Discipline - Growth Steps Lesson 8 Series

A. INTRODUCTION: LADY WITH CATARACTS

1. Why was she motivated when told, “woman, it is your lack of faith?”

2. She asked, “How can I have more faith? The five fingers:

a. First finger, “Blessed is he who hears” (Revelation 1:3).

b. Second finger, “Read the Scriptures” (Revelation 1:3).

c. Third finger, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2:15).

d. Fourth finger, memorize. “Thy Word have I hid in my heart” (Psalm 119:11).

e. Fifth finger, meditation. “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all” (1 Timothy 4:15).

3. She was healed – was it her faith or mine?

B. GROW THROUGH PRAYER

1. Disciples asked, “Lord increase our faith” (Luke 17:5).

2. You can ask, but also, “Ask … seek … know” (Matthew 7:1).

3. I didn’t have faith for money like Jerry. Answer: Our faith was directed to different needs. I for wisdom, Falwell for money.

C. GROW THROUGH OBEDIENCE AND EXERCISE

1. Faith can be weak. Disciples, “O ye of little faith” (Matthew 14:31).

2. Abraham is our example. “The faith of Abraham” (Romans 4:16). But Abraham was “weak in faith” (4:19). Abraham “did not waver at the promises of God” (4:20). He became “strong in faith” (v. 20).

3. What makes strong faith? “Being fully persuaded that what God had promised, He was able to perform” (4:21).

4. What can you learn from Abraham? “but for us also” (4:24).

D. GROW BY SEEKING THE LORD

1. “My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘LORD, I am coming’” (Psalm 27:8, NLT).

2. What do you seek?

a. To know God in Scriptures.

b. How He works.

c. How to live godly.

d. To know Him intimately and personally. “That I may know Him” (Philippians 3:10).

E. GROW BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST

1. Daily cleansing is possible. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7, NKJV).

2. But we fail. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9).

3. Confession requires:

a. Repentance – never again.

b. Apologies to those we offend.

c. Restoration.

F. GROW BY YIELDING YOUR WILL

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”

Romans 12:1, NLT

1. To grow means trusting Him more in walk, service, prayer, and worship.

2. Yielding to Christ is not asceticism (negative denial of self), but give Jesus control of your talents, tithe, and time.

3. Yielding is making a complete commitment of yourself to Jesus in every area of life.

a. Illustration, losing weight.

b. You don’t have the power to obey until you make a choice today.

G. GROW THROUGH DAILY COMMUNION WITH GOD

1. The life of faith is daily communion with the indwelling Jesus. “ I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, NKJV).

H. GROW THROUGH GRATITUDE

1. A condition to receive. “Walk in Him … established in the faith … with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7, ELT). Faith and thanksgiving are tied together.

2. How does thanksgiving strengthen your life? Part of worship is giving thanks, and a grateful heart is rewarded by God.

3. Gratitude is the least remembered of all virtues but is the fuel that fires our love for God and grows our relationship with God.

I. WRAP UP

1. Everything that has life can grow … babies … flowers … vegetables … trees … people … the church … you.

2. What is life? It is the energy of God by which He extends Himself into the universe and people to carry out His plan for His glory.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.