Importance of MaturitySession 2:

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”

1 PETER 2:2

“Can you measure me today?” asked Caleb, a paperboy.” It was not the first time he had made that request. A few years ago, I was telling him how tall he as getting. Since then, he often measured himself on the siding of our house. After all this time, he still makes sure he wants me to measure him.

Measurements can be indicators of growth. And as Christians, it is important to measure our spiritual growth. We have no excuse to be mediocre Christians. Mediocre means those who:

– have stagnant growth (not improving), – are contented with what they have and not pushing

themselves to grow,– too busy in accomplishing worldly dreams than

spiritual dreams,– have no self-discipline (not reading the Bible, praying,

going to church)

We don’t have an excuse not to grow. Every Christian must grow-must MATURE.

Jesus gave us the go signal

to mature. As 2 Peter 3:18 states, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Read Ephesians 4:14-15:

Note the message: • BE NO MORE (like) CHILDREN!– It has been years since you’ve been a Christian. But

why is it that small things like peer pressure, worldly comfort, money, wrong doctrines and values, still controls you? Where’s your STAND?

• GROW IN GRACE! GROW UP!– We should be growing; we must be maturing. Do you

have a stronger, firmer mind towards life, temptation, and challenges? Towards Christ?

• CHECK-UP! A while ago, we went back to our first day, the

day when we got saved. Now to check, how many months, years have gone by? Now, everyone must have matured already. But let me ask you, ARE YOU

BASICS:– Do I read the Bible everyday? Same to the fact if I eat

everyday?

– Do I pray everyday? Same to the fact if I converse with people close to me everyday?

– Do I worship Christ everyday, especially during Lord’s day? Same to the fact if I go home to my house everyday?

– Do I share the Gospel to people? Same to the fact if I share good news and stories to friends and peers?

NEXT LEVEL Factors!– Do I have a burden?– Do I have a ministry?– Am I loyal to my church, which represents Christ?– Can I be trusted in the church to carry out big

responsibilities?– Do people see my Christianity, Saved and unsaved

alike?– Am I already taking care/having discipleship of

someone? Or is it me that is still being taken care of?

• LEVEL UP!– Am I committing myself,

my life, dreams, advocacies, and future to the Lord?

– Do I reflect the image of my Creator?

– Can I carry other’s weaknesses?

– Do I have initiative?

Christian Life values –the key to maturity. You must have wisdom-the skills in living.

“Get Wisdom, get understanding: forget it not…” Proverbs 4:5a

So, have you measured yourself lately?

The Christian Life is a “walk.” It is not one giant leap, but a lot of little

steps in the same direction.

So, what’s your measurement?

Given the list, it is time for our first reflection. Spend the rest of the morning to sit out, think out the things that you already do, or should do to mature.

• In addition, include the following questions:– How do I prepare myself in the

message God may give me at the course of this event? Is my heart now ready to learn? If not, what can I do to be ready to learn?

– Given the things I missed from the list, what will I do to make up to the shortcomings I had?

Salvation is the miracle of a moment; growth is a labor of a lifetime. – Daily Bread, Vol 13-B, October 1