2 August 2026This week, we welcomed guest speaker Øivind Augland from M4, who shared a message from 1 John 2 about spiritual maturity. Using John's picture of children, young people, and fathers, Øivind challenged us to keep growing in Christ, live from God's grace and strength, and embrace our role in making disciples across every generation.Notes:Speaking from 1 John 2:12-14, Øivind explores the journey of spiritual growth and reminds us that following Jesus is not meant to remain at the same stage. God calls every believer to mature, becoming people who know His love, live by His power, and help others follow Christ.Spiritual maturity begins as children of GodEvery follower of Jesus begins with the same foundation.John reminds us that our sins are forgiven because of Christ and that we know the Father.Øivind explains that spiritual childhood is built on three essential experiences:• Encountering God personally.• Placing our faith in Jesus.• Committing ourselves to God's family, the Church.Just as we know honey is sweet because we have tasted it, Christianity is not merely about information. We are invited to experience the goodness of God for ourselves.Reflecting on his own life, Øivind shared how burnout at the age of 24 led him into a deeper understanding of God's grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love. He discovered that God's grace is the deepest place of rest, where we no longer need to perform or pretend.Growing into spiritual maturityJohn next addresses the "young men", those who are growing in spiritual strength.This stage is marked by three characteristics:• We are strong because Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit.• God's Word shapes our thinking, decisions, and priorities.• We overcome the evil one, not through our own strength, but through Christ's victory.True maturity comes as our confidence shifts from ourselves to Jesus.His strength becomes our strength.His grace sustains us in weakness.His victory becomes the place from which we live.God's mission includes every believerØivind shared the story of church planting in his home city in Norway and the work of M4 across Europe.He reminded us that every Christian is invited into God's mission of making disciples and planting healthy churches.The Great Commission is centred on Christ, empowered by His presence, and fuelled by His power.Mission is not reserved for a few people.Every believer has a role in reaching others with the gospel.Every generation has a purposeUsing the picture of an arrow, Øivind described how every generation has a unique role within God's Kingdom.Young people are often the prophetic generation, called to courageously reach their own generation for Christ.Those in the middle years provide stability, wisdom, mentoring, and safe places where younger believers can grow.Older believers are spiritual fathers and mothers whose wisdom, prayer, encouragement, and investment help strengthen the whole Church.Healthy churches intentionally invest in every generation while continually raising up the next one.Becoming spiritual fathers and mothersThe goal of discipleship is not simply personal growth.It is becoming people who help others follow Jesus.Spiritual fathers and mothers open their homes, invest in people, encourage younger believers, and create environments where faith can flourish.Even those carrying personal pain or disappointment are still called and able to invest in others.God continues to use willing hearts.Key Scriptures1 John 2:12-141 Peter 2:2-52 Corinthians 12:9Psalm 34:8Matthew 28:18-20Key ThoughtSpiritual maturity is a lifelong journey of knowing God's love, living in His strength, growing through His Word, and investing in the next generation so others can follow Christ.
