DAY 1 – The Goal of Growth

Scripture
Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

Devotional Thought
We live in a culture obsessed with self-improvement. Books. Podcasts. Seminars. “Be a better version of yourself.”

But the Christian life is not self-improvement. It is self-replacement.

The result of growth may look like a better you — kinder, freer, more disciplined — but that is not the goal. The goal is transformation.

Paul does not say, “My old self has been refined.” He says, “My old self has been crucified.”
That’s not an upgrade. That’s a death.

Growth in Jesus means the centre of your life shifts. Before Christ, the ego is central. After Christ, He is central. Identity is no longer achieved — it is received.

The goal of growth is not a better version of you. It is Christ living in you.

Reflection Questions

• Have I subtly reduced Christianity to behaviour improvement?
• Is my focus on trying harder — or surrendering deeper?

Prayer
“Jesus, I don’t want self-improvement. I want transformation. Teach me what it means for You to live in me. Amen.”

DAY 2 – Possession: Who Owns Your Life?

Scripture
Romans 6:6; Matthew 19:21–22 (NIV)

Devotional Thought
Growth begins with ownership. Paul says, “It is no longer I who live…” That is possession language. Ownership language. The question is simple but confronting:

Who owns your life?

The rich young ruler obeyed commandments — but he would not surrender ownership. His issue wasn’t obedience. It was possession.

We often try to obey while still holding the steering wheel. But growth is not primarily about obedience. It is about surrender. When surrender happens, obedience follows naturally.

What are you holding on to?
• Control?
• Reputation?
• Money?
• A relationship?
• Your future?

Transformation begins when we lay our lives down before the Lord and say: “You own me.”

Reflection Questions

• What area of my life have I not surrendered?
• Where am I obeying externally but resisting internally?

Prayer
“Lord, I surrender my heart, my mind, my will. Take possession of my life. It is no longer I who live — but You in me. Amen.”

DAY 3 – Position: Planted for Growth

Scripture
Psalm 1:1–3 (NIV)

Devotional Thought
Once Christ has possession of your life, you must position yourself for growth. A plant can have good seed — but the wrong environment — and it will die. Spiritual growth requires spiritual positioning. Psalm 1 paints the picture: A tree planted by streams of water. Rooted. Consistent. Stable.

Two key growth positions:
1. Consistency
Daily time in God’s Word. Regular prayer. Faithful worship. Growth rarely happens in big emotional moments. It happens in daily rhythms.

2. Community
Isolation stunts growth. We grow when we place ourselves in Christ-centred community.

Growth is not accidental. It is cultivated.

Reflection Questions

• Am I positioned for growth?
• What consistent rhythm do I need to establish?
• Am I connected to biblical community?

Prayer
“Father, plant me in the right environment. Help me delight in Your Word and remain rooted in Your people. Amen.”

DAY 4 – Participation: Don’t Just Listen

Scripture
James 1:22–25; Philippians 2:12–13 (NIV)

Devotional Thought
You can be positioned correctly and still not grow if you don’t participate.

James says: “Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.”

Growth requires engagement.

You cannot:
• Attend church and expect automatic maturity.
• Hear sermons and assume transformation.
• Read Scripture and ignore application.

Participation is asking: What is my next step?

Philippians tells us: “Work out your salvation… for it is God who works in you.” God works in. You work out. Growth is cooperative.

Reflection Questions

• What is God asking me to act on?
• What step have I delayed?

Prayer
“Holy Spirit, show me my next step. Give me courage not just to hear — but to obey. Amen.”

DAY 5 – A Surrendered Life

Scripture
2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

Devotional Thought
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.”

Growth is not about adding Jesus to your life. It is about giving Him your life. The journey of growth is a journey of ownership.

Every day we wake up and declare:
• Not my will.
• Not my ego.
• Not my agenda.
• But Christ in me.

Some reading this need to surrender an area of their life. Some need to surrender their whole life. Transformation begins at the cross.

Reflection Questions

• Have I truly surrendered ownership?
• If someone observed my life, who appears to be in control — me or Christ?

Prayer
“Jesus, I lay my life before You. Crucify what needs to die. Live Your life through me. I surrender fully to You. Amen.”

Final Thought
The goal of growth is not a better you. It is a transformed you. It is no longer you who live — but Christ who lives in you.