Making Disciple Makers- Spiritual Young Adult

From Self-Centered to Others-Centered: The Journey to Spiritual Young Adulthood

Have you ever considered that your spiritual growth follows a similar pattern to your physical development? Just as we progress from infancy to childhood to young adulthood biologically, we also move through distinct stages in our walk with Christ. Understanding where we are on this spiritual journey can transform how we serve, love, and glorify God.

The Shift That Changes Everything

There's a critical transition point in spiritual maturity that can be described as "spiritual puberty"—a dramatic shift from being self-centered to becoming others-centered. This transformation marks the movement from spiritual childhood into spiritual young adulthood, and it changes everything about how we approach faith, service, and relationships.

The Apostle John recognized these developmental stages when he wrote: "I am writing to you who are young in the faith, because you have won your battle with the evil one" (1 John 2:13). He wasn't simply addressing age groups; he was acknowledging that spiritual maturity comes in stages, each with its own characteristics and challenges.

The Hallmarks of Spiritual Young Adulthood

What distinguishes spiritual young adults from those in earlier stages? Three key characteristics define this phase:

**God-centeredness**: Everything begins to revolve around glorifying God rather than satisfying personal preferences or comfort.

**Others-centeredness**: The focus shifts from "What can I get?" to "How can I give?" Spiritual young adults genuinely think about the needs of others before their own.

**Service**: Action follows attitude. These believers don't just talk about faith; they actively minister to others.

But here's the crucial distinction: spiritual infants and children also serve in church. The difference lies in motivation. Immature believers serve as long as the personal benefits outweigh the costs. Spiritual young adults serve for the glory of God and the good of others, regardless of personal cost.

The Danger of Service as a Mask

One of the most deceptive traps in spiritual development is using service as a cover for spiritual immaturity. It's possible to be incredibly active in ministry while remaining spiritually shallow. The task becomes the mask—a flurry of activity that keeps people from questioning our true spiritual depth.

This is particularly common in communities with strong work ethics. We can hide behind our busyness, our regular attendance, our committee memberships, all while never truly growing deeper in our relationship with Christ or others. True spiritual maturity isn't measured by the hours we log in church activities but by the transformation of our hearts and motivations.

What Spiritual Young Adults Sound Like

The phrases we use reveal our spiritual stage. Spiritual young adults say things like:

"I love my group, but there are others who need a group like this."

Notice the shift? It's no longer about protecting personal comfort or keeping things small and manageable. There's a recognition that what we've experienced needs to be shared with others.

"I have three friends I've been witnessing to, and this group would be too big for them."

This statement reveals someone actively engaged in evangelism who is thinking strategically about how to help new believers grow. They're not just inviting people to an existing group; they're considering what those people actually need.

"Randy and Rachel missed group, and I called to see if they're okay. Their kids have the flu. Maybe our group can make meals for them. I'll start."

Here's genuine care in action—noticing when someone is absent, reaching out personally, and taking initiative to meet practical needs.

The Biblical Blueprint for Others-Centeredness

The Apostle Paul provided clear instructions that perfectly describe spiritual young adulthood in Philippians 2:3-4:

"Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too."

This isn't about developing low self-esteem or thinking you're worthless. It's about expanding your vision beyond your own needs, preferences, and comfort to genuinely care about others. It's about becoming more Christ-like.

After all, Jesus said of Himself: "Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). Notice He didn't just serve—He served sacrificially. Spiritual young adults are willing to serve even when it costs them something significant.

Growth Happens in Ministry

You don't mature into spiritual young adulthood by accident. Growth from spiritual childhood happens in the context of ministry. When we actively minister to others, God challenges us and convicts us to realize that life is much bigger than our personal comfort and preferences.

To continue growing, spiritual young adults need three things:

**Training**: We need to learn to minister relationally, putting people over tasks. Ministry isn't about completing a checklist; it's about genuinely caring for souls.

**Preparation**: We must be equipped to handle both disappointment and success. Jesus warned His disciples that they would face mockery, persecution, and lies because of their association with Him. Ministry will take you from hero to zero in seconds. But Jesus also cautioned His disciples when they returned celebrating their ministry successes, reminding them that the real reason to rejoice wasn't their accomplishments but that their names were written in heaven.

**Opportunity**: We need actual chances to serve. God has given each believer spiritual gifts, and we need opportunities to identify, develop, and employ those gifts. Whether it's speaking, helping, serving food, making clothes for the poor, or providing care for those in need, there are countless ways to minister.

The Ultimate Goal: Multiplication

The final and perhaps most important aspect of spiritual young adulthood is being released—sent out to multiply ministry. Paul instructed Timothy: "You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others" (2 Timothy 2:2).

This is the principle of multiplication. We're not meant to simply accumulate spiritual knowledge or serve indefinitely in the same capacity. We're meant to reproduce—to make disciple-makers who will make more disciple-makers.

Every believer has the potential to be a minister. Not necessarily a vocational pastor, but a minister—someone who serves others with the skills, talents, and gifts God has provided. When we multiply ministers, we multiply ministry impact exponentially.

Where Are You?

As you reflect on these characteristics, where do you find yourself? Are you still serving primarily when it benefits you? Are you hiding behind activity rather than pursuing genuine transformation? Or are you making that critical shift toward God-centeredness and others-centeredness?

The goal isn't to judge ourselves harshly but to honestly assess where we are so we can continue growing. Spiritual maturity is a journey, not a destination. The question isn't whether you've arrived but whether you're moving forward.

The beautiful truth is that God meets us wherever we are and invites us to take the next step. Whether you're just beginning your faith journey or you've been walking with Christ for decades, there's always room to grow deeper, love more genuinely, and serve more sacrificially.

The journey to spiritual young adulthood—and beyond—awaits. Are you ready to make the shift?