Resources for Spiritual Growth

Perhaps we do not think of Jesus as having to grow spiritually, but Luke declares that he increased “in favor with God” (Luke 2:52). Consider that, at 12 years of age, he was already about God’s business, but that was not the height of his spiritual development. As an adult, he said he abided in the Father’s love specifically because of his obedience (John 15:10). He shaped his life in harmony with God’s will, and that demanded obedience. We have precious little insight into the process of Jesus’s spiritual growth in the intervening years, but, in Hebrews 5:8–9, the Bible says he learned obedience by the things he suffered and became perfect, or mature. As Jesus obeyed, he grew in obedience, and as he grew in obedience, he grew closer to his Father.

Jesus had to prepare spiritually for the anguish of bearing the sin of the world and being separated from the Father for even a brief season. He was not born into the world fully prepared for that. He grew over the course of 20 years or so—from 12 years old when we see him in the temple (Luke 2) until we see him face down in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36–46). As Jesus prepared to lay his life down for the sin of the world, he said, “‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done’” (Luke 22:42). No one is prepared for that kind of submission and obedience without growth. Spiritual growth, then, is the process and consequence of reflecting God’s will and wishes so that one’s character more perfectly reflects God’s holy, just, and loving character.

If Jesus needed to grow spiritually in order to fulfill his ministry before God, we should expect to grow spiritually in order to fulfill ours. Are we? These websites offer materials than can aide your spiritual development.

Note that recommendations do not mean we endorse everything one might find on these sites. However, we find them helpful. We expect people to use their Bibles and their own discernment.