Spiritual Growth

I. We Are Commanded To Grow
 2 Pet. 3:18
 Luke 2:52
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II. Things We Must Put Off
1 Pet. 2:1
3

 2. All guile MvBj/a~Z©(cunning)
= Craftiness; deceiving another
 1 Pet. 3:10
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 3. Hypocrisies = Pretence; (duplicity)
 A Christian must sincerely follow
Christ
 Mt. 15:7-8
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 4. Envies = Feelings of unhappiness
because another has that which one
desires for himself.
 Acts 7:9
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 5. Evil speaking = Belittling remarks
about the reputation, worth, or
character of another person
 2 Cor. 12:20
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III. Essentials To
Growth
 1. Food
 1 Pet. 2:2
 Mt. 5:6
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III. Essentials To
Growth
 2. Time
 Eph. 5:16
 Ps. 90:12
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III. Essentials To
Growth
 3. Attention
 We must help those new in the faith
and encourage them in their
spiritual growth.
 1 Th. 5:14
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III. Essentials To
Growth 3. Attention
 New Christians must also help
themselves by diligent study and
faithful service
 2 Pet. 1:5 ff
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 4. Exercise
 1 Tim. 4:8
 Jn. 9:4
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III. Essentials To
Growth

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Living a Spiritual Life/
Spiritual Growth

Living a Spiritual Life/
Spiritual Growth
 Read and study William S. Hatcher’s The
Concept of Spirituality ,
 The Process of Spiritual Growth,
 5 Tools for Spiritual Growth (954-56),
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American Heritage Dictionary definition:American Heritage Dictionary definition:
Of, relating(connecting) to, or affecting (touching)
the human spirit or soul as opposed (opposite) to
material or physical things (of a person).

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Bahá'í Faith( Persian Nobelman, 1817-1892)
Turki prisoners, Bahaulla Akka Palestine, LeoTolstoy)
All things proceed from God and unto Him they return. He is the
source of all things and in Him all things are ended. ~ Bahá'u'lláh
The Bahá'í Faith (Arabic:The Bahá'í Faith (Arabic: ‫بهائية‬‫بهائية‬ Baha'iyyah) /b ha / is aəˈ ɪBaha'iyyah) /b ha / is aəˈ ɪ
monotheistic religion emphasizing the spiritual unity of allmonotheistic religion emphasizing the spiritual unity of all
humankind.humankind. Three core principles establish a basis for Bahá'í
teachings and doctrine: the unity of God, that there is only one
God who is the source of all creation; the unity of religion, that
all major religions have the same spiritual source and come
from the same God; and the unity of humanity, that all humans
have been created equal, and that diversity of race and culture
are seen as worthy of appreciation and acceptance.

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Six Essential Requisites(Basics)Six Essential Requisites(Basics)
for Spiritual Growthfor Spiritual Growth

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Six Essential Requisites(Basics)
for Spiritual Growth
1.The recital each day of one of the Obligatory Prayers
with pure-hearted devotion.
2. The regular reading of the Sacred Scriptures,
specifically at least each morning and evening, with
reverence, attention and thought.
3. Prayerful meditation on the Teachings, so that we
may understand them more deeply, fulfill them more
faithfully, and convey them more accurately to others.

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4. Striving every day to bring our behavior
more into accordance with the high standards
that are set forth in the Teachings.
5. Teaching the Cause of God.
6. Selfless service in the work of the Cause and
in the carrying on of our trade or profession.”
(Universal House of Justice, 9/1/83)
Six Essential Requisites(Basics)
for Spiritual Growth

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A verb for each essential requisite ofA verb for each essential requisite of
spiritual growthspiritual growth
1. Pray
2. Read
3. Meditate
4. Strive
5. Teach
6. Serve
Remembering the Six Essential Requisites

From where do the six essential
requisites come?
 From where do the six essential requisites come?
 The Universal House of Justice identified six essential
requisites for spiritual growth in a September 1, 1983
message.
 This presentation takes excerpts from that message and
discusses the what, why and how of these
requisites(basics)to assist us in applying them to our
lives.
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An Acronym(short form) for Remembering
the Six Essential Requisites:
PRISMS
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As these six daily practices are the core of our
spiritual development, being able call them to mind
it important.
There are several techniques that can help you
memorize.

1. Prayer: What is it?1. Prayer: What is it?
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Prayer, spiritual communion and conversation with God.
Like rain pouring down on plant.Highest prayer is for the love
and will of God.Obligatory(Compulsory) prayers are invested
with special power and are the focus of this essential requisite.
Why pray?Why pray?
Not to fulfill desires, but be in accord with God. It is absolutely
indispensable to inner spiritual development. It cultivates a
sense of spirituality.
Draws us nearer to and causes a connection and association
with God.If the prayer is in accord with divine wisdom, it will be
answered.

Prayer: How to Pray?
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Say one of the Obligatory Prayers each day according to
the instructions given.
With a PHD: Pure-Hearted Devotion or Purity, Humility &
Detachment.
In private and free from care, combined with love,
meditation, thought and action. Direct prayers to God
through the Manifestation.

What is it?
2. The regular reading of the Sacred
Scriptures, specifically at least each
morning and evening…
“The prime requisite
is the eagerness and love of
sanctified souls to read the Word of
God. To read one verse, or even one
word, in a spirit of joy and radiance,
is preferable to the perusal of many
Books.”
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2. Reading

Why read?
To be endowed(able)with new life, understanding
and ability: to feel, think and act better .
To open our hearts, which in reality are the
doors of heaven.
To discover pearls(precious thing) of great
price, solve problems, be faithful to the
Covenant of God and of service to humanity.
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How to read?
At least each morning and evening with
- Reverence : admiration, veneration
- Attention : concentration, consideration,
-Thought: reflection: contemplation
(to remember, try the acronym RAT or ART)
Read so not overcome by languor(laziness,
sleepiness)and despondency(depression), but
rather to lighten and uplift (strengthen, encourage)
soul.

3. Meditation:
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What is it?
Prayer is talking to a higher power; meditation is listening
to it.
Speaking with our own spirit, putting questions to it and
receiving answers.
Like a mirror, reflects what it is turned to.
Pondering in our hearts the sacred scriptures and tasting
their sweetness.

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Why meditate?
so that we may understand the Teachings,
more deeply, fulfill them more faithfully, and
convey them more accurately to others.”
(to remember think of the acronym CUFf:CUFf: To
Convey more accurately, Understand moreConvey more accurately, Understand more
deeply, Fulfill more faithfully)deeply, Fulfill more faithfully)

How to meditate?How to meditate?
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Bahá’u’lláh has specified no procedures to be
followed in meditation.
In privacy.
Use the Greatest Name or scripture.
Guard against ego, idle fancies, vain
imaginations, superstitious(illogical)or foolish
ideas.
Turn away from world and towards God.

4. Strive: (Struggle)
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What is it?
Striving every day to bring our behavior more into
accordance with the high standards that are set forth
in the Teachings.
As we strive to integrate the spiritual standards,
principles and practices into our daily lives and
behavior, transformative forces act upon our souls,
purging, purifying and sanctifying them.
It is a source of prosperity and develops us morally
and spiritually.

Why strive?
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To increase our love for, knowledge of and
nearness to God.
To achieve greater understanding, meaning,
fulfillment, purpose, happiness, joy, power,
love, purity, radiance and efficiency of
character.
Abiding by spiritual laws and principles, like
physical laws, is essential for well-being and
happiness.

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Turn every stumbling(hesitant) block into a stepping
(footstep) stone. Make problems and overcoming
tests a means for improving character, spiritual
development and happiness.
Set goals and make daily effort to improve.
Do not dwell on the faults and failings of others,
instead discover and root out our own

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Teaching the Cause of God.
Highest form of service to another soul.
A spiritual process that requires spiritual preparation,
qualities and action.
If ye be aware of a certain truth, if ye possess a jewel, of
which others are deprived, share it with them in a
language of utmost kindness and goodwill. (Gleanings
Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 289)

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Humanity is suffering and seeking a remedy.Those
who have it should share it with others.
To build capacity: to teach is to learn
Greatest gift of God
Most meritorious of all deeds.

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When the will and the desire are strong enough, the means
will be found and the way opened. (Shoghi Effendi, Ind. &
Teaching, #116)
Before all else, teach your own self.
The intention of the teacher must be pure, his heart
independent, his spirit attracted, his thought at peace, his
resolution firm, his magnanimity exalted and in the love of
God a shining torch.
(Abdul-Baha,Tablets of Divine Plan, p. 54)

6. Service: What is it?
 . Selfless service in the work of the Cause and in
the carrying on of our trade or profession.
 The action of helping others (Dictionary).
 Service in our work and Cause is a form of prayer
and worship.
 Service to humanity is service to God.
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Why serve?
 The effects of prayer, meditation and reading are
not significant unless translated into service.
 It is essential to our personal welfare and
spiritual growth. It is a magnet that brings
success and confirmations.
 Noblest deed, greatest blessing and highest
righteousness.
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How to serve?
 Expand our service from serving self, to serving
our family, then to community and finally to
humanity; guided by a higher power, purpose or
cause.
 Practice the Golden Rule. Selflessly serve.
 With love, pure motives and excellence, to the
best of our ability for the greatest good.
 Think at all times of rendering service.
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PRISMS requisites of spiritual
growth
 Pray-Obligatory prayers

 Read-Sacred Scriptures
 Instruct/Teach-Cause
 Strive-High standards of Teachings
 Meditate-Teachings
 Serve-Cause, humanity through work
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Spiritual Growth

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