
As a Little Child: Conversations with the Father by Melanie Lewis invites readers on a transformative journey to spiritual maturity. The book and course blend biblical wisdom, personal reflections, and practical steps to nurture a deeper relationship with God. At its core, it explores the essence of childlike faith and offers ten steps to spiritual maturity that lead believers toward a vibrant, godly life. This cornerstone content unpacks significant themes while equipping readers with practical tools to deepen their faith.
The Ten Steps to Spiritual Maturity
Central to As a Little Child: Conversations with the Father are the ten steps to spiritual maturity, guiding believers toward a closer walk with God. These steps illuminate a practical pathway for nurturing a vibrant faith:
1. Connect to God’s Word
God’s Word is like a lamp in the darkness, casting light on His character and guiding us toward truth and wisdom. Engaging with Scripture transforms our hearts and minds, shaping our lives to reflect His glory.
- Spiritual Maturity Step 1: Connect to God’s Word
- God Gives Wisdom through His Word
- Those Who Follow God’s Word Are Happy
- Thematically Study through the Bible in One Year
- Whatever Is Pure – Think About These Things
- Connect to God’s Word with This One Year Bible Study
2. Fear the Lord
Developing awe for the Lord is like standing at the edge of the ocean—His power and majesty humble us, drawing us into a deeper reverence that aligns our hearts with His will.
3. Experience the Forgiveness of Sins
Accepting God’s forgiveness is like laying down a heavy burden and walking in freedom. Through Christ, we are liberated from guilt and empowered to embrace His grace.
- Spiritual Maturity Step 3: Experience Forgiveness of Sins
- Study What the Bible Says about Sin and Righteousness
- How to Choose God’s Standard Instead of My Own
4. Choose Righteousness
Righteousness is the compass that keeps us on the path of God’s design, directing our thoughts and actions to reflect His holiness.
- Spiritual Maturity Step 4: Choose Righteousness
- Whatever Is Right – Think About These Things
- Study What the Bible Says about Sin and Righteousness
- How to Choose God’s Standard Instead of My Own
5. Depend on God
Trusting God is like leaning into the arms of a loving Father—His provision and guidance carry us through life’s uncertainties with peace and confidence.
- Spiritual Maturity Step 5: Depend on God
- How to Hear the Holy Spirit
- Job: A Painful Example of Desperate Dependency
- The Day I Lost Trust in My Father
- Psalm 63: An Example Prayer of Desperate Dependency
- How to Grow in Spiritual Maturity
- Psalm 143 Prayer Pattern to Promote Spiritual Growth
- Why Wait for God When I Can Do Something?
- Depend on God and Be Disciplined One Year Bible Study
- Bible Study Challenge: Depend on God to Teach You
6. Accept Discipline
God’s discipline is like the careful pruning of a vine, cutting away what hinders growth to reveal the beauty of a life rooted in Him.
- Spiritual Maturity Step 6: Accept Discipline
- Do You Need A Spanking?
- Am I the Problem That Stagnates My Growth?
- Depend on God and Be Disciplined One Year Bible Study
- Bible Study Challenge: Depend on God to Teach You
7. Be Humble
Humility is the doorway to God’s presence. By bowing before Him, we open our lives to His transformative power, allowing Him to fulfill His perfect will in us.
- Spiritual Maturity Step 7: Be Humble
- What Does Humility Look Like?
- How Can I Be Humble?
- Why Do You Care Who Is the Greatest?
- One Year Bible Study to Become a Humble Peacemaker
8. Be a Peacemaker
Being a peacemaker is like sowing seeds in rocky soil—hard work that may lead to conflict but ultimately produces the fruit of God’s kingdom in the lives of others.
9. Enjoy Worship
True worship overflows from a grateful heart, like a song that rises unbidden to glorify the Creator with every thought, word, and deed.
- Spiritual Maturity Step 9: Enjoy Worship
- How to Enjoy Worship of God
- Whatever Is Praiseworthy – Think About These Things
- Get to Know God to Become Committed to Worship
10. Be Faithful
Faithfulness is the steady flame that burns through trials, illuminating a life that trusts in God’s promises and reflects His enduring love.
- Spiritual Maturity Step 10: Be Faithful
- Because God Is Faithful I Should Be Faithful in Marriage
- Is There Anyone I Can Trust to Be Faithful?
- Get to Know God to Become Committed to Worship
The Importance of Prayer
Prayer is presented as a cornerstone of the believer’s relationship with God. Through prayer, we converse with the Father, sharing our hearts and aligning with His will. This dialogue is not just about presenting requests but about developing an understanding of God’s heart and His plans for our lives. As we engage in prayer alongside Bible study, we grow in our knowledge of His Word and align our desires with His purpose.
Prayer, when viewed as an ongoing, heartfelt conversation, becomes the means through which we grow in intimacy with our Creator.
Understanding Significant Relationships
Furthermore, the book and course emphasize the profound impact of relationships on spiritual growth. We begin with our relationship with God as our Father. Viewing God through the lens of a parent-child dynamic highlights His nurturing, guiding, and loving nature. This understanding encourages us to approach Him with childlike trust and dependence.
Parenting, both physical and spiritual, is another key relationship explored. By modeling godly principles, parents can nurture their children’s faith and encourage their spiritual growth. Additionally, the book and course underscore the importance of mentoring relationships that foster deeper connections with God.
Living a Godly Life through Proverbs
The wisdom of Proverbs provides practical guidance for living a godly life. As a Little Child: Conversations with the Father draws extensively from this book of the Bible, highlighting key principles such as:
- God included Proverbs in Scripture to draw us closer to understanding the God of wisdom.
- Proverbs reminds us how our heavenly Father patiently relates to His children.
- Proverbs directs us to listen carefully and submit humbly to the Father’s teaching to produce godly righteousness.
By applying these principles, believers can navigate life with discernment and integrity, reflecting God’s glory in their daily choices. Therefore, to be applied appropriately, Proverbs must be understood within the whole context of Scripture. Its short, pithy statements help us focus on the entire truth of God’s Word.
Connecting to God through Bible Study
Bible study is the foundation for knowing who God is and understanding who we are in relation to Him. Through Scripture, we discover His character, His promises, and His desires for our lives. This understanding shapes how we relate to Him and how we serve Him.
Rather than approaching Bible study as an academic exercise, the book and course emphasize using daily Insight Journal sentence completions to deepen the connection to God’s Word. These sentences include:
- God is teaching me He is…
- God is teaching me I am…
- God is teaching me to…
This reflective practice serves as a spiritual mirror, fostering an ongoing dialogue with God, encouraging personal growth, and deepening intimacy with Him. By consistently connecting to God through Bible study, we develop a deeper understanding of His will and cultivate a closer relationship with Him.
Coming to Christ as a Little Child
The overarching theme of As a Little Child: Conversations with the Father is the call to approach God with childlike faith. This involves trusting His plans, depending on His provision, and embracing His love without reservation. By cultivating a childlike heart, believers can experience the joy, freedom, and intimacy from walking closely with their Heavenly Father.
As a Little Child: Conversations with the Father Course
As a Little Child: Conversations with the Father serves as both a guide and an inspiration for those seeking to grow in their faith. By traversing the ten steps to spiritual maturity, embracing a parent-child relationship with God, and grounding themselves in prayer and Scripture, including Proverbs, believers can experience profound spiritual transformation. Gleaning from God’s timeless wisdom offers readers a path to deeper intimacy with God and a more vibrant Christian life.
DDCommunity Institute offers this Christ-centered course to deepen your understanding of God’s heart, help you navigate life’s challenges with His guidance, and strengthen your relationship with the Father. Each step is rooted in biblical truth, offering practical tools for living as a spiritually mature believer.
What You’ll Gain:
- Confidence in approaching God with your thoughts, concerns, and desires.
- Insight into the heart of God through prayer and Bible study.
- Practical wisdom from the Proverbs to apply in everyday life.
- Biblical perspectives on parenting and spiritual growth.
Course Features:
- Engaging lessons to guide you through the ten steps to spiritual maturity.
- Opportunities for personal reflection and group discussions.
- Thought-provoking insights on faith and life.
- Musical enrichment through links to carefully selected songs that complement each step.
Will you take the first step today toward the vibrant life God has prepared for you? Let As a Little Child: Conversations with the Father be your companion on this journey. Join us and discover the beauty of childlike faith. Let this be the season you experience spiritual growth like never before.

Discover the heart of childlike faith! As a Little Child: Conversations with the Father by Melanie D. Lewis is available as an ebook and course through DDCommunity Institute.
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