Leading Men Toward Spiritual Maturity

There’s a deep ache in the hearts of many church leaders—a quiet awareness that something vital is missing among the men we serve. I’ve felt it myself. In my own journey, I’ve seen the struggle firsthand: biblical illiteracy, inconsistent living, and crises of identity are all too common. We live in a time when men are looking for meaning but are often unsure where to find it. And unless we, as leaders, take intentional steps, these spiritual fractures won’t heal on their own.

But there’s good news. The early church gave us a model that still works. Acts 2:42 says this:

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

They didn’t drift into maturity. They were devoted—fully committed—to the practices that anchored them in Christ. And if we want to see men grow into mature, faithful disciples of Jesus, we must lead them down the same path: devotion to the Word, to fellowship, and to worship.

1. Devotion Requires Intentional Leadership

The word translated “continued steadfastly” in Acts 2:42 comes from the Greek proskartereo—it means to persist obstinately, to remain in focused commitment.

The early church was not known for its stage presence or platform personalities. It was known for its unwavering pursuit of Christ. That’s what our men need today. Leaders must model this type of devotion. Not perfection—but passion and persistence.

2. Devoted to the Word of God

“...the apostles’ doctrine...”

The apostles weren’t making up new ideas—they were teaching the fulfillment of the Scriptures through Jesus (see Luke 24:27, Acts 2:16–36). Teaching isn’t just about delivering content—it’s about shaping hearts. The truth transforms, and truth is desperately needed.

To the men of the Church today—especially in charismatic circles—let me say this plainly: False teachings are rampant, and many leaders are falling because their foundation isn’t firm. We need a hunger for the truth that matches our hunger for spiritual experience. At Joplin Full Gospel, we’re committed to this. In fact, my adult Sunday School class has exploded in attendance—not because of flashy presentations, but because people are starving for sound teaching.

We must disciple men who know how to rightly divide the Word of truth, who know what they believe and why. Because when a man knows who God is, he learns who he is. And when he knows that, he discovers what he’s called to do.

Scriptures to Reflect On:

• Jeremiah 15:16 – God’s Word brings joy and identity.

• Ezra 7:10 – A model for study, obedience, and teaching.

• John 6:68 – The words of Jesus are eternal life.

As leaders, let’s stop leading from spiritual deficit. Let the Word fill you to overflow. Don’t settle for shallow. Go deep—and take others with you.

3. Devoted to Fellowship

“...and to fellowship (koinonia)...”

Every Tuesday night, a group of men from our church gathers—not just to hang out, but to build each other up. We talk about life. We ask questions. We eat. We pray. It may not seem revolutionary, but it’s changing our church.

Biblical fellowship is more than social activity. The word koinonia means sharing life in Christ—participating in grace, mission, and even suffering together.

Six Reasons Fellowship Matters:

1. Protection – We guard each other from sin (Hebrews 3:12–13).

2. Perseverance – We strengthen one another to endure (Hebrews 10:24–25).

3. Praise – We magnify God together (Psalm 34:3).

4. Provision – We meet needs in the body (Acts 2:44–45).

5. Prayer – We intercede for one another.

6. Purity – We help each other stay rooted in truth.

Men don’t need more acquaintances. They need brothers—people who know them and walk with them.

4. Devoted to Worship and Prayer

“...to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

Worship isn’t just a Sunday morning playlist. It’s a rhythm of reverence, rooted in Christ. The early church regularly shared meals and the Lord’s Supper—remembering Jesus’ sacrifice. They gathered for the prayers, structured and consistent, to seek God together.

When the Word goes deep, worship becomes rich. Revelation stirs reverence. That’s the kind of worship that leads men to weep, sing, kneel, and lead their homes with spiritual authority.

We’ve started emphasizing this in our services—men leading in song, reading Scripture as a call to worship, praying aloud for their families. A healthy church has singing men. A praying church has watchful men.

Scriptures to Reflect On:

• Revelation 5:8 – Our prayers rise before God like incense.

• Hebrews 13:15 – Praise is a continual sacrifice.

• Romans 12:1 – Worship is a lifestyle of surrender.

Teach your men to worship and pray—not just as disciplines, but as lifelines.

5. The Call to Action: Become a Devoted Man

The church in Acts changed the world—not because they had the best strategies, but because they were devoted. Devotion was the engine of transformation.

Ministry leaders, hear this:
The spiritual temperature of your ministry will rarely exceed your personal devotion. You can’t outsource the culture you long to see—you must embody it.

So let’s rise up as men of the Word. Men of fellowship. Men of worship. Let’s lead others not by pressure, but by example.

“Brothers, we’re not here to admire Acts 2:42—we’re here to live it.”