The Journey to Spiritual Maturity
When we are talking about the journey to spiritual maturity, we need to understand that Jesus is both the pathfinder and the path. The challenging question we need to ask ourselves is “how much are we really following Jesus?”
Week 1: Following Jesus Versus Loving Money, Comfort, and the American Culture
Our true nature of maturity is revealed through circumstances, choices, and outcomes. (Read sermon on the mount, Matthew 5-7).
God deliberately hides spiritual truths from the wise and intelligent, and reveals them to babes. (Matthew 11:25)
The importance of humility and childlike faith in receiving God's grace and understanding, rather than relying on human wisdom.
The importance of loving Jesus and fulfilling the Great Commission.
Jesus' teachings are often misunderstood as a path to happiness rather than spiritual maturity.
PRAYER POINTS
Pray that no matter what we go through, we can stand in our faith and conviction and be a good example for others to follow.
God will refine us like silver and test us like gold so that what remains will be eternal.
“’I will make them pure like silver is made pure. I will test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” Zechariah 13:9
“These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:7
Pray that we pursue His truth and be childlike as we seek God in the position of humility, full of trust, anticipation, whole-heartedness, and hopefulness.
Pray that we place our trust securely on God alone.
“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” Psalm 118:8-9
Pray that we grow in love with Jesus every day so that we can fulfill the mandate of the Great Commission effortlessly and naturally. His love will be the great motivator for us to share the Gospel in our current sphere of influence, making more disciples, baptizing and teaching them to obey what He commands, initiating them into fellowship, growing in the gifts and spirit of Holy Spirit, moving in signs, wonders, and miracles, thus glorifying God.
Pray that Jesus’ teachings will equip us, grow us, prepare us, and enable to increase us to be more like Him no matter what culture or timeframe we live in.
Week 2: Spiritual Growth and Maturity
Focus on evangelism, discipleship, and spiritual/faith formation as key priorities from Jesus' perspective.
The importance of being teachable and open to new experiences with the Holy Spirit rather than taking a negative approach to past experiences. (Isaiah 42:9)
Jesus' true message of sacrifice and obedience, not just happiness or entitlement culture.
The importance of dealing with past traumas for a better present and future.
PRAYER POINTS
The dedication of the new Training Center in our Walnut campus denotes an unprecedented time in our CBC movement, so we pray to reflect maturity in Jesus as we focus on evangelism, discipleship, and spiritual and faith formation. This means that we care about what He cares about, that we are living out His mission, and that we get to help others grow in Him as we also grow ourselves—a fulfilment of our prophetic destiny.
Since children are teachable, pray that we can be teachable like a child; to be open to learning, eager to learn, and to not be defensive. Pray that we not let the mistakes or past negative experiences keep us stuck, preventing us from moving forward.
Pray that we understand the price we pay in following Jesus.
“I have told you these things so you may have peace in Me. Here on earth, you will have much trouble, trials, and sorrow. But take heart! I have power over the world!” John 16:33
Pray for Holy Spirit to highlight past issues and traumas so we can find deliverance, inner healing, and be set free so that we will not trip over them later.
Week 3: Maturity and Restoration in the Church
Dealing with unfinished business and seeing others as made in God's image. (Genesis 33:10)
Forgiveness and reconciliation after betrayal and evil actions.
Take responsibility for your past and future, rather than blame others.
The importance of moving past traumas and dependencies to maturity and glorification in Christ.
Aligning with God’s agenda in life.
PRAYER POINTS
Pray that unfinished tasks or conversations or situations, any unresolved relational conflicts, and whatever lingers in our lives that impact our well-being and future endeavors will be dealt with. God will provide us with healing and restoration when we ask.
Pray that our hearts have the capacity to extend grace and forgive those who betrayed or hurt us by their words or actions.
Pray that we have the insight and foresight to see others in their “butterfly” form, rather than their “caterpillar” state and to see others the way God sees them since we are all made in His image.
Pray that we take accountability and responsibility over our own actions.
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5
The best place to be is to be aligned in God’s will. Pray that we align and secure ourselves to His plans and bring the lost home to Christ, to obtain true peace, purpose, and fulfillment in His will and agenda for us.
Week 4: Jesus' Second Coming and Spiritual Warfare
Jesus' victory over evil and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Know that the enemy is disarmed, but still active; believers have divine power to overcome. (1 Peter 5:8)
The importance of understanding the enemy's tactics and the power of the cross.
Beware of the spirit of seduction and the promotion of immoral values.
Letting go of your past and moving on.
PRAYER POINTS
As Jesus obtained victory through His obedience to the Father, we pray that we move in the same resurrection and dunamis power of Holy Spirit. Pray that we walk in daily victorious freedom over the enemy. The enemy likes intimidating us, but lost his power when Jesus snatched the keys of death away from him after the finished work on the cross. Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection is the ultimate and decisive victory over the devil and his power over death. Pray that we walk in that truth!
Pray that we attain a state of mental clarity, self-control, and moral discipline as we navigate and journey through our walk in Christ.
”Be alert, vigilant, and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1Corinthians 16:13-14
Pray that our lives not be dictated by the harassment and scare tactics from the enemy because Jesus has conquered all our fears, anxieties, worries, challenges, doubts, insecurities, rejection, low self-worth, negative childhood experiences, traumas, broken relationships, unfulfilled dreams, health issues, loss, grief, sorrow, physical health issues, mental health issues, and the like.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10
Pray to let those things that have already passed to remain in the past. Shut the door, close the chapter, and take courage to move forward.
“I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us”. Philippians 3:13-14
