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overview
getting the
ingredients right
topic
The ingredients that are needed for spiritual growth
description
This study explores the essential ingredients for growing in our spiritual
walk with Christ. The goal is that students would be challenged to imple-
ment one or more of these ingredients, if they are not already doing so.
key verse
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry
it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).
biblical basis
Acts 2:42-47; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 3:17; Hebrews 10:24-25
the big idea
Spiritual growth is the process of growing closer to God. Gods Word gives
us the ingredients to help in that process.
aims of the study
Examine how the Early Church helped each other grow closer to God.

Help students discover seven ingredients for spiritual growth.

Guide students on how they can implement one or more of those ingre-
dients in their lives.
preparation
For the introduction, you will need to bring the following items:
Brown paper bag
Oreo cookies
Bubble gum
Twinkies
Cleanser

Spam
Some form of butter substitute
Anything that has really strange ingredients
Before students arrive, place the items in the bag so that no one can see
them. Write down the ingredients for each item on a sheet of paper.
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outline
getting the
ingredients right
introduction
To introduce the lesson, hold the items inside the bag so that the students
cannot see them, and then read the ingredients of the items one at a time.
After reading each list of ingredients, allow the group to try to guess what
the item is.
When the group has finished guessing the items (or the time is up), ex-
plain to the class that ingredients are essential for each item. If you were
to leave out one of the ingredients, the item would not be the same.
It is just the same with our walk with Christthere are ingredients for
growing in our relationship with Christ that are essential. Without any
one of these ingredients, we would be missing out on the full experience
of growth.
Now discuss the following questions:
1. What are some ingredients that will help you grow in your rela-
tionship with God?
2. Which ingredients are the most important?
3. Which could you really do without?
4. What would your relationship be like without ___________________________
[list any ingredient] being a part of it?
Conclude by stating that today you will be looking at some essential
ingredients in the process of growing in your relationship with God.
In the following section, youll be looking at the ingredients for spiri-
tual growth found in Acts 2:42-47. This is not an exhaustive list of growth
ingredients, but it is a great passage on this issue. Feel free to add any in-
gredients not talked about in this lesson.
Because of the amount of time youll have, you will not be able to
spend a great deal of time on any one ingredient. So be sure to define each
ingredient, explain its importance, state how the ingredient applies to the
students lives, and then talk about its impact on your own relationship
with God.
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in the word
Read Acts 2:42-47.
I. Gods Word (v. 42)
A. Spend personal time in Gods Word.
B. Listen to Gods Word being taught.
II. Fellowship (v. 42)
A. Develop relationships in small groups for accountability.
B. Build relationships for the purpose of growth.
III. Prayer (v. 42)
A. Practice adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication
(or asking)ACTS.
B. Listen for Gods answers.
IV. Community (v. 44)
A. Care for each other.
B. Share your life and your material possessions.
C. Encourage others.
V. Serving (v. 45)
A. Serve people within the group and your church.
B. Serve those outside the church.
VI. Worship (vv. 46-47)
Give God His rightful place in your life.
VII.Evangelize (v. 47)
A. Share your faith with others.
B. Love the lost.
action steps
The following discussion starters will help students personalize the ingre-
dients for spiritual growth. The key will be in giving real-life examples of
each ingredient and challenging students to apply one or two of the ingre-
dients to their lives. Give students examples from your life. By opening up
your life to them, they will feel more comfortable in talking about their
own lives. Offer insight into where they are now in their spiritual growth
processes and how they can get to where they want to be. In addition, offer
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accountability to the group members in helping them live out one or
more of the ingredients.
1. What is the difference between salvation and spiritual growth?
2. How does Philippians 1:6 relate to spiritual growth?
3. If someone is feeling spiritually dry and far away from God, what
advice would you give him or her?
4. What has helped you grow the most in your relationship with God?
5. Who has been the greatest influence in your own spiritual growth?
6. What has that person done to encourage you to grow?
7. Read Hebrews 10:24-25. How can we help each other in growing
closer to Christ?
8. Which one or two of the ingredients is the toughest for you? Why?
9. If you could work on one spiritual ingredient in your life, which one
would it be?
Conclude the session by asking the students what they will do during this
coming week to work on this area.
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