LCS talk 8 GROWING IN THE SPIRIT

GOAL: To learn the basic tools to growth and maturity as Christians.

The baptism in the spirit is only a beginning.

The baptism in the spirit is only a beginning. We need to grow in this new life in the Spirit.

The baptism in the spirit is only a beginning. We need to grow in this new life in the Spirit. We need to be empowered to be witnesses who will share Christ to others.

In order to grow, we need to make use of the basic means of growth that the Lord provides us. These are:

In order to grow, we need to make use of the basic means of growth that the Lord provides us. These are: prayer

In order to grow, we need to make use of the basic means of growth that the Lord provides us. These are: prayer study

In order to grow, we need to make use of the basic means of growth that the Lord provides us. These are: prayer study service

In order to grow, we need to make use of the basic means of growth that the Lord provides us. These are: prayer study service fellowship

In order to grow, we need to make use of the basic means of growth that the Lord provides us. These are: prayer study service fellowship sacraments

The Christian life can be pictured as a wheel of a cart The Christian life can be pictured as a wheel of a cart. It has three components:

The Christian life can be pictured as a wheel of a cart The Christian life can be pictured as a wheel of a cart. It has three components: The outer rim. This is the part of the wheel that meets the road. This represents daily Christian life.

The Christian life can be pictured as a wheel of a cart The Christian life can be pictured as a wheel of a cart. It has three components: The outer rim. This is the part of the wheel that meets the road. This represents daily Christian life.

The Christian life can be pictured as a wheel of a cart The Christian life can be pictured as a wheel of a cart. It has three components: The hub. This is the part of the wheel from which the power emanates to the rim. It holds the wheel together. The hub is our Lord Jesus Christ, who is at the center of our lives. The power is that of the Holy Spirit.

The Christian life can be pictured as a wheel of a cart The Christian life can be pictured as a wheel of a cart. It has three components: The hub. This is the part of the wheel from which the power emanates to the rim. It holds the wheel together. The hub is our Lord Jesus Christ, who is at the center of our lives. The power is that of the Holy Spirit.

The Christian life can be pictured as a wheel of a cart The Christian life can be pictured as a wheel of a cart. It has three components: The spokes. These transmit the power and direction from the hub to the rim. In Christian experience the spokes are the means of putting our whole life in contact with Christ, so that our life can be transformed by His power and direction.

PRAYER

Prayer is the primary means for establishing and maintaining a deep and loving personal relationship between ourselves and God.

A successful prayer life involves three important principles.

Our prayer must be faithful.

Our prayer must be faithful. Frequency? Decide to spend time with the Lord everyday.

Our prayer must be faithful. Frequency? Decide to spend time with the Lord everyday. Decide on practical details: When? Where? How long?

Matthew 6:6 “But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, ad pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”

Our prayer must be faithful. Frequency? Decide to spend time with the Lord everyday. Decide on practical details: When? Where? How long?

Our prayer must be faithful. Frequency? Decide to spend time with the Lord everyday. Decide on practical details: When? Where? How long? Format? ACTS.

Adoration

Adoration Contrition

Adoration Contrition Thanksgiving

Adoration Contrition Thanksgiving Supplication

Our prayer must be faithful. Frequency? Decide to spend time with the Lord everyday. Decide on practical details: When? Where? How long? Format? ACTS.

Our prayer must be faithful. Frequency? Decide to spend time with the Lord everyday. Decide on practical details: When? Where? How long? Format? ACTS. Daily prayer guide, e.g., Magnificat.

Our prayer must be led by the Holy Spirit.

Our prayer must be led by the Holy Spirit. Structured prayer is helpful, but could make our prayer dry and mechanical.

Our prayer must be centered on a relationship with Jesus.

Our prayer must be centered on a relationship with Jesus. Our goal is not just “to pray” or even “to pray well,” but to grow in our relationship with the Lord.

Our prayer must be centered on a relationship with Jesus. Our goal is not just “to pray” or even “to pray well,” but to grow in our relationship with the Lord. Prayer is simple. It is a matter of loving God and being loved by Him.

Our prayer must be centered on a relationship with Jesus. Our goal is not just “to pray” or even “to pray well,” but to grow in our relationship with the Lord. Prayer is simple. It is a matter of loving God and being loved by Him. Concentrate NOT on the prayer itself but on the Lord.

The intercession of Mary and the saints is a powerful tool of prayer The intercession of Mary and the saints is a powerful tool of prayer. A devotion to Mary and the saints is part and parcel of a Catholic’s faith. Praying the Holy Rosary is such a tool.

PRAYER

PRAYER STUDY

Need to know God and understand Him and His ways.

Need to know God and understand Him and His ways. Study is a focused exercise of the intellect, not referring primarily to scholarly academic endeavor but to a wider understanding about God so we can love and better save Him.

Three ways we can learn more about God.

Bible.

Bible. Most important because the Bible is the very word of God. It teaches us who God is, what He has done, and what He wants of us.

Bible. Most important because the Bible is the very word of God. It teaches us who God is, what He has done, and what He wants of us. Our goal = Read the Bible daily and eventually the entire Bible.

Bible. Most important because the Bible is the very word of God. It teaches us who God is, what He has done, and what He wants of us. Our goal = Read the Bible daily and eventually the entire Bible. Attend seminars that help us learn more about the Bible.

Spiritual reading.

Spiritual reading. Includes Christian books and magazines, Papal Encyclicals and Apostolic Letters, etc.

Spiritual reading. Includes Christian books and magazines, Papal Encyclicals and Apostolic Letters, etc. Teachings and preachings.

Spiritual reading. Includes Christian books and magazines, Papal Encyclicals and Apostolic Letters, etc. Teachings and preachings. Teaching programs in the parish.

Spiritual reading. Includes Christian books and magazines, Papal Encyclicals and Apostolic Letters, etc. Teachings and preachings. Teaching programs in the parish. The Word of God in Sunday homilies, retreats and conferences.

Spiritual reading. Includes Christian books and magazines, Papal Encyclicals and Apostolic Letters, etc. Teachings and preachings. Teaching programs in the parish. The Word of God in Sunday homilies, retreats and conferences. Begin the habit of taking notes.

PRAYER STUDY

PRAYER STUDY SERVICE

Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, is at work in us, not just for our personal development but also to equip us for effective service for Him and His people.

Need to take on a Mentality of Service so that we see our whole life given over to God’s work.

Need to take on a Mentality of Service so that we see our whole life given over to God’s work. Have a Heart of a Servant, just like Jesus.

Mt 20:26-28. “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. And whoever wants to be first must be your slave. Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Need to take on a Mentality of Service so that we see our whole life given over to God’s work. Have a Heart of a Servant, just like Jesus.

Need to take on a Mentality of Service so that we see our whole life given over to God’s work. Have a Heart of a Servant, just like Jesus. As we put the Lord first in our lives, He calls us to reach out to others.

Need to take on a Mentality of Service so that we see our whole life given over to God’s work. Have a Heart of a Servant, just like Jesus. As we put the Lord first in our lives, He calls us to reach out to others. Service helps us grow because it teaches us to be humble.

Five ways we can serve.

Five ways we can serve. We serve God by the way we live.

Five ways we can serve. We serve God by the way we live. Daily prayer and Scripture reading.

Five ways we can serve. We serve God by the way we live. Daily prayer and Scripture reading. Pursuit of holiness and righteousness.

We also serve by performing the basic responsibilities God has given us in our daily lives, but e.g., as spouse, parent, etc.

We also serve by performing the basic responsibilities God has given us in our daily lives, but e.g., as spouse, parent, etc. Then we serve our fellow men by recognizing the many built-in opportunities for service in day-to-day life, e.g., caring for our elderly parents, visiting the sick, hospitality, etc.

Make ourselves and our resources available for God’s work, i. e Make ourselves and our resources available for God’s work, i.e., our time, talent, and treasure.

Make ourselves and our resources available for God’s work, i. e Make ourselves and our resources available for God’s work, i.e., our time, talent, and treasure. Do good works.

James 2:14-17 “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Make ourselves and our resources available for God’s work, i. e Make ourselves and our resources available for God’s work, i.e., our time, talent, and treasure. Do good works.

Make ourselves and our resources available for God’s work, i. e Make ourselves and our resources available for God’s work, i.e., our time, talent, and treasure. Do good works. Support Catholic ministries that further the spread of the gospel, either by providing financial support, prayer, or participation.

Make ourselves and our resources available for God’s work, i. e Make ourselves and our resources available for God’s work, i.e., our time, talent, and treasure. Do good works. Support Catholic ministries that further the spread of the gospel, either by providing financial support, prayer, or participation. Look for opportunities to serve in a Catholic group on regular basis.

Make ourselves and our resources available for God’s work, i. e Make ourselves and our resources available for God’s work, i.e., our time, talent, and treasure. Do good works. Provide support to Catholic ministries that further the spread of the gospel, either by providing financial support or through prayer. Look for opportunities to serve in a Catholic group on regular basis. Serve in you parish.

Evangelize - Share Christ with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, parishioners, and the world at large. etc.

PRAYER STUDY SERVICE

PRAYER STUDY FELLOWSHIP SERVICE

Fellowship refers to almost everything that Christians do together as a body.

Fellowship refers to almost everything that Christians do together as a body. The spiritual reality is that we are brothers and sisters belonging to one family.

We do not become complete Christians by ourselves We do not become complete Christians by ourselves. We must be joined to others in order to experience the fullness of Christian life.

We do not become complete Christians by ourselves We do not become complete Christians by ourselves. We must be joined to others in order to experience the fullness of Christian life. We need the wisdom, strength and support of others.

We do not become complete Christians by ourselves We do not become complete Christians by ourselves. We must be joined to others in order to experience the fullness of Christian life. We need the wisdom, strength and support of others. Fellowship is not an optional extra. We need to do things together.

Some ways to experience Christian fellowship.

Some ways to experience Christian fellowship. Activate participation in worship at liturgies, prayer meetings, conferences, etc.

Some ways to experience Christian fellowship. Activate participation in worship at liturgies, prayer meetings, conferences, etc. Coming together in teachings and retreats.

Some ways to experience Christian fellowship. Activate participation in worship at liturgies, prayer meetings, conferences, etc. Coming together in teachings and retreats. Serving together (like the LCS team).

Some ways to experience Christian fellowship. Activate participation in worship at liturgies, prayer meetings, conferences, etc. Coming together in teachings and retreats. Serving together (like the LCS team). Parish events.

Some ways to experience Christian fellowship. Activate participation in worship at liturgies, prayer meetings, conferences, etc. Coming together in teachings and retreats. Serving together (like the LCS team). Parish events. Social gatherings.

PRAYER STUDY FELLOWSHIP SERVICE

PRAYER SACRAMENTS AND DEVOTION TO MARY STUDY FELLOWSHIP SERVICE

The most important tool for spiritual growth are the 7 sacraments.

The most important tool for spiritual growth are the 7 sacraments. Baptism and Confirmation – received only once.

The most important tool for spiritual growth are the 7 sacraments. Baptism and Confirmation – received only once. Matrimony – received also once unless surviving spouse re-marries after spouse dies.

The most important tool for spiritual growth are the 7 sacraments. Baptism and Confirmation – received only once. Matrimony – received also once unless surviving spouse re-marries after spouse dies. Holy Orders.

The most important tool for spiritual growth are the 7 sacraments. Baptism and Confirmation – received only once. Matrimony – received also once unless surviving spouse re-marries after spouse dies. Holy Orders. Anointing of the Sick.

The most important tool for spiritual growth are the 7 sacraments. Baptism and Confirmation – received only once. Matrimony – received also once unless surviving spouse re-marries after spouse dies. Holy Orders. Anointing of the Sick. Penance (Reconciliation) and the Holy Eucharist – received over and over again.

We recommend frequent confession and communion.

We recommend frequent confession and communion. Though Confession is required only once a year, we should immediately go to this Sacrament when we commit a mortal sin; and even go more often to be stronger against sin.

We recommend frequent confession and communion. Though Confession is required only once a year, we should immediately go to this Sacrament when we commit a mortal sin; and even go more often to be stronger against sin. Also, even though Communion is required only once a year during Easter time, we should strive to receive Communion with the proper disposition at least every Sunday and Holy day of obligation.

Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is the foremost disciple of Jesus – we need to imitate her and ask for her intercession.

Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is the foremost disciple of Jesus – we need to imitate her and ask for her intercession. She is the best model for obedience, faith, and holiness.

Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is the foremost disciple of Jesus – we need to imitate her and ask for her intercession. She is the best model for obedience, faith, and holiness. She is Queen of heaven and earth and our Mediatrix.

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION When we meet Christ, we are just “babies in Christ.” God provides us with tools to grow to maturity to live Christ and to share Christ.

CONCLUSION If we use these tools to spiritual growth faithfully, the Lord will not disappoint us.

Group discussion What tools to Christian growth have not been fully utilized in your life?