This week, students of all ages have headed back to school.

For some children and parents, the first day at school caused some tears and apprehension. For others, it was nothing new.

I haven’t visited the school yet, but I doubt any 15-year-olds are in the kindergarten classes!

Why? Because physical and mental growth is expected and normal.

Spiritual growth is also normal — or it should be for believers. In the book of 1 John, the apostle John writes to us about three levels of spiritual growth.

First, he speaks of “little children” (1 John 2:12,13); then he speaks of “young men” (1 John 2:13,14) and lastly the most mature as “fathers” (1 John 2:13,14).

Let’s look at these one at a time.

“Little children” are those who are “baby” Christians. They have “their sins forgiven” and they know God as their “Father,” but that’s about all.

They need to be taught, guided and protected. They need patience and they need good examples around them to help them to grow up — just like kids.

“Young men” are those who have learned to “overcome the wicked one” (the very real Satan), and they are “strong” because they have let the word of God find a place in their hearts and lives.

They are students of the word (2 Timothy 2:15) and they are “doers of the word and not hearers only” (James 1:22).

As soldiers of Christ, they put on the armor of God and stand strong (Ephesians 6:12-18) through the word of God and prayer.

“Fathers” are those who “have known Him who is from the beginning.” These dear saints have not just sought to know God’s blessings but have sought to know Him.

They, like Paul (Phillipians 3:10), have desired “to know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”

These fathers have experienced God’s power to live the abundant life, in the midst of suffering, hardship and trials.

They have, like Paul, learned to die to self and be content. They know the “peace that passes all understanding,” even when things are coming apart all around them.

Growing up spiritually should be normal for those who truly have a personal relationship with Jesus.

If you are His child, you can and should be “growing up in all things into Him, who is the head — Christ.” That simply means you will become more like Jesus as you let Him be the boss of your life.

Unfortunately, many who “profess to know God” are not becoming more and more like Jesus (Romans 8:29).

That means they are not really His children or they are not getting the spiritual food they need to grow up as they should.

What food is that? To grow spiritually, all believers’ need:

• Peter said in 1 Peter 2:2, “Desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby”

You cannot grow as a believer without regular time in the word of God. Reading and studying (2 Timothy 2:15) are essential to growing up.

• Obeying the scriptures is important.. James 1:22 says, “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

God’s word will show you what is right, what is wrong and how to do what is right (2 Timothy 3:16- 17). But you have to know it and do it.

• Every believer needs to be in a Bible believing and teaching church where they can be mentored, encouraged, prayed for, given opportunity to learn to serve (Acts 2:41-47), and also be held accountable when the need arises.

Just as a child needs a family, you need a church family. This will also provide you a place to find a small group Bible study class to help you learn and grow.

If you would like to know more about spiritual growth or how to become a Christian, visit westlakebaptistchurch. org.