VCC Profile of a Mature Disciple

Profile of a Mature Disciple

A PASSIONATE FOLLOWER OF JESUS GROWS TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY
Your life isn't about you. It's about knowing God and experiencing His purposes for your life. He wants you to connect with Him and with others in meaningful, growing relationships.				What does spiritual maturity look like? The following three panels describe how Venture Christian Church defines a mature follower of Jesus. Each panel focuses on one of the three key elements of your life:
Believing that you are unable to connect with Him by your own efforts, you take the first step on an exciting spiritual journey by receiving God's gracious gift of salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus' death and resurrection. But that's only the beginning of the journey - there's much more!				Knowledge - building a strong foundation of truth Character - becoming more like Jesus in your moral make-up Action - developing and using skills to serve Jesus and others
The journey picks up as you recognize that it is much more adventurous and effective with the company of others. God planned it that way. By belonging to a community of Jesus' followers, you gain resources and support that are critical to help you along the way.				The Panels describe what you are to know, be, and do in each of the four key relationships every follower of Jesus should foster. Experiencing spiritual maturity is a multi-stage, lifetime journey. This brochure helps you understand where you're headed.
Your spiritual journey requires that you know where you're headed and be intentional about getting there. God desires you to be growing spiritually mature as you follow His path. But what does that mean?				Venture Christian church is developing a more detailed map of how a new believer journeys from the initial steps of faith toward the goal described here. Keep watch for its availability. Want to know more? call 408-997-4610.

*Know* Principles to Know (Knowledge) A mature disciple knows ...	Be Attitudes to Have (Character) A mature disciple is ...	Do Skills to Master (Action) A mature disciple ...
In relationship to God
How theology impacts life The structure of the whole Bible Biblical truths and supportive Biblical texts How to discern God's will How God has SHAPEd them for ministry Their true identity in Christ How to accurately handle God's word	A lifestyle worshipper of God almighty Growing in contentment in all circumstances Growing in dependence on God A model of the fruit of the Spirit Sensible: ordered in mind/thought Submissive to God's Word Experiencing God's presence	Prays consistently Studies God's Word faithfully Gives generously to God's worldwide cause Practices the Spirit-filled life and disciplines Discerns right/wrong Reads widely on variety of themes Acts on identity in Christ Evaluates spiritual development regularly
In relationship to the local church body
Know The vision of the local church and its strategies How to differentiate between form and function in the church How to live in Biblical community How to be a servant/leader	Be Supportive of the church's vision, leadership, and strategies Of good reputation - supportive, humble, faithful, loving, caring, pure in thought, not a gossip Winsome, radiant in a life that practices the "one another" commands Evidencing servant/leader qualities	Do Participates in the life, services, and groups of the church Practices principles re doubtful things Mentors others in ministry areas of personal strengths Protects the church from external/internal threat Gives a tithe to the church Establishes believers in the Faith Helps others become mature disciples
In relationship to family
Know How to develop authentic relationships The Biblical definitions for family roles How to deal Biblically with complex family issues How to help other families	Be Loving, self-sacrificing, encouraging Accepting of God-given role Gracious, forgiving, balanced, stable Dignified; has a lifestyle worthy of respect	Do Practices forgiveness and acceptance Fulfills God-given role and respects others' roles Plans and cares for family needs Ministers to other families
In relationship to the world
Know How to articulate a fully-formed Biblical world view How to respond Biblically to the other world views common to our culture How to understand non-Christians and communicate Biblical truth with them How to share a personal testimony and the Gospel	Be Perceptive, wise, hopeful; a model of maturity in difficulties Courageous, confident Burdened about lost people A world Christian with all its ramifications Convinced of Christ's imminent return	Do Responds to world/cultural issues Biblically Endures trials patiently Carries out all personal and business interactions with integrity Treats everyone respectfully and lovingly Witnesses about Christ (word/deed) Seeks out unbelievers and helps bring them to faith