D. You cannot spiritually mature people who are not committed Christians.
Continue to use the Prayer Tool for fellowship and sharing until a person indicates they want more; the spirit of God is in charge of this process of grace (1 Corinthians 12:3). Forming spiritually nurturing relationships where Christians love one another is a central task. Spiritual parenting at this stage involves unconditional love and consistent nurture; maturity develops after the human need for safety and security has been met.
The sign of a person moving from spiritual infancy into the child phase of maturity is curiosity about God and God’s word (John 8:31). Learning obedience, good manners and proper behavior is a central developmental task for this stage of spiritual maturity. JUMP groups facilitate spiritual development through the child stage; they are a particularly helpful to highly motivated persons with serious problems at any level of spirituality who desire Jesus as Lord to reorganize their lives. JUMP groups are a rite of passage from the child stage into spiritual adolescence.
QUOTE [1]
NOTE
DISCERNMENT QUESTIONS
RESOURCES
[1] The quote is a selection from David O. Kueker’s Fuller Seminary Doctor of Ministry project submitted in September, 2007, entitled Diagnosis, Dialogue, and Decision: A Threefold Process of Revitalization For the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
It is shared here in recognition of its 12th Anniversary along with comments to update and provide perspective on the material. The original project was a Training Manual/Study Guide of three Seminars supported by three chapters of research and an Introduction. The material is available for download at www.disciplewalk.com/Resources.html. In 2009 it was provided for purchase as a softcover book entitled Designing Discipleship Systems: Christian Disciple Making For Any Size Church, Any Theology through CreateSpace.com.
[2][3] [4][5] [6][7] [8]
All Scripture quotations are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Please review the page How and Why We Use Quotes.