God’s desire is that we would together be a people of emotional and spiritual maturity. “Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ [and] speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13,15)

Stages of Emotional and Spiritual Maturity Emotional and spiritual infancy is characterized by: looking for others to care for us. an expectation of instant gratification towards both God and the church. others are seen as existing to meet “my needs”. loving those whom we feel loved by.

Stages of Emotional and Spiritual Maturity Emotional and spiritual childhood is characterized by: happiness if we receive what we want from God and the church, complaints, manipulation, withdrawal or anger if we do not A tendency to be easily hurt, often taking offense to innocent comments A love that is fragile and easily broken.

Stages of Emotional and Spiritual Maturity Emotional and spiritual adolescence is characterized by: a general defensiveness a tendency to think primarily of oneself. criticism being seen as threatening and conflict being dealt with poorly. critical and judgmental behaviours.

Stages of Emotional and Spiritual Maturity Emotional and spiritual adulthood is characterized by: an ability to ask for what we need – clearly, directly, and honestly. taking responsibility to ask for what they need – of God through prayer and of others in humility. an ability to weigh criticism accurately and express when hurt by wounding judgments.

As we learn to love well, our anchors find firmer footings and we are less likely to be “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).

To love well, we must: begin seeing others as those created in the image of God rather than objects to fulfill our plans or goals. refuse to “mindread” or make assumptions about what others think or believe and refuse to act on such assumptions even if they do occur. constantly clarify expectations, so that those around us are not held to either unspoken or too lofty of an expectation.

Might we always be growing in our maturity and might we spur one another on toward love and good deeds –the fruit of spiritual and emotional maturity - not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as we see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25).