Spiritual Maturity. RCCG Sunday School Teachers

Spiritual maturity is consciously leaving the longings for continuous “milk and baby steps” and growing to be like Christ. This involves feeding on “strong meats” and living for Christ alone.

OPENING PRAYER: Father, help me to grow spiritually and be like Christ always.

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: The teacher should allow the Assistant teacher to review the lesson for the previous week.

MEMORY VERSE: “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” – 1 Corinthians 3:3 (KJV)

BIBLE PASSAGE: Hebrews 5:12-14 (KJV)

12 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.

13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Spiritual maturity is consciously leaving the longings for continuous “milk and baby steps” and growing to be like Christ. This involves feeding on “strong meats” and living for Christ alone. Every believer is expected to grow up to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13).

LESSON AIM: To teach the students about spiritual maturity in Christ.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES:

Through this study, students are expected to:

a. Understand the meaning of spiritual maturity.

b. Recognise signs of spiritual Immaturity.

c. Know how to attain spiritual maturity.

To achieve the above-stated objectives, the teacher should:

a. Allow the students to recite the memory verse, read the Bible passage, contribute to the discussion, do class activities and assignment.

b. Allow the Assistant Teacher to see to the well-being of the class, mark attendance and assignment.

c. Teach the lesson outlines, summarise, conclude, evaluate the lesson, and give an assignment to the students.

TEXT REVIEW: Hebrews 5:12-14.

Apostle Paul expresses his disappointment in some brethren who have refused to grow spiritually. He made the following remarks:

i. 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. V12.

ii. For everyone that ……………………………………………….V13.

iii. But strong meat ……………………………………………..V14.

LESSON OUTLINES:

SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL IMMATURITY

JOURNEY TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY

1. SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL IMMATURITY

The following are some of the signs that a believer in Christ is not growing in the faith as expected by God:

Selfishness – Like babies, such a believer cares about him/herself alone (2 Timothy 3:2; Philippians 2:21).

Gifted but lacking the corresponding fruit of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7).

Quick to speak, slow to hear (Proverbs 12:18; James 1:19).

Given to complaining and murmuring at all times (1 Corinthians 10:10).

Quick at judging others and justifying him/herself (John 8:7; Matthew 7:1).

Inability to endure sound doctrines (2 Timothy 4:3): loves to be pampered and listens to only what is soothing.

Controlled by sights/emotions/feelings (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Engaging in envy, strife, heated arguments, and disagreements (James 3:14-16).

Gets upset over petty things (Proverbs 19:11).

Flowing with the world (1 John 2:15-17).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should discuss how they can know a believer is mature spiritually.

2. JOURNEY TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY

A. The journey to spiritual maturity begins with a deliberate walk with the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4, 14).

i. It is about feeding intensely on the word of God (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15), and doing what the word says (James 1:25).

ii. Also, there must be visible manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24).

B. Spiritual maturity also entails:

i. Forgiving and growing to forget (Colossians 3:13).

ii. Taking to corrections and heeding instructions (Proverbs 1:8; 4:13).

iii. Managing our emotions and living beyond our feelings (Proverbs 16:32).

iv. Having integrity and not going with the ‘current’ of the world (Job 27:5; Proverbs 20:7).

v. Doing away with strife (Proverbs 20:3);

vi. Being humble (Proverbs 22:4; James 4:6);

vii. Putting on the righteousness of Christ to produce pure fruits always (Ephesians 4:24).

The journey to spiritual maturity begins with a deliberate walk with the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4, 14). It is about feeding intensely on the word of God (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15), and doing what the word says (James 1:25). Also, there must be visible manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24).

Spiritual maturity also entails forgiving and growing to forget (Colossians 3:13); taking to corrections and heeding instructions (Proverbs 1:8; 4:13); managing our emotions and living beyond our feelings (Proverbs 16:32); having integrity and not going with the ‘current’ of the world (Job 27:5; Proverbs 20:7); doing away with strife (Proverbs 20:3); being humble (Proverbs 22:4; James 4:6); putting on the righteousness of Christ to produce pure fruits always (Ephesians 4:24).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Students should share how higher dimensions in their walk with God began.

QUESTIONS:

Mention three signs of spiritual immaturity.

How can believers become spiritually mature?

EVALUATION: Mention five signs of spiritual immaturity.

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, I receive the grace to grow in my walk with you in Jesus’ name.

ASSIGNMENT: Write out five names of Christians around you who exhibit spiritual maturity (No mark).