Week 6 is where the study turns constructive and pastoral. After clarifying what spirituality is not (mere effort, gifting, experience, or counterfeit power), Scripture now answers the question every believer eventually asks:
“If I am truly spiritual, what should my life actually look like?”
What follows is an expanded, teachable Week 6 that defines spiritual maturity biblically, not culturally—grounded in Scripture, realistic about weakness, and hopeful about growth.
Week 6 — Marks of a Truly Spiritual Person
How Scripture Positively Defines Spiritual Maturity
Introduction: Redefining Spiritual Maturity
In many Christian circles, a “spiritual person” is assumed to be someone who:
- knows a lot of Scripture
- prays publicly with confidence
- has visible gifts or leadership influence
- avoids obvious moral failure
But the New Testament consistently defines spirituality from the inside out, not the outside in.
Biblical spirituality is not measured by:
- intensity of experience
- visibility of gifting
- speed of growth
It is measured by:
- submission to the Spirit
- transformation of character
- increasing alignment with Christ
The truly spiritual person is not the most impressive—but the most yielded.
This week shows us how Scripture positively identifies spiritual maturity, so we are not left guessing—or comparing ourselves to the wrong standards.
Core Truth for the Week
Spiritual maturity is not sinlessness,
but increasing submission to the Holy Spirit that produces visible fruit over time.
Key Scripture 1: Galatians 5:16–25 (ESV)
“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Context and Insight
Paul writes Galatians to a church tempted to replace Spirit-led life with law-based effort. His solution is not stricter rules—but a deeper walk.
Key observations:
- The Christian life is a walk, not a moment
- Flesh and Spirit are opposing forces
- Victory over sin flows from dependence, not willpower
The “fruit of the Spirit” is:
- singular (“fruit,” not fruits)
- organic (grown, not manufactured)
- relational (expressed toward others)
Notice what Paul does not say:
- He does not say “display the fruit”
- He does not say “achieve the fruit”
- He says the fruit belongs to the Spirit
Fruit is evidence of life, not proof of effort.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think Paul emphasizes walking rather than striving?
- How does fruit differ from gifting in how it develops?
- Which works of the flesh feel most subtle in your life?
Key Scripture 2: 1 Corinthians 3:1–3 (ESV)
“I could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh…”
Context and Insight
This passage is shocking because Paul is writing to:
- baptized believers
- gifted believers
- church-attending believers
Yet he calls them fleshly.
Why?
- jealousy
- division
- pride
Important theological insight:
- “Spiritual” is not a permanent label
- Believers can live inconsistently with their identity
- Immaturity expresses itself relationally before it shows morally
Paul does not say they are unsaved—but he does say they are not living spiritually.
Spiritual identity can be contradicted by fleshly patterns.
Discussion Questions
- Why does Paul use such strong language with believers?
- What does jealousy reveal about spiritual immaturity?
- How might churches today tolerate fleshly behavior under spiritual language?
Key Scripture 3: Colossians 1:9–10 (ESV)
“That you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord…”
Context and Insight
Paul’s prayer for the Colossians gives us a positive blueprint for spiritual maturity.
Spiritual growth includes:
- growing knowledge of God’s will
- wisdom and understanding from the Spirit
- a life that pleases God
- increasing fruitfulness
- growing knowledge of God Himself
Notice the order:
- Knowledge leads to wisdom
- Wisdom leads to conduct
- Conduct leads to fruit
- Fruit deepens relationship
Spiritual maturity is holistic, not compartmentalized.
To grow spiritually is to increasingly reflect God’s character in everyday life.
Discussion Questions
- Why does Paul pray for wisdom, not just information?
- How does knowing God differ from knowing about God?
- What does it mean to “walk worthy” without becoming legalistic?
Teaching Emphases (Expanded)
- Spiritual people are not sinless, but repentant and responsive
- Fruit matters more than flair
- Maturity shows up most clearly in relationships
- Growth is progressive, not instant
- Submission precedes transformation
Clarifying a Crucial Distinction
Spiritual vs. Mature
- All believers are spiritual by indwelling
- Not all believers are mature in practice
Maturity is seen in:
- love replacing rivalry
- humility replacing self-promotion
- obedience replacing rationalization
The Spirit reveals His presence most clearly through Christlike character.
Group Interaction: Examining Fruit Honestly
Reflection Questions
- Which fruit of the Spirit feels most underdeveloped in your life right now?
- Where do you see progress compared to past seasons?
- How does patience (or lack of it) reveal spiritual growth?
Encourage:
- honesty without shame
- reflection without comparison
- hope without self-reliance
Why “Submitted,” Not “Sinless”
Spiritual maturity does not mean:
- absence of struggle
- perfection of behavior
It does mean:
- quicker repentance
- softer conscience
- greater dependence
- deeper humility
Spiritual people fall—but they fall toward God, not away from Him.
Discussion Questions
- How does this understanding protect us from despair?
- How does it protect us from pride?
- What role does community play in helping fruit grow?
Life Application & Closing Insight
Invite participants to reflect:
- Where is the Spirit inviting deeper submission?
- Am I more focused on appearing spiritual or becoming Christlike?
- How can I cooperate with the Spirit’s work this week?
Closing Insight:
The mark of a truly spiritual person is not how gifted they are,
but how deeply the Spirit governs their life.
If you’d like, next I can:
- Expand Week 7: Practicing Spiritual Discernment Daily
- Create a self-assessment tool based on fruit, not performance
- Or provide leader notes on fostering growth without comparison or shame