Spiritual Maturity
Levels of Transformation
There are 3 levels of transformation (or change) that every believer should experience:
| Level | When? | Bible references | Who is changed? | How? | Who is responsible |
| 1. | At new birth | Ezekiel 36:262 Corinthians 5:17 | Your spirit | Instantly | You and God |
| 2. | After new birth | Romans 12:1-2Philippians 2:12 | Your soul | Gradually | You and God |
| 3. | At the second coming | 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 | Your Body | Instantly | God |
Spiritual maturity is all about transformation at the second level.
What is Spiritual Maturity?
Text: Ephesians 4:13-14
Discussion point: What does spiritual maturity mean to you?
Spiritual maturity encompasses the following:
- The life-long pursuit of being Christ-like in thoughts, words and actions (Ephesians 4:13, Romans 12:2, Revelations 3:15-16)
- Having an intimate experiential knowledge of God (1 John 2:13-14, Hebrews 6:1-3)
Evidence of maturity or attributes of a mature Christian:
- Able to clearly hear from God
- Stability and capacity in the Christian walk
- Depth of character
Maturity Habits
What do I do to grow up spiritually?
1. No Scripture, No Supper: God’s word is to your spirit man what food is to your natural man (Matthew 4:4, 1Peter 2:2)
2. Prayer: Rich and dynamic communication is the live-wire of any relationship (Luke 18:1, Ephesians 5:16-20)
3. Fasting: This is necessary for keeping the flesh under to attain different levels in God (2 Corinthians 9:27, Luke 2:36-37, Acts 13:2, 2 Corinthians 11:27)
4. Soul-winning: It demonstrates the genuineness of your faith to the world and the devil. It is God’s heart-cry and it must be yours as well (Acts 1:8)
5. Giving: This is the only proof that all that you have now belong to God. It opens you up to the bountifully abundant blessings of God (Matthew 6:25-33)
6. Act of Kindness: Organize your life to be a blessing to people who cannot pay you back. This is how to lay up treasures for yourself in heaven (Matthew 5:43-47)
7. Kingdom Service: This is the only proof that your time and attention now belong to God. It brings a sense of balance and fulfilment to your life as a believer (John 5:17)
8. Ongoing relationship with the Holy Spirit who is the true agent of change (2 Corinthians 3:6, John 6:63, Philippians 2:12-13)
9. Being a part of a small family of God’s people which is a conducive environment for transformation (Psalms 68:5- 6, Psalms 133)
Spiritual Health Assessment
Spiritual Health Assessment (Adapted from Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren). Circle the most appropriate. “1” being not at all and “5” being all the time.
CONNECT: You were formed for God’s family
| I am developing authentic community within my church family | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I am more loving, grace giving and forgiving to others than I was a year ago | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I am intentionally cultivating my relationships with Christian friends and spiritual mentors | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I am regularly connecting with my immediate family relationships (parents, spouse, kids etc) | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I am resolving conflicts in a biblical manner and supporting the leadership of my church | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Membership Total |
GROW: You were created to become like Christ
| I have a growing relationship with God through regular quiet time in His word and | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I respond to challenges with peace and faith rather than anxiety and fear | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I avoid using addictive behaviours (food, television, busyness etc) to meet my needs | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I have a relationship with someone that encourages my spiritual health and growth | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I am honouring God with my finances (personal giving and tithing) | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Maturity Total |
SERVE: You were shaped for serving God
| I am open and praying to be used by God and express my unique talents for ministry | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I am expressing my unique God-given design as a way of life (home, work and community) | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I am serving in a regular ministry/department in the church or community | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I am sharing group ownership by assuming a small responsibility or facilitating a group | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I am discovering new ways to cultivate and develop my unique talents for ministry | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Ministry Total |
SHARE: You were made for a mission
| I am actively praying for & cultivating relationships with un-churched friends & family | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I am inviting un-churched people to church and sharing my spiritual story with them | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I am seeking to connect un-churched people into our church or small groups | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I am praying and actively considering where God can use me now and in the future | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I am regularly investing in the spiritual life of another person or group | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Mission Total |
WORSHIP: You were planned for God’s pleasure
| I am faithfully attending church worship services for spiritual renewal and refreshment | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I have a personal plan and process to help me achieve my spiritual goals and dreams | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I have a growing heart for worship to God through music and praise | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I am honoring God with my physical and personal health (exercise and nutrition) | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| I am pleasing God with every dimension of my life by balancing His purposes in my life | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Membership Total |
| 0-5 | 6-10 | 11-15 | 16-20 | Above 21 |
| Just Beginning | Fair | Getting Going | Very Good | Well Developed |
Christian Character
Text: Galatians 5:22-23
What are the elements of Christian Character (that is, the fruit of the Spirit)?
- Love: Divine affection not earned or lost by good or bad deeds (I John 4:7, I Corinthians 13)
- Joy: Simple gladness that flows from our spirit without any earthly reason (Acts 2:46)
- Peace: An inner calmness in the soul not based on earthly conditions (Philippians 4:7)
- Longsuffering or Patience: Enablement from the Holy Spirit to be tolerant of others. It helps us to endure their imperfections with love and hope that God is at work in them
- Gentleness or Kindness: Having a kind and good disposition towards others. Putting their well-being ahead of our own in our thoughts and attitude towards them (Philippians 2:3)
- Goodness: Deliberate acts to cater for the needs and desires of others at the expense of ours. It is basically acting out our kindness (Hebrews 13:1-3)
- Faith: A heartfelt commitment to God and godly things. Reliability and consistency (2 Timothy 2:2)
- Meekness: Mildness of temper. A humble and quiet mind that makes us teachable. (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2, James 1:21)
- Temperance: Ability to discipline (not indulge) the flesh. Being moderate in all things: food, sleep, drink, entertainment, fashion, talking etc (1Corinthians 9:27)
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