one who disciplines himself in the teachings and practices of another. When Jesus called His first disciples, He spoke the simple words, “Follow me.” A disciple of Christ is a follower, one who trusts and believes in his teacher and follows the teacher’s words and example. Jesus discipled His followers through intentional relationship—an intimate, instructive, and imitative relationship with their Teacher. Being a disciple of Jesus is seeking to be like Jesus. We must be willing to give up or repent from anything that prevents us from living a kingdom lifestyle and to engage in disciplines that make us more like Him.

A disciple is considered a student, one who disciplines himself in the teachings and practices of another. When Jesus called His first disciples, He spoke the simple words, “Follow me.” A disciple of Christ is a follower, one who trusts and believes in his teacher and follows the teacher’s words and example. Jesus discipled His followers through intentional relationship—an intimate, instructive, and imitative relationship with their Teacher. Being a disciple of Jesus is seeking to be like Jesus. We must be willing to give up or repent from anything that prevents us from living a kingdom lifestyle and to engage in disciplines that make us more like Him.

In Acts we read that one of the four things the early church devoted itself to was “fellowship.” Fellowship was a very important reason for them to meet together. They didn’t sporadically fellowship, they intentionally devoted themselves to it. The church’s fellowship is distinct from all other types of gatherings—it is created, sustained, and directed by the Holy Spirit. There are four aspects of biblical fellowship: relationship, partnership, companionship, and stewardship. These four attributes help us to encourage, serve, edify and build up one another. Christian fellowship through the Spirit leads to a healthy Christian life. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you experience fellowship in new ways.

In Acts we read that one of the four things the early church devoted itself to was “fellowship.” Fellowship was a very important reason for them to meet together. They didn’t sporadically fellowship, they intentionally devoted themselves to it. The church’s fellowship is distinct from all other types of gatherings—it is created, sustained, and directed by the Holy Spirit. There are four aspects of biblical fellowship: relationship, partnership, companionship, and stewardship. These four attributes help us to encourage, serve, edify and build up one another. Christian fellowship through the Spirit leads to a healthy Christian life. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you experience fellowship in new ways.

It is the work of the Holy Spirit to set us apart to God, which is what the word holy really means. He works in us to set us apart from sin and everything that is in opposition to the will of God. But He also works to set us apart to all that pleases God and conforms us to the character of Christ. God’s goal is that we should become more like Christ every day. He gives our hearts a hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness and brings transformation to our lives. The Holy Spirit does not work on us; He lives in us and transforms us to make our lives holy. The presence of the Holy Spirit makes our hearts clean, our minds pure, and our senses work at full capacity, thereby making our lives fruitful to the glory of God. Willingly surrender the work of holiness to the Spirit!

It is the work of the Holy Spirit to set us apart to God, which is what the word holy really means. He works in us to set us apart from sin and everything that is in opposition to the will of God. But He also works to set us apart to all that pleases God and conforms us to the character of Christ. God’s goal is that we should become more like Christ every day. He gives our hearts a hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness and brings transformation to our lives. The Holy Spirit does not work on us; He lives in us and transforms us to make our lives holy. The presence of the Holy Spirit makes our hearts clean, our minds pure, and our senses work at full capacity, thereby making our lives fruitful to the glory of God. Willingly surrender the work of holiness to the Spirit!

The apostle Paul taught us that there are two different mindsets that we can have in our approach to God—we can approach Him as slaves in bondage or as adopted children. The Bible presents a high view of adoption and uses it to parallel the relationship God wants to have with us. The spirit of slavery views God as a slave owner and we are His trembling subjects. The spirit of adoption views God as a loving Father and we are His beloved sons and daughters. There is a vast difference between these two ways of thinking. Slaves may perform duties, but sons act out of love. Slaves dutifully obey, but sons gladly obey. Slaves ask, “What is required?” Sons ask, “What else can I do for you?” The Spirit of adoption changes us from fearful slaves to joyful sons and daughters.