July 19 – 25, 2008

GROWING INTO MATURITY – Part 1

In this lesson, you will learn how to grow into spiritual maturity and be able to identify evidences of spiritual maturity.

I. Growing into maturity – Ephesians 4:11-16.

A. Verses 11-14 – “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” – vv. 11-12.

B. Verse 15 – “But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ.”

C. Verse 16 – “From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share.”

II. Evidences of spiritual maturity.

A. Accepting responsibility.

B. Doing your assignment.

C. Making disciples – reproducing.

D. Co-laborering with Jesus in the Father’s business.

E. Bearing fruit.

1. Fruit of the Spirit.

2. Fruit of answered prayer.

3. Fruit of souls won to Jesus.

4. Fruit of people trained and discipled.

F. Living humble servant lifestyle.

G. Living by the Word of God.

H. Being led consistently by the Holy Spirit of God.

I. Living in the grace of God and ministering His grace.

J. Doing the work of the ministry.

K. Living in harmony with others.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• Have you thought maturity was based on the age or number of years you have been a Christian?
• Have you related maturity to experience?
• Have you related maturity to knowledge and information?
• Have you thought maturity was based on how many different churches you attended?

BE A DOER OF THE WORD

This teaching is to help you see things you need to work on. The list of evidences of spiritual maturity is a goal-setting list, not a condemnation list. Say, “I am going to grow in these areas.”  Evaluate yourself on each item using a scale of 1-10.  Then make yourself accountable to someone else as you begin to work to improve in these spiritual maturity qualities.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE: Ephesians 4:15 – “But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ.”