<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scripture: Ephesians 4:15 <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“But speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ.”<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The goal of APEST is maturity. Jesus gives these gifts so the body of Christ can be built up, become united, and grow into His fullness.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maturity does not mean we become impressive or independent. It means we become more like Jesus. We learn to speak truth in love. We learn to serve with humility. We learn to carry God’s mission with wisdom, compassion, courage, and grace.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">APEST helps us see where we are strong and where we still need to grow. Some of us naturally move toward mission and new things. Some naturally notice truth and justice. Some easily connect with people outside the church. Some naturally care and protect. Some love learning and explaining truth.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These strengths matter. But maturity also means growing in the areas that do not come naturally. If we only grow in our strongest area, we may become unbalanced. Jesus wants to form the whole person.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is why we need community. Other people help us grow where we are weak. Their gifts may stretch us, challenge us, and help us see what we would miss on our own.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, ask Jesus to grow you toward maturity, not just comfort.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reflection questions:<ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); list-style-type: decimal; font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Which APEST gift feels most natural to me, and which one feels most stretching?</li><li aria-level="1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); list-style-type: decimal; font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How might God use other people’s gifts to help me become more mature?</li></ol><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prayer: <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus, help me grow up into Your fullness, not just in the areas that feel easy. Use Your people to shape me into a mature disciple who reflects Your life. Amen.

The goal of APEST is maturity. Jesus gives these gifts so the body of Christ can be built up, become united, and grow into His fullness.

6.Growing Into Maturity

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6.Growing Into Maturity

6.Growing Into Maturity

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