Read Ephesians 4:12-16

“God’s goal is for us to become mature adults—to be fully grown, measured by the standard of the fullness of Christ.” -Ephesians 4:13b

It’s always good to have a goal in mind. Goals give us something for which to aim. They improve performance as we strive to reach them. Goals help us stay focused on what matters most.

We often set goals for ourselves in our careers, in our families, in our finances, in music, and in sports. If we set goals in all these areas of life, doesn’t it make sense that we would set goals for ourselves in our faith? Actually, according to the letter to the Ephesians, God has already set the most important one:  for us to become mature adults. And maturity in this case takes on a very specific image…it looks like Jesus.

At the heart of St. Paul’s UMC vision is a call to participate in our Discipleship Pathway. The process of becoming more like Jesus is what growing as a disciple is all about. Just like that original band of twelve, disciples today are those who desire to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. As a congregation, when we invest resources in helping people grow, we participate in pressing on toward God’s goal for each of us to become a mature disciple. 

How are you growing as a disciple these days?

What new opportunities can you envision for growing disciples?