Wallace SC&W
Rev. Stephen C. Wallace
SPIRITUAL MATURITY
Implementing Spiritual Disciplines
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”
2 Peter 3:18
Authenticity:
1. Where do you feel like you are being most truly yourself? Where are you least your true
self? Why? _________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2. What image, words, or actions are inconsistent with who you want to be? ___________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3. What keeps you from being ‘honest’ about yourself (success or failures)?
___ Pride
___ Fear of repercussions
___ Legal repercussions
___ Not wanting to brag or seem arrogant
___ Fear of losing something or someone
___ It would mean I would need to change
___ I don’t know
___ Other: ______________________________________________________
4. Who helps (or who can help) you be ‘honest’?
___ Family member: _______________________________________________
___ Friend: ______________________________________________________
___ Co-Worker: __________________________________________________
___ Church Member/Leader: _________________________________________
___ Other: _______________________________________________________
5. How much are you working to: (% of the time)
___ ‘be all you can be’
___ stay where you are because ‘no one is perfect’?
___ just treading water or making it through the day
___ hiding
6. Where are you most and least like Christ calls you to be? Name the specific things:
(check as many as apply using M = Most and L = Least)
___ In my talking: __________________________________________________
___ In my habits: ___________________________________________________
___ In my inner thoughts: _____________________________________________
___ In my values: ___________________________________________________
___ In my priorities: _________________________________________________
___ In my job activities: ______________________________________________
___ In my family interaction: ___________________________________________
___ In my friendship activities: __________________________________________
___ Other _________________________________________________________
7. How have you grown to be more like Christ in the past year?
8. How have you moved away from being like Christ in the past year?
***********************************************
The Next Step: How to Grow in your Spiritual Maturity
(specific suggestion to questions in the inventory are labeled Q +
the number of the question)
Authenticity:
Q.1 – Reflect on (and perhaps write out, take a picture, or make a painting/sculpture) how you
feel about the consistency or lack of consistency in who you “are” and who you “show” to others.
What damage is done by any lack of authenticity? ____________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Q.2 – Identify what these inconsistent “words” or “actions” are trying to hide? Why?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Q.3 –Read Psalm 139, Matthew 6:25-32, Isaiah 49:15-16, and John 3:16-17. Make a list of how
God feels about you and responds to you. Identify whether you believe God accepts and values you?
Why do you believe in that acceptance or why not? What would make God’s acceptance more real to
you? Try sharing honestly some messy part of your life with God, then re-read these passages of
acceptance and think about how God wants to help.
Q.4 – Set a time to ask the person you identified to help you be “honest”. Write out specifically what
you want him/her to do and why you need it.
Q.5 –Christ calls us to be “holy” as God is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45, I Peter 1:16). Reflect upon this
challenge and how you want to respond. Since holiness isn’t something we do on our own how can
you allow God to help you in this?
Q.6 –Why are you struggling to be like Christ in this area? What are the needs, attitudes or
issues keeping you from changing it or allowing Christ to transform it? __________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Is there anything you need to confess?
1 ._____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________________________
What acts of repentance are needed for the above items?
1 ._____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________________________
Christ doesn’t insist or even ask that you do this by yourself. What help do you need to ask for from him
(e.g. someone you can trust to help show you the way)? Where or to whom can you reach out in order
to find the help you need?
Q.7 –How can/will you celebrate your growth over this past year? Don’t let the opportunity to
celebrate it pass by! Do you have any question(s) about your beliefs or actions that you need to study/reflect
upon/seek help on? Are their questions about your faith that are lingering but are going unspoken and not
dealt with? ______________________________________________
(If needed seek the guidance of church staff/leaders to identify study resources on these things)
Q.8 –What will/can you do to move back toward Christ? Who can you ask to help you in the effort to
move closer to Christ (e.g. someone to go to church with you, someone to pray for you or with you,
someone to ask how you are doing weekly)? Is there someplace that you are pretending to be alright but
are really only hanging on? What can you do to deal with the struggle? REMEMBER that Christ loves
you and accepts you just as you are! The Lord wants the best for you and is willing to do extraordinary
things to make a wonderful life and relationship with you possible. If you are willing to have these gifts
then turn toward him, ask for his help and do what he asks. Then be open to how he reaches out to you.
