Duane Sheriff Ministries

Media

Nurturing Spiritual Growth

Grace & Truth Broadcast

Nurturing Spiritual Growth | Episode 1 | Immature

May 9, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • Galatians 4:19–22, Ephesians 4:11–32

In this episode, Duane discusses spiritual growth, emphasizing the journey from immaturity to maturity in the Christian faith. He explains that this growth is about increasing knowledge, deepening character, and becoming more like Christ. This process involves moving from spiritual immaturity, where believers may be easily swayed by incorrect teachings or worldly influences, to a mature understanding and application of biblical truths. Spiritual immaturity is like being a child in faith. Like young children, new believers need simple, foundational teachings, which he compares to milk. These basics are essential for starting their spiritual journey. However, staying in this stage too long can lead to a lack of depth and susceptibility to being misled. As in the physical world, where children grow and develop, spiritual growth requires moving beyond the basics to tackle more complex and substantial "food," Duane calls meat. Transitioning to spiritual maturity involves embracing and applying deeper biblical teachings—meat. Maturity is a believer's ability to handle complex situations with wisdom, reflect Christ's character in daily actions, and positively influence others toward Christ. Mature believers should not only focus on their growth but also support and mentor less mature ones, helping them grow in their faith and understanding. Christians are expected to grow from spiritual infants to mature adults in their faith. This growth is not just for personal benefit but is essential to discern truth and fulfill God's purpose for each believer, which is to reflect Christ's image to the world. Mature Christians navigate life's challenges effectively and help others do the same. The goal of every believer should be to reach a point where they are not just consuming spiritual milk but are also capable of digesting spiritual meat, thereby achieving a deeper understanding and application of God's word.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth | Episode 2 | Fivefold

May 10, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • Galatians 4:19–22, Ephesians 4:11–32

In the second episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane emphasizes the importance of spiritual maturity in a believer's life and how every Christian needs to transition from spiritual infancy to maturity, as it is God's will. This transition is a growth process that involves a deeper understanding and application of God's Word, aiming to mold believers into true image-bearers of Christ. When believers enter the kingdom of God, they are spiritually reborn, possessing a fully mature, righteous, and holy spirit due to the sanctifying work of Christ. However, new believers often lack knowledge and practical application of the Bible, similar to newborn babies who are entirely dependent on milk for nourishment. To address this gap, Duane discusses the necessity for believers to be nurtured with the "milk" of basic biblical teachings before they can handle the "meat" of more profound doctrines. This spiritual nourishment is crucial for their growth, enabling them to gradually develop the capacity to apply God's Word in their lives to reflect Christ's character and love. Spiritual maturity involves more than personal holiness; it also encompasses how believers interact with the world around them. Mature believers should manifest Christ's traits in their actions, attitudes, and interactions with others, effectively displaying the gospel's transformative power. Ephesians 4 explains the role of the fivefold ministry – apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. These ministry gifts are given to equip the saints for service and build up the body of Christ until all attain unity in faith and knowledge of Jesus. This unity is crucial for the church's collective maturity, reaching the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Duane warns against the dangers of spiritual immaturity, which can leave believers susceptible to being misled by false doctrines and deceitful teachings. He emphasizes the importance of community in the church, where mature believers help to nurture and guide the less mature, promoting growth and stability in faith. Believers should continuously strive for spiritual growth, not settling for mere infancy in their faith but pressing on toward the fullness of maturity that God desires for them. This journey requires intentionality, commitment, and a deep engagement with God's Word, ensuring that believers are not just hearers but doers. Spiritual growth is a progressive journey that every believer is called to embark on, with the ultimate goal of being conformed to the image of Christ and effectively impacting the world with the gospel's truth.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth | Episode 3 | Image-Bearers

May 13, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • Romans 8:28–39, Matthew 25, Isaiah 5:13–30, 1 Corinthians 13

In the third episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane discusses spiritual growth from a Christian perspective. He emphasizes that spiritual growth is more about internal transformation than external conformity. Duane also discusses the importance of believers being image-bearers of Christ and explores the concepts of predestination and God's will in Christians' lives. Christians often have questions about God's will for their lives, such as career choices or personal decisions. While these decisions are essential, they are secondary compared to God's primary will, which is for believers to be transformed into the image of Christ. This transformation involves how believers reflect Christ's image in every aspect of their lives. The concept of predestination is often misunderstood. Predestination in the biblical context refers not to a predetermined fate of salvation or condemnation but to God's plan for believers to conform to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. This idea is foundational to understanding spiritual growth because it aligns with God's purpose for every believer—becoming like Christ in character and action. Sin can hinder transformation, which distorts God's image in people. Jesus restores our image and relationship with God, allowing us to reflect God's glory. Romans 8:28-29 explains that God's foreknowledge and predestination involve shaping believers to mirror Christ's image, which is the ultimate goal of Christian growth. The process of transformation involves the renewal of the mind, as stated in Romans 12:2. Believers should change their thinking, aligning it with God's truths to demonstrate the reality of God's kingdom on Earth. This mental renewal is crucial because it affects how believers understand and live out their faith in practical terms. Duane cautions against the dangers of conforming to the world's values, often contrary to God's principles. He stresses that societal pressures to adapt to secular standards can lead believers away from the truth of Scripture and hinder their spiritual growth. Instead, he encourages believers to stand firm in their faith and pursue a life that reflects Christ's love and righteousness. Believers are encouraged to rise above cultural and personal challenges by focusing on the transformative power of Christ's love and renewing their minds. By doing so, they will grow in faith and become effective ambassadors of Christ's kingdom on Earth. This process involves learning about God and living in a way that genuinely reflects His love and truth to the world.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth | Episode 4 | Christ

May 14, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • 1 Corinthians 13:9–13, Matthew 25:38–41

In the fourth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane discusses how to nurture our spiritual development individually and within the community of believers. As Christians, our ultimate goal is to become more like Jesus Christ, reflecting His character and virtues in our everyday lives. Romans Chapter 8 focuses on God's plan for believers to become more like Christ. This transformation is not only for personal growth but also to reflect Christ's virtues in our relationships with others. God wants all of us to embody His attributes and carry His glory, which was His original intention in creation but was disrupted by sin. However, Christ can reconcile and restore us to our intended purpose. Duane also talks about the process of spiritual maturation using the metaphor of newborn babies who must desire the pure milk of the Word to grow (1 Peter 2:2). This growth involves more than just increasing in knowledge; it's about transforming our mindsets and behaviors to align more closely with God's will. The 'renewing of the mind' is portrayed as essential for this transformation, enabling believers to discern and live out the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Often, Christians are distracted by debates around predestination and salvation, focusing too narrowly on whether actions lead to heaven or hell rather than embracing the broader, more impactful purpose of reflecting God's love and righteousness. We need to see beyond these debates and focus on living out our faith through acts of love and service, nurturing our spiritual growth. The focus should be on the practical aspects of spiritual growth, such as the importance of community and how we treat each other. In Matthew 25 and Acts 9, Jesus takes a personal interest in how we treat other members of the body of Christ. Acts of kindness and love towards fellow believers are seen by Christ as done unto Him, emphasizing the profound connection between personal spirituality and communal responsibility. Believers should continually assess and elevate their understanding of God's Word and His purposes. Spiritual maturity involves an ongoing process of learning, applying, and manifesting the principles of God's Kingdom in every life area, leading to holistic and fulfilling Christian living. This teaching calls for a deep and reflective Christianity that seeks personal salvation and a desire to positively impact the world by genuinely expressing Christ's love and truth. Nurturing spiritual growth is a personal endeavor and a communal responsibility that enriches the individual believer and the broader Christian community.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth | Episode 5 | Wisdom

May 15, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • 1 Corinthians 13

In the fifth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane discusses the concepts of wisdom, spiritual immaturity, and maturity. He focuses on how believers can grow from simple converts to mature disciples of Christ by providing a roadmap for their spiritual development based on biblical teachings. Wisdom is crucial for personal growth in the life of a believer. It involves knowledge and applying God's word in everyday situations. Wisdom is necessary to discern right from wrong and make decisions that align with God's will. Duane describes spiritual immaturity as a stage in which believers are learning the basic principles of faith. He likens new believers to children who are just beginning to understand the world around them. In this stage, individuals may struggle with fundamental concepts such as faith, grace, and redemption. Spiritual immaturity is not a negative phase but a necessary step in growth. However, staying in this phase for too long can lead to stagnation and vulnerability to false doctrines. Maturity in faith means that believers can handle the "meat" of the scripture, which includes complex doctrines and teachings that require a higher level of spiritual comprehension. Mature believers are not swayed by every new teaching or trend but rather grounded in their faith, capable of teaching others, and effective in applying biblical principles to life's challenges.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth | Episode 6 | Carnal

May 16, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • 1 Corinthians 3:1–10, John 4:31–36

In the sixth episode, "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane emphasizes the importance of personal growth and helping others. Spiritual maturity is not just about an individual's growth but also involves creating an environment where everyone can mature, particularly within the church community. Many believers who think they have achieved maturity still show signs of immaturity, such as judging or looking down on less mature individuals. True maturity involves recognizing these immature tendencies and actively working to overcome them. In 1 Corinthians, Paul draws a distinction between spiritual and carnal believers. Paul characterizes carnal believers as those who are still like "babes in Christ," lacking the ability to grasp more profound spiritual teachings. On the other hand, mature Christians can adapt their messages based on the spiritual readiness of their audience, which helps to prevent unnecessary conflict and division. One key sign of immaturity is the tendency to create divisions within the church based on personal preferences or loyalties to different leaders. Such behavior is carnal and not indicative of a mature believer. We should examine our behaviors and attitudes, especially those that might contribute to envy, strife, and division, as these are signs of immaturity. Mature believers should focus on unity and the collective growth of the community rather than promoting division. The truth may inherently offend, but it should not be a weapon to harm others. Instead, mature believers should aim to communicate by speaking truthfully and with love, which promotes understanding and growth, even when the topics are challenging. Duane takes a compassionate and nurturing approach to spiritual growth, personally and within the church. He calls on all believers to mature in their faith and assist others in their spiritual journey, emphasizing that this is key to building a strong, unified, loving community that reflects Christ's teachings.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth | Episode 7 | Spiritual Gifts

May 17, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • 1 Corinthians 13, John 4:31–36

In the seventh episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane emphasizes the importance of Christian maturity and urges believers to grow into the likeness of Christ in every aspect of their lives. Spiritual maturity is not only about obtaining salvation and securing a place in heaven but also about living out heavenly principles here on earth. This means demonstrating behaviors that align with being citizens of heaven rather than reflecting our old, sinful natures. In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul speaks about putting away childish things when becoming a man. This metaphor describes the journey from spiritual childhood to adulthood, highlighting that maturity involves more than aging or having spiritual gifts. Possessing spiritual gifts does not necessarily equate to maturity, as gifts can be misused if character and love do not accompany them. The true measure of spiritual maturity is characterized by love and the correct use of God's gifts. It's possible for believers to operate in gifts of the Spirit and still be immature if they lack the foundational love of God, which should direct all actions. Immaturity can lead to misusing spiritual gifts, potentially causing harm to oneself and others. This misuse demonstrates a lack of spiritual development, which should ideally blend the operation of gifts with a mature character formed by God's love. 1 Corinthians 13, famously known as the "love chapter," underscores that spiritual gifts must operate out of love to be genuinely effective and beneficial. This love is not just an abstract feeling but a concrete force that should guide all interactions and the exercise of spiritual gifts. Duane also addresses the concept of spiritual food in terms of "milk" and "meat." He explains that spiritual milk represents the basic, foundational teachings of Christianity essential for new believers, while spiritual meat involves doing God's will. Just as physical children grow from milk to solid food, spiritual believers must progress from elementary teachings to more profound truths.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth | Episode 8 | Forgiven

May 20, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • 1 Corinthians 3, Hebrews 5:11–14, John 17:23

In the eighth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane discusses the differences between spiritual maturity and immaturity. He focuses on the biblical analogy of milk and solid food, as described in 1 Corinthians 3. This metaphor explains the journey from basic, foundational teachings (milk) to more profound, actionable insights (solid food) that embody true spiritual maturity. Transitioning from spiritual infancy to maturity is essential for a fulfilling Christian life. The reference to "milk" represents the elementary principles of Christianity, such as fundamental truths about Jesus, God's love, and our identity as believers. These fundamental truths are crucial for new believers to understand and embrace as they lay the groundwork for their faith. While these basics are necessary, they are just the beginning. Actual spiritual growth, or "eating solid food," means applying these foundational truths in real life. Maturity involves moving beyond knowing that God loves us to actively loving God and others. It's about making faith an actionable part of our daily lives, demonstrating God's love through our actions, decisions, and how we treat those around us. Duane uses the concept of forgiveness as a powerful illustration. He explains that comprehending God's forgiveness towards us is like drinking milk, which is easy to swallow. However, forgiving others in the same manner that we have been forgiven is like consuming solid food, which requires more effort. This demonstrates a mature expression of our faith in our relationships with others and symbolizes authentic spiritual growth. Believers can sometimes become "dull of hearing," stagnant, and lose enthusiasm for deeper truths, which results in a lack of growth. This stagnation can lead to a decline in spiritual life instead of progression. To avoid this, believers must continuously seek growth, be eager to learn more than just the basic teachings, and strive towards understanding and living out the more challenging aspects of their faith. The role of the community in spiritual growth is crucial. It involves mature Christians taking up the responsibility of guiding the less mature ones through their spiritual journey and helping them understand and apply the deeper truths of the Bible. This communal aspect of growth ensures that the entire body of Christ moves towards maturity together, supporting one another in love and good deeds.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth | Episode 9 | Transformation

May 21, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • Hebrews 5:11–14

In episode nine of his series, "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane focuses on the journey that Christians undertake from spiritual infancy to maturity. This journey is transformative and involves much more than gaining knowledge or performing religious duties. Christians are called to become true image bearers of Christ, reflecting His love and grace in every aspect of life. The shift from being a "convert" to becoming a "disciple" is marked by a deepening relationship with God and a commitment to live out Christian values. This involves growing from immaturity to maturity. Entering the Kingdom of God is only the beginning; the real challenge and goal is to grow within the kingdom. This means embracing and embodying the attributes of Christ. The discussion revolves around the concepts of spiritual "milk" and "meat." These terms differentiate between elementary and more complex doctrines of Christianity. Milk represents basic teachings necessary for new believers to understand their faith, while meat involves deeper, more challenging teachings that require a mature understanding and a strong faith foundation. Sheriff stresses that maturity in the Christian life means moving beyond the basics and grappling with more profound truths, which enable believers to handle life's complexities with wisdom and grace. Duane emphasizes the necessity of love in the growth process. Spiritual maturity isn't just about what believers know but how they apply that knowledge in their relationships and daily lives. True maturity manifests through love — a love that echoes Christ's unconditional love for us. This kind of love involves forgiveness, patience, kindness, and a host of other qualities that Jesus exemplified during His time on earth. The role of believers as image bearers of Christ emphasizes that to truly reflect Christ, believers must exhibit His character in their actions, decisions, and treatment of others. Being an image bearer means more than outward religious observance; it involves inner transformation that shines outwardly, positively impacting others. Believers can become "dull of hearing," losing their eagerness to learn and grow, which leads to regression rather than progression in their spiritual lives. Nurturing spiritual growth is a call to Christians to a higher living standard that truly reflects Christ's love and grace. It's a call to grow in knowledge and become profound embodiments of that knowledge through love. This transformation turns believers into genuine image-bearers of Christ who can stand strong and shine brightly in a world that desperately needs the light of the gospel.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth | Episode 10 | Discernment

May 22, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • Romans 8, Hebrews 5:11–14, Isaiah 14:12–15

In the tenth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane highlights the importance of discernment in spiritual maturity. He explains that spiritual growth is more than attending church or gaining knowledge; it also involves the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil—which are the hallmarks of a mature believer. Discernment is an essential element of spiritual development that is frequently disregarded. Many tend to focus on the basics of faith or the mechanics of church life. However, discernment requires a deeper level of wisdom that allows believers to navigate life's complexities effectively. It's a crucial skill because, like young children, immature believers often struggle to make sound judgments, especially in situations that require a nuanced understanding of spirituality and morality. Duane uses examples from daily life to illustrate the need for discernment. Just as parents make decisions for their young children, spiritual leaders, and mature Christians must guide less mature believers and help them understand spiritual truths while steering them away from potential pitfalls. In Hebrews 5, the writer laments the readers' regression to needing "milk" instead of "solid food." This regression is symptomatic of a lack of discernment, where even basic principles of Christianity need constant reiteration because the deeper truths are too challenging for the immature. Discernment is a crucial indicator of spiritual maturity. It requires more than just knowing right from wrong; it involves actively applying that knowledge in real-world situations. Believers must strive for maturity, which involves a robust understanding of God's word, a deep sense of discernment, and the ability to apply biblical principles in everyday life. This growth strengthens the individual and fortifies the broader Christian community by promoting collective maturity and understanding.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth | Episode 11 | Milk

May 23, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • Isaiah 5:20–25, Hebrews 5:11–14

In the eleventh episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane explores the importance of moving from spiritual immaturity to maturity. He emphasizes the critical role of discernment in articulating how discernment is not only about recognizing what is from God and what isn't but also about understanding deeper spiritual truths and applying them to daily life. Spiritual maturity is characterized by a believer's capacity to move beyond the basic principles of their faith ("milk") and grasp deeper, more complex concepts ("meat"). Milk refers to the basic teachings of Christianity, which are necessary for new believers to build a foundation in their faith. Meanwhile, meat refers to more profound and substantial teachings that challenge and grow a Christian's faith, enabling them to handle complex spiritual and moral issues effectively. A significant aspect of maturity is the ability to discern good from evil. Many believers struggle because they remain at a basic level of spiritual understanding, only consuming milk. Consuming meat requires mature senses trained through experience and deep engagement with the Word of God. This maturity allows believers to navigate and interpret life's challenges in alignment with God's wisdom. The inability to discern can lead to regression instead of progression in spiritual life. The writer of Hebrews criticizes his audience for their need to relearn basic principles instead of advancing their understanding. This scenario mirrors the broader condition in many churches today, with a prevalent lack of deep scriptural understanding and application. Duane delves into the implications of lacking discernment, discussing how it affects societal and cultural perceptions and actions. He explains how a superficial understanding of good and evil can lead people to label evil as good and vice versa, influenced by cultural norms and pressures rather than scriptural truth. This episode calls for a deeper commitment and engagement with Christ's teachings. Going beyond the elementary teachings and embracing the solid food of the Gospel equips believers to discern wisely and live righteously. By developing a mature, discerning faith, believers can navigate their spiritual journeys more effectively and positively impact the world around them, reflecting Christ's true character.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth | Episode 12 | Culture

May 24, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • Acts 2:41–47, Luke 12:54–56, 2 Timothy 3:15–17

In the twelfth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane emphasizes the critical need for discernment and maturity in the Christian faith. He particularly highlights the dangers of spiritual immaturity in discerning good and evil. These biblical principles and real-world applications are necessary for believers to understand and navigate the complexities of modern society. Every believer must make the essential transition from spiritual infancy, where one is primarily nourished by the 'milk' of basic Christian doctrines, to a more robust and mature faith characterized by the 'meat' of deeper, more complex teachings. While new believers start with fundamental understandings of faith, true spiritual growth involves advancing to a more advanced stage where they can handle and discern more profound truths. A significant part of this growth process involves recognizing the influence of the cultural and spiritual warfare surrounding believers. Society often mimics the biblical account of eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, resulting in fatalities and devastation rather than growth and affluence. This metaphor illustrates how modern cultural norms often contradict biblical teachings, leading people to label evil as good and good as evil based on misguided or uninformed perspectives. Just as children rely on their parents to make sense of the world around them, spiritually immature believers need guidance from mature Christians to navigate their faith in a complex world. This guidance is crucial for personal growth, contributing positively to society and countering destructive cultural trends. Believers should move beyond the basics and embrace the challenging aspects of their faith. By developing a mature, discerning faith, believers can navigate their spiritual journeys more effectively and positively impact the world around them. They can reflect the true character of Christ in all aspects of life.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth | Episode 13 | Spiritual Diet

May 27, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • John 6:47–55, Acts 2:42–44, Isaiah 55:8–11

In the thirteenth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane discusses the importance of a balanced spiritual diet that helps believers transition from spiritual infancy to maturity. This diet contains crucial components that help believers evolve from mere converts to disciplined disciples of Christ. The four spiritual food groups based on Acts 2:42, which the early church followed steadfastly to grow spiritually. These groups are the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. The early believers strengthened their faith and deepened their communal bonds by engaging in these practices. The first food group, the apostles' doctrine, pertains to the apostles' teachings, focusing on the New Testament. It explains the significance of Jesus' fulfillment of the Old Testament's types and shadows. Understanding the apostles' doctrine is crucial for believers to correctly interpret biblical principles and avoid confusion that might arise from misinterpreting the Old Testament. Fellowship, the second group, highlights the importance of community among believers. Growth often happens in the context of relationships and shared experiences among the faithful. By regularly engaging in fellowship, believers can support each other's development, encourage one another, and build a strong, supportive community that mirrors the early church. The third group, the breaking of bread, refers to the act of communion, which serves as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice and promotes a deep connection spiritually and with one another. This act is a profound expression of unity and remembrance of what Jesus did for humanity. Prayers, the fourth group, are essential for personal communication with God and corporate spiritual warfare. Through prayer, believers align their will with God's, seek His guidance, and invoke His power in their lives and community. Just like a diet in the natural world requires a balance of nutrients, spiritual growth necessitates a comprehensive approach that incorporates teaching, community, worship, and prayer. A holistic approach to spiritual growth like that modeled by the early church. This approach requires a balanced intake of scriptural teachings, communal support, sacramental participation, and fervent prayer. By following these practices, believers can ensure they consume the milk of fundamental doctrines and the solid food necessary for a mature faith, leading to an practical Christian life.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth | Episode 14 | Apostle's Doctrine

May 28, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • Acts 2:40–44

In the fourteenth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane emphasizes practical steps for personal development and helping others grow spiritually. He draws heavily on the early church practices outlined in Acts 2:42, where the community of believers engaged in four fundamental activities that fostered their spiritual development. Four "spiritual food groups" are essential for personal spiritual growth and the health and growth of the church community. These practices include the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers—each contributing uniquely to the believer's spiritual journey. 1. Apostles' Doctrine: This refers to the apostles' teachings, which are crucial for understanding and applying New Testament truths. Duane stresses the importance of grounding in the apostles' doctrine to avoid confusion and misinterpretation of the Scriptures, notably how the New Testament clarifies and fulfills the Old Testament. 2. Fellowship: The value of fellowship sharpens believers and keeps them grounded in truth. It involves mature believers helping less experienced believers navigate their spiritual journey, ensuring they avoid falling into erroneous beliefs or practices. 3. Breaking of Bread: Sharing meals is a mini-covenant, fostering closeness and openness among believers, similar to how families bond over meals at home. 4. Prayers: Teaching new believers how to pray effectively is crucial, as there are different kinds of prayers for various situations. These practices are not just rituals but vital activities that helped the early church members grow from new converts into mature disciples. Modern believers should adopt these practices, ensuring they are part of a balanced spiritual diet that promotes continuous growth. Duane uses the analogy of natural food groups to explain how each spiritual activity nourishes and builds up the believer's faith. He encourages believers to engage in these practices and help integrate them into the lives of others, thereby fostering a healthy, growing community of faith. These practices provide a blueprint for spiritual growth modeled after the early church, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach that combines learning, community, worship, and prayer.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth | Episode 15 | Fellowship

May 29, 2024 • Duane Sheriff • Proverbs 27:17–20, Philemon 4–25, Revelation 12:10–17, Acts 2:40–42

In the fifteenth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane discusses how believers can progress from spiritual infancy to mature discipleship in Christ. He highlights the importance of consistently engaging in four foundational spiritual activities, which he compares to essential food groups in a balanced spiritual diet. These activities are based on Acts 2:42 and include the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. The significance of the apostles' doctrine provides the theological framework necessary for understanding and living out New Testament truths. This doctrine is vital for believers to accurately interpret and apply biblical principles in their lives. Christians risk falling prey to misconceptions and false teachings without a solid grasp of apostolic teachings. Fellowship is the second component, and it is crucial for spiritual growth. Duane compares spiritual growth to natural maturity, explaining how just as marriage and family life can accelerate personal maturity in the natural realm, spiritual fellowship—consistent, deep interaction with other believers—facilitates spiritual growth. He suggests that isolation can hinder one's spiritual development and expose one to the risks of falling into error or heresy. Fellowship provides the support, accountability, and encouragement needed to navigate the complexities of life and faith. The third component, the breaking of bread, encompasses both communion and shared meals among believers. Sharing meals fosters intimacy and community among Christians, echoing the practices of the early church. This act of communion is not only a remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice but also a celebration of the unity and mutual care within the body of Christ. The fourth and final component is prayer. Various types of prayers are available for different circumstances and needs. Effective prayer life is taught and learned within the community of faith and is essential for personal communion with God and corporate spiritual warfare. In order to grow, believers should balance these practices and consistently engage in them. They should apply these principles and live them out, promoting both personal and communal spiritual development.