the good way

Maturity

A pursuit of wholeness and holiness

“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of any kind. Like newborn babies, crave spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” - 1 Peter 2:1-3

Scripture is clear that we are invited on a journey of becoming spiritually, emotionally and physically healthy and mature, as we become more like Jesus. Maturity is not defined or dictated by our age, because it’s possible to be a Christian and not living authentically and fully as a disciple of Jesus.

Spiritual formation is the process by which God transforms us from the inside out, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and this transformation should affect every facet of our lives. Over time, as our inner hearts and outward behaviors are shaped and formed, we should become people who more closely resemble Jesus in character and in action. This process will take our entire lives!

When it comes to this journey, God initiates it, sustains it and completes it and yet, it is also a journey that requires our active participation. Being an apprentice of Jesus will involve taking up our crosses and following him. God wants us to grow and mature and become more like His son. He wants to lead us into greater joy and freedom and the journey of becoming whole and holy will cost us. Our transformation is being contended for, and we continually battle against the world, the flesh and the devil but God has promised to bring His good work to completion.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” - Deuteronomy 6:5

So often we compartmentalize our lives, but God wants to be Lord over all of us - our hearts and minds, our spirits, and our physical bodies. During this session we will explore what it looks like for us to pursue wholeness and holiness, becoming more mature physically, emotionally, relationally and spiritually.

Session video

Personal Reflection

Take some time to reflect on the following questions:

  1. What are some of the areas of my life in which I have already experienced a degree of change, growth or maturity? What caused that maturing?
  2. In what ways have I already experienced the pain of ‘taking up my cross?
  3. How is my emotional, mental and spiritual health impacting those close to me and my own physical body?
  4. How am I inviting God and others to speak into my present sin patterns?
  5. Are there any areas of my life (of which I am aware) that I have not surrendered to Jesus? Is there any place in me that I have not given Lordship over to Jesus?

Stories of maturity


Session Resources

To go further with this session, take a look at some of the following activities, readings and other resources:

Activations

Devotionals

Teachings

Miscellaneous resources

Books