Walking With Jesus (Growth)Sample

Child versus Adult

1 Corinthians 13:11

Do you remember the poster of a cute smiling child with the words “NO PROBLEM” at the bottom? Yes, childhood is considered a fun time. When we talk about problems, there is also an important difference between childhood and adulthood.

Childhood is not a time without problems. Children tend to handle problems by crying. It's rare to see a child that doesn't cry when he falls – whether he is injured or not. The child will also cry when he is disciplined for disobedience or misbehavior. A child will cry when there is a problem with a friend at his playground. Crying is considered to be the solution to all of their problems. All of us experience that characteristic during childhood.

Adults are certainly not like that. We can't handle all problems by crying. We know when to cry and when to face it.

The same thing applies to spiritual matters. Spiritual children will think, behave, and act like children. Because they are still children, they will follow their feelings more. They are whiny and emotional. A family will face many problems if both husband and wife are still children. The church will face many difficulties if its congregation members are still children, even though they have been that church's congregation for many years. God wants us to grow both physically and spiritually. Physical growth occurs automatically over time, but mental and spiritual growth requires the believer's lifelong effort.

Reflection:

1.Be honest before God. Are you spiritually mature or still a spiritual child? What is the basis of your confession?

2.How long does it take for you to reach the maturity that God wants you to be? What are your efforts to achieve it?

Practice: Think of a case that you faced as a child. How would you handle it as an adult? List the pros and cons of your child's and adult's attitude to the problem.