GROWING TOGETHER

GROWING TOGETHER
BETTER TOGETHER – PART 5
Vernon Zook February 2, 2025

“… go and make disciples of all the nations… Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you… -Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all
together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. -Colossians 3:12-17 (NLT)

MY PART IN GROWING AND HELPING OTHERS TO GROW:

1. Growth happens when I am to other people.

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer…They worshiped together at the Temple daily, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity… -Acts 2:42, 46 (NLT)

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. -Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)

2. Growth happens when I am .

But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to
teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. -2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NLT)

The most important resource to help us grow is .

And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted! -Mark 4:20 (NLT)

3. Growth happens when I am a person.

Jesus became wiser and grew physically. People liked him, and he pleased God. -Luke 2:52 (NCV)

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. -Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)

4. Growth happens when I am .

Peter replied, Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. -Acts 2:38 (NLT)

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
-Philippians 1:6 (NASB)

5. Growth happens when I am to my Family.

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. -Galatians 6:1-2 (NLT)

We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. -Romans 15:2 (NLT)