Embracing Spiritual Seasons: Growth in Christ
Summary
Spring is a time of growth and renewal, and just as the seasons change, so do the seasons of our spiritual lives. Today, we explored the concept of "growing season" in our walk with Christ, drawing from 1 John 2:12-14. Each season of the year has a purpose, and similarly, each season in our spiritual journey has its own significance and opportunities for growth. Whether you find yourself in the spring, summer, or fall of your spiritual life, God has a purpose for you, and it's important to recognize and embrace the season you're in.
In the spring season, new believers experience the excitement of new life in Christ. This is a time of rapid growth and discovery, where the reality of being forgiven and adopted into God's family becomes evident. It's a season of new beginnings, where the old is gone, and the new has come. For those in this stage, it's crucial to remember that your identity is now rooted in Christ, and you are truly a new creation.
As we move into the summer season, the growth continues, but challenges arise. Young Christians often face persistent struggles and sins that seem difficult to overcome. However, John reminds us that we have already overcome the evil one through Christ's victory. This is a time to actively cultivate our faith, replacing old habits with the truth of God's Word, and finding freedom in the process.
In the fall season, mature believers have the opportunity to reflect on their journey and pour into others. This is a time to share the wisdom and experiences gained over the years, helping younger believers navigate their own seasons of growth. It's a reminder that God remains the same, and our role is to sow seeds of faith and encouragement in the lives of others.
No matter the season, it's always a time for growth. Whether you're just beginning your journey, navigating the challenges of spiritual maturity, or sharing your wisdom with others, God is at work in your life. Embrace the season you're in, and seek to grow in your relationship with Him.
Key Takeaways:
- New Identity in Christ: As new believers, it's essential to understand that our sins are forgiven, and we have a new identity in Christ. This transformation is real and profound, marking the beginning of our spiritual journey. Embrace this new identity and the assurance that you are now part of God's family. [35:00]
- Overcoming Challenges: In the summer season of our faith, we may face persistent struggles, but we have already overcome the evil one through Christ. This is a time to actively cultivate our faith, replacing old habits with the truth of God's Word, and finding freedom in the process. [43:31]
- Mature Faith and Sharing Wisdom: Mature believers have the opportunity to reflect on their journey and pour into others. This is a time to share the wisdom and experiences gained over the years, helping younger believers navigate their own seasons of growth. It's a reminder that God remains the same, and our role is to sow seeds of faith and encouragement in the lives of others. [39:09]
- Intentional Growth: Growth in our spiritual life requires intentional effort. Whether it's through studying God's Word, engaging in community, or seeking mentorship, we must actively pursue growth in our faith. This intentionality helps us navigate the challenges and opportunities of each season. [31:04]
- Embracing Every Season: Each season of our spiritual journey has its own significance and opportunities for growth. Whether you're in the spring, summer, or fall of your spiritual life, God has a purpose for you. Embrace the season you're in, and seek to grow in your relationship with Him. [01:04:24]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Camp Launch Update
- [02:00] - Favorite Seasons Discussion
- [04:30] - Introduction to Growing Season
- [06:45] - Seasons of Growth in Faith
- [09:00] - Prayer for Open Hearts
- [10:30] - Reading 1 John 2:12-14
- [12:00] - Growth Chart Analogy
- [14:00] - Spring: New Believers
- [17:00] - Summer: Young Christians
- [20:00] - Fall: Mature Believers
- [23:00] - Embracing Your Season
- [26:00] - Invitation to Growth
- [28:00] - Baptism and Communion
- [30:00] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Growing Season in Our Spiritual Lives
Bible Reading:
- 1 John 2:12-14
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 John 2:12-14, what are the different groups of people John addresses, and what does he say to each group? [31:04]
2. In the sermon, how does the pastor describe the "spring season" of a believer's life? What are the key characteristics of this season? [35:00]
3. What challenges are associated with the "summer season" of faith, as discussed in the sermon? [43:31]
4. How does the pastor describe the role of mature believers in the "fall season" of their spiritual journey? [39:09]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to have a "new identity in Christ," and why is this important for new believers to understand? [35:00]
2. How can the concept of having "overcome the evil one" provide encouragement to believers facing persistent struggles? [43:31]
3. Why might mature believers feel left out or jaded, and how can they overcome these feelings to contribute to the growth of others? [39:09]
4. How does the analogy of seasons help us understand the different stages of spiritual growth and the unique challenges and opportunities each stage presents? [31:04]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual season. Are you in the spring, summer, or fall of your faith journey? How can you embrace this season and seek growth in your relationship with God? [31:04]
2. For those in the spring season, how can you actively remind yourself of your new identity in Christ and the reality of being part of God's family? What practical steps can you take to reinforce this truth in your daily life? [35:00]
3. If you find yourself in the summer season, what specific old habits or sins do you need to replace with the truth of God's Word? How can you intentionally cultivate your faith during this time? [43:31]
4. Mature believers, how can you share your wisdom and experiences with younger believers? Identify one person you can mentor or encourage this week. [39:09]
5. How can you intentionally pursue growth in your spiritual life, regardless of the season you're in? Consider setting a specific goal for studying God's Word, engaging in community, or seeking mentorship. [31:04]
6. Think about a time when you felt stuck in your spiritual growth. What steps did you take to move forward, and how can you apply those lessons to your current season? [43:31]
7. How can you ensure that you are not just waiting for the next season but actively participating in God's work in your life right now? What is one action you can take this week to sow seeds of faith and encouragement in others? [39:09]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Your New Identity in Christ
In the spring season of our spiritual journey, new believers experience the excitement of new life in Christ. This is a time of rapid growth and discovery, where the reality of being forgiven and adopted into God's family becomes evident. It's a season of new beginnings, where the old is gone, and the new has come. For those in this stage, it's crucial to remember that your identity is now rooted in Christ, and you are truly a new creation. Embrace this new identity and the assurance that you are now part of God's family. [35:00]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What old habits or mindsets do you need to let go of to fully embrace your new identity in Christ today?
Day 2: Cultivate Faith Amidst Challenges
As we move into the summer season, the growth continues, but challenges arise. Young Christians often face persistent struggles and sins that seem difficult to overcome. However, John reminds us that we have already overcome the evil one through Christ's victory. This is a time to actively cultivate our faith, replacing old habits with the truth of God's Word, and finding freedom in the process. [43:31]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Identify a specific struggle you are facing. How can you actively replace old habits with the truth of God's Word in this area today?
Day 3: Share Wisdom and Encourage Others
In the fall season, mature believers have the opportunity to reflect on their journey and pour into others. This is a time to share the wisdom and experiences gained over the years, helping younger believers navigate their own seasons of growth. It's a reminder that God remains the same, and our role is to sow seeds of faith and encouragement in the lives of others. [39:09]
Titus 2:2-3 (ESV): "Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good."
Reflection: Who is one person you can encourage or mentor this week? How can you share your experiences to help them grow in their faith?
Day 4: Pursue Intentional Growth
Growth in our spiritual life requires intentional effort. Whether it's through studying God's Word, engaging in community, or seeking mentorship, we must actively pursue growth in our faith. This intentionality helps us navigate the challenges and opportunities of each season. [31:04]
Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to intentionally grow in your faith? Consider setting a goal for Bible study, prayer, or community involvement.
Day 5: Embrace the Season You're In
Each season of our spiritual journey has its own significance and opportunities for growth. Whether you're in the spring, summer, or fall of your spiritual life, God has a purpose for you. Embrace the season you're in, and seek to grow in your relationship with Him. [01:04:24]
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV): "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."
Reflection: Reflect on the current season of your spiritual life. How can you embrace this season and seek God's purpose for you in it today?
Quotes
And just like the every season of the year has a purpose, he's going to talk about God's purpose and his intention for believers in the seasons of their growth and their walk with Jesus, right? Spring has a purpose. It is when times, you know, things grow. Summer has a purpose. Fall, winter, they all have a purpose and God has that for us no matter where we are. [00:29:56] (25 seconds)
So you could summarize and kind of put them together like this. He's talking to children who have been born into a new family. That's what he's saying as he uses these words. And that's the point that I'm going to bring out for you is it's growing season. And if it's growing season, new Christians, children here, need to know that this really is your new identity. Like this is legit. It's not fake. This really is real. [00:35:09] (29 seconds)
He said, but to all, don't you love that? Who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born not of blood. We're not talking about your birth date physically, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Your spiritual birthday. That is who John is talking to. This is the beginning state for all believers. [00:35:50] (31 seconds)
You are no longer known by your sins. You've been forgiven. Really? I know you can't believe it either. I can't believe it. Like you really have been forgiven. You're no longer identified by whatever lies you believe and what they say about you. You're not identified by that anymore. You've got a new name. [00:40:50] (16 seconds)
Because of what Jesus has already done, he's already overcome Satan. We are no longer slaves to that anymore, but we can walk in freedom. We have the option. We have the choice. Paul said it this way in Romans 6, but now you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God. [00:46:04] (19 seconds)
If you're a new believer here today, I'm thinking of, we had four baptisms last week. If you're fresh in your walk and in your spring season, if you will, notching your first mark on the door jam of your growth and your walk with Christ, you really have been adopted. And let me be the first one to say, welcome to the family. [00:40:50] (21 seconds)
And I got to tell you, no matter how long you have been a believer, it is good to go back to this childlike faith and just remember this truth. Paul said it this way. He said in Romans 8, 15, you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry, Abba, Father. [00:40:05] (23 seconds)
If we're going to talk about seasons, this is all you summer loving people get excited. This is summer. Right? This is the summer time in the life of a believer. Growth has happened. It is full of color. There is excitement. There is energy. We get excited about summer. That's the first people who cheered in this room was when we talked about summer. [00:43:31] (23 seconds)
There's lots happening, not only in seasonally in summer, but there's lots happening during this time in the life of a believer. Right? They're kind of, they're out of the infant stages. They're growing and they're, they're growing quickly. They're experiencing life in full color. It's very exciting. This real life in Christ is really real. This book actually applies to life and it has a lot to say. [00:44:09] (26 seconds)
He says, now you know the Father, like capital F, it's in the text. You know the Father, right? This is a new family for you. It is really true. It's not fake. It's not a mirage. You really have been adopted as a child of the King, of the Father, the one true God. Your sins really have been forgiven. It is amazing. [00:39:32] (27 seconds)
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