In this episode, Ken Shuman continues exploring the connection between emotional and spiritual maturity. He explains that we cannot become fully spiritually mature if we are not also growing in emotional maturity, because we will behave in ways that are inconsistent with the way of Jesus.

Ken returns to the question, “What is spiritual maturity?” and revisits Ephesians 4:11–13 to help answer this. He suggests that this passage highlights three key aspects of spiritual maturity and spends a few minutes unpacking these. Spiritually mature people are a) filled with the knowledge of Jesus, b) mature in the teachings of Jesus, and c) fully formed in the likeness of Jesus. Together, these shape them into people who are whole and complete— and equipped to participate in God’s mission in the world.

Ken also explores the Greek word translated “equipped,”which was used in the New Testament era both to describe mending fishing nets and setting broken bones so they could heal properly. Without emotional maturity, our nets remain torn—we want to serve, but we’re fishing with holesin our nets...and we wonder why we are not effective!

Ken concludes that emotional maturity and spiritual maturity go hand in hand, and he emphasizes that our growth in maturity is for the purpose of helping others become more whole and complete. We mend our nets so that the entire body of Christ may be built up. Where might your net need mending?

This episode was recorded on March 6th, 2026.