In 1 John 2:12-14, the Apostle John categorized 3 stages of spiritual growth: little children, young men, and fathers. He tells us in this passage, “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you and ye have overcome the wicked one.”
Little Children: new, born-again Christians. Their sins have just been forgiven. Jesus challenges us to be childlike in our faith, as seen in Matthew 18:3-5 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”
Young Men: growing spiritual adolescents. At this stage of development there have been significant spiritual victories based upon the knowledge and use of the Word of God. Jesus challenges us to be young men, or spiritual warriors. We are to come forcefully against diseases, demons, and spiritual death as said in Mark 16:15-18. “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Fathers: Christians who birth and raise up little children to become fathers. Jesus challenges us to step into fatherhood, making disciples, according to Matt 28:19, “Go therefore[a] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
In ‘Emerging Fathers’, we will focus on the role of spiritual father. As stated in God’s Word, both men and women, sons and daughters are to yearn for the position and activation of spiritual parenthood.
