As we continue in our Reach, Gather, and Grow in Galatians series, we are going to spend our time today discussing what it means to Grow. Paul, in the book of Galatians, tells his readers about his growth and we are going to learn from his example.

The thing about growth is that it takes time. Not many good things happen overnight. Good things generally take time.

1. What is an example of something that takes time to grow?

2. Why does growth take time?

3. When is a time that you rushed something that needed more time?

In Galatians chapter 1, Paul takes his readers to the very beginning of his walk with Christ. He is accused of teaching a Gospel that is man-made (his accusers are saying that he made up the Gospel he is preaching) and he shows his accusers how the Gospel he is preaching is from God Himself. His growth with God begins at the beginning and took time to develop.

Read Galatians 1:11-17.

4. How does Paul say he received the Gospel? Who did he get it from?

5. What does Paul say his “former life” consisted of?
 
6. Was Paul someone who “deserved” to be saved by God? Why or why not?

7. In verse 16, Paul says that God revealed His Son to him. What does that mean?

8. When did God reveal Jesus to you?

In verses 17 and 18, Paul makes it clear that he spent three years in Arabia after God revealed Himself to him. At that time, I believe He was studying the Scriptures again. Having grown up knowing the Scriptures but using them against Christ, Paul, after being saved, saw them in a brand new light. I imagine the verses that did not make sense to him originally began to click and the truth of the Scriptures began to truly change his heart, mind, and actions. For Paul, his spiritual growth took time. Three years in Arabia set the foundation for the rest of Paul’s life and spiritual growth. Without this time, he did not feel like he was able to preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In my own life, God brought about growth in my walk with Him in two main ways: life experiences and time alone with Him. For some people, it is conversations, sermons, and time with other Christians that God uses most.

9. What has God used in your life to grow your relationship with Him?
 
10. What times of your life have you seen the most spiritual growth?

11. If it took Paul three years to build the foundation of his faith in Christ, in what ways would you like to grow over the next year? (Remember, growth takes time.)

One of the mistakes that I find myself making is believing that if I just read my Bible, pray, and discipline myself enough, I will for sure grow in my walk with Christ. However, the Bible is clear that there is another element involved in growing.

Read 1 Corinthians 3:5-9.

12. Explain the spiritual process that Paul lays out in these verses.

13. Who brings about spiritual growth? How does it happen?

14. Is each part of the process as important as the others? Can one exist without the others?

Verse 9 stands out to me. Though God brings growth, we see that those who seek to grow and are sharing the Gospel are God's “fellow workers.” They are those working for God who will receive a wage according to their labor. God gives His children, those that have confessed Him as Lord, the chance to work with Him and for Him. God does not need people to work for Him, but He chose to involve believers in this process.

God, ultimately, brings about the growth but it requires us to partner with Him in order to grow.

Leaders: Take a couple of minutes and share your testimony with your growth community if you have not shared it with them recently. How has God brought about growth in your walk with Him? What are ways that you grow in your faith?