Direct answer: A Christian growth study guide should begin with the gospel and then help believers grow in Scripture, prayer, identity in Christ, holiness, relationships, church life, service, perseverance, mission, and disciple-making. Spiritual maturity is not measured by information alone; it is seen as the Holy Spirit forms Christlike belief, character, obedience, and love.
What Is Christian Spiritual Growth?
Christian growth is the lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus through the grace of God, the work of the Holy Spirit, the truth of Scripture, and life within Christ’s church. Believers do not earn acceptance with God by growing. They grow because they have been received through Christ and are being transformed by grace.
The phrase spiritual formation can describe this process, provided it remains clearly biblical. Christian formation is not self-invention or a technique for reaching a higher spiritual state. It is God shaping His people into the likeness of Christ.
Twelve Foundations for a Christian Growth Study Guide
| Study | Foundation | Key passages | Growth practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The gospel of grace | 1 Corinthians 15:1–4; Ephesians 2:1–10 | Explain the gospel in your own words. |
| 2 | Identity in Christ | Romans 8:1–17; Colossians 3:1–4 | Replace a false identity statement with biblical truth. |
| 3 | Knowing God through Scripture | 2 Timothy 3:14–17; Psalm 119:9–16 | Begin a consistent reading and meditation plan. |
| 4 | Prayer and dependence | Matthew 6:5–13; Philippians 4:4–7 | Use a simple daily pattern of praise, confession, thanks, and request. |
| 5 | Abiding in Christ | John 15:1–11 | Identify how Christ’s words will remain active in your week. |
| 6 | Holiness and repentance | Romans 12:1–2; 1 Peter 1:13–16 | Confess one pattern and establish one replacement practice. |
| 7 | Fruit of the Spirit | Galatians 5:16–26 | Choose one fruit to practice in a difficult relationship. |
| 8 | Christian community | Acts 2:42–47; Hebrews 10:23–25 | Take one step toward meaningful participation in a local church. |
| 9 | Love and relationships | John 13:34–35; Ephesians 4:25–32 | Forgive, encourage, listen, or make peace with someone. |
| 10 | Service and stewardship | Mark 10:42–45; 1 Peter 4:10–11 | Use one ability or resource to serve without seeking recognition. |
| 11 | Perseverance in trials | James 1:2–5; Romans 5:1–5 | Write how a current difficulty can become a setting for faithfulness. |
| 12 | Mission and multiplication | Matthew 28:18–20; 2 Timothy 2:2 | Begin helping one person take a next step toward Jesus. |
What Does Spiritual Maturity Look Like?
Spiritual maturity is not perfection, a forceful personality, or the ability to answer every question. Mature believers continue to repent, learn, and depend on grace.
Truth
They handle Scripture carefully and keep the gospel central.
Character
They show humility, love, self-control, courage, and growing holiness.
Relationships
They forgive, listen, serve, speak truth with love, and seek peace.
Obedience
They act on what they know rather than collecting unused information.
Perseverance
They continue trusting Christ in suffering, disappointment, and delay.
Multiplication
They help others learn, obey, and follow Jesus.
How to Use This Guide
- Study one foundation each week. Read the main passages more than once and record observations.
- Meet with another believer. Discuss what the truth exposes, encourages, or commands.
- Choose one application. Make it observable and connected to the passage.
- Review the application. Begin the next meeting by asking what happened and what was learned.
- Teach it forward. Summarize the lesson for a family member, friend, group, or person you disciple.
Questions That Move Growth Beyond Information
- What does this passage reveal about God and the gospel?
- What belief or habit needs to change?
- Where do I need help from the Holy Spirit and other believers?
- What will I practice before the next lesson?
- How will this growth affect my family, church, work, and witness?
What Christian Growth Is Not
- It is not earning salvation or proving worth to God.
- It is not withdrawing from the church to pursue private spirituality.
- It is not measuring maturity by emotions, vocabulary, or public visibility.
- It is not learning endlessly without repentance and obedience.
- It is not a quick program that removes the need for lifelong dependence on Christ.
How The Pursuit of God Can Support Growth
Tozer’s The Pursuit of God can serve as a companion resource within this larger framework. It is especially helpful for spiritual hunger, surrender, faith, worship, and awareness of God. It should be combined with direct Bible study, local-church involvement, relationships, service, and mission.
A strong Christian growth guide keeps the order clear: the gospel gives life, Scripture gives truth, the Spirit produces transformation, the church provides community, and obedience expresses living faith.
A Related Resource for Pursuing God
The Pursuit of God (Annotated): A Modern Study Guide to A. W. Tozer’s Classic on Abiding in Christ and Making Disciples preserves Tozer’s original text while adding chapter summaries, study resources, word searches, and practical connections to abiding, obedience, spiritual growth, and disciple-making.
View the Book on Amazon← Return to The Pursuit of God Knowledge Catalogue
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Christian spiritual growth?
Christian growth is the Spirit-enabled process of becoming more like Christ in belief, character, relationships, obedience, and mission.
Is spiritual maturity measured by Bible knowledge alone?
No. Knowledge matters, but maturity also includes love, humility, holiness, wisdom, service, perseverance, and obedience.
How long does Christian growth take?
Growth continues throughout the Christian life. A study guide provides structure, but transformation is an ongoing work of grace.
Why should growth happen in community?
The New Testament expects believers to learn, worship, serve, confess, encourage, and practice love within the body of Christ.