Basic TrainingBible MinistriesGene CunninghamBasic Training Bible Ministries KBKnowledge Base

What is spiritual growth?

Answered by Gene Cunningham, Basic Training Bible Ministries · from The Basics

Spiritual growth is the believer's progression from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity. Unlike physical growth, it does not happen automatically: "we choose whether to be hungry for the Word; we choose whether to be motivated; we choose whether to advance in the Christian life." Psalm 27 pictures this growth through seven stages of faith—salvation, study, faith-rest, spirituality, suffering, occupation with Christ, and waiting. Peter adds seven steps of spiritual advance, supplied only through the Spirit's filling and diligent study of the Word: excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (2 Pet. 1:2–7). This growth is centered on the local church, where believers are taught the Word and equipped to function in their spiritual gifts (Eph. 4:11–15). It is "a gift from God...given in increments and...received only by faith"—not produced by our own strength.

Also asked: What is the believer's progression in spiritual development and how does it differ from physical growth? · What are the key characteristics and stages of spiritual growth and how are they achieved through the Holy Spirit's filling and study of the Word?
Also asked, more loosely
How does one progress from spiritual infancy to maturity in their faith and what role does the local church play?

Source: The Basics The Basics — Growth (canonical doctrine) · Read this lesson in the book →

What this answer is about

The subjects this answer names in its own words. Where the record names that subject itself, it is shown in bold.

Faith-RestGodlinessGrowthLocal churchPeterRestSalvationSpiritual giftsSpiritual maturitySpiritualitySuffering

Related questions

See also

Scripture this answer rests on

Scripture the book prints on the pages this answer was drawn from. The passages printed closest to it are shown, in Bible order.

1 Peter 5:7What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.146
Also printed on these pages
1 Samuel 17:47What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.146
Jeremiah 17:8What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.146
Galatians 5:22-23What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.146

Where this is taught in the book

Closest first: the pages where the book treats this subject most directly.

Lesson 2–4: The Equipment—Spiritual Gifts

p.94p.93p.95p.98p.91

Lesson 3–4: The Climb—Spiritual Growth

p.157p.160

Lesson 1–1: The Problem—Sin

p.4

Lesson 1–2: The Plan—Redemption

p.12

Lesson 1–3: The Provision—The Cross

p.29

Lesson 2–2: The Base—The Church

p.68p.75

More pages teach this. The Source line above carries the full citation and opens the book.

Scripture is not BTBM’s to license: the references above link to Blue Letter Bible (NASB95), and the verse text shown on this page is served by BLB under their own license and terms.