Goal: To survey church and ministry leaders in order to discover best practices in the area of spiritual growth.
What are your assumptions about spiritual growth?
Do you agree?
1. It is possible to mature in the faith.
2. It is possible to be a believer and remain immature in the faith.
3. One must be born again in order to become mature.
4. Pre-death, believers will always have potential to grow. No one is ‘Fully Mature’.
5. God designed spiritual growth to involve three essential elements: His work in us, our personal effort, and the support/gifts of a Christian community. All three are necessary for a mature faith.
6. Life experiences, including hardships, are a part of the maturing process.
7. ‘Fully Mature’ is thinking and acting like Jesus in every situation.
What does maturity look like?
Indicators of a mature Christian which are ever increasing in practice and “want to”: Do you agree?
1. Involved in Christian community (both giving and receiving)
2. Fully surrendered - seeking to serve God in every area of their life.
3. Practicing His Presence - Being God aware throughout the day resulting in worship, thanksgiving, “praying without ceasing”, and a peace in present circumstances.
4. Spirit Led - Can and does hear from the Lord and directs decisions accordingly.
5. Characterized by the fruit of the Spirit and character traits like in 1 Timothy 3.
6. Is on a mission. Seeking to make disciples in this lifetime.
7. Longs to be with Jesus in Heaven and motivated by a Heavenly reward.
8. Grasps the message communicated in the Scriptures.
9. Marked by humility, transparency, and is repentant when in the wrong.
