We Grow Together

Some people see following Jesus as a destination we reach But it isn't really that. Following Jesus is a lifelong journey!

From the moment we trust in Christ until the day we see Him face to face, God is continually at work transforming us into the likeness of His Son. No believer ever reaches a point where growth is no longer necessary.

Our fourth core value is this: We Grow Together.

Paul says this in Philippians 1:6 - “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;"

And in another place, Paul reminds us of what that work is meant to do in our lives! “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” — Romans 8:29 (emphasis mine)

Spiritual growth isn't something we accomplish through our own determination or effort. It is the ongoing work of God in our lives as we submit ourselves to His Word and the leading of His Spirit.

The Christian life is not about arriving. It is about continually taking the next step in following Jesus. That's why one of the healthiest attitudes a believer can have is the simple recognition: "I haven't arrived yet." And recognizing that should discourage us. It's actually freeing! Because as long as we're following Christ, there is always another step to take, another lesson to learn, another area in which God desires to make us more like Jesus.

Growth always begins with humility.

Pride convinces us we've already learned enough. Humility recognizes how much we still need God to teach us. The moment we believe we've "arrived," we stop growing.

The apostle Paul, even near the END of his ministry, described himself as continuing to press forward toward what God still had for him.

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭

Mature Christians aren't people who think they've figured everything out. They're people who continually recognize their dependence on God's grace. Humility keeps our hearts teachable. It enables us to receive correction, admit when we're wrong, ask questions, and remain eager to learn from God's Word.

The more we grow, the more we realize how much we still need Christ.

Spiritual maturity shouldn't just be measured by how much we know. It is measured by what we do with what we know. God's desire is that we would do more than just fill our minds with biblical information, but that His truth would change the way we live.

Jesus made this clear when He said “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” — John‬ ‭14‬:‭15‬

And James tells us, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” — James‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬-‭25‬

Every act of obedience is another step of spiritual growth. Sometimes those steps are large. But more often they're small and ordinary. Things like: choosing forgiveness, responding with patience, sharing our faith, serving someone quietly, or trusting God in a difficult season.

Faithfulness isn't usually built through dramatic moments. It's built through daily obedience.

God never intended the Christian life to be lived in isolation. From the very beginning of the church, believers gathered together to worship, pray, learn God's Word, encourage one another, and bear one another's burdens.

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” — Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭42‬-‭47‬

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” — Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭24‬-‭25‬

Spiritual growth flourishes in biblical community. We need people who encourage us when we're discouraged. People who lovingly challenge us when we're drifting. People who celebrate God's faithfulness with us. People who remind us of the gospel when we forget.

God often uses other believers as one of His primary means of helping us become more like Christ. Growing together doesn't mean we all look the same or grow at the same pace. It means we're moving in the same direction—toward Jesus.

Discipleship is about more than accumulating biblical knowledge. It's about helping one another faithfully follow Jesus.

That's why we don't expect everyone to be in the same place spiritually. Some are just beginning to explore who Jesus is. Others are taking their first steps as new believers. Still others have walked with Christ for decades.

And yet, each person has a next step. Our desire is to help people discover what that step is and encourage them to take it. Sometimes that's learning to read God's Word consistently. Sometimes it's baptism. Sometimes it's joining a community group. Sometimes it's serving, mentoring someone else, or sharing the gospel with a friend.

Whatever the next step may be, our goal is the same: to become more like Jesus together.

Spiritual growth isn't an event. It isn't a class. It isn't something we ever finish in this lifetime. It is the lifelong work of God as He shapes His people into the image of Jesus.

This is why we say, "We Grow Together."

Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey. No one has arrived. We pursue maturity through humility, obedience, and community, helping one another take next steps in following Jesus.