“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” — 2 Peter 3:18
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Explain spiritual growth as a lifelong process (2 Peter 3:18; Philippians 1:6)
- Describe general stages of growth from new believer to mature disciple
- Identify what different stages need from a discipler
- Draft a personal growth map
Lesson Notes
Growth Takes Time
Peter's last words in his letters were grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Growth is a process, not a single event. Jesus described it like a plant: first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear (Mark 4:28).
God is committed to finishing what He starts: he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). Even Paul said, Not as though I had already attained... but I follow after (Philippians 3:12). And I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). Disciplers plant and water; God makes things grow.
Stages of Growth
Scripture uses family pictures for growth: newborn babes (1 Peter 2:2), little children, young men, and fathers (1 John 2:12–14), and those of full age whose senses are exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:14). In this course we describe four general stages. They are pictures, not boxes, and people move back and forth.
- Spiritual Infant (new believer): new to faith, hungry, may be confused. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word (1 Peter 2:2). Needs care, simple truth, assurance, and protection.
- Spiritual Child: learning the basics, may be up and down, often focused on self. Needs patient teaching, encouragement, and a safe community.
- Growing Disciple (young adult): owns her faith, wants to serve, learning to stand on the Word. Needs opportunities to serve, coaching, and accountability.
- Spiritual Parent (mature disciple): steady, humble, others-focused, investing in others. Needs friendship, rest, and her own ongoing discipleship.
Spiritual age is not the same as physical age or years since conversion. Some new believers grow quickly; some long-time believers remain stuck.
What Helps and What Hinders
Helps: time in the Word, honest prayer, fellowship, obedience in small things, trials met with faith (James 1:2–4), and the fruit of the Spirit growing over time: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22–23).
Hinders: isolation, unconfessed sin, comparison, a performance mindset, and unhealthy relationships. Setbacks are part of growth: a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again (Proverbs 24:16).
Growth is not measured by how busy, gifted, or impressive someone is. It is seen in becoming more like Jesus in love, humility, and faithfulness.
Your Growth Map
A growth map is a simple picture of where you are in your walk with Jesus and where you are heading. It answers four questions:
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Where am I? (the stage that fits me best right now, and why)
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What are my next steps? (two or three specific steps)
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Who is discipling me? (or who could, by role: a chaplain, a mature believer, a church mentor)
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Whom could I disciple? (by role or first initial: a new believer God may be placing near me)
You will draft your growth map this week for Part Two of your final project. Be honest; every stage is a good place to grow from.
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Spiritual growth | The lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus (2 Peter 3:18) |
| Spiritual maturity | Steady, humble, others-focused faith shaped by the Word and the Spirit (Hebrews 5:14) |
| Fruit of the Spirit | Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22–23) |
| Growth map | A personal picture of where you are, next steps, who disciples you, and whom you could disciple |
In-Class Activities
What Does She Need?
Read four composite profiles your instructor provides, one for each stage. For each, name the stage, write two things she needs from a discipler, and one thing a discipler should avoid.
Growth Timeline
Draw a line across your paper. Mark three to five moments (in general terms) when you grew in faith or learned something about God. Above the line, write what helped you grow. Below the line, write what made growth hard. You do not need to share details.
Assignment: Final Project Draft: My Growth Map
Draft Part Two of your final project (see the Final Project section). On one page, answer:
- Where am I? Name the stage that fits you best right now and give two reasons.
- My next steps: two or three specific, realistic steps (for example, read one Gospel chapter five days a week, join the Thursday Bible study).
- Who is discipling me? Name by role (chaplain, volunteer mentor, older believer on my unit), or write who you could ask.
- Whom could I disciple? Describe by role or first initial only; she might be a new believer God is placing near you.
- Include 2 Peter 3:18 and Philippians 1:6.
Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.
Reflection Journal
Philippians 1:6 promises that God will finish the good work He began. Where do you see God's work in you, even if it seems small? What growth are you still waiting for?
Prayer focus: Thank God for beginning a good work in you, and ask Him to grow you in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, one step at a time.
Weekly Reading & Devotions
First the Blade
Jesus said the kingdom grows like a seed: first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear (Mark 4:28). Growth happens in stages, often slowly and out of sight. Peter wrote, grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Growth is a lifelong process, not a finish line.
In this course we use four general pictures of growth: Spiritual Infant (new believer), Spiritual Child (learning the basics), Growing Disciple (owns her faith, wants to serve), and Spiritual Parent (steady, humble, investing in others). They are pictures, not boxes or rankings. People move back and forth, and spiritual age is not the same as physical age or years in church.
Some women feel behind because of years lost. Hear this clearly: God is not limited by time. He says, I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten (Joel 2:25). Paul himself said he was forgetting those things which are behind and pressing forward (Philippians 3:13–14). Every stage is a good place to grow from.
This week you will draft your growth map: where you are, your next steps, who is discipling you, and whom you could disciple. Be honest and gentle with yourself. He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it (Philippians 1:6). The work is His, and He is faithful to finish it.
Think About It
- Which stage of growth fits you best right now, and why? ______________________
- What has helped you grow most in your faith so far? ______________________
- Who is discipling you, or whom could you ask? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 6
Grow in Grace
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.— 2 Peter 3:18 (KJV)
Growth happens in grace, not under pressure. God grows us as we stay near Him.
Reflect: Where have you seen yourself grow in grace?
Pray: Lord, help me grow in grace and in knowing You.
Do: Write down one way you have grown this year.
He Will Finish It
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:— Philippians 1:6 (KJV)
God does not abandon unfinished work. What He started in you, He will complete.
Reflect: What good work do you see God doing in you?
Pray: Father, thank You for not giving up on me.
Do: Read Philippians 1:6 aloud three times today.
Newborn Hunger
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:— 1 Peter 2:2 (KJV)
New believers need simple nourishment. Even mature believers keep coming back to the milk of the Word.
Reflect: What part of God's Word nourishes you most right now?
Pray: Lord, give me a hunger for Your Word.
Do: Read one Gospel paragraph slowly, like a meal you enjoy.
God Gives the Increase
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.— 1 Corinthians 3:6 (KJV)
Disciplers plant and water, but only God makes things grow. That frees us from pressure, for ourselves and others.
Reflect: Whose growth are you trying to control that you could trust to God?
Pray: Lord, You give the increase. I trust You with the growth.
Do: Pray for one person's spiritual growth and leave the results to God.
Years Restored
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten,— Joel 2:25 (KJV)
Lost time is not beyond God's reach. He can bring fruit out of seasons that looked wasted.
Reflect: What season do you want to trust God to redeem?
Pray: Lord, I give You the years I feel I have lost.
Do: Write one hope for how God might use this season.
Module Quiz
- 1.
Second Peter 3:18 tells believers to:
- 2.
A spiritual infant most needs:
- 3.
According to 1 Corinthians 3:6, who gives the increase?
- 4.
Spiritual age is always the same as physical age.
- 5.
Name the four questions of a growth map.