Main Thought
When we come to faith in Christ, we begin a new, spiritual life. We’re like spiritual infants. But God doesn’t intend for His people to remain this way. He invites us to continue growing into spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity includes things like growing in our love for God and others, developing Christlike character, perseverance, learning God’s Word, and discerning God’s will. Spiritual maturity is measured by more than what we know - it should be manifested in the way we live.
Spiritual maturity often parallels natural maturity. Over time, people generally learn to care for themselves. Eventually, they develop the ability to care for others. Mature Christians do more than grow for their own sake. They help others grow too, encouraging and discipling others so that the church is strengthened and God's Kingdom advances.
Main Passages
11 There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
- Hebrews 5:11-14 NLT
'Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.’
- Hebrews 6:9-12 ESV
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
- Matthew 28:20 ESV
Discussion Questions
How would you define or describe spiritual maturity? How do the Main Thought, the Main Passages, or last week’s sermon(s) influence your view of spiritual maturity?
Reflect on the measures or facets of spiritual maturity listed above. How might God be calling you to grow? What step(s) of faith can you take to participate in that process?
God calls us to help others grow in their faith too. Is there a person (or a group of people) God may be calling you to encourage, disciple, or invest in during this season? What might that look like?