Titus' Milestones to Maturity: Gaining My Own Zeal

By PJ Smyth

This is the big one. On the journey to maturity and leadership, many pass Milestones 1 and 2, yet find Milestone 3 elusive. Milestone 3 is the place of gaining your own zeal.

Take a look at what Paul says of Titus: "But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit." (2 Corinthians 8:16-17, 23)

What a jump! Titus goes from being the tag-on servant-hearted guy to a leader in his own right whom Paul now speaks of as "my partner and fellow worker." How did this radical promotion happen? Answer: Titus gained his own zeal.

[When we develop our own zeal] We begin to do things not primarily because we are told to or asked to, but because God's zeal is welling up inside us and becoming our own zeal. The things that God and Paul were passionate about had now also become Titus' passion. He owned the mission for himself. At Milestone 3 our fire is stoked from within us by God more than by a "Paul" outside of us.

Read a series of blog posts entitled Titus' Milestones to Maturity By JP Smyth here.

What Does a Mature Christian Student Look Like?

For those of you serving in youth ministry in some capacity, how do you determine whether or not your students are growing spiritually? Dr. Wesley Black at Lifeway.com suggests the following marks of a mature Christian student:

A Mature Christian Student…

• Seeks spiritual growth - Alone and with others pursues questions, guidance, and commitment through conversation, study of faith, reading the Bible, prayer, small groups, retreats.
• Possesses a vital faith - Keenly aware of God present and active in one’s own life, the lives of others, and the life of the world.
• Practices faith - Actively practices faith in Jesus Christ privately and publicly through regular attendance at worship, participation in ministry, and leadership in a congregation.
• Makes the Christian faith a way of life - Recognizes God’s call and integrates one’s beliefs into the conversation, decisions, and actions of daily life.
• Lives a life of service - Involved in activities caring for others and addressing injustice and immorality.
• Reaches out to others - Reaches out to others who are different or in need through prayer, hospitality, conversation, and support.
• Exercises moral responsibility - Lives with integrity using faith in making considered moral decisions.
• Speaks publicly about faith - Speaks openly about Jesus Christ and God’s participation in one’s own life and the life of the world.
• Possesses a positive spirit - Reflects loving and hopeful attitudes toward others and life.

HT: Lifeway