SESSION 8

GROWING IN THE SPIRIT

The baptism in the Spirit is only a beginning.

Now we need to grow in this new life in the Spirit.

yes!

The outer rim – represents daily Christian life.

The hub - the hub is our Lord Jesus Christ, who is at the center of our lives.

The spokes - these transmit the power and direction from the hub to the rim.

PRAYER

Prayer is the primary means for establishing and

maintaining a deep and loving

personal relationship between ourselves and

GOD.

3 important

principles for a successful prayer

life

1. Our PRAYER must be FAITHFULa) Decide to spend time with the Lord EVERYDAY!

b) Decide on the practical detailsWHEN:• Decide on a specific time of the day

WHERE:• Find a place where you will not be

disturbed ordistracted.

MATTHEW 6:6

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

HOW LONG?-begin with 5 to 10 minutes, and

increase later.

c) ADOPT a FORMAT-ACTS – Adoration Contrition Thanksgiving

Supplication-Use daily prayer guides (e.g., God’s Word Today, The Word Among Us, Our Daily Bread).

2. Our prayer must be led by the Holy Spirit.• Scheduled and structured prayer is

helpful, but could make our prayer dry and mechanical.

3. Our prayer must be centered on a relationship with Jesus.

In the Catholic tradition, 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.

STUDY

3 ways we can learn more about GOD

1. BIBLEThe very word of GOD

• We should read the Bible daily.- start with 10 to 15 minutes.- pursue a more deliberate study

of portions of the Bible.- we should make it a goal to read

the whole Bible.

2. Spiritual Reading-inspirational stories &experiences

3. Teachings and Preachings

CFCFFLPROGRAMS

Sunday homily, in parish events, inconferences, etc.

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.

We need to take on the heart of a servant, just like Jesus.

MATTHEW 20:26-28

“26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great

among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be

first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man

came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a

ransom for many.”

Ways we can serve:a) First we serve God by the way we

live.* Daily prayer and Scripture reading.*Pursuit of righteousness and holiness.

b) Perform responsibilities God has given us in our daily lives.

c) Then we serve our fellow men by recognizing the many built-in opportunities for service in day-to-day life.

d) We give witness to our faith in Jesus by the way we live our lives.

e) Make ourselves and our resources available for God’s work.

Time Talent Treasure

JAMES 2:14-17

“14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

FELLOWSHIP

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

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

fullness of Christian life.

Some ways to experience Christian fellowship.

a) Worship in liturgies, prayer meetings, conferences.b) Coming together for teaching and formation.c) Serving together (like the team in this CLR).d) Social gatherings.

SACRAMENTS

In the Catholic tradition, the most important tool for spiritual growth are

the sacraments. They are the main channels of God’s grace for our lives.

We recommend frequent confession and communion.

COMMUNION CONFESSION

ConclusionThis CLS, your commitment to Christ, the baptism in the Holy

Spirit - all these are just the beginning of a new life. We are

“babies in Christ” and we need to grow. Make use of the tools

provided by God.If you are faithful, you will not be

disappointed.

Scriptures for daily prayerDay 1 1 Peter 1:13-16 Day 5 Matthew 20:25-282 Matthew 6:5-13 6 James 2:14-173 Matthew 18:19-20 7 1 Corinthians 12:12-274 Hebrews 4:12-13

The Challenge

God’s call for every Christian is to grow in holiness. To this end, God has

provided us with the tools for growth. Will you eagerly avail of these tools and strive to be holy as God is holy?

MAY GOD BE PRAISED!