Bootcamp: The Problem with Spiritual Maturity

This morning, we gathered to celebrate God’s faithfulness and the many ways He is working in and through our church family. From the joy of serving our community during recent outreach events, to the blessing of seeing our children and youth ministries grow, it’s clear that God is moving among us. We rejoiced in the progress toward becoming debt-free, not for our own comfort, but so we can invest more deeply in reaching and discipling the next generation. These practical updates are not just announcements—they are reminders that every act of service, every gift, and every prayer is part of God’s larger story for our church.

Turning to God’s Word, we reflected on the call to spiritual maturity from Hebrews 5:11–6:1. Just as we expect children to grow and mature, God desires that we grow up in our faith. The danger is that, over time, we can become spiritually stagnant—content with the basics, indifferent to deeper things, and even lazy in our pursuit of God. The writer of Hebrews warns against this, painting a vivid picture of believers who, though they should be teachers by now, are still spiritual infants needing milk instead of solid food.

Spiritual immaturity is not just a personal issue; it affects the whole body of Christ. When we fail to grow, we miss out on the richness of God’s truth and the joy of being used by Him to impact others. The root of this immaturity is often a lack of interest, a hardening of the heart, or simply spiritual laziness. But God’s desire is for us to be teachable, to hunger for His Word, and to allow His righteousness to transform not just our beliefs, but our conduct and character.

The cure for spiritual immaturity is not found in trying harder, but in drawing near to Jesus, daily seeking Him in His Word, prayer, and honest repentance. As we do, our senses are trained to discern good from evil, and we become equipped to help others grow as well. The journey of faith is not meant to be static; it is a lifelong process of growing deeper in Christ and helping others do the same. Today, the invitation is to take the next step—whether that means moving from milk to meat, returning to God after drifting, or stepping up to disciple someone else. God is ready to meet us where we are and lead us forward.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Spiritual Growth Is Expected, Not Optional Just as physical growth is a natural part of life, spiritual growth is meant to be the normal experience of every believer. Remaining a spiritual infant is not God’s design; He calls us to move beyond the basics and mature in our understanding and practice of faith. This growth is not measured by years in the church, but by a deepening hunger for God and a willingness to be taught and transformed. [44:27]
• 2. Spiritual Immaturity Hinders the Mission of the Church When believers remain immature, it doesn’t just affect their own walk—it impacts the entire church’s ability to fulfill its mission. Immaturity breeds division, strife, and a lack of discernment, which can cripple the witness of the body of Christ in the world. The call is to recognize that our personal growth is vital for the health and effectiveness of the whole church. [47:37]
• 3. A Teachable Spirit Is Essential for Maturity The heart of spiritual maturity is a teachable spirit—a willingness to listen, learn, and be changed by God’s truth. This means resisting the temptation to become bored, indifferent, or hardened by life’s challenges. Instead, we are called to remain open, humble, and eager to receive from God, knowing that He always has more to teach us, no matter how long we’ve walked with Him. [55:19]
• 4. True Righteousness Transforms Conduct, Not Just Belief Maturity is not just about knowing more doctrine; it’s about allowing God’s righteousness to shape our daily lives. As we internalize God’s truth, our actions, attitudes, and responses begin to reflect Christ more fully. The evidence of growth is seen in our ability to discern good from evil and to live differently from the world around us. [67:13]
• 5. The Path Forward Is Personal Responsibility and Community Discipleship Each believer is responsible for taking the next step in their spiritual journey—no one else can do it for us. Yet, maturity also means helping others grow, taking seriously the call to disciple and mentor those who are younger in the faith. The church flourishes when mature believers invest in others, and when all are committed to moving forward together in Christ. [76:09]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:19] - Community Outreach Highlights
• [05:02] - Food Pantry and Missions Update
• [06:38] - Upcoming Events and Holiday Lunch
• [08:48] - Church Debt Progress and Vision
• [10:34] - Children’s Ministry Recognition
• [14:11] - Celebrating God’s Faithfulness
• [17:21] - Memorial Services and Announcements
• [29:33] - Psalm 84: Longing for God’s Presence
• [40:06] - Introduction to Hebrews 5: Spiritual Boot Camp
• [44:27] - The Call to Spiritual Growth
• [47:37] - Dangers and Consequences of Immaturity
• [55:19] - The Need for a Teachable Spirit
• [67:13] - Righteousness: Belief and Conduct
• [76:09] - The Call to Discipleship and Response

Bible Reading

Hebrews 5:11–6:1 (ESV) — 11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,
13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.
14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

Observation Questions

1. According to Hebrews 5:11–6:1, what are some signs that a believer is still spiritually immature?
2. In the sermon, what practical examples did the pastor give of spiritual immaturity affecting the church as a whole? [[49:45]]
3. What does the writer of Hebrews say is the difference between “milk” and “solid food” in the Christian life?
4. How does the passage describe the process of moving from spiritual infancy to maturity?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does the writer of Hebrews compare spiritual growth to the way children grow up physically? What point is he making about expectations for believers? [[44:27]]
2. The pastor said that spiritual immaturity is not just a personal issue but affects the whole church. In what ways can one person’s lack of growth impact others? [[47:37]]
3. What does it mean to have a “teachable spirit,” and why is it so important for spiritual maturity? [[55:19]]
4. The sermon mentioned that true righteousness changes not just what we believe, but how we live. How does this connect to the idea of “solid food” for the mature? [[01:07:13]]

Application Questions

1. The pastor said that sometimes we get “lazy” or lose interest in growing spiritually. Can you think of a time when you felt spiritually stagnant? What were some signs, and what helped you move forward? [[46:30]]
2. Are there areas in your life where you are still relying on “milk” instead of “solid food”? What would it look like for you to take the next step toward maturity in those areas? [[44:27]]
3. The sermon talked about the danger of becoming bored or indifferent to God’s Word and worship. What are some practical ways you can keep your heart soft and eager to learn? [[55:19]]
4. The pastor said that spiritual immaturity can lead to division and strife in the church. Have you ever seen this happen? How could growing in maturity help prevent these problems? [[49:45]]
5. The cure for spiritual immaturity was described as drawing near to Jesus daily—through His Word, prayer, and honest repentance. What is one specific habit you could start or restart this week to help you grow? [[01:09:04]]
6. The sermon challenged mature believers to help others grow. Is there someone in your life you could encourage or disciple? What is one step you could take to invest in their spiritual growth? [[01:16:09]]
7. The pastor said, “Each believer is responsible for taking the next step in their spiritual journey—no one else can do it for us.” What is your next step, and how can this group support you in taking it? [[01:13:20]]