The Disciple Makers Spiritual Growth

by Pastor Peter Lim

Big idea:
God wants us to keep growing as servants of christ

Since we're alive, we should be growing

God has deposited in us the potentials by the Holy Spirit

How do we get there?

1. Grow in the Word
1 Timothy 4:1-7
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.


Paul is teaching Timothy that :
- some Teachers have their consciousness seared
- they forbade marriage
- they advocate abstinence from food thinking is a sense of spirituality

Marriage is an institution given by God and sexual act from God. Food are not to be rejected but to be received with thanksgiving. Jesus already declared all food to be cleaned

Timothy has to be :
- trained/nourished
- grow in the knowledge
- learn to apply the word of God
- Impart sound doctrine and not mislead others

How do we grow in Gods word?

1. Meditate on God's word for spiritual nourishments
- like digestion process, go through 5-7 metres of intestine so that body can absorb food slowly
- similarly Gods word must be slowly digested by repeating it in your mind
- speaking it verbally
- believing it with your heart
- Internalising the principles

It takes time!

- Start with simple verse
- ask holy spirit to quicken your heart to receive the word
- remember it
- repeat it verbally
- reflect on every word of the verse
- pray the word of God

2. Grow in Godliness

1 Timothy 4:7b-12
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. 11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.


- train means like a pro athlete in sporting event, vigorous, alludes intense assertion, strict discipline in top form

Value of Godliness are eternal benefits, a life totally consecrated to God, pursue of God and godly behaviou，labour and even hardwork

Godliness is both the pursuit of God and godly behaviour

These are observable traits of the heart and relationship with others

Godliness relates to one's spiritual practices in private with God as well as how one relates to others.

Growing in seniority is automatic, but growing in maturity is not. It requires intentional effort to keep on

Discipline is essential for disciple makers to grow in Godliness

To invite someone to journey with you and hold you accountable

Application 2:
Find an accountability partner

3. Grow in ministry

1 Tim 4:11-16
Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.


- Command and teach sound doctrine
- Emphasis here is to rely on holy spirit
- Persist and practice
- Consistency and perseverance so we would not stop growing so people will be saved

Application 3:
Grow in your ministry skills by continual practice

Specifically, we must grow in our abilities to win people to Christ, nurture them in the faith, and release them to do the same.