Write in your journal about your own experiences at the different stages in your life when teachers either really understood or failed to understand the needs of that stage. Also, discuss the question: Can children understand concepts of doctrine?

I had a unique situation in my own life in that I often felt like I was a little above the maturity of my grade level. I can remember moving up to another Bible Study on Wednesday nights at my own request because I did not feel like the class I was in was mature enough to engage in the word. This was in middle school. With that said, I think teachers recognized where I was at, and wanted to encourage my development. 

 I believe that children can understand doctrine, if it is explained and described in a way that they can understand and comprehend. I think when it comes to doctrine, we can teach our young people in baby steps, so that when we begin to talk in depth about those types of issues, they have already experienced the concept in some type of developmentally appropriate way.

Write in your journal an honest appraisal of your spiritual position. Discuss your spiritual growth in the last six months. What have been some of the obstacles to growth? What have been the spiritual victories you have recently experienced? What challenges has God given you to experience growth in the near future?

I feel that my spiritual growth has increased in the last six months. I have felt encouraged and uplifted as I have done a better job of consistently engaging in my personal devotion time. I think busyness has been the biggest obstacle to my growth. It seems like there is not enough time in the day to get everything done that is required of me, so much that I just crash after a long day of work. for victories, I have found encouragement in our fundraising for our adoption, as God has continued to open door after door on our behalf to make it possible for us to adopt. God is so good, and I think part of his blessing comes from the greater commitment to grow spiritually. I think the challenge I am going to undertake is simply continuing to develop and grow in my own spiritual disciplines, and being willing to try new disciplines in my spiritual growth, and increasing my willingness to engage in works of service, even those that make me uncomfortable. 

Think of two or three persons who in your understanding best exemplify the character of Jesus Christ. What sets them apart from the rest of the people you know? 

The people in my life that I believe best exemplify the character of Jesus have two very important characteristics that I believe set them apart from the rest of the people I know. The first of these is being relational. They take the time to get to know people, to invest in their lives, to hear their stories, to be on their level, understanding where they are coming from, and seeing the potential in who they become in Christ. The second trait is humility. They are not interested in getting a pat on the back, a big promotion, or notoriety for their efforts. Their greater concern is knowing, loving, and serving Jesus in the best way they know how to. This focus on Christ helps keep their ego in check; this is the kind of person I aspire to be.

“We are, each of us, angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing each other.”

I think this is a great metaphor, because I think it affirms the dependency that we should have for one another. In our society, we have this false conception that we are these great, independent people who do not need the help or assistance of others. I think we miss out on a lot of opportunities to support, lift up, and encourage each other simply because our pride and our independence does not allow us to let others support us. We pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, often to our own detriment. When we embrace each other, the synergy of our efforts will take us much farther than we ever could have gone on our own.

Give an accounting of a time recently where you received care, pastoral or otherwise, from someone. Express your feelings to be on the receiving end of someone else’s concern. Then write about an opportunity you took to express care, concern, or counsel to someone else. How did you feel about the experience? Would you do something different next time?

Recently, I was the beneficiary of some care from my Pastor. He stopped in at my work just to see how I was doing, to buy me a soda and visit for a few minutes. He happened to be down the street at another store buying supplies, and he went out of his way and from his schedule to visit me. That was really neat; I didn't feel like I needed extra care, and life was going good, and he stopped in just to say hi. That is very special.

I was able to reciprocate this with another individual who was recovering from surgery. She was a little loopy at my time of visit, but I was able to spend some time with her husband while she was in and out of sleep. It was a good change of pace for both of them, and I was blessed to be a part of it.

Toward whom have I recently shown gratitude?

Recently, I was giving gratitude towards my Senior Pastor. I had an instance arise where I felt led to talk about a difficult issue in the Spiritual realm that frequently crosses into the Political spectrum. I felt led to give my teens a Biblical perspective on the issue, but had some concerns for what parents might say in addressing the issue. When the night came to speak on it, my Senior Pastor was in the group, listening to my lesson. For the most part, he did not say anything until it came time for the question and answer session, and he provided greater insights than anything that I could have given to the group at that time. I was so thankful for him to be there, even when I felt nervous at having his presence there, potentially "grading" my work.

Define Christian Maturity. What does it look like? 

I think Christian Maturity is found when what a person says about their faith matches up with their actions. For example, I think it is great when people verbally communicate that going to church and being in worship and Sunday school is important. I think maturity comes when people actually follow up with their words and go to church and go to worship service and Sunday school. To say one thing and to do another shows a great lack of maturity.

Another sign of maturity is devotional commitment. If I am mature in my faith, I am interested in growing in my knowledge and grace of Christ. If I take the initiative and go about growing in my faith, I am showing steps towards maturity.