Maturing

Somebody recently asked me, “What does the process of maturing look like?“  This was a great question and it caused me to step back for a second and really think about an answer.

I could give them the college answer: Discipleship!  “Discipling others is the process by which a Christian with a life worth emulating commits them self to a few individuals, for an extended period of time, who have been won to Christ, the purpose being to aid and guide their growth to maturity and equip them to reproduce themselves in a 3rd spiritual generation.”

I could give them the pastor answer:  “What does spiritual maturity look like to you?” I heard that a couple times, but I think it might be because they didn’t know the answer either.

Or I could give a practical answer that may or may not be accurate but is simply only my point of view.  Maturing in a person’s life is when you quit holding their hand and allow them to become a self-feeder.  It’s the moment that you say, it is your turn to walk on your own.  That doesn’t mean you leave them all alone.  It means that you allow them to fall and make mistakes, but you are there to help them back up and show them where and why they slipped up.

So when it comes to spiritual maturity and helping others in that process you have to ask your self three questions:

1. What is spiritual growth?
2. What are you trying to accomplish on this journey?
3. How did we grow?

There is not one particular answer but when someone can begin to grow and walk on their own, then that is a win for the person being discipled and the person discipling.  By the way notice I said it was a journey.  Spiritual growth that happens instantly usually dies instantly.  It is a process and it takes time and during that time they will fall and guess what so will you.  “Love them where they are not where you expect them to be and show them grace along the process.”