Basic Discipleship Phase 4 Session 8

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FIVE MARKS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY

This is the second of a two-part series dealing with five marks of spiritual maturity. It is important that the first session in the series be reviewed and that the two sessions be considered together. When you hand this session to your disciple, encourage him to review the last one before starting here. Though each mark is important on its own, a much better overall perspective will be gained by evaluation in light of all.

Two of life’s most defeating realities are probed here: criticism and adversity. The old saying, “This separates the boys from the men” was never more applicable. Either and certainly both expose. They are quite revealing of just how strong and mature one really is. Don’t let your disciple miss the soberness of this session. We are talking here about truly growing up.

Discipleship Minister, take a good look at where you are in light of this material. Many, many who fancied themselves as quite spiritual and mature in the Lord have succumbed to criticism and to adversity. There is a long list of deserters, people who have fallen by the wayside, many embittered, lots who are mad at God because these realities entered their lives. You could become one of them. Being honest with yourself could be God’s way of preventing it in you.

Throughout this course, there are little sections call Food for Thought. Please don’t pass over these lightly. There is not a pat answer for most of the questions. They are really to help each person with where he is and no two of us are in the same place. The questions and queries are personal. That does not mean they are trivial or unimportant. They are designed to provoke your disciple to personal application of the truths at hand. Discipleship Minister, you, too, should spend a lot of time at these little sections.

Work and pray! Time is running out. Do all you can with your disciple while you can. Bathe whatever you do in prayer both with and for him/her.

Remember that this session is a continuation of the last one. We are considering five marks of spiritual maturity. A main objective of these sessions is your own self-evaluation. Fellow disciple, you need to face squarely what spiritual growth is and look at yourself in light of clear developmental marks. God did not save you to be a wall flower. You are not to sit in the bleachers while others play the game. God saved you that you, too, might become a serious part of the process. Read Ephesians 2:10 and fill in the blanks. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

Criticism will come. It may be constructive or it may be destructive. It may come in the form of kind advice from a friend or a blunt and cruel slam from a foe. Your response will say much about your spiritual maturity level. To take it, learn and profit from it is a true measure of maturity. To reject it and continue without profit is a sure sign of immaturity.

Many scriptures talk about the importance of reproof and correction. As painful as criticism is, it can be most beneficial when heeded. Conversely, failure to heed it can often be disastrous. Read these passages, then fill in the blanks.

1. "Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish" (Proverbs 12:1).

2. "A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent" (Proverbs 15:5).

3. "Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die" (Proverbs 15:10).

4. "The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding" (Proverbs 15:31-32).

5. "He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reprooferreth" (Proverbs 10:17).

6. "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" (Proverbs 29:1).

Read James 1:22-27 then draw a line in the following exercise that leads from weakness to improvement and victory over weakness through criticism.

Note to Discipleship Minister. Only a line leading from the weakness to victory via Option #2 in each case is correct.

	Criticism Enters
	(1st set of response options)
Option #1		Option #2
Refuse to consider it		Consider its merit, its validity or invalidity
	(2nd set of response options)
Option #1		Option #2
Deny & reject it even when it's true		Face the true reality & extent of your weakness
	(3rd set of response options)
Option #1		Option #2
Allow the reality to depress & defeat you		Determine by God's grace to correct the situation
	(4th set of response options)
*Option #1*		*Option #2*
Have good intentions but nothing more		Get up and get to work correcting the problem
	Victory Over the Weakness That is Defeating You

2. Do you automatically reject criticism when it is destructive or when it reaches you via the grapevine?

4. Could it be that you are currently suffering grief and misery because you are locked into a direction of life about which many have warned and criticized you?

5. Could it be that your life would be much better and you could have avoided many a heartache if you had simply listened?

The centuries have offered a parade of fair weather soldiers, those who speak boldly and with authority until they smell the smoke of gunpowder. Many a Christian has stood in a church building and sung with gusto the great hymns of the faith about battle and faithfulness and said Amen to sermons about commitment, service and sacrifice to God. They gave every appearance of seasoned veterans, the staunchest soldiers of the cross until they got really sick, a dear loved one perished prematurely or in some radically unjust way, they suffered serious financial hardship or until other major trials or adversities arrived. Somehow that spiritual cheerleader became a spiritual wimp. Mr. Loudmouth is now mad at God. He who sang so passionately about standing on the promises has become offended at the pastor or disillusioned with the church and Christianity.

To help you gain a better understanding of how God can use adversity to both (1) accomplish good purposes fully understood only by Him and (2) for the eternal and long-term good of His child who experiences it, please read the following scriptures and complete the multiple choice exercise. Identify the answer(s) that is correct.

A. God sometimes allows adversity in people in order that He might manifest His divine power in them.

B. The person suffering the adversity may not be aware of what God is doing through or with the adversity.

D. Every adversity is not the direct result of some immediate sin in the life of the person who suffers it.

C. It is "faithfulness" in God that causes Him to afflict us when we're wrong.

D. Complain and let God and all those around us know that we're upset, that we think it's not fair and that we're unhappy with God and the whole situation.

B. Realize that the power of God and His sustaining grace can be demonstrated in and through us as we stand strong in Him.

C. Take a deep pleasure in knowing that God has a purpose in our lives and that He can and will sustain us as we trust Him.

D. Turn to God for sustaining grace rather than turning against Him in resentment.

B. Proper response to adversity is precious to God and that will be clear when Jesus returns.

C. One can make like a champion Christian when the going is easy then behave in very non-Christian ways when times get tough, but such inconsistent and contradictory behavior makes no statement about his spirituality or maturity level.

A. Keep in mind that God can supply adequate grace regardless of the situation or its severity.

C. Realize that such things as our problems are too insignificant for God's time and attention.

8. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. At The Judgment Seat of Christ which is for believers:

A. Those who talked loudly about their love and service for God but who fizzled in the hour of testing will receive the acclaim of God.

B. Those who claimed they were spiritual and mature but whose records show failure under adversity will receive the acclaim of God.

C. Those who did the will and work of God, whether or not they made any claims of spirituality or maturity, will receive the acclaim of God.

D. It will become obvious that the spiritual and mature saints were the ones who served God consistently with a right heart through the thick and the thin of life.

2. Has your dedication, faithfulness, attitude and service to God changed in the face of trials?

3. Do you really think a person is spiritual and mature who buckles under pressure?

4. Do you really think a believer is a great, spiritual and mature Christian simply because he does very well when all is easy?

When people grow up, they're expected to reproduce. In the whole natural world of life reproduction is synonymous with maturity. The drive to reproduce comes with maturity. It is the way to future generations.

Why should God's children think it should be any other way in the spiritual world? How can there be a future generation of believers unless current believers reach them? How can there be a next generation of preachers, teachers, Christian musicians, church workers and other servants of God apart from spiritual reproduction?

You have already worked exercises that establish the Biblical validity and basis of spiritual reproduction. Those will not be repeated here except to remind you of two key verses. The first is Genesis 1:22 where God's first commandment to the human race is recorded. "And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth." The second is 2 Timothy 2:2 which is the central verse for this entire Basic Discipleship course. "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."

There can be no successful argument to the fact that spiritual reproduction must be the heart of our Christian existence. Neither can there be successful argument to the fact that reproduction is one of the most irrefutable marks of maturity in any living being. It is very hard to consider any living being, including believers, mature until they reach the point of reproduction.

3. Would you right now commit yourself to God that you will do all within your power to bring someone to Him?

4. Are you willing to bring a disciple through this Basic Discipleship course?

5. In evaluating yourself with the five marks of maturity, how did you score? __________