3 Phases
of Discipleship
Discipleship is a life-long process for every
believer. The process contains three phases : Beginning Discipleship,
Developing Discipleship, and Multiplying Discipleship. How is each
phase unique?
Beginning Discipleship (Convert, Beginning)
Every believer begins as a spiritual infant and
needs to be nurtured by more mature believers. Beginning disciples
should make sure they have experienced genuine new birth in Christ
and begin to acquire the disciplines that will shape the rest of
their lives.
Beginning disciples are characterized by sometimes
erratic lifestyle, uncertainty about life choices, and a lack of
basic Christian disciplines. After all, they're just beginning the
journey.
The beginning level includes foundational training
for new Christians/new members, an introduction to just who a new
believer is in Christ, encouraging regular Bible reading and prayer,
and instruction on how to develop the skills to do these disciplines.
Developing Discipleship (Disciple, Basic)
As disciples grow, they enter into an extended
period of learning and development that lasts for a lifetime. Developing
disciples are growing in their relationship to Christ and others,
and learning to obey all that Christ commanded.
Developing disciples are characterized by hunger
for Bible knowledge and spiritual wisdom. Notable changes in lifestyle
and behavior become evident as growth accumulates.
The basic level includes basic beliefs of Christianity
and how to begin to live out the Christian life.
Multiplying Discipleship (Disciple-Maker,
Advanced)
Multiplying disciples find ways to express their
spiritual gifts in ministry and leadership. Their faith is multiplied
in the lives of people who are recipients of their service.
Multiplying disciples are characterized by a willingness
to serve, even sacrificially at times. Their reliance is upon God
to take their abilities and multiply them many times over for His
glory.
The advanced level includes more in-depth study
of howw a believer can engage the culture and encourage other believers
to grow in their faith.
Each of these phases/levels invovles not
only knowledsge and skill development, but actual hands on doing
as well. |
