Podcast Summary: "Growing Up Spiritually, Part Two"

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Host/Speaker: Nancy Dufresne
Episode: Jesus the Healer Broadcast (Jan 7, 2021)
Location: Family Ranch, Dufresne Family

Overview of Episode Theme

In this episode, Pastor Nancy Dufresne continues the vital discussion on "Growing Up Spiritually," focusing on the importance of progressing beyond spiritual infancy to experience the full benefits of life in Christ. She explores scriptural teachings about spiritual maturity, personal responsibility for spiritual growth, and the practical benefits of renewing the mind with the Word of God. Listeners are encouraged to develop their own faith and avoid relying solely on the spiritual strength of others.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Responsibility for Transformation

Referencing Romans 12:1–2 and the believer’s role in spiritual growth

• Presenting Ourselves: "We're the ones who have to do something with our bodies and have to do something with our minds." (01:08)
• Renewing the Mind: Renewing means taking on God’s thoughts, speaking and acting in line with the Word—crucial for genuine life transformation.
• Transformation Results: "Once we renew our mind, our lives will be transformed. That means our marriages won’t look the same, our relationships with people won’t look the same, our finances won’t look the same, our health and our bodies won’t be the same." (02:35)

2. Inheritance as Heirs with Christ

Exploring Galatians 3:29–4:3 and Ephesians 1:3

• Joint Heirs: "Everything that belongs to Christ belongs to us... Everything that heaven is enjoying right now belongs to us right now while we’re on the earth." (04:30)
• Living Below Privilege: Despite being heirs, immature believers live with less than God’s best, like children unable to access their inheritance.
• Days of Heaven on Earth: God intends believers to "live days of heaven on earth" by appropriating their spiritual inheritance. (05:14)

3. Stages and Necessity of Spiritual Maturity

Comparison to natural development; dangers of remaining immature

• Parallels with Childhood: "Spiritual growth is parallel to natural growth... When you were born again, you were not born a full grown spiritual person." (07:32)
• Dependency Dilemma: Many "enjoy the babyhood stage or the childhood stage where they just kind of come up under the faith of either their pastor or someone else and they never develop themselves spiritually." (10:13)
• Real-Life Example: Nancy illustrates with her own family, emphasizing that spiritual maturity cannot be inherited but must be personally developed.

4. The Pitfall of Living Under Others’ Faith

• Short-term Help; Long-term Hindrance: While relying on others’ faith is common and may be a temporary aid, it becomes a hindrance to true spiritual progress.
• On Teaching Children: "My faith doesn’t belong to you. I can bless you with my faith, I can exercise my faith in your behalf, but my faith still belongs to me." (12:44)
• Necessity of Personal Faith: Each believer must possess and exercise their own faith to fully live out God’s plan, “because I can only help you so far with my faith.”

5. Benefits of Spiritual Maturity

• Freedom from Bondage: "If we don’t mature or develop spiritually, we’re going to remain either in a babyhood or childhood stage of spiritual growth. And we will live in bondage. We will live in bondage to the flow of the world." (17:04)
• Increasing Ease: "The older I get and the more I mature spiritually, the more my mind is renewed, the easier life gets. Things that were a struggle to me years and years ago as a young Christian, don’t even faze me now." (19:40)
• Renewing the Mind: “It’s developing your spirit and renewing your mind that brings you into the easy flow of life.” (20:28)

6. Consequences of Not Renewing the Mind

Referencing 1 Corinthians 2:14 and Dad Hagin’s testimony

• Spiritual Reception Blocked: "An unspiritual man with an unspiritual mind... cannot even accept or receive what God says." (22:33)
• Renewal Required for Victory: “It will cost us much to fail to renew our minds. Because we’re going to face situations in times of life that’s going to call for a renewed mind if we’re going to live in victory.” (24:15)
• Testimony of Healing: Example of Dad Hagin not receiving healing until he renewed his mind to what the Word said about healing (25:01).

7. Summing Up the Call to Grow

• Ongoing Lifestyle: Renewing the mind is not a one-time event, but a continual "lifelong occupation." (24:45)
• Encouragement: "Keep renewing your mind, feeding on the Word of God, acting in line with the Word, and when you do, your life will be transformed and it will give you the best life." (25:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Taking Responsibility:
  "We’re the ones who have to do something with our bodies and...our minds." (01:08)

• On the Inheritance:
  "Everything that belongs to Christ belongs to us. Why is that? He is the Son of God, but we're the sons of God." (04:40)

• On Spiritual Independence:
  "We don’t want to teach people to lean on us. We are not their Lord and we don’t ever want to position ourselves that way." (14:34)

• On Grief and Preparation:
  "When [my husband] went home to be with the Lord, the ministry continued. Our family stayed strong...because we had been having our own faith life built." (21:50)

• On Spiritual Disciplines:
  "It takes time to renew the mind. You can’t renew the mind in a day or in a week. It becomes our lifestyle." (24:45)

• On the Privilege to Grow:
  "What a divine privilege to renew our minds with the Word of God." (25:30)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:09 — Welcome and Introduction
• 01:08 — Romans 12:1–2: Presenting your body and renewing your mind
• 04:30 — Galatians 3:29–4:3: Heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ
• 07:32 — Spiritual maturity parallels natural growth
• 10:13 — Dangers of staying spiritually immature
• 12:44 — Teaching spiritual independence to children
• 17:04 — Living in bondage when spiritually immature
• 19:40 — Life gets easier as you mature spiritually
• 22:33 — 1 Corinthians 2:14 and spiritual receptivity
• 25:01 — Dad Hagin’s healing testimony
• 25:30 — Final encouragement and call to action

Conclusion

Nancy Dufresne’s message calls each believer to actively pursue spiritual maturity by taking personal responsibility for renewing their mind and growing in faith. She warns against the pitfalls of spiritual dependency and encourages listeners to build a robust relationship with God through consistent engagement with His Word. The episode is both practical and deeply motivational, using scriptural truths and personal experience to invite every believer into a richer, more victorious Christian life.