Hebrews 5:12-14 NIV
“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
Hebrews 6:1 NIV
“Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity….”
Additional Scripture References: Psalms 119:9-16 NIV 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Samuel 16:13 NIV, 1 Samuel 16:18, 1 Samuel 17:15, 1 Samuel 17:38-40 NIV
Have you ever tried to run a long distance? If you have, you know that it requires real and consistent training to achieve your goal. No matter what your intention, without training, you may find it difficult to arrive at the finish line. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. In the same way, our journey of faith is one of endurance. Training at every stage of our development is important. Time does not dictate maturity, but our training will. You can be old and immature, and young and mature. It’s not about arriving, but simply starting. We can trust that God will give us everything we need at the time that we need it. We’re not delayed, we’re destined!
If you want to win the battles of life you need training.
Our becoming comes from our believing. Do you believe that you’re called? That you’re chosen? That you’re cared for by God? Securing our identity in Christ allows us to develop and mature with him. If we don’t know who we are, we will never know who we can be. You’re not like the world, you’re not like everyone else, you’re not missing out.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. [1 Peter 2:9]
You are called and chosen by God. You are anointed but may not yet be appointed. Maturity prepares you to steward what God has called you to. An untrained David could never beat Goliath. He was able to fight appropriately because he had trained for years. Spiritual maturity is the process of becoming more Christ-like in character, attitude and behavior. You can’t go where God’s taking you without maturing along the way.
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” [1 Samuel 16:7]
Availability unlocks the door of maturity in our lives. King Saul was supposed to fight but David made himself available for growth. His willingness to embrace the season he found himself in and make himself available to be developed allowed him to step up when he was called upon. Are you open to maturity? Are you open to growth? Are you open to change? The world will try to put on fear, insecurity, and failure. Pick up courage, security, and peace. God’s strength is with you as you daily surrender to Him.
Reflect this week on how you are investing your time to mature. Commit to spend time in one of these 5 areas:
Be prepared to share your experience at Crew next time!
If someone in your Crew needs care, we want to come alongside you. Our Care Response Team is designed to equip you to walk with people in different seasons of their life.
Our team is committed to celebrating life’s best moments with you and offering support through its hardest ones.
We would love to come around you for the following life events:
+ Marriages
+ Births
+ Deaths
+ Hospitalizations/Illness
Please submit a request at vouschurch.com/requestcare
There are only a few times each year when our VOUS family gathers under one roof. Team Conference is one of them. It’s the moment we come together as one team, united in vision and ready for the season ahead.
Team Conference is a free 1-day gathering that celebrates and equips the servant leaders of VOUS Church, with leadership sessions, God's word, unforgettable moments and so much more.
Don’t miss it. Team Conference is more than a gathering. It’s a family united, and the room won’t be the same without you. Click here to register!
Where: VOUS City
When: Saturday, September 13
Time: 8:15AM
Address: 6101 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127
We are having baptisms this Sunday, September 14th, across all of our locations, and on the beach.
To sign up for baptisms, please click here.
Experience what it’s like to be a VOUS College Student for a day at Preview Day!
Meet our staff, connect with current students and discover how VOUS College can be the place where you grow in your calling.
To sign up for Preview Day, click here
Where: VOUS Miami Gardens
When: Thursday, October 9th
Time: 12:00PM - 3:00PM
Address: 17801 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33169
VOUS SoMi
10:00AM / 12:00PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:00AM / 12:00PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
8:30AM / 10:00AM / 12:00PM
VOUS Design District
8:30AM / 10:00AM / 12:00PM
Church Online
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 5PM Español
Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack