RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL

LESSON TWELVE: SUNDAY, 23rd November 2014

SPIRITUAL MATURITY

MEMORY VERSE: “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat”. Hebrews 5:12.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Ephesians 4: 11-14

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (KJV)

INTRODUCTION: After salvation, every believer is expected to begin the processof spiritual growth. Just like a baby grows from living on ordinary milk to some light solid meal and eventually to cracking real bones at adulthood, a Christian must grow from just taking the milk of the word to a spiritual bone-cracker. Spiritual maturity is achieved through becoming more like Jesus Christ.

OUTLINES:

1. THE PROCESS OF MATURITY
2. SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY

THE PROCESS OF MATURITY

Spiritual maturity is an ongoing process that will never end in this life, Philippians 3:12-14. It requires a radical re-ordering of one’s priorities, changing over from pleasing self to pleasing God and learninq to obey Him. The key to maturity is consistency; perseverance in doing those things we know will bring us closer to God. These practices are referred to as spiritual disciplines. They include things such as Bible reading and study, prayer, fellowship, service, stewardship and ultimately the enabling of the Holy Spirit within us – Galatians 5:16. As we submit more and more to the control of the Holy Spirit, we will also see an increase in the fruit of the Spirit in our lives- Galatians 5:22-23, 2Peter1 :5-8.

It is very crucial to note that spiritual growth is the basis for ministry. The ministry gifts given to the church are to serve the purpose of maturing every believer in Christ – Ephesians 4: 11-14.

SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY

Mature believers possess some of these indicators: An appetite for ‘strong meat’, i.e. love for deeper doctrines – Hebrews 5:12-14. Unyieldingness to personal offence, PhiI.1:15-18. A conscience informed by Scripture, not opinions – Romans 14:1-3. A sense of humility when used by God in ministry – 1Timothy 3:6, 2Corinthians 4:7. A tendency to give credit for spiritual growth to God, not people -1Corinthians 3:4-7.

CONCLUSION

1Corinthians 14:20 “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men”. Ask for grace to grow to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

QUESTIONS

1. Describe spiritual maturity.
2. What are the evidences of spiritual maturity?

BLESSED WEEK WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

MONDAY: Hebrews 6:11-Perfection in Christ Jesus is attainable.
TUESDAY: 1Corinthians 13:11- Growth is a necessity.
WEDNESDAY: 2Timothy 4:7-8 – Move on to the greater height.
THURSDAY: James 3:17- Have the full form of godliness.
FRIDAY: 2Corinthians 3:5 – Our sufficiency unto maturity is of God.
SATURDAY: 2Corinthians 3:5 – Heavenly consciousness is an important ingredient of spiritual maturity.
SUNDAY: Colossians 3:17 – Be thankful.

Thanks to ‘Daily Devotion’ of the RCCG for this post.