1. To be ready to receive and nourish new Christians and further develop mature Christians.
1 Cor 3:1-2
So, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but instead as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 3:2 I fed you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready. In fact, you are still not ready,
Heb 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil.
2. To provide a place where every believer feels safe and valued.
Gal 5:15-16
However, if you continually bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. 5:16 But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.
3. To come to the unity of the faith.
Eph 4:13
Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God—a mature person, attaining to the measure of Christ’s full stature.
4. To become mature in the stature and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Eph 4:13
Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God—a mature person, attaining to the measure of Christ’s full stature.
5. To have close ties with the rest of God’s church.
Eph 4:4
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling,
6. To have Bible-based leadership and relationships.
1 Tim 3:1-12
This saying1 is trustworthy: “If someone aspires to the office of overseer,2 he desires a good work.” 3:2 The overseer3 then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,4 temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, 3:3 not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. 3:4 He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity.5 3:5 But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God? 3:6 He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant6 and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact.7 3:7 And he must be well thought of by8 those outside the faith,9 so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap.103:8 Deacons likewise must be dignified,11 not two-faced,12 not given to excessive drinking,13 not greedy for gain, 3:9 holding to the mystery of the faith14 with a clear conscience. 3:10 And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless. 3:11 Likewise also their wives15 must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect. 3:12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife16 and good managers of their children and their own households.
John 13:34-35
“I give you a new commandment—to love86 one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.87 13:35 Everyone88 will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.”
7. To become a model Christian community.
1 Tim 4:12
Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness,15 and purity.
Matt 5:14
You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden.