Pressing On - Growing Together
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The class began by opening Philippians chapter 3, where the teacher emphasized Paul’s declaration that everything else is counted as loss when compared with the surpassing value of knowing Christ (Phil 3:7‑10). This set the stage for a broader conversation about growing closer to Jesus and evaluating personal spiritual progression. The focus then shifted to 2 Peter 3, where verses 17 and 18 were examined. The teacher warned that believers must stay vigilant against false and lawless teachers, noting that neglect—not ignorance—leads to spiritual instability. The central command to “grow in grace and knowledge” was highlighted as a lifelong, continuous process. Using the analogy of tethered trees in newly developed subdivisions, the teacher illustrated how stability protects growth against the winds of cultural decay and false philosophy. The class explored the concept of grace as an ever‑increasing experience of Christ’s undeserved love and how abiding in the true vine (John 15:1, 4‑8) produces fruit. Participants reflected on their own growth, recognizing that growth in both grace and knowledge is essential to avoid spiritual collapse and to remain steadfast in the faith.
Key Scriptures
But whatever things were gained to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen.