Spiritual Infant
Stages of Spiritual Maturity
Spiritual Infant – Needs Guidance
Spiritual infants require three things: spiritual food, spiritual love, and spiritual protection. Just like in the natural, it is the parent’s job to provide these for infants. In the church, it is the job of spiritual parents to provide these things for Spiritual Infants.
Commitments
FOOD
The statements below come from the COMMITMENTS section of the Spiritual Assessment. Please evaluate the statements below and how they apply to your life on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being “No I am unfamiliar or do not agree with it” AND 5 being “You are convinced or are walking it out”. If you do not score a 5 or are just curious, click the appropriate link below for a quick study and quiet time. ENJOY!
1. I am sure of my salvation. [I John 5:11-13]
“What gives you confidence that you are going to heaven?” “How do you know you have eternal life?”
2. I can trust God to answer my prayers. [John 16:24]
“What has been your experience in God answering your prayers?” “What do you do when you don’t get an answer?”
3. God will help me with temptations. [I Corinthians 10:13]
“What are the temptations you have been facing?” “How have you experienced God’s help in overcoming them?”
4. I know that I am forgiven. [I John 1:9]
“What does it feel like to be forgiven?” “How well do you forgive others?”
5. God will guide me in my life. [Proverbs 3:5-6]
“What area of life are you seeking guidance?” “How has God guided you in your life so far?”
6. I am committed to understanding the Bible. [John 16:13 – II Timothy 3:16-17]
“What is important about knowing the Bible?” “What is your current grasp on how the Bible comes together?”
7. I have a reading and a daily devotional plan. [Revelation 1:3]
“What has been your experience in reading the Bible regularly?” “What have been barriers to having a daily devotional?”
8. I am convinced that the Bible is true. [John 7:17]
“What questions do you have about the Bible’s authenticity?” “What questions do you have about the Bible’s authority?”
9. The commitment Jesus is asking of me is clear. [Matthew 4:19]
“What do you think it means to follow Jesus?” “What examples have you seen who successfully follow Jesus?”
10. I love to listen to God and respond. [Romans 8:16]
“What is an example of something you have heard from God?” “What has helped you be obedient to what God has said?”
11. I am committed to fellowship with other believers. [Hebrews 10:24]
“How does the Bible illustrate fellowship?” “What has been your experience in fellowship with other Christians?”
12. I am committed to deepening my love for God. [Psalm 16:1-11]
“Describe your current love for God.” “What will help you grow deeper in that love?”
13. I understand and can share the good news of Jesus. (Bridge Illustration) [Ephesians 2:1-10]
What have you learned so far in telling your story of your relationship with Jesus?” “How skilled are you in sharing that Good News?”
14. I have made my commitment to follow Jesus. [Luke 9:23; Luke 10:27]
“What holds you back from making a whole-hearted commitment to Jesus?” “What needs to happen?”
If you scored a 5 on all 14, CONGRATULATIONS! Review the videos and resources below, then move the next section SPIRITUAL CHILD.
WATCH VIDEO: “FATHER’S LOVE LETTER”
WATCH VIDEO: “IMAGE OF GOD” – BIBLEPROJECT.COM
WATCH VIDEO: “WHAT IS THE BIBLE” – BIBLEPROJECT.COM
WATCH VIDEO: “UNDERSTANDING GOD” – BIBLEPROJECT.COM
WATCH VIDEO: “THE STORY OF THE BIBLE” – BIBLEPROJECT.COM
WATCH VIDEO: “MESSIAH” – BIBLEPROJECT.COM
LOVE
Have you found a group of fellow believers who can encourage you in your growth? Do you have spiritual parents? Look first to the person who led you to Christ. Find a Bible-believing church. Get connected and stay connected. If you are a Spiritual Parent, take the responsibility to feed, love and protect new believers.
Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 10:24-25
and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
PROTECTION
As a new believer, you have now left the Kingdom of Darkness and are now transferred into the Kingdom of Light
Colossians 1:13
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,
The enemy is now going to seek to discourage & cause you to doubt. You will need protection through prayer and the care of spiritual parents. If you don’t receive these you will be like a spiritual orphan. It is important to be connected to the Body of Christ. Explore Bible-believing churches near you.
If you are strong in these areas based on the assessment above, continue to Spiritual Child.
Resources
TOOL: The Bridge Illustration – Understanding the Gospel of Christ, The GOOD NEWS!
TOOL: The Wheel Illustration – Understand the basics of the Christian Life.
READ BOOK: Growing In Christ – 13 Bible Lessons and scriptures to help you grow
WEBSITE: Fathersloveletter.com – Video, audio and print of the Father’s Love Letter
WEBSITE & APP: Biblegateway.com – Excellent online Bible resource, multiple versions FREE
APP: Read Scripture App by Bible Project (Android and iOS)
APP: The Bible App by bible.com (Android and iOS)
APP: MySword – Excellent Bible APP + Concordance in KJV
Feeling Stuck?
Are you feeling stuck and unable to gain traction? Consider taking the Emotional Maturity Assessment to see if there are things hindering your progress.
Testimonial & Training Videos
Training – Ben & Kiara Anctil – Leading High School ministry – Spiritual Infant
Ben and Kiara work with high school ministry and use coachthebible.com to help assess the areas of need in the students’ life and then lead them in focused study and application of God’s Word.
Watch how the coach works with the new follower of Christ to help them discover where they are in their journey of growth from infant to child an what are the next steps.
Training – Allyn Donaugh – Local Business Woman – Spiritual Infant