8443 growth

The process of development and maturing, used to refer to the progress of the kingdom of God and the spiritual development of believers. Scripture uses images of growth (such as seeds, plants and infants) to stress the dynamic nature of personal faith and the kingdom of God.

Images of growth

Infancy to maturity Eph 4:13-15 See also 1Co 3:1-2; 1Co 13:11; 1Co 14:20; Heb 5:12-14; 1Pe 2:2

Seeds and plants Lk 8:14-15 pp Mt 13:22-23 pp Mk 4:19-20 See also 2Co 9:10

The apostles worked and prayed for growth in believers

2Co 13:9 See also Col 1:28; Col 4:12

Dimensions of spiritual growth

In faith 2Co 10:15-16 See also 2Th 1:3

In knowledge 2Pe 3:18 See also Eph 1:17-18; Eph 3:16-19; Col 1:10; 2Pe 1:3,6

In love 1Th 4:10 See also Php 1:9; 1Th 3:12; 2Pe 1:7-8

Growth comes from God

Col 2:19 See also 1Co 3:6-7; 2Co 9:10; Php 1:6

Growth comes through discipleship

Putting away the sinful self 1Pe 2:1 See also Ro 8:13-14; 2Co 7:1; Gal 5:24; Eph 4:22-24; Col 3:5-10

Moving on from basic teaching Heb 6:1-2 See also Heb 5:11-14

Maturing in thinking 1Co 14:20 See also Ro 12:1

Persevering in faith Jas 1:4 See also Php 2:12; Php 3:12; 2Pe 1:5-8

Contributing to growth in the church by exercising gifts Eph 4:11-12 See also 1Co 14:1-5; Eph 4:13-16

Examples of spiritual growth in some of God’s servants

1Sa 2:26; Lk 2:52 See also Lk 1:80; Ac 9:22

The growth of the kingdom of God

God promises that his kingdom will grow Col 1:6 See also Mt 13:31-33 pp Mk 4:30-32 pp Lk 13:18-21; Mk 4:26-29

The early church experienced rapid numerical growth Ac 4:4 See also Ac 2:41,47; Ac 5:14; Ac 6:7; Ac 9:31; Ac 11:21; Ac 14:1; Ac 16:5

See also