#6 We GROW by Pruning the Branches

Various PRUNING METHODS are vital to keep a healthy plant GROWING PROPERLY…

- THINNING — removing a problematic shoot, limb, or branch entirely — SENSITIVITY

- TOPPING — shaping a younger tree down to a few large branches — DISCIPLINE

- RAISING — removing the lower branches to provide higher clearance — MOTIVATION

- REDUCTION — reducing size, height, spread of tree while maintaining form — HUMILITY

There are clear BENEFITS of pruning branches both PHYSICALLY and SPIRITUALLY…

- PURGING — ERADICATION of anything that is not CHRISTLIKE — 2 Tim 2:21

- STIMULATION — EXTENSION of new growth in GRACE — 2 Pet 3:18

-  AUGMENTATION — EXPANSION to a deeper level of MATURITY— Eph 4:14-15

- ILLUMINATION — ENLIGHTENMENT for daily Christian LIVING — 1 John 1:7