The God Factor in The God Factor in Spiritual Growth…Spiritual Growth…

Preparing the ground for dynamic Preparing the ground for dynamic spiritual growth in the life of new spiritual growth in the life of new believers in the slum context.believers in the slum context.

Movements must create Movements must create dynamic spiritual growthdynamic spiritual growth

The danger of modern Christian The danger of modern Christian movements is that through organisation movements is that through organisation and planning they grow faster than the and planning they grow faster than the spiritual development of their constituents spiritual development of their constituents and the movement either implodes or and the movement either implodes or stagnates.stagnates.

““God’s work must be done in God’s way God’s work must be done in God’s way with God’s power”.with God’s power”.

Structure can become Structure can become more important than a more important than a relational community !relational community !

This the second danger that can limit spiritual This the second danger that can limit spiritual growth and the fruit of what God does in the growth and the fruit of what God does in the slum contextslum context

The Holy Spirit exercises His compassion for The Holy Spirit exercises His compassion for the poor through our availability to respond. the poor through our availability to respond. Mobility and availability are key to our authority Mobility and availability are key to our authority in Christ to minister with authority among the in Christ to minister with authority among the poor.poor.

Servant Leadership seeks to be authoritative Servant Leadership seeks to be authoritative (the spiritual dimension) and incarnational (the (the spiritual dimension) and incarnational (the social dimension)social dimension)

Mother Theresa focussed Mother Theresa focussed on loving people….on loving people….

The Missionary Sisters of Charity went through The Missionary Sisters of Charity went through a period of creating a structure and fundraising a period of creating a structure and fundraising organisation.organisation.

After a number of years Mother Theresa After a number of years Mother Theresa dismantled this structure because Jesus told dismantled this structure because Jesus told her that it had taken the focus off her that it had taken the focus off loving the loving the poor.poor.

An incarnational ministry among the poor must An incarnational ministry among the poor must have that level of have that level of integrityintegrity. It will always put . It will always put loving the poor before creating or serving loving the poor before creating or serving structures and organisations.structures and organisations.

Organisations create Organisations create beauracratic structures…beauracratic structures…

Most organisations create a culture where the servants Most organisations create a culture where the servants of the organisation give allegiance to the organisation of the organisation give allegiance to the organisation first rather than serving the needy first.first rather than serving the needy first.

Their loyalty is to the organisation that pays them.Their loyalty is to the organisation that pays them. This makes NGO’s and compassionate Christian This makes NGO’s and compassionate Christian

ministries like the Government organisations in the eyes ministries like the Government organisations in the eyes of the poor. of the poor.

They see the organisation serving the employees rather They see the organisation serving the employees rather than them. than them. The rejected poor want to find someone who The rejected poor want to find someone who will love them unconditionally.will love them unconditionally.

Mother Theresa had to start a separate order Mother Theresa had to start a separate order (Missionary Sisters of Charity) to achieve this quality of (Missionary Sisters of Charity) to achieve this quality of love for the poor, dying and destitute.love for the poor, dying and destitute.

Ministry structures can Ministry structures can stifle growth….in lives….stifle growth….in lives….

The The freedom to offer unconditional lovefreedom to offer unconditional love is a is a dynamic that creates spiritual growth.dynamic that creates spiritual growth.

An incarnational ministry among the poor An incarnational ministry among the poor makes the worker available to love the poor makes the worker available to love the poor and relate to them when they need help.and relate to them when they need help.

People who know they are loved grow in grace People who know they are loved grow in grace and love themselves. They form cooperative and love themselves. They form cooperative partnership relationshipspartnership relationships with the person who with the person who loves them. This is the way they show their loves them. This is the way they show their appreciation for the love they receive.appreciation for the love they receive.

Jesus exemplified this love Jesus exemplified this love for the poor and despised….for the poor and despised….

He changed his itinerary to minister to the He changed his itinerary to minister to the poor. He was people oriented.poor. He was people oriented.

His ministry team was mobile and responsiveHis ministry team was mobile and responsive to the needs of the poor.to the needs of the poor.

He did not place the needs of his disciples He did not place the needs of his disciples ahead of His unconditional love for the poor.ahead of His unconditional love for the poor.

He knew that He was the only person through He knew that He was the only person through whom the poor were going to experience whom the poor were going to experience unconditional love.unconditional love.

The Apostle Paul The Apostle Paul understood the concept understood the concept of partnership with the of partnership with the SpiritSpirit

1Corinthians 3 verse 6 – 7, 91Corinthians 3 verse 6 – 7, 9 ““I planted, I planted, Apollos watered, but God was watered, but God was

causing the growth. So then neither the one causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants or the one who waters is anything, who plants or the one who waters is anything, but but God causes the growthGod causes the growth.”.”

For we are God’s fellow workers (partners), For we are God’s fellow workers (partners), you are God’s field, God’s building.you are God’s field, God’s building.

The pendulum swing of The pendulum swing of Christian history….Christian history….

In Christian history the Church has swung In Christian history the Church has swung through two extremes;through two extremes;

1.1. Formalism with little evidence of the Spirit Formalism with little evidence of the Spirit 2.2. The Spirit will do everything.The Spirit will do everything.

The Church is most effective when it finds a balance The Church is most effective when it finds a balance between these two extremes. This is the partnership between these two extremes. This is the partnership we have with God that Paul is talking about in 1 we have with God that Paul is talking about in 1 Corinthians 3 verse 9 “We are God’s fellow workers…Corinthians 3 verse 9 “We are God’s fellow workers…God causes the growth”God causes the growth”

The farmer has to till the ground and plant the seed and The farmer has to till the ground and plant the seed and gather the harvest but God sends the rains and the gather the harvest but God sends the rains and the sun in its proper time.sun in its proper time.

It is God’s work…we have It is God’s work…we have the privilege of the privilege of partnering with Him in partnering with Him in His work.His work.

God intended this partnership with mankind in bring the God intended this partnership with mankind in bring the power of the Kingdom of God on earth. power of the Kingdom of God on earth.

Jesus commanded us to make disciples Matt 28 verse Jesus commanded us to make disciples Matt 28 verse 18-2018-20

The Father took Jesus out of the world and sent His The Father took Jesus out of the world and sent His Spirit as the executor of His will. The Spirit’s presence Spirit as the executor of His will. The Spirit’s presence is manifest in the lives of the children of God by His is manifest in the lives of the children of God by His indwelling presence. John 20 v 22; Acts 2 v 4; Romans indwelling presence. John 20 v 22; Acts 2 v 4; Romans 8 vs 9 – 18; Eph 5 v 18. 8 vs 9 – 18; Eph 5 v 18.

God has committed Himself to partner with mankindGod has committed Himself to partner with mankind

We partner with God in We partner with God in all aspects of His work…. all aspects of His work…. His suffering…. and His His suffering…. and His glory.glory.

Romans 8 verses 17- 18Romans 8 verses 17- 18 ““We are fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed We are fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we sufferwe suffer with with

Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.”Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.” He incarnated Himself, He incarnated Himself, we are to incarnatewe are to incarnate He advocates for us before the Father, He advocates for us before the Father, we are to we are to

advocate advocate for the poor before the throne of Grace.for the poor before the throne of Grace. We are to enter into His joyWe are to enter into His joy… Read Matthew 25 v 20 - … Read Matthew 25 v 20 -

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What is this joy Jesus was What is this joy Jesus was talking about in this parabletalking about in this parable

Jesus was talking about the fact that he Jesus was talking about the fact that he has given us talents and abilities. When has given us talents and abilities. When yielded to the Spirit of God these talents yielded to the Spirit of God these talents and abilities are to be used in partnership and abilities are to be used in partnership with the Spirit for the growth of His with the Spirit for the growth of His kingdom in the lives of His people. kingdom in the lives of His people.

This gives the Master joy and gives us This gives the Master joy and gives us great joy as well. great joy as well. To see someone grow To see someone grow up to maturity brings great joy.up to maturity brings great joy.

The joy of living in a The joy of living in a loving, caring communityloving, caring community

Marva Dawn has written a book called “Truly Marva Dawn has written a book called “Truly Community – an exposition of Romans 12 v 8Community – an exposition of Romans 12 v 8

The Greek word for cheerfulness is “hilarotes”. It The Greek word for cheerfulness is “hilarotes”. It implies a deep joy from being in the loving, caring implies a deep joy from being in the loving, caring community of the Body of Christcommunity of the Body of Christ

Paul says we are to Paul says we are to “show mercy with cheerfulness”“show mercy with cheerfulness” Romans 12 v 8Romans 12 v 8

Everything you do in slum ministry should be done in Everything you do in slum ministry should be done in mercy with cheerfulness; a deep joy coming from the mercy with cheerfulness; a deep joy coming from the fact that you are doing what you do in the development fact that you are doing what you do in the development of a loving, caring community context…the Body of of a loving, caring community context…the Body of Christ. This was Jesus objective with His 12 disciples.Christ. This was Jesus objective with His 12 disciples.

This is why it is important for the slum activity to be a This is why it is important for the slum activity to be a communal activity. The joy comes not only from the communal activity. The joy comes not only from the Holy Spirit’s presence but from the joy of being with Holy Spirit’s presence but from the joy of being with each other in community, our spiritual extended family.each other in community, our spiritual extended family.

The joy of the manifest The joy of the manifest presence of the Spirit…presence of the Spirit…

God delights in his children who obey His God delights in his children who obey His commandments. Matt 25 v 21commandments. Matt 25 v 21

There is great There is great joy in obediencejoy in obedience. Luke 15 v 7. Luke 15 v 7 We We encourageencourage each other in a team ministry, as one each other in a team ministry, as one

day one person is up and another down. The day one person is up and another down. The encouraged encouraged one strengthensone strengthens the discouraged one. the discouraged one.

The Holy Spirit promises The Holy Spirit promises His anointingHis anointing on our living on our living together in communitytogether in community

Psalm 133 “ How good and pleasant it is when Psalm 133 “ How good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in brethren dwell together in unityunity….God commands His ….God commands His blessing on such people…blessing on such people…

How does spiritual growth How does spiritual growth occur? How can we help new occur? How can we help new believers grow to maturity? believers grow to maturity? There are five key elements where we can partner with the There are five key elements where we can partner with the

Holy Spirit in developing spiritual growth;Holy Spirit in developing spiritual growth;1.1. TeachingTeaching the new believer the new believer how to prayhow to pray2.2. Applying the teaching of Scripture to their livesApplying the teaching of Scripture to their lives – –

revealing the will of God to them, by answering their revealing the will of God to them, by answering their questions in a Biblical way and from our experience of questions in a Biblical way and from our experience of what God has done in our liveswhat God has done in our lives

3.3. Helping them Helping them develop positive relationshipsdevelop positive relationships with their with their family, community and the Church through friendship family, community and the Church through friendship and reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5 v 17-19.and reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5 v 17-19.

4.4. Service of othersService of others in the Church and the community. Eph in the Church and the community. Eph 4 verse 124 verse 12

5.5. Teaching them Teaching them to experience the presence of Godto experience the presence of God through worship, meditation and prayer. Acts 2 v 42-47through worship, meditation and prayer. Acts 2 v 42-47

In this process of growth In this process of growth believers pass through believers pass through stages of development …stages of development …

The Apostle John and Paul described it The Apostle John and Paul described it within the concept of human within the concept of human development;development;

Stage 1 Babies – 1 Corinthians 3 verse 1Stage 1 Babies – 1 Corinthians 3 verse 1Stage 2 Children – 1 John 1 verses 12Stage 2 Children – 1 John 1 verses 12Stage 3 Young persons – 1 John 1 v 13Stage 3 Young persons – 1 John 1 v 13Stage 4 Fathers – 1 John 1 v 13-14Stage 4 Fathers – 1 John 1 v 13-14

These stages of human These stages of human development are likened development are likened to… to…

1. Babes – Those in need of intense care1. Babes – Those in need of intense care- Feeding every four hours- Feeding every four hours- Cleaning every time they soil themselvesCleaning every time they soil themselves- Sleeping all the time – no work justSleeping all the time – no work just demands, and needs and intense caredemands, and needs and intense careWhy do we do it; We love the baby because it is a Why do we do it; We love the baby because it is a

reflection of ourselves. This intense care will only last reflection of ourselves. This intense care will only last for a season then the joy of childhood will come.for a season then the joy of childhood will come.

Note: Some babes are even born with difficulties, Note: Some babes are even born with difficulties, handicaps etc. The spiritual babes of the slums are like handicaps etc. The spiritual babes of the slums are like this too – handicaps such as drug and alcohol this too – handicaps such as drug and alcohol addiction, sexual abuse, gambling, criminal records, addiction, sexual abuse, gambling, criminal records, compulsive stealing, violent tempers, demonic compulsive stealing, violent tempers, demonic possession are so commonly present in the babes born possession are so commonly present in the babes born in the slums. But we love them all the same.in the slums. But we love them all the same.

2. Children – Those learning to talk, walk, eat 2. Children – Those learning to talk, walk, eat and clean themselvesand clean themselves

Children know their sins are forgiven, they Children know their sins are forgiven, they experience the joy of God’s unconditional experience the joy of God’s unconditional forgiveness in Christforgiveness in Christ

They know and recognise the Father’s voice, His They know and recognise the Father’s voice, His will and His love.will and His love.

3. Young persons – Those who learning 3. Young persons – Those who learning competency in running, playing the game of competency in running, playing the game of life, being fruitful and productive, choice in life, being fruitful and productive, choice in decision making between good and bad, and decision making between good and bad, and obedience to God, parents and teachers, and obedience to God, parents and teachers, and building positive relationships with God, family building positive relationships with God, family and the community. Dependency broken. and the community. Dependency broken.

They have become strong, abide in God’s word, They have become strong, abide in God’s word, are fruitful, and know how to overcome the evil are fruitful, and know how to overcome the evil one.one.

4. Fathers – They know God intimately4. Fathers – They know God intimatelyThis came about through years of experience, This came about through years of experience,

testing, hardship and trials and as the Apostle testing, hardship and trials and as the Apostle Paul says this produces great faith and great Paul says this produces great faith and great hope.hope.

They have learned the lessons of nurturing They have learned the lessons of nurturing children to adulthoodchildren to adulthood

They have been faithful in marriage, and faithful They have been faithful in marriage, and faithful in their relationship with God. This process of in their relationship with God. This process of faithfulness and constantly applying the faithfulness and constantly applying the principles of reconciliation has produced principles of reconciliation has produced humility and an authority born out of humility and an authority born out of servanthoodservanthood

They have moved from delight in power, to They have moved from delight in power, to delight in the intimacy of loving faithfulness.delight in the intimacy of loving faithfulness.

Another way at looking a Another way at looking a spiritual growth is spiritual growth is through the seasons of through the seasons of nature…nature…

1.1. SpringSpring – new birth, rapid new growth from infancy. – new birth, rapid new growth from infancy.2.2. SummerSummer – moving on to maturity, harvest, strength in – moving on to maturity, harvest, strength in

the heat, energy, long hours of sunlight.the heat, energy, long hours of sunlight.3.3. Autumn Autumn – beautiful colours, a process of dying, – beautiful colours, a process of dying,

pruning, the leaves drop off the maximise the light of pruning, the leaves drop off the maximise the light of the sun in winter. We distribute seed from our fruitthe sun in winter. We distribute seed from our fruit

4.4. WinterWinter – little reliance on one’s own strength, an – little reliance on one’s own strength, an appearance of death, internal life, pruning, buds appearance of death, internal life, pruning, buds form, the promise of new growth. Our seed is planted form, the promise of new growth. Our seed is planted and getting ready to emerge in the next spring.and getting ready to emerge in the next spring.

Four seasons of growth Four seasons of growth in our lives and in our lives and ministry……ministry…… SecuritySecurity – We become members of a new happy – We become members of a new happy

family. We experience new ways of having fun and family. We experience new ways of having fun and celebrating.celebrating.

CommitmentCommitment – Through committed relationships we – Through committed relationships we become disciples or disciplined leaders in groups with become disciples or disciplined leaders in groups with authority to minister reconciliation, healing and authority to minister reconciliation, healing and deliverance. We bear fruit and start a second deliverance. We bear fruit and start a second generation.generation.

QualityQuality – Through experience, testing, and trials, we – Through experience, testing, and trials, we become mature quality leaders, delegating ministries to become mature quality leaders, delegating ministries to others while mentoring and supervising a number of others while mentoring and supervising a number of groups. A third generation is birthed. ( we now have groups. A third generation is birthed. ( we now have grandchildren).grandchildren).

CallingCalling – Apostolic and prophetic roles enable us to – Apostolic and prophetic roles enable us to serve others in pioneering and establishing their serve others in pioneering and establishing their ministries. Multiple families of great grandchildren are ministries. Multiple families of great grandchildren are birthed….See pages 168-180 “Cry of the Urban Poor”birthed….See pages 168-180 “Cry of the Urban Poor”

Collating these ideas together in a Collating these ideas together in a matrix….matrix…. Human Seasons in Seasons in groups,Human Seasons in Seasons in groups,development nature families/communitiesdevelopment nature families/communities

Babes Spring Security Babes Spring Security

Children Summer Commitment Children Summer Commitment

Youth Autumn QualityYouth Autumn Quality

Fathers Winter CallingFathers Winter Calling