This is progressive sanctification, which is a life long work. Steps to christian maturity new life bible baptist church. Sermons from colossians spiritual maturity in christ 2. Its wonderful that people understand what they believe, but knowledge in and of itself is not a hallmark of christian maturity. What does it take to grow up and become spiritually mature.
The christian has two primary reasons for having a healthy selfimage. This practical and easytouse study for new believers will help master the basics of the christian faith. The disciple will understand the difference between spiritual maturity and spirituality. Now lest you misunderstand what i am saying, let me define what i mean by that. Lewis said, it may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird. Often we feel like we do not know where we need to start when we approach the spiritual growth process. The common knowledge section now includes a series field. Ten steps of christian maturity sermon by paul fritz. And some of the most biblically literate people in jesus day got bypassed as disciples. To create a series or add a work to it, go to a work page.
Featuring biblical references, an easytounderstand text, and thoughtprovoking questions, this practical guide is excellent for both personal and group studies. After salvation, every christian begins the process of spiritual growth, with the intent to become spiritually mature. Our prayer is that through this study you will grow in your knowledge of god and the bible. Christian maturity is an everpresent goal for believers in. Each of the gospel writers matthew, mark luke and john describe jesus friends initial reactions when they learned of the resurrection.
Mature christians will grow in their faith and be challenged to. Ten basic steps is a timetested study series designed to provide you and your students with a sure foundation for your faith. The uniqueness of jesus jesus christ is the subject of more than 300 old testament prophecies. The christian read the best books, assimilated them, and lived the freest intellectual life the world had known. The result is that because of this character transformation, the christian lives out in daily life, what the apostle paul called, the fruit of the spirit gal. The christian life is a personal intimate relationship between you. Spiritual maturity a definition spiritual maturity is a process that begins when a person accepts jesus christ as savior. Gods word presents steps we can take toward growth and spiritual maturity by bible study, patience, and diligent practice of. Steps to spiritual maturity victory christian church. Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of christ and go on to maturity hebrews 6. Solid steps of christian growth a study of 2 peter 1. You will draw closer to god in your new relationship with him, and enjoy intimate fellowship with him, as god the holy spirit leads and directs in your life.
Being undeveloped to maturity big idea each believer needs to be part of an environment characterized by healthy relationships with god, other believers and unbelievers in order to grow in christian maturity. Remember that paul is an example of spiritual maturity and thus worthy of our emulation 1co 11. Growing from milk to meat bay city apostolic christian. Ten basic steps toward christian maturity series by bill. Steps to spiritual maturity week 1 how we grow up in christ 1 peter 2. Bible study ten basic steps toward christian maturity by bill bright and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The disciple will understand the key factors in becoming an adult christian. From the very start every christian had to know and to understand, and he had to read the gospels, he had to be able to give a reason for his faith. The abcs of christian maturity for the faith of the gospel. The apostle paul said that spiritual growth is an ongoing process. Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the lord is gracious. What now lord 10 steps to christian maturity logos.
Psychological, contemplative, and moral challenges in christian living article pdf available january 2012 with 2,362 reads how we measure reads. You will draw closer to god in your new relationship with him, and enjoy intimate fellowship with him, as god the holy spirit leads and directs in. Cbn is a global ministry committed to preparing the. Why we need a different kind of maturity in the church. Christian maturity is an everpresent goal for believers in christ. There are different ways of conceptualizing and articulating steps for moving people toward saving faith in jesus, and then further into christian maturity. As time passes, he should develop the qualities or abilities which the bible says characterize the mature. Spiritual maturity is achieved through becoming more like jesus christ. Spiritual growth is a not an option, reserved for a few select christians.
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in. Considering our struggles read the think about it notepad. Discipler training international, a nondenominational discipleship ministry, provides free discipleship resources for training disciplers spiritual mentors to help every christian grow in spiritual maturity colossians 1. Study to shew thyself approved unto god, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Spiritual maturity is not the norm in our society today. Lesson 1 apostasy lesson 2 the bride of christ lesson 3 the crucified life lesson 4 divorce lesson 5 education lesson 6 financial freedom. Many believers do not manifest in their lives, the marks of spiritual maturity. This article takes its cues from the trellis and the vine. The apostle peter says, grow in the grace and knowledge of our lord and savior jesus christ 2 peter 3. A handbook for christian maturity 10 basic steps toward. Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. Although no believer can reach total christlikeness during earthly life, the bible places it as the goal for every christian. Christian maturity discipler training international.
Its teachings will challenge you, and, if you allow, the holy spirit will change you for all eternity. Biblical principles for christian maturity chapter 20. In this 192page course, rick howard teaches that although we cannot become completely like christ, we are to reach for this highest of goals that the bible sets for us. The lessons are great for daily devotional time and for use with groups of all sizes, youth to adult. Final steps in christian maturity is a careful selection of some of the very best material found in that original threevolume work. The christian who has been living in spiritual defeat will find hope in these pages, and those who do no yet know christ as savior will find a comprehensive handbook of the christian faith.
Growth is development or improvement toward a goal called maturity or, in the bible, perfection. Over 450 years ago, erasmus expressed a hope that some day the farmer as he followed the plough and the weaver as he sat at the loom would cheer themselves as they studied the message of scripture. To what extent do the new christian maturity scales demonstrate internal. When it is applied to christian growth, it indicates spiritual maturity in contrast to childlike immaturity as, for example, in this command from paul. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Ten basic steps toward christian maturity step 2 the christian and the abundant life. We see that he had a concern for his brethren notice 2co 11. The abcs of christian maturity an a to z bible studies in the meat of the word, 1998, robert j. Exposure when the truth of the scriptures is revealed to people through teaching, preaching, films, examples, good works, conversations, healing, answers to prayers, or any means of communication, people are able to see the benefits of a mature relationship with christ. Whether youre a new believer, one who has attained a degree of maturity, or a seasoned saint, you will be blessed by this book. Spiritual maturity growing from milk to meat discussion aids. Christian maturity is an important thing in the life of a christian.
The author of hebrews also writes pointedly about spiritual growth. In the test manual, adams 1998 noted that cronbachs alphas reported from 20. Scripture offers valuable insights into how a christian can grow spiritually. Depth of knowledge is seen as the goal of maturity. Steps to christian m new life bible baptist church. The purpose of this session is to give the disciple understanding which will help growth toward maturity. When one is born again as a child of god, he is spiritually immature. There are few greater privileges than to have the bible in ones own language. When the new testament addresses spiritual maturity, it uses the common greek word teleios, which means perfect or complete. It is moving beyond the basics and moving towards a life of full devotion of god. Enter the name of the series to add the book to it. His birth nearly 2,000 years ago, and events of his life had been foretold by many prophets. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of god, to mature manhood, to the measure. Spiritual growth like emotional maturity occurs only when we choose to grow if we do not make that choice, and stick to it, there will be no spiritual growth.
Spiritual maturity growing from milk to meat discussion aids 5 grow from where you are 1 timothy 4. Growing from milk to meat apostolic christian counseling and family services 8773709988. Gray hairs and spiritual maturity are not necessarily. By urging us to grow, this verse reminds us that growth is both desirable and expected.
Beginning the exciting journey of faith ten basic steps toward christian maturity, step 1, the christian and the abundant lif. In some cases, as with chronicles of narnia, disagreements about order necessitate the creation of more than one series. Evidences of spiritual maturity be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. The reason spiritual maturity needs to be defined is because many people separate their spiritual and material life in their thinking. The abcs of christian maturity volume i am a apostasy pp. As a christian leader, i consider my number one priority to be to help believers succeed in their spiritual life. His birth nearly 2,000 years ago, and events of his life had been foretold by many prophets during a period of 1,500 years.
The disciple will understand the relationship between spiritual maturity and spirituality. Christian maturity is being a responsible son or daughter of god. How important is spiritual growth in christian life. Spiritual growth is a similar concept but is far more important. This goal is to reach the very height of christs full stature ephesians 4. Jesus christ is the subject of more than 300 old testament prophecies. According to the apostle paul, its an ongoing process that will never end in this life. Based on the 10step course offered by campus crusade for christ international, it has helped millions of people tackle tough issues such as salvation, security, temptation, understanding scripture, answers to prayer. Spiritual maturity is marked by knowing how to handle problems and apply right principles from the bible to every circumstance of life. Competence act like men esv be brave nkjv competence means to possess faculties and abilities that are developed to a responsible level of fitness. He or she is born again of the holy spirit and then chooses to live in christ.
86 7 223 150 163 1403 1162 956 1095 220 951 482 437 1255 1254 889 1645 582 197 48 1596 578 1266 268 1635 1397 1505 770 859 436 928 949 437 799 390 598 127 1376 471 875 1247 1013 1015 155 335 1054