Semi-pro?

What sort of spiritual people are we?

Are we professional?

Are we semi-professional?

Are we amateur?

Are we little league?

How do we self-identify spiritually?

Is our spirituality only a hobby?

Is our spiritual life something we wear as a badge in front of certain people and in specific situations?

Are we spiritual when we need to comfort ourselves or when we're in trouble?

Do you or I think, "I'm ok. I'm this kind of spiritual person"?

Have you ever tried something new, like learning to dance?

Most would assume that they should join a "beginner's" class since they've never learned that kind of dance.

Think of spiritual growth.

And He [Jesus] said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how. For the earth brings forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest is come. Mark 4:26-29

For those who accept that the Lord Jesus Christ is their source of spirituality, the seed is planted when they're born again John 1:12-13; 3:3-7; 1 Peter 1:23 when they believe in their hearts, confess with their mouths, and call upon the Lord to save them. Romans 10:6-13

This kingdom in them Luke 17:20-21 begins small but can grow to be large to benefit others.

Then Jesus told another story: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field. That seed is the smallest of all seeds, but when it grows, it is one of the largest garden plants. It becomes big enough for the wild birds to come and build nests in its branches." Matthew 13:31-32

There's a well or fountain of spiritual water within them John 4:13-14 and there can also be rivers of living water flowing out to bless others. John 7:37-39; Acts 1:8

So, back to the original questions in different forms --

Do you see yourself spiritually as a beginner, an intermediate, or an advanced believer?

Most of us would NEVER think that we're beginners.

However, the Bible states that some Christians who didn't lack in any spiritual gifts, 1 Corinthians 1:4-7 as a whole church, were considered by Paul to be beginners.

And I [Paul], brothers and sisters, could not speak to you as spiritual people, but only as fleshly, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to consume it. But even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like ordinary people? For when one person says, "I am with Paul," and another, "I am with Apollos," are you not ordinary people? 1 Corinthians 3:1-4

Other believers in a different location should have been teachers by then, but they needed someone to teach them the basics, the beginners' level, of the faith.

They needed milk. They couldn't receive strong, spiritual meat.

For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that uses milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 6:12-14

There are different levels of spiritual maturity: Those who can eat only spiritual milk, the beginners, others who are able to consume spiritual meat (or solid food), the intermediate level, and the advanced level whose diet can be strong, spiritual meat (or solid food).

Observation --

If you go to religious or spiritual meetings or have in the past, have you ever seen meetings for Beginners (not the "new converts" class), Intermediates, and Advanced?

I doubt it.

Usually, the main meeting is for everyone to sit in.

If there are Sunday school classes, these are for age groups --

nursery to age 5, elementary through 6th grade, youth 7th through 12th grade, college, married couples, singles, and such like.

Some churches will have meetings during the week called Men's group, Women's group, and Youth group.

All of these categories are based on gender, natural ages, or marital status.

Suggestion and something to think about --

Shouldn't people be grouped together based upon their spiritual ages ONLY?

If you can handle only spiritual milk, be with those at that level.

If you can understand spiritual solid food, get with others who are likewise mature enough.

If you can accept strong, spiritual solid food, be in that group.

For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek [non-Jew], there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28

In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile [non-Jew], circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and He lives in all of us. Colossians 3:11

If churches are serious about their people growing into the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 4:11-16; Colossians 2:18-19 meetings could be training grounds to help do that. 1 Corinthians 14:26; Colossians 3:16

Test people on their biblical knowledge, their character, authority, and power, and then place them in the appropriate groups so that they can grow stronger in the Lord and the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10; 2 Timothy 2:1

Your thoughts?

R. Jason