Growing Up Spiritually

1. In Ephesians chapter 4 Paul talks about us growing unto a perfect (mature) person.
This word perfect means REACHING MATURITY!

2. According to Ephesians Chapter 4:14, one who is still a spiritual child is: tossed to and fro, carried away by every wind of doctrine, deceived by humanities craftiness and deceit

3. There is a similarity between spiritual development and physical development! 1 Peter 2:2, 1 John 2:13, Eph 4:15

4. Three Comparative aspects of Spiritual Growth and Development to Natural Growth ARE Development are:
1. Babyhood
2. Childhood
3. Adulthood

Mature Christians are responsible for those in the babyhood stage of Christian development.

STUDY THESE TRAITS AND STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT:

BABYHOOD: ~1Peter 2:2, Mark 10:15-16
IGNORANCE
INNOCENCE
IRRITABLILITY

CHILDHOOD: ~Ephesians 4:14, 1 Cor 13:11
UNSTEADINESS
TALKATIVENESS
CURIOSITY

ADULTHOOD: (Maturity) ~1 Jn 2:14, Heb 5:12-14
ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE GOD AT WORK
DEADNESS TO CENSURE AND PRAISE
ESTEEMING EARTHLY THINGS LIGHTLY

How to you Monitor/Measure Spiritual Growth?

THE SUPER SEVEN (Dr. Keith Matthews)
On a 10 point scale, 10 being high, do the following, then use this as a basis
for prayer and reflection. In available, share with your lay pastor, and make a plan to grow.

____ Rate your life witness as fact (not words)
____ Rate your life in the area of confident, expectant prayer.
____ Rate your life as a conduit of God’s power.
____ Rate your basic confidence & faith in God in all things.
____ Rate your level of freedom from worry, anxiety, and fear.
____ Rate your level of mercy and compassion for those in pain or suffering injustice.
____ Rate your committed participation and service to the body of Christ.

Or… Develop Your own list based on your churches core values (the behaviors or fruit that you want to see in the life of a fully-devoted follower of Christ)