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I. We Are Commanded To Grow 2 Pet. 3:18 Luke 2:52

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II. Things We Must Put Off1 Pet. 2:1

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II. Things We Must Put Off

2. All guile MvBj/a~Z©(cunning) = Craftiness; deceiving another

1 Pet. 3:10

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II. Things We Must Put Off

3. Hypocrisies = Pretence; (duplicity)

A Christian must sincerely follow Christ

Mt. 15:7-8

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II. Things We Must Put Off

4. Envies = Feelings of unhappiness because another has that which one desires for himself.

Acts 7:9

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II. Things We Must Put Off

5. Evil speaking = Belittling remarks about the reputation, worth, or character of another person

2 Cor. 12:20

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III. Essentials To Growth 1. Food 1 Pet. 2:2 Mt. 5:6

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III. Essentials To Growth

2. Time Eph. 5:16 Ps. 90:12

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III. Essentials To Growth

3. Attention We must help those new in

the faith and encourage them in their spiritual growth.

1 Th. 5:14

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III. Essentials To Growth 3. Attention

New Christians must also help themselves by diligent study and faithful service

2 Pet. 1:5 ff

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4. Exercise 1 Tim. 4:8 Jn. 9:4

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III. Essentials To Growth

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Living a Spiritual Life/ Spiritual Growth

Living a Spiritual Life/ Spiritual Growth

Read and study William S. Hatcher’s The Concept of Spirituality ,

The Process of Spiritual Growth, 5 Tools for Spiritual Growth (954-56),

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American Heritage Dictionary American Heritage Dictionary definition:definition:

Of, relating(connecting) to, or affecting (touching) the human spirit or soul as opposed (opposite) to material or physical things (of a person).

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Bahá'í Faith( Persian Nobelman, 1817-1892)Turki prisoners, Bahaulla Akka Palestine, Leo Tolstoy)All things proceed from God and unto Him they return. He is the source of all things and in Him all things are ended. ~ Bahá'u'lláh

The Bahá'í Faith (Arabic: The Bahá'í Faith (Arabic: بهائيةبهائية Baha'iyyah) /bəBaha'iyyah) /bəˈhaɪ/ is a monotheistic religion emphasizing ˈhaɪ/ is a monotheistic religion emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. the spiritual unity of all humankind. Three core principles establish a basis for Bahá'í teachings and doctrine: the unity of God, that there is only one God who is the source of all creation; the unity of religion, that all major religions have the same spiritual source and come from the same God; and the unity of humanity, that all humans have been created equal, and that diversity of race and culture are seen as worthy of appreciation and acceptance.

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Six Essential Requisites(Basics) Six Essential Requisites(Basics) for Spiritual Growthfor Spiritual Growth

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Six Essential Requisites(Basics) for

Spiritual Growth1.The recital each day of one of the Obligatory Prayers with pure-hearted devotion.

2. The regular reading of the Sacred Scriptures, specifically at least each morning and evening, with reverence, attention and thought.

3. Prayerful meditation on the Teachings, so that we may understand them more deeply, fulfill them more faithfully, and convey them more accurately to others.

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4. Striving every day to bring our behavior more into accordance with the high standards that are set forth in the Teachings.

5. Teaching the Cause of God.

6. Selfless service in the work of the Cause and in the carrying on of our trade or profession.” (Universal House of Justice, 9/1/83)

Six Essential Requisites(Basics) for

Spiritual Growth

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A verb for each essential requisite of A verb for each essential requisite of spiritual growthspiritual growth

1. Pray 2. Read 3. Meditate 4. Strive 5. Teach 6. ServeRemembering the Six Essential Requisites

From where do the six essential requisites come? From where do the six essential requisites

come? The Universal House of Justice identified six

essential requisites for spiritual growth in a September 1, 1983 message.

This presentation takes excerpts from that message and discusses the what, why and how of these requisites(basics)to assist us in applying them to our lives.

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An Acronym(short form) for Remembering the Six Essential

Requisites:PRISMS

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As these six daily practices are the core of our spiritual development, being able call them to mind it important.

There are several techniques that can help you memorize.

1. Prayer: What is it?1. Prayer: What is it?

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Prayer, spiritual communion and conversation with God.Like rain pouring down on plant. Highest prayer is for the love and will of God. Obligatory(Compulsory) prayers are invested with special power and are the focus of this essential requisite.

Why pray?Why pray?

Not to fulfill desires, but be in accord with God. It is absolutely indispensable to inner spiritual development. It cultivates a sense of spirituality.

Draws us nearer to and causes a connection and association with God. If the prayer is in accord with divine wisdom, it will be answered.

Prayer: How to Pray?

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Say one of the Obligatory Prayers each day according to the instructions given.

With a PHD: Pure-Hearted Devotion or Purity, Humility & Detachment.

In private and free from care, combined with love, meditation, thought and action. Direct prayers to God through the Manifestation.

What is it?2. The regular reading of the Sacred Scriptures, specifically at least each morning and evening…                “The prime requisite is the eagerness and love of sanctified souls to read the Word of God. To read one verse, or even one word, in a spirit of joy and radiance, is preferable to the perusal of many Books.”

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2. Reading

Why read?To be endowed(able)with new life, understanding and ability: to feel, think and act better .To open our hearts, which in reality are the doors of heaven.

To discover pearls(precious thing) of great price, solve problems, be faithful to the Covenant of God and of service to humanity.

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How to read?At least each morning and evening with - Reverence : admiration, veneration - Attention : concentration, consideration, -Thought: reflection: contemplation(to remember, try the acronym RAT or ART)

Read so not overcome by languor(laziness, sleepiness)and despondency(depression), but rather to lighten and uplift (strengthen, encourage) soul.

3. Meditation:

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What is it?Prayer is talking to a higher power; meditation is listening to it.

Speaking with our own spirit, putting questions to it and receiving answers.

Like a mirror, reflects what it is turned to.Pondering in our hearts the sacred scriptures and tasting their sweetness.

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Why meditate?

so that we may understand the Teachings,  more deeply, fulfill them more faithfully, and convey them more accurately to others.”

(to remember think of the acronym CUFf: CUFf: To Convey more accurately, Understand more Convey more accurately, Understand more deeply, Fulfill more faithfully)deeply, Fulfill more faithfully)

How to meditate?How to meditate?

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Bahá’u’lláh has specified no procedures to be followed in meditation.

In privacy.Use the Greatest Name or scripture.

Guard against ego, idle fancies, vain imaginations, superstitious(illogical)or foolish ideas.Turn away from world and towards God.

4. Strive: (Struggle)

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What is it?Striving every day to bring our behavior more into accordance with the high standards that are set forth in the Teachings.

As we strive to integrate the spiritual standards, principles and practices into our daily lives and behavior, transformative forces act upon our souls, purging, purifying and sanctifying them.

It is a source of prosperity and develops us morally and spiritually.

Why strive?

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To increase our love for, knowledge of and nearness to God.

To achieve greater understanding, meaning, fulfillment, purpose, happiness, joy, power, love, purity, radiance and efficiency of character.

Abiding by spiritual laws and principles, like physical laws, is essential for well-being and happiness.

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Turn every stumbling(hesitant) block into a stepping (footstep) stone. Make problems and overcoming tests a means for improving character, spiritual development and happiness.

Set goals and make daily effort to improve.Do not dwell on the faults and failings of others, instead discover and root out our own

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Teaching the Cause of God.Highest form of service to another soul.A spiritual process that requires spiritual preparation, qualities and action.

If ye be aware of a certain truth, if ye possess a jewel, of which others are deprived, share it with them in a language of utmost kindness and goodwill. (Gleanings Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 289)

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Humanity is suffering and seeking a remedy. Those who have it should share it with others.

To build capacity: to teach is to learnGreatest gift of GodMost meritorious of all deeds.

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When the will and the desire are strong enough, the means will be found and the way opened. (Shoghi Effendi, Ind. & Teaching, #116)

Before all else, teach your own self.The intention of the teacher must be pure, his heart independent, his spirit attracted, his thought at peace, his resolution firm, his magnanimity exalted and in the love of God a shining torch.

(Abdul-Baha, Tablets of Divine Plan, p. 54)

6. Service: What is it?

. Selfless service in the work of the Cause and in the carrying on of our trade or profession.

The action of helping others (Dictionary).

Service in our work and Cause is a form of prayer and worship.

Service to humanity is service to God.38

Why serve?

The effects of prayer, meditation and reading are not significant unless translated into service.

It is essential to our personal welfare and spiritual growth. It is a magnet that brings success and confirmations.

Noblest deed, greatest blessing and highest righteousness.

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How to serve?

Expand our service from serving self, to serving our family, then to community and finally to humanity; guided by a higher power, purpose or cause.

Practice the Golden Rule. Selflessly serve. With love, pure motives and excellence,

to the best of our ability for the greatest good.

Think at all times of rendering service.40

PRISMS requisites of spiritual growth

 Pray-Obligatory prayers                 Read-Sacred Scriptures

 Instruct/Teach-Cause

 Strive-High standards of Teachings

Meditate-Teachings

Serve-Cause, humanity through work

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