Several barriers have been identified with maturing in Christ in a recent study by the Barna Group.
Obstacle 1: Commitment
- 3 out of 4 agreed spirituality plays an important part in their life
- 1 out of 5 however invest in the development of their spiritual life
- 1 out of 5 claim to be “completely dependent upon God.”
Obstacle 2: Repentance
- 6 out of 10 claim to have repented of their sins
- 1 out of 8 state grasping the significance of their sins was devastating to them
- 3% have surrendered control of their life to God, submitted to His will for their life, and devoted themselves to loving and serving God and other people.
Obstacle 3: Activity
- 4 out of 10 have participated in a combination of three “normal” religious activities in the past week (i.e., attending church services, praying, reading the Bible).
- 1 out of 10 have witnessed with a non-Christian, fasted for religious purposes, and had an extended time of spiritual reflection during the past week.
Obstacle 4: Spiritual Community
- 1 out of 5 believe spiritual maturity requires a vital connection to church
- 1 out of 3 claims to have confessed their sins verbally to another believer at some point during the past quarter.
These are four of the obstacles that hang up those surveyed. How do you compare? Do you think active involvement with your own faith in Christ as well as involvement in the local church is necessary toward spiritual growth and maturity?
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