1. It All Starts with Faith in Jesus

We can’t even get in the door without Jesus. He said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

That’s not narrow-minded—that’s focused. If we want to grow in God, we start by putting our full trust in the One who made the way.

2. We Grow Through His Word

You can’t have a relationship without listening. And the Bible? That’s God speaking.
Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

God’s Word doesn’t just inform us—it transforms us. We open the Bible not to check a box, but to meet the Author.

3. Prayer is the Lifeline

You can’t say you have a relationship with someone you never talk to.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.”

That doesn’t mean you walk around mumbling 24/7—it means you live with an open line. A heart that leans on God constantly.

4. Obedience Proves Our Love

John 14:15 cuts straight to the point: “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
You don’t grow with God by doing your own thing—you grow by doing His will.

It’s not always easy, but obedience brings closeness. When you follow His Word, you step into alignment with His heart.

5. Worship Builds Connection

Worship isn’t just a slow song at church. It’s a posture.
Romans 12:1 says to present ourselves as living sacrifices.

That means every part of us—our time, our thoughts, our choices—offered up in worship. That builds intimacy with God like nothing else.

6. The Holy Ghost Empowers Growth

The Spirit of God isn’t a feeling—it’s a person. And He lives in us.

Jesus said in John 14:26, “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost... he shall teach you all things.”

The Spirit doesn’t just make us feel better—He makes us live better. He’s our guide, our teacher, our power source.

7. And Finally—We Grow Together

Hebrews 10:25 reminds us not to forsake assembling together. Why? Because we sharpen each other. We grow faster, stronger, and deeper when we do it in unity.

Proverbs 27:17 says it best: “Iron sharpens iron.”
You need people around you who will pray with you, call you higher, and walk beside you through the good and the hard.

So What’s the Point?

God wants a real relationship with you. Not just church attendance. Not just lip service. But deep, day-by-day growth. The kind that changes you. The kind that anchors you. The kind that bears fruit.

And the good news? You don’t have to do it alone. That’s why we’re here. That’s why this group exists.
We’re not just growing in information—we’re growing in relationship. With God. With each other.

So let’s keep pressing forward, family. Let’s grow.

1. We Grow by Loving Each Other

John 13:34-35 – “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you... By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

Jesus didn’t say people would know we’re His by our preaching, our doctrine, or our dress—He said it’s our love that proves we belong to Him.

Loving each other means showing up, speaking truth in love, forgiving, and standing with one another through the mess—not just the highlight reel.

2. We Grow by Bearing Each Other’s Burdens

Galatians 6:2 – “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

You know what this means? Real friendship in Christ doesn’t walk away when things get heavy. It leans in. It carries the weight with you.

God never intended for you to fight your battles alone. We grow when we lift each other up—spiritually, emotionally, and practically.

3. We Grow by Forgiving Each Other

Colossians 3:13 – “...forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

Let’s not pretend like there won’t be offenses or misunderstandings. We’re people—and people bump heads. But growth happens when forgiveness flows.

The enemy wants to divide, isolate, and harden hearts. But God’s Spirit leads us to reconcile, restore, and protect unity.

4. We Grow by Encouraging Each Other

Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works... exhorting one another.”

We’re called to be encouragers. Life will beat people down enough—God’s people should be the ones building each other up.

Sometimes, a word of encouragement can keep someone from walking away from church, or even life itself.

5. We Grow by Speaking the Truth in Love

Ephesians 4:15-16 – “...speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things... the whole body fitly joined together...”

Truth without love is harsh. Love without truth is hollow. But when we speak truth in love, we help each other mature in Christ.

This is how the church becomes a body, not a bunch of disconnected parts.

6. We Grow by Doing Life Together

Acts 2:46 – “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house...”

The early church didn’t just have a once-a-week service. They did life together. They ate together, prayed together, served together, wept together, and rejoiced together.

That’s not old-fashioned—that’s biblical. And it’s still powerful today.

The Bottom Line:

We grow in relationship with each other by:

• Loving deeply
  
  

• Forgiving freely
  
  

• Encouraging consistently
  
  

• Walking humbly
  
  

• Serving faithfully
  
  

• Staying connected
  
  

This friendship group isn’t just a gathering—it’s a greenhouse. It’s where God grows people. And not just individuals—but a body. A family. A team.

So don’t hold back. Don’t isolate. Step in. Grow in relationship with one another. Because when the people of God stand together in unity, the gates of hell don’t stand a chance.

1. Invest in Others – Like Elijah Did with Elisha

2 Kings 2:9 – “And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.”

Elijah didn’t hoard his calling—he poured it out. He walked with Elisha, mentored him, challenged him, and finally passed the mantle.

Key Point: Leadership isn’t about being impressive—it’s about being intentional. Who are you raising up?

2. Lead by Example – Like Paul Did with Timothy

2 Timothy 3:10-11 – “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience…”

Paul told Timothy, “You’ve seen how I live. Now live like that.”

We don’t grow leaders by lectures. We grow leaders by living the example. Real leadership is caught, not just taught.

Ask yourself: Would I want someone else to follow Christ the way I do?

3. Teach and Entrust – Don’t Just Do Everything Yourself

2 Timothy 2:2 – “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

That’s four generations of leadership right there—Paul → Timothy → Faithful men → Others.

We grow leaders when we teach and entrust others. That means giving people room to grow—even if they mess up. That’s how they learn.

4. Empower by the Spirit – Not Just by Skill

Acts 6:3 – “Look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”

When the early church needed leaders, they didn’t choose by popularity or talent. They chose Spirit-filled, wise, trustworthy people.

Point blank: We’re not growing celebrities—we’re growing servants. Filled with the Holy Ghost, committed to the Kingdom.

5. Create a Culture of Growth, Not Control

Ephesians 4:11-12 – “And he gave some, apostles... pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

God gave leaders to equip others. Your job as a leader is not to do all the ministry—it’s to equip the saints to do the ministry.

Real talk: A controlling leader builds followers. A Kingdom leader builds other leaders.

6. Give the Mantle, Don’t Just Wear It

Joshua 1:2 – “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people...”

God called Joshua to step up after Moses. But Joshua had been following, learning, and being groomed long before that.

A mantle must be passed, or the movement dies with the man.

Conclusion:

If we’re going to grow the church, we’ve got to grow the people in it.
And not just grow them into “good Christians,” but into leaders—torch-bearers, armor-bearers, soul-winners, truth-carriers.

Let’s not just preach at the next generation—let’s pour into them. Walk with them. Challenge them. Pray over them. Correct them. Release them.

Because the Kingdom doesn’t need more spectators—it needs leaders.

1. Multiplication Is God’s Original Design

Genesis 1:28 – “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth...”

Even before sin entered the world, God’s command to humanity was to multiply—because growth is God’s idea.

That wasn’t just about babies—it was about building God’s kingdom from generation to generation.

2. Jesus Multiplied Disciples, Not Just Converts

Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them... teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you...”

Jesus didn’t say, “Go build big crowds.” He said, “Go make disciples.”
And you know how disciples are made? Through personal investment, teaching, and spiritual reproduction.

Discipleship is the engine of multiplication.

3. The Early Church Multiplied from House to House

Acts 2:46-47 – “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house... And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

The early church didn’t rely on buildings or fancy flyers—they multiplied through relationships, commitment, and the power of the Holy Ghost.

They didn’t grow because they had great marketing. They grew because they had great unity and fire.

4. God Blesses What We’re Willing to Give Away

Luke 6:38 – “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together...”

When we give our time, our homes, our testimonies, and our gifts, God multiplies the impact.

You don’t need a mic to multiply—you need a heart that’s willing to serve and share.

5. Leaders Must Be Willing to Release, Not Just Retain

2 Timothy 2:2 – “And the things that thou hast heard of me... commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

Paul taught Timothy how to multiply by training others who could train others.
That’s spiritual multiplication—four generations deep in one verse.

You can’t grow the group if you don’t grow the people. And you can’t grow the people if you’re not training others to lead.

6. David Was One—But He Became Many

David started as a shepherd boy with a harp and a sling. But by the end of his life, he was leading armies, raising up mighty men, and preparing the next generation to build the temple.

1 Samuel 22:2 – “And every one that was in distress... in debt... discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them...”

That’s discipleship. That’s multiplication. He took broken men and turned them into warriors.

The Bottom Line:

• We grow the group when we stop thinking “me” and start living “we.”
  
  

• We multiply the group when we stop clinging to comfort and start planting vision in others.
  
  

• This isn’t about growing numbers—it’s about growing mission, multiplying spirit-filled homes, and reaching souls house to house.
  
  

If God could take a shepherd boy like David and turn him into a leader of multitudes, He can take your living room and turn it into a launching pad for revival.

Challenge:

Who are you raising up? Who are you teaching? Who’s watching you walk with God? Are you preparing to hand the mantle or just hold onto it?

Let’s stop just gathering. Let’s grow. Let’s multiply.