Discovering Spiritual Maturity

Discovering Spiritual Maturity - Session One

AUTHOR MERLE

Discovering Spiritual Maturity - Session One

We will focus on the Four Basic Habits every Christian needs to develop in order to grow to spiritual maturity

This class will:

Equip you with skills you need to begin these habits

Explain the tools you need to continue these habits

What is “Spiritual Maturity”?

Let’s look at Ephesians 4:13

“…. In the unity of common faith, and knowledge of the Son of God, we arrive at real maturity – the measure of development which is meant by the fullness of Christ”

So therefore Spiritual Maturity is: Being like Christ

Romans 8: 29

“For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him should become like his Son…”

FACTS ABOUT SPIRITUAL MATURITY

1. It is not automatic

Heb 5:12-13

“You have Christians for a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others, but instead….you need someone to teach you…. When a person is still living on milk, it shows he isn’t very far along in the Christian Life…… He’s still a baby Christian”

2. It is a process

Prov 8:5-9 “Learn to be mature”.

2 Peter 3:18 “Continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Saviour Jesus Christ”.

There are no shortcuts

3. It takes Discipline

1 Tim 4:7 “Take the time and the trouble to keep yourselves spiritually fit”.

“Discipline yourself in the purpose of godliness”

UNDERSTANDING DiSCIPLESHIP

1. Mature believers are called:?????? (Disciples)

2. I cannot be a disciple without being????? (Disciplined)

3. The more disciplined I become??? The more God can use me

4. The mark of a disciple is??? Christ Cross Bearing

Luke 14 :27 “Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple”.

5. How often am I to do this????? Daily

Luke 9:23 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me”.

6. What is involved in “cross bearing”? to give Christ first place in my life!

FOUR HABITS OF A DISCIPLE

How can I become a disciple?

Develop Disciple Habits (Time with God, Time in tithing)

Col 39 10 “…You have to put off the old self with its habits, and have put on the new self, which God is continually renewing in his own image, to bring you to a full knowledge of Himself”.

Old Habits have to be replaced with new habits that promote growth as a believer.

Four Habits

1. Time with God

John 8:3 1-32

“If you continue in my Word, then you are my disciples indeed. And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free”.

2. Prayer

John 15:7-8

“If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it….in this way you become my disciples”.

3. Tithing

“None of you can be my disciples unless he gives up all of his possessions”

Luke 14:33

Deut 14:23

“The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first in your lives”.

4. Fellowship

John 13:34-35

“Love each other as much as I love you, your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

DEFINITIONS OF “HABIT”

“A continual, often unconscious inclination to do a certain activity, acquired through frequent repetition”

“An established disposition of the character”.

Sow a thought, reap an act

Sow an act, reap a habit

Sow a habit, reap a character

Sow a character reap a destiny

“A customary practice”

THE GOAL OF THIS CLASS

That I will commit to the habits necessary for spiritual maturity

Rom 6:19

“In the past you voluntarily gave your bodies to the service of vice and the purposes of evil. So now give yourselves to the service of righteousness – for the purpose of becoming truly good.”