Four Stages Of Discipleship Analysis

Introduction Even though perfection is not likely, a process of growth and spiritual maturation is necessary in anyone who desires to be a disciple of Christ. As a person matures, it is helpful to understand the stages and spheres that a person may go through. This knowledge will assist church leaders in evaluating themselves and others as they help people determine where they are and where they need to go. In addition, a church leader can make good, healthy leadership decisions based on these stages and spheres of discipleship. In this paper, I will attempt to summarize and analyze the five stages and four spheres of discipleship. As an example, I will identify the stage of discipleship that I am currently in and the spheres I need to submit …show more content…
We generally do not just wake up one morning and have the necessary skills to be a professional no matter what subject we may be talking about. Discipleship is no different. There are general stages of progression that we all must follow. Ultimately, the Bible provides the resources one needs to develop a Christian lifestyle. Therefore, any stages or path identified must reflect the principles given in the Word of God. We all start off in life dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). The Lord robed himself in flesh and paid the ultimate price so that we may be redeemed from our sins. This act has afforded us the opportunity to be born again and experience restored communion with God. After we have been spiritually born again and justified in Christ, we begin a process of sanctification. In this process of sanctification, Putman et al. have identified five primary stages of spiritual growth. Each person may progress through these stages at a different rate so it is important to focus on the path more so than the amount of time it …show more content…
Many people implement a school-like discipleship system of delivery of head knowledge. There is much more to discipleship than just knowledge. Putman et al. identified four spheres that organize those specific areas a disciple needs to grow. This biblical model will help individuals journey through the discipleship process. The first sphere of a person’s life is the centrality of his or her relationship to God. In the book of Ephesians, Paul reminds the Ephesians that we are the spiritual children of our heavenly Father. Our spiritual life is only alive to the degree that we have relationship with our heavenly Father. In fact, all other spheres are contingent on the success of this particular sphere. It is this sphere that unites all other spheres. The second sphere is relationships within the family of God, the church. In Ephesians, Paul also talks about the need to associate and relate to one another in the church body. The church provides a network of relationships that are necessary to appropriately grow as a disciple. Fellow brothers and sisters in the church will help challenge, encourage, and build one another. As Paul instructs, we must learn to use our gifts to serve other people in the body of