6. Maturing Disciples
The Path to Maturity
Maturity requires people. It can’t be learned from a book; it’s built through experience. Most of our growth happens in community — through relationships, conversations, and shared challenges. The same principle applies to spiritual maturity. Growing into the image of Christ requires learning, and learning requires others. To grow in maturity is to make the decision to grow with others.
Belonging to a church is one of the first big steps on the path to maturity. Choosing to belong creates opportunities to build up and bless others — and that’s where maturity is watered. Whether it’s maintaining a close friendship where you do life together, joining a short-term team, serving in a ministry, taking part in a home group or Community Week, or stepping into leadership — each of these environments shapes us into maturity.
Maturity comes through experience. Trials and tribulations refine us into Christ’s likeness. Patience, for instance, can’t be learned through a webinar; it’s learned when we’re forced to wait. Real growth happens when we recognise that our responses are not yet like Christ’s — and we allow those moments to become lessons. That’s why we listen to one another, pray together, and study the Word in community. Experience guided by Scripture and fellowship leads to transformation.
Like sanctification, maturity is a lifelong journey. Yet along the way, there are milestones — deeper levels of freedom, greater joy, and stronger faith. Christian maturity is marked by the ability to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16–17). It is the daily act of surrender — taking up our cross, giving up our own way, and following Him (Mark 8:34). It means holding nothing dearer than the Lord Himself:
“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
(Matthew 10:37)
At HOME Church, the process of discipleship — of being made and matured as a disciple — can be summarised in four simple stages:
Belong → Believe → Build → Bless