How Do I Become A Mature Christian? (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Definition of a Mature Christian: One who has a lifestyle that looks like Jesus Christ in thoughts, words, behavior, relationships and service on a regular basis as one seeks to know Jesus Christ, become like Jesus Christ, and be useful to Jesus Christ.
I. To become a mature Christian you must learn and practice what is right according to Scripture (2 Tim 3:16)
A. You must learn and practice the right way to think from Scripture.
B. You must learn and practice the right way to speak from Scripture.
C. You must learn and practice the right way to behave from Scripture.
D. You must learn and practice the right way to relate from Scripture.
E. You must learn and practice the right way to serve God and others from Scripture.
II. To become a mature Christian you must be able see and accept what is wrong in your life according to Scripture (2 Tim 3:16)
A. You must be honest with yourself and God about the sinful thoughts you tend to have as you are convicted by the Truth of God’s Word. (James 1:13-15)
B. You must be honest with yourself and God about the sinful conversations you tend to have as you are convicted by the Truth of God’s Word. (James 3:1-12)
C. You must be honest with yourself and God about the sinful behavioral patterns you tend to have as you are convicted by the Truth of God’s Word. (James 3:13- 16)
D. You must be honest with yourself and God about the sinful relational patterns you tend to have as you are convicted by the Truth of God’s Word. (James 4:1-10)
E. You must be honest with yourself and God about your lack of service to God as you are convicted by the Truth of God’s Word. (Hebrews 12:28-29)
III. To become a mature Christian you must turn from what is wrong in your life according to Scripture(2 Tim 3:16)
A. You must put off sinful thought patterns according to Scripture. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
B. You must put off sinful communication patterns according to Scripture. (Ephesians 4:29)
C. You must put off sinful behavioral patterns according to Scripture. (Colossians 3:1-7)
D. You must put off sinful relational patterns according to Scripture. (Colossians 3:8-9)
E. You must put off sinful serving patterns according to Scripture. (Hebrews 12:28- 29)
IV. To become a mature Christian you must train in what is right according to Scripture (2 Tim 3:16)
A. You must train in developing godly thought patterns according to Scripture. (Romans 12:2-3)
B. You must train in developing godly communication patterns according to Scripture. (Ephesians 4:29)
C. You must train in developing godly behavioral patterns according to Scripture. (1 Peter 2:11-3:22)
D. You must train in developing godly relational patterns according to Scripture. (Colossians 3:12-17)
E. You must train in using your spiritual gifts to serve others according to Scripture. (Romans 12:3-8)
V. To become a mature Christian you must be willing to be shaped and developed by Scripture to live by The Will of God and to do The Work God has assigned. (2 Tim 3:17)
Adapted from Dr. Nicolas Ellen
Expository Counseling Center