Intentional Growth: Following Jesus' Example in Faith

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound journey of spiritual growth and obedience through the lens of Jesus' early life as depicted in Luke 2. Reflecting on Jesus' childhood, we see a model of intentional growth, faithful obedience, and a relentless pursuit of God's presence. Jesus, even as a child, demonstrated a holistic approach to growth—intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially. This holistic growth is a call for us to integrate our faith into every aspect of our lives, ensuring that our relationship with God is not compartmentalized but rather influences every decision and action we take.

We delved into the importance of intentionality in our spiritual journey. Just as Jesus grew intentionally, we are called to pursue growth in our spiritual lives with purpose and dedication. This involves making conscious decisions to engage with Scripture, prayer, and community, allowing these practices to shape us holistically. Our spiritual growth should not be left to chance but should be pursued with the same intentionality that Jesus exemplified.

Obedience was another key theme. Jesus' submission to His earthly parents, despite His divine nature, teaches us the value of humble obedience in our daily lives. This obedience is not just about following rules but is a preparation for greater acts of faith. It is a sign of our growth and a testament to our love for God. As we obey in the ordinary aspects of life, we prepare ourselves for the extraordinary tasks God may call us to.

Finally, we examined the importance of seeking God above all else. Jesus prioritized His relationship with His Heavenly Father, even at a young age, showing us the importance of aligning our lives with God's purpose. This requires us to prioritize time with God through worship, prayer, and study, ensuring that our lives are centered around His will.

Key Takeaways:

- Holistic Growth: Jesus' life exemplifies holistic growth, integrating intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social development. Our spiritual journey should similarly touch every aspect of our lives, ensuring that our faith is not compartmentalized but influences all we do. [54:26]

- Intentional Pursuit: Growth in our spiritual lives requires intentionality. Like Jesus, we must actively pursue spiritual disciplines, allowing them to shape us holistically. This intentional pursuit ensures that our faith is vibrant and transformative. [57:04]

- Faithful Obedience: Jesus' obedience to His earthly parents highlights the importance of humble submission in our lives. Obedience is a preparation for greater acts of faith and a sign of our growth in Christ. It reflects our love for God and our commitment to His will. [59:13]

- Seeking God Above All: Jesus prioritized His relationship with His Heavenly Father, teaching us to seek God above all else. This involves prioritizing time with God through worship, prayer, and study, ensuring that our lives are aligned with His purpose. [01:10:17]

- Relentless Pursuit of God's Presence: Walking in step with Jesus requires a relentless pursuit of God's presence. This involves being intentional about our spiritual practices and aligning our lives with God's will, just as Jesus did. [01:12:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [25:16] - Elders' Planning Retreat
- [41:57] - Introduction to Luke 2
- [43:23] - Personal Faith Journey
- [44:24] - Testimonies of Faith
- [45:17] - Faith in Non-Christian Homes
- [46:27] - Acting Like a Teenager
- [47:39] - Jesus' Example in Luke 2
- [49:12] - The Journey to Nazareth
- [50:22] - Jesus in the Temple
- [51:45] - The Caravan Journey
- [53:27] - Jesus' Submission
- [54:26] - Walking in Step with Jesus
- [55:00] - Holistic Growth
- [56:14] - Intentional Growth
- [57:04] - Spiritual Growth and Obedience
- [59:13] - Obeying Faithfully
- [01:04:52] - Preparation for Greater Acts
- [01:10:17] - Prioritizing God's Presence
- [01:12:22] - Intentional Spiritual Practices

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 2:41-52

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the different areas in which Jesus grew, as mentioned in Luke 2:52? How does this reflect the concept of holistic growth? [54:26]

2. How did Jesus demonstrate obedience to His earthly parents in Luke 2:51, and what does this reveal about His character? [59:13]

3. In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate the importance of intentional spiritual growth? [57:04]

4. How did Jesus prioritize His relationship with His Heavenly Father, according to the sermon? [01:10:17]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does the sermon suggest about the significance of Jesus' intentional growth in all areas of life? How can this be applied to a believer's spiritual journey? [54:26]

2. How does Jesus' obedience to His parents serve as a model for believers in terms of humble submission and preparation for greater acts of faith? [59:13]

3. In what ways does the sermon highlight the importance of seeking God above all else, and how can this be practically implemented in a believer's daily life? [01:10:17]

4. How does the concept of holistic growth challenge the idea of compartmentalizing one's faith, and what are the potential consequences of such compartmentalization? [55:00]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: In which areas (intellectual, physical, spiritual, social) do you feel you need to grow more intentionally, and what steps can you take to pursue this growth? [54:26]

2. Consider a situation where you struggle with obedience. How can Jesus' example of humble submission inspire you to approach this situation differently? [59:13]

3. Identify a specific way you can prioritize your relationship with God this week. What changes can you make in your schedule to ensure you spend quality time in prayer, worship, or Bible study? [01:10:17]

4. Think about a recent decision or action. How did your faith influence it? If it didn't, what can you do to ensure your faith is integrated into all aspects of your life? [55:00]

5. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. What spiritual practices can you adopt to pursue His presence more relentlessly, as Jesus did? [01:12:22]

6. How can you encourage others in your community to pursue holistic growth in their spiritual lives? What role can you play in supporting their journey? [57:04]

7. Consider a person in your life who may not understand your faith. How can you demonstrate humble obedience and love to them, reflecting Jesus' example? [59:13]

Devotional

Day 1: Holistic Integration of Faith
In the early life of Jesus, as depicted in Luke 2, we see a profound example of holistic growth. Jesus grew intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially, demonstrating that spiritual development is not meant to be isolated from other aspects of life. This holistic approach calls us to integrate our faith into every facet of our existence, ensuring that our relationship with God influences all our decisions and actions. By following Jesus' example, we can strive to ensure that our faith is not compartmentalized but is a guiding force in every area of our lives. [54:26]

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2:52, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you feel your faith is most compartmentalized? How can you begin to integrate your faith more fully into this area today?


Day 2: Intentional Spiritual Growth
Jesus' life exemplifies the importance of intentionality in spiritual growth. He pursued growth with purpose and dedication, engaging with Scripture, prayer, and community. This intentional pursuit is a model for us, encouraging us to actively engage in spiritual disciplines that shape us holistically. Our spiritual growth should not be left to chance but should be pursued with the same intentionality that Jesus demonstrated. By doing so, we ensure that our faith remains vibrant and transformative. [57:04]

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12, ESV)

Reflection: What is one spiritual discipline you can commit to practicing more intentionally this week? How will you incorporate it into your daily routine?


Day 3: Humble Obedience
Jesus' submission to His earthly parents, despite His divine nature, highlights the value of humble obedience. This obedience is not merely about following rules but is a preparation for greater acts of faith. It is a testament to our growth in Christ and reflects our love for God. By obeying in the ordinary aspects of life, we prepare ourselves for the extraordinary tasks God may call us to. This humble submission is a crucial aspect of our spiritual journey. [59:13]

"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." (Colossians 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a situation where you struggle with obedience. How can you approach this situation with a heart of humility and submission to God's will?


Day 4: Prioritizing God's Presence
Jesus prioritized His relationship with His Heavenly Father, teaching us the importance of seeking God above all else. This involves dedicating time to worship, prayer, and study, ensuring that our lives are aligned with God's purpose. By prioritizing God's presence, we align our lives with His will and find direction and purpose. This relentless pursuit of God's presence is essential for walking in step with Jesus. [01:10:17]

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to prioritize your relationship with God? How will this change your daily schedule?


Day 5: Relentless Pursuit of God's Presence
Walking in step with Jesus requires a relentless pursuit of God's presence. This involves being intentional about our spiritual practices and aligning our lives with God's will, just as Jesus did. By seeking God's presence with determination, we open ourselves to His guidance and transformation. This pursuit is not a one-time event but a continuous journey that shapes our spiritual lives. [01:12:22]

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. What steps can you take today to draw nearer to Him and pursue His presence more relentlessly?

Quotes

Reflecting on Jesus' childhood, we see a model of intentional growth, faithful obedience, and a relentless pursuit of God's presence. Jesus, even as a child, demonstrated a holistic approach to growth—intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially. This holistic growth is a call for us to integrate our faith into every aspect of our lives, ensuring that our relationship with God is not compartmentalized but rather influences every decision and action we take. [00:54:26]

Walking in step with Jesus means that you're growing intentionally. Verse 40, and the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him. And then you drop down to the very end, verse 52. Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. This type of growth is holistic. [00:57:04]

You ever think about your life that way? How every aspect of your life is deeply interconnected with your relationship with God? If it's not, then what you have is a religion. A religion that compartmentalizes God and puts him here, but you don't let him into every area, because you're going and you're doing your ritual there to try and appease this God that needs to be appeased, but you want to live your own life. [00:55:00]

Jesus' childhood was preparing him for what was to take place in his adulthood. You'll notice that after this passage, we don't see more of Jesus mentioned until He's 30 years old, from 12 years old to 30 years old. And His obedience in childhood prepared Him for the ultimate act of going to the cross on our behalf. [01:04:52]

Walking in step with Jesus means that we seek the Father, God, above all else. Picking up in verse 46. After three days, they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed. They had His understanding and His answers. [01:10:17]

Walking in step with Jesus requires prioritizing time with God through our worship, through prayer, through study of his word, through interacting with others. We need to be intentional about that. Every year in January, I start a brand new journal. I've got a lot of half-written journals that end maybe February, March. [01:12:22]

Walking in step with Jesus involves intentional growth, faithful obedience and a relentless pursuit of God that Jesus modeled. Thank you that we can come to you and call you Father. While you are Lord, God, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, you are also Mike Richards' Heavenly Father. Thank you for that. [01:13:41]

Jesus understood that He had to align His purpose with the Father's. He was about the Father's business, not His own. So, will you grow up and act like a teenager? Maybe that's one of our goals for 2025. Lord, I'm going to learn how to grow up and act like a teenager. [01:12:21]

The challenge for us is how are we going to intentionally grow in the areas of life where God is calling you to develop? Are you going to make your spiritual life holistic and it's going to touch every aspect of who you are? What does this growth look like and how can we grow spiritually? That's the second lesson. [00:59:13]

Jesus Himself in John 14, 15 said this, If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. Wow. Later on, John chapter 15, I don't know if the disciples were just saying, well, you know, which commandments, Jesus? You know, we got all these from Moses. We got, which commandments are yours? [01:04:52]

Walking in step with Jesus is a call to every single believer. It's not a call just to a pastor. You know, pastor, you walk with Jesus and then, you know, you pray over us and and and we'll be okay. No, every single believer is called into a walking with Jesus. [00:54:26]

Jesus prioritized His relationship with His Heavenly Father, teaching us to seek God above all else. This involves prioritizing time with God through worship, prayer, and study, ensuring that our lives are aligned with His purpose. [01:10:17]

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Transcript
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