Mark 4:26-29
And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

It is important to understand that God has not saved us to perform... He has saved us to grow! And there’s a big difference!

Throughout the teachings of Jesus He talks about the kingdom of God as a place of growth.
As Isaiah wrote, “Of the increase [growth] of His government and peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:7a).

In the parable we read of the farmer, Jesus showed us the growth principle of God’s kingdom. Wherever the kingdom of God is planted in seed form, it is the will of God that it grow and produce fruit.

He also showed us that the planter is not responsible for producing the growth. In fact, he doesn’t even know how the growth happens! The implication is that the seed has growing power within itself, needing only to be planted in fertile soil.

What is the soil? Our hearts.

Jesus also showed us in this parable that there are distinct stages of growth: the blade, the head, the full grain in the head, and the ripened grain. The end of the growth process is called “perfection.” Paul wrote...

Hebrews 6:1
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection........

The word translated “perfection” is teleiotes, which means the end of a process, the finished product, maturity, fruitfulness. This of course describes our goal as believers: the end of the spiritual growth process is to be like Jesus.

Matthew 5:48
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

When Jesus said that we shall be perfect, He didn’t mean that we would never make any mistakes. He simply meant that we should grow up to become like Him.

It is important to understand the difference between “progressive perfection” and “absolute perfection.” Only Jesus is absolutely perfect. He as no imperfections whatsoever. The best that we can hope for is to progressively become more and more like Him.

We must think of perfection as having more to do with our attitude and growth than our behavior. A little baby may not act like a 20-year-old, but it can still be a “perfect little baby.” So you see, perfection should be thought of as a relative term.

Ephesians 4:13
Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ......

Jesus recognizes that it takes time to grow into a perfect (or mature) man.
He also recognizes that as we grow, we will go through certain stages on our way to perfection.

Let’s look at the growth process in detail so we can see the various stages each of us can expect to go through. This will help to prepare us for the pitfalls of each stage.

Spiritual Growth Begins with the New Birth

John 12:24-25
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

Before growth can begin, there must first be a dying and a burial in the ground. This is what takes place when a person enters the kingdom of God.

John 3:5
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

Jesus described entering the kingdom of God as a birth. He said we enter by being “born again.” This “new birth” involves both water and Spirit, which we understand to be baptism in water and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:4
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

When we repent and are baptized in water, we are dying and being buried. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we are being empowered to grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ and to ultimately receive eternal life.

To die in repentance means to utterly forsake living your own life your own way and committing yourself to living for God...100%! The reason some people show very little spiritual growth is because they still love their own lives too much. We need to adopt the attitude that we have no life apart from Jesus.

The First Stage: The Blade

The first stage of growth is the “blade,” which represents those who have recently been born again. These are the new-born believers who have just been baptized and/or filled with the Spirit.

Some common characteristics of children at this stage are:

1. They are totally dependant on their parents for everything. (Who are our spiritual parents? Jesus is the Father and the church is the mother.)
2. They relate mostly by touch (what they feel rather than what they see—the love of the people rather than understanding of doctrine).
3. Their relationship is stronger with mother (the church) than father (God).4. They have a strong desire for food, but they can only digest soft foods (not ready for advanced doctrine).
4. They are very fragile and must be treated gently.
5. They are growing very rapidly.

Let’s look at some biblical characteristics of a stage-one believer.

1 Peter 2:2
As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby......

The word translated “newborn babes” is brephos, which means an infant. This word can also refer to a baby still in the womb.

Luke 1:41
And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe [brephos] leaped in her womb.

(So much for the idea that an unborn child is not a person.)

In the kingdom of God, the word brephos refers to those who have recently been born again.
Like a newborn baby, their primary attribute is that they intensely desire the pure milk of the Word so they can grow.

If a new believer does not have this desire, perhaps we should question the genuineness of his or her born-again experience.

Luke 18:15
Then they also brought infants [brephos] to Him that He might touch them......

Another attribute of stage-one believers is that they must be brought to Jesus.They have not yet learned how to come to Jesus for themselves. In other words, they don’t have a well-established personal prayer life.

The Second Stage: The Head

The second stage is the “head,” which represents a person who is still young in the Lord, but is beginning to develop a relationship with God and beginning to take on some responsibility in the kingdom.

Luke 18:16-17
“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child [nepios] will by no means enter it.”

The word translated “little child” is nepios, which means a minor child or an immature person. This would be the equivalent of a child from toddler to the early teen years. Jesus said that we should live in the kingdom of God with the same enthusiasm and purity of heart as a nepios, a little child.

Some common characteristics of children in the second stage are:

1. They are continuing to grow rapidly.
2. They are now relating by both touch and sight.
3. The foundations of life are being established.
4. They are easily led by their parents.
5. They require regular discipline.
6. They are developing a strong relationship with their father.

Let’s look at some biblical characteristics of a stage-two believer.

Matthew 21:16
And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes [nepios] and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?”

Stage two believers have learned to praise the Lord...perfectly. They don’t have to be “pumped up.” They praise Jesus because He is worthy. That’s what “perfect praise” is!

Luke 10:21
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes [nepios].”

Stage-two believers can receive significant understanding of God’s Word. This is a clear indication that growth is taking place!

1 Corinthians 3:1-4
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes [nepios] in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?

Stage-two believers still have some significant character flaws.They are not fully “spiritual” yet, but are still to some degree “carnal.” This is because they are still thinking in some of their old ways. Their minds have not yet been fully “renewed” (Romans 12:2).

The word “spiritual” means moved and/or governed by the Spirit.

Colossians 3:2
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Stage-two believers must still be fed the basic doctrines of the faith; they are not yet ready to receive the deeper things of God.They may struggle from time to time with feelings of envy. They may fuss and argue with their spiritual brothers and sisters. They may form little groups within the church and may tend to focus more on God’s men than God Himself.

Ephesians 4:14-15
That we should no longer be children [nepios], tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ;

Stage-two believers are still subject to being tossed to and fro by the storms of life. They are carried about by various doctrines they hear (from other Christians, on the radio, on TV, in books, etc.). This is because their own understanding of the Bible is still limited. The more they become familiar with the truth, the less they will be influenced by error.

They also are not able to discern when they are being tricked or deceived by those who preach false doctrines. This is why they must ask about anything that conflicts with what we are teaching in this class.

The goal is that stage-two believers would learn to speak the truth in love, and grow up in every area of their lives into the likeness of Jesus.

James 1:4-8
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Stage-two believers often are doubtful, not sure of their relationship with
the Lord. They tend to be double-minded and unstable, often going into panics rather than simply waiting on the Master to arise and say, “Peace, be still!”

Hebrews 5:12-14
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe [nepios]. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Stage-two believers are unskilled in the word and are therefore not able to clearly discern between good and evil. They tend to see people in terms of either good or bad. We call this the “good-bad split.” But rather than seeing people as good or bad, we must learn to evaluate behavior as good or bad. All people do some good things and some bad things. Some may do more good than bad and some may do more bad than good. But no one is all good and no one is all bad.

If we learn to think of good and bad as pertaining to behavior rather than people and accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world with a lot of good and a lot of bad.......

We will be better able to love people, in spite of their bad behavior. This is an important key to obeying the command that we “love our neighbor as ourselves”—plus, the command to “love our enemies.”

Romans 2:20

...a teacher of babes [nepios].

The bottom line is this: Stage-two believers need to be taught. Learning must be their number one priority. The kinds of faults and shortcomings we have looked at may seem bad on the surface, but they are very common in new Christians. They are simply the marks of immaturity.

Keep in mind that it takes time to reach full age (to become mature).

Those who are young in the Lord should not be given (or try to take on) too much responsibility in the church. Their emphasis should be on learning and developing godly character and learning how to live a truly spiritual lifestyle.The quality of a person’s service in the Kingdom of God will be entirely dependent upon his or her personal knowledge and character.

The Third Stage: The Full Grain in the Head

The third stage is the “full grain in the head,” which represents a person who has become a “young person” in the Lord. This is equivalent of being a spiritual adolescent, teenager, or young adult.

1 John 2:14
I have written to you, young men [neanikos], because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.

The word translated “young men” is neaniskos, which can refer to a young man in the teen years up through young adulthood. Some common characteristics of young people in the third stage are:

1. They are part adult—part child.
2. They think they know better than their parents.
3. They tend to be self-centered and arrogant.
4. They tend to have “selective hearing.”
5. They tend to struggle with rebellious attitudes.
6. They lack self-confidence.
7. They are easily offended.

It takes a lot of love and patience to guide a child into adulthood. Third-stage believers are beginning to show the results of the Lord's discipline in their lives. They are starting to exhibit stability and faithfulness in their walk with God, indicating that their faith is growing strong.

Romans 4:20-21
He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

The reason third-stage believers are getting strong is because they have allowed the Word of God to dwell in them.

John 15:7
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”

Third-stage believers are overcoming the wicked one—the devil. They understand who they are in Jesus Christ and are learning to discern between good and evil. They are not ignorant of the devil’s devises. They know how to put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17).

Third-stage believers are learning how to speak the truth in love. Their understanding of spiritual things is growing and they are learning to think like Jesus thinks.

1 Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

The process of growing into spiritual adulthood includes putting away our childish, immature attitudes and behaviors. This can be painful. Think about it: How can we put away our angry outbursts and grow into a forgiving person like Jesus if no one ever mistreats us? How can we put away our selfish tendencies and grow into a loving person like Jesus if no one around us never needs our help? God understands that pain is a necessary component of growth.

Romans 5:3-4
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations [stressful, painful situations], knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Perseverance is the ability to do the right thing, even when it is difficult or painful. It is being a responsible person.

James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials [stressful, painful situations], knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

It is the difficult and painful experiences of life that work to produce the spiritual growth we need to reach adulthood. But because they are painful and unpleasant, some shrink back and fall short of the grace of God.

We need to remember that difficulties are not designed to harm us; they are designed to produce perseverance in us. This is good! The key to getting through trials with perfected faith is understanding God’s grace.

All spiritual growth requires grace, which comes to us through our“covenant relationship” with Jesus (remember Lesson 3).

1 Peter 5:10
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

The growth pains of stage three will often produce a feeling of insecurity. After all, it can be a scary thing to be approaching the responsibilities of adulthood when you’re not really sure you are ready for them.

The Fourth Stage: The Ripened Grain

The fourth stage is the “ripened grain,” which represents a person who has become a piritual “father.” In other words, the fourth stage is spiritual adulthood. It is maturity. It is fruitfulness. It is being like Jesus. It is reaching perfection.

This is the goal we should all be striving for. Just as a full grown plant is easily recognizable, so it is that those who have reached this stage are easily recognizable as mature believers.

1 Corinthians 4:14-17
I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

The word translated “father” is pater, which simply means a father. Those who have reached this level of maturity serve as examples to the other believers. Their lives are suitable for imitation. They know the Word of God and are capable of teaching it to others.

1 John 2:14
I have written to you, fathers [pater], because you have known Him who is from the beginning.

Stage-four believers really know Jesus. They have a deep, intimate, consistent, relationship with Him. No one has to encourage them to pray or read the Bible. Their prayer life is well-developed and consistent. They read the Word of God because they love it...and the love Him.

2 Peter 1:8
For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Knowing God produces fruit: in this case, the fruit of new spiritual babies. In other words, fourth-stage believers are soul-winners. They are nurturers. They are leaders.

1 Thessalonians 2:11
You know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father [pater] does his own children.

Fourth-stage believers care for those who are less mature just as a father cares for his children. Some common characteristics of adults at the fourth stage are:

1. They are fruitful in all areas of life.
2. They are responsible and self-controlled.
3. They are secure in who they are.
4. They are able to feed the Word to others.
5. They are motivated by concern for others.
6. They have a well-defined purpose in life.

Keys to Spiritual Growth

What is necessary for growth the take place in our lives? Of course, as we have talked about, a person must be willing to grow...which means willing to change. But if we think about it from a natural viewpoint, five things are necessary for a seed to grow into a mature, fruitful plant:

1. Good soil
2. Necessary nutrients
3. Proper temperature.
4. Sunshine.
5. Plenty of water.

Good soil is a humble, tender heart that is open to God.

The necessary nutrient is the Word of God, which comes from personal study and congregational teaching.

The temperature is the warm and loving atmosphere within the church.

The sunlight is the light of understanding who Jesus is.

The water is the Spirit of God, which fills us as we pray, praise the Lord, and serve Him with all our heart.

A Warning!

It is vitally important for you to recognize that you have an adversary who will do his best to stop you from growing. As part of your spiritual growth, it is important that you overcome him.

What he wants to do is choke out your spiritual life. He does this by trying to draw you away from the things of God and get you focused on the things of the present world.

In another of Jesus’ parables about farming, He said that some of the seed the farmer planted “fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them” (Matthew 13:7).
He then explained this parable by saying, “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22).

The devil knows that if he can get you all hung up over the cares of this world and get your mind focused on accumulating material wealth, he can choke the spiritual life right out of you. He can make you “unfruitful” and prevent you from reaching spiritual maturity.

You need to know that the only thing he can do is place tempting thoughts in your mind. You must resist these thoughts.

James 4:7
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

We submit to God by praying, by praising Him, by learning His Word, by loving our brothers and sisters, and by keeping our hearts tender and humble before Him.

If we do these things, we will have the strength of mind to resist the devil’s temptations and grow into the fruitful person Jesus wants us to be.

Romans 8:31
If God is for us, who can be against us?

It is only by living under submission to the Spirit of God that we can resist the devil and do what is right, ultimately bringing forth fruit.

We first bring forth the fruit of praise, then the fruit of godly attributes, then the fruit of good works, and finally the fruit of winning souls into the kingdom of God. (Remember, we produce after our “own kind.” The souls that we win to God will tend to be like us. This is a great responsibility.)

The growth process is part of God’s great plan to glorify Himself on the earth.

Isaiah 61:3
“That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

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David A. Huston
Bro. David A. Huston participates in the oversight of an Apostolic assembly in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He is also the founder of Rosh Pinnah publications, a ministry providing quality media for evangelizing the lost and equipping believers for the work of the ministry.

Jim McKinley
Bro Jim McKinley is a business and education leadership consultant focusing on clarification of purpose. He is currently working with both public and Christian educators in improving learning processes.

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