Big Idea: Spiritual maturity isn't measured by knowledge but by growing through application. Healthy followers Grow by:1. Choosing Growth Over Immaturity 1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly–mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men? 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 (NIV) So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. 1 Peter 2:1-3 (NLT2) • Growing Christians look more like Jesus every day. 2. Serving Faithfully Where God Has Planted Us 5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe–as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 (NIV) Matthew 20 – Parable of the Vinyard Workers • Mature believers focus more on serving than on being seen. 3. Invest Our Live In What Lasts 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:10-17 (NIV) Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 5 “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. 6 But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. Matthew 18:3-6 (NLT2) 18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” 21 So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future–all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God. 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 (NIV) • Mature believers invest in what will outlive them. ⇨ “What is one thing you can do today to become more like Jesus?” Next Right Steps Take One Step Toward Spiritual Growth (read scripture, “Talk it Over”, Baptism) Faithfully Serve Others (Childrens, Café, Bread, Media…) Build an Eternal Legacy (Encourage your family in Faith, Invite someone, Share TALK IT OVER Series Theme: Following Jesus Means Living Differently Than the Culture Around Us. Series Reminder: We Reflect Christ. Big Idea: Spiritual maturity isn't measured by knowledge but by growing through application. Opening Prayer: Invite someone to thank God for His patience and grace as He helps us grow. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where He wants to make us more like Jesus. Icebreaker: Think about something you have learned to do over time—a sport, instrument, hobby, or skill. What helped you grow and improve? Read Together 1 Corinthians 3:1–23 As you read, notice the different pictures Paul uses: Babies, A field, A building, and God's temple What do these images teach us about spiritual growth? Reflection Questions For Families with Young Children (5–10 Minutes) What does it mean to grow to be more like Jesus? What are some things Jesus did that we can do every day? What is one way our family can grow together this week? (Pray together, read a Bible story, encourage one another, forgive quickly, serve someone, invite a friend to church.) For Teens and Adults Paul says the Corinthians were still spiritual infants. What are some signs of spiritual maturity? What are some signs of spiritual immaturity? Paul reminds us that God gives different people different assignments (planting, watering, building). Why is comparison so dangerous in the church? How can we celebrate one another's gifts instead? Read verses 10–15. What do you think it means to build with materials that last? What kinds of investments have eternal value? Which of Sunday's three points challenged you the most? • Choose growth over immaturity. • Serve faithfully where God has planted you. • Invest your life in what lasts. Why? Looking back over the past year, where have you seen God helping you become more like Jesus? Where do you still want to grow? What is one practical step you will take this week to continue growing in Christ? Share it with the group so they can encourage and pray for you. Living It Out Choose one Next Right Step this week. Take one intentional step toward spiritual growth. Faithfully serve someone where God has placed you. Invest your time in something that will have eternal impact. Memory Verse: “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:7 (NIV) Prayer Time