Growing in the Christian Life Assurance of Guidance - Proverbs 3:5-6

We have all come into this world by physical birth. Through

the loving care of parents we are protected from dangers and enabled to grow mentally and physically. The actual birth may be only a matter of minutes, but growth continues throughout one's lifetime.

Parents delight in a child because he is the reproduction of their own lives, he is able to return their love, and he has opportunity to develop into a very useful member of the human family.

1. Spiritual Birth

You are in the kingdom of God through a spiritual birth. Because you have received the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, God has given you a life that is eternal, and He has become your Heavenly Father (John 1:12).

Entrance into the heavenly family comes the very moment a sinner receives the Son of God (I John 5:11-12), but spiritual growth is the result of walking in happy obedience to God.

Spiritual birth may take but a moment, but spiritual growth should continue as long as we are in this world.

2. Spiritual Food

In addition to being protected, a baby must be fed. The loving parent at first supplies milk and then later solid foods. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (I Peter 2:2). “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14).

3. The Quiet Time

Since the Word is referred to as milk, meat, a shield, and a sword, we can see the importance of having an intimate knowledge of this miracle-working Word of God. Because of its tremendous importance to our daily lives, we should set aside a special time each day to be spent in coming to know the Scriptures.

We should give it the best time of the day - when we are alert and quick of mind. Because the quiet time sets the heart right with God and supplies strength to fight daily battles, most people find that the early morning hour is best. Fifteen minutes a day is the minimum amount of time you should spend.

Not only is it important to set aside a regular time for your devotions, but it is just as necessary to have a plan for what you are going to do, such as a place in which to meet the Lord, a prepared heart, and an expectancy that God is going to meet your needs.

We will discuss these subjects more thoroughly in a later lesson. But perhaps the important thing to learn now is to let the truth of what you read in the Bible begin to sink deep into your heart and life with real meaning.

First, slowly read the portion, endeavoring to get the meaning; then meditate on what you have read by asking yourself, “How can this be applied to my life?” Then pray over the things which the Lord has brought to your mind, to seal them to your heart.

4. Instruction in Righteous Living

As children need guidance and training by their parents, so God the Heavenly Father knows that His children must be directed and instructed. In love He has made provision for this need. Since Jesus cannot be with us to teach us in person as He taught the disciples, He sent the Holy Spirit to abide in us, to be our Helper, Teacher, and Guide.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16). The Bible is the heavenly textbook which He uses to instruct us in righteous living.

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5. Safely Guarded

In the beginning of our Christian experience we knew nothing

about resisting Satan. Our Heavenly Father has been good to provide us with a Saviour who is also a Keeper. His keeping power is illustrated in Peter's experience. Peter was a true believer in Jesus Christ, but he did not know that Satan could hinder and discourage the spiritual babe. Christ knew, and He encouraged Peter by saying, “Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22:31-32).

6. The Strong Christian

The well-instructed Christian becomes a strong Christian. Not only does he learn to look after his personal spiritual life, but he becomes a blessing to others. By being a faithful and obedient son, he experiences increased blessings and privileges, and, of course, he is a source of joy to his Lord. Surely you want to be such a Christian. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Assurance of Guidance

Memory Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6 1. What is God's desire for all who have received salvation? (II Peter 3:18) _____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

2. What should naturally follow salvation? (Colossians 2:6-7) __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

3. Against what are we insured as we grow in the knowledge of Christ? (Ephesians 4:13-14) _________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

4. Some of the things that mark an immature Christian are ___________ __________________________________________ (I Corinthians 3:3)

5. Name some of the characteristics of a mature Christian. (II Peter 1:5-7) ________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

6. What will a mature Christian be found doing? (Romans 15:1-3) ____ __________________________________________________________

7. Different stages of maturity in Christ are indicated in I John 2:13-14. What are they? _____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

8. What is one purpose for our growing to Christian maturity? (Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 5:12; I Timothy 4:11) __________________ __________________________________________________________

9. What is the responsibility of one who is in Christ? (I John 2:6) __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

10. In what ways did Jesus Christ grow to maturity? (Luke 2:52) ______ __________________________________________________________

11. As you grow in Christ, how will God be glorified? (Matthew 5:16) __________________________________________________________

12. What is the food for the spiritual life? (I Peter 2:2) ______________ __________________________________________________________

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13. What does the Word of God continue to do for the growing or the mature Christian? (Acts 20:32) ________________________________

14. What are some ways of coming to know the Bible? (Revelation 1:3; II Timothy 2:15; Deuteronomy 6:6) _____________________________ __________________________________________________________

15. What should be our attitude as we study the Word? (Acts 17:11) __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

16. What is necessary before the spiritual food will be of any value? (I Peter 2:1) _________________________________________________

17. What would keep one from growing as a Christian? (Jeremiah 7:23-24) ___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

18. What are some things that keep the Word from bearing fruit in our lives? (Mark 4:19) __________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

19. What should be our ultimate goal in Christian growth? (II Corinthians 3:18) ___________________________________________

20. According to Psalm 32:8 what will God do for us? ______________ __________________________________________________________

21. According to Proverbs 3:5-6, what three things are we required to do in order to be led by God? ____________________________________ __________________________________________________________

22. What promise do we have if these three requirements are met? ____ __________________________________________________________

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