Rooted

STAGES

Pastor Hope Flask

April 19, 2026

Main Scriptures: John 15:1-8

Additional Scriptures: Philippians 3:10-12, Ezekiel 36:26, 2 Peter 1:3-4 (MSG), Luke 18:9-14, 1 John 2:14, Hebrews 12:11, 1 Timothy 4:8, James 1:2-4

POINTS:

• We measure spiritual growth by the respectability of each other’s sins.

• The bible measures spiritual growth through the lens of becoming like Christ.

• True spiritual growth happens in the dirt. If your “growth” never calls you to get your hands dirty, then what you have isn’t growth, it is glitter.

• True spiritual growth is directional and relational.

• The church teaches us how to process life with the new heart and spirit that God gives us.

• OTW helps facilitate this growth through our D series courses.

• We should measure spiritual maturity by our participation in the divine nature of Christ.

• You can’t skip seasons.

• Growing in grace is always done organically.

• Active Discipline: remaining in Christ.

• Passive Discipline: pruning by the Father.

• 3 levels of Christian growth

  • Children: birth (hesitant and on fire) to adolescence. They need worship and community.

  • Adolescents: spiritual teenagers. Need active and passive discipline. This is the longest phase.

  • Seasoned Saints: deeply shaped by grace, and they understand the power of seasons. They are joyfully practicing active and passive discipline.

• Christians are more likely to get stuck at the children's phase of spiritual growth than any other phase because there is nothing pressing on them, causing them to grow.