Growing in Maturity in Christ Ihe Atụ

Five Phases of Spiritual Growth: Young Adults

This week we have looked at the following stages of spiritual growth: birth, infancy, and childhood.  Today, I am glad to share with you the next phase and that is young adulthood.  Just as a human being experiences all these phases of growth into maturity so does the follower of Jesus.  Or at least they should.  It is not God’s will for you and me to remain in the state of spiritual immaturity.  God desires for us to grow and thrive in our relationship with Him.  Just as it is unnatural for an adult to look and act like a baby, it is not desirous of Christians to continue to look and act as children when they should have moved onto maturity.

One of the key factors in knowing one has moved out of spiritual childhood into spiritual adulthood is he or she is much less self-centered and has a deep desire to serve God and others.  The Apostle Paul admonishes the church at Philippi to do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit.  Being self-focused and proud are very easy default positions for followers of Jesus.  We have to constantly battle these twin towers of temptation, or at least I do.  I have no problem in looking out for me, and unfortunately, I can readily forget that God is the one to receive all the credit for anything good in my life.

Putman writes, “Spiritual young adults begin to see that God shaped them for a purpose, and as their priorities begin to change, they start looking for a place to serve where they can use their abilities and gifts.  They make the sacrifice necessary to serve.  As they become more secure in Christ, they are able to overlook the faults of others.  They are action-oriented, zealous, and in need of a way to be involved in ministry.”  (Putnam, p. 52) Don’t you just love being around people like this!  I know I do.  They are such a joy to be around.  There is little to no complaining; they are constantly looking for ways to help the church and not tear her down.  These people are simply what makes the church thrive and not just survive.  I pray that their tribe increase exponentially.

Here are some of the phrases from the stage of those who are spiritual young adults: “I love my group, but there are others who need a group like this.”  “Look at how many are at church today—it’s awesome!  I had to walk two blocks from the closest parking spot.”  “Randy and Rachel missed group and I called to see if they are okay.  Their kids have the flu, so maybe our group can make meals for them. I’ll start.” (Ibid., 53)

Perhaps you are reading today’s devotion and thinking to yourself, “Our church could really use some folks like this.  They do not complain, but they pray and serve.”  The key to having people like this in your church is to help them grow to the point where they are no longer children but young adults who are less concerned for personal preferences and more concerned for reaching people for Christ.  These servant leaders are usually so busy serving and pointing people to Christ that they seldom complain and hardly ever leave the church to go and find greener ecclesiastical pastures.

One of the best ways we can help followers of Jesus grow into maturity, according to Putman, is provide them places to serve in the church.  He also instructs church leadership to help foster “ongoing relationships that offer encouragement and accountability.”  (Putman, p.54) I am grateful to God for the many young adults God has blessed us with in our local church.  We have a small army of men and women who have grown past spiritual adolescence and into maturity marked by a sweet spirit of cooperation and service.  In the words of Paul in our biblical text for today, they look out for the interests of others.