LIBERTY UNIVERSITY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
SPHERES AND STAGES OF DISCIPLESHIP
Submitted to Dr. B.R. Lowman
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN 500-D14
Discipleship
by
Keisha L. Hairston
April 5, 2015
The Stages and Spheres of Discipleship
Discipleship is one of the most integral parts of being a Christian. As God’s children, we are
compelled to not only share the Gospel of Christ, but to disciple others and come alongside them
to assist them in their journey to spiritual maturity. One of the greatest disservices we can
commit as Christians is to allow new converts to be left to their own devices…and the enemies
tactics as well. The disparity lies in the fact that too many of us are not educated, empowered,
and trained to “go out into all the world.” We just follow what we see and then try to lead others.
It likens itself to the blind leading the blind, or more accurately, the visually impaired leading the
blind. How can the visually impaired promote the vision? How can we as Christians lead others
to Christ and develop Kingdom driven and Kingdom minded Christians without a true
understanding of Kingdom living. Unfortunately, we have on a large scale, perpetuated the cycle
of subpar Christian leadership. It is a true blessing, that we have the tools and resources to
change that trajectory. As Christian leaders, we can gain an in depth understanding of our
purpose and function in the body and, as we are used as vessels by the Holy Spirit to reach others
for Christ, we can perpetuate a new legacy of Kingdom builders.
DiscipleShift,1 in this writer’s opinion is an excellent model of how to become and train true
disciples of Christ. Authors Early and Harrington expound on the fundamental steps to
discipleship. DiscipleShift enables the reader to first assess where they are in their walk and it
then provides the process for developing empowered disciples for the Kingdom. The authors
emphasize that it’s not only necessary to understand the levels of growth, but it is equally as
1 Jim Putman and Bobby Harrington, Discipleshift: Five Steps That Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make
Disciples (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013).
important to understand what people’s needs are at each level.2 They also emphasize the reality
that the disciple maker holds only one part of the responsibility for spiritual growth. Each
individual is responsible for their participation and of course, there is a part that only the Holy
Spirit can accomplish, which brings about the transformation of lives.
The Five Stages of Discipleship
Early and Harrington realize that growth typically does not happen in a linear fashion, but there
is a path of progress, a direction we need to move in order to grow. Each stage correlates with
scripture and naturally, there is an overlapping of certain attributes.3 There are also identifying
phrases in each stage that help in the assessment of what level a person is currently in.
Level 1: Spiritually Dead
This stage consists of anyone who has not accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. Level 1
encapsulates a vast group of people. This can consist of those who are against God, those who
claim to be spiritual, but have no relationship with Jesus, and even some who call themselves
Christians, but it is in title only. The key is that these people, in whatever state they claim to be,
do not know Christ and do not have a living relationship with Him. They range from expressing
anger toward God, to curiosity about God, to complete indifference. Some of the phrases
expressed in this stage are, “I don’t believe there’s a God,” “The Bible is full of myths,”
“Religion is a crutch for the weak,” “There are many ways for a person to get to God,” and
several others. People who are spiritually dead need to be introduced to Jesus through sincere
friendships and relationships. They must see us as living epistles of the Gospel. Our Words will
not draw them nearly as much as our actions. They need to be shown the love of Christ through
2 Ibid., 58.
3 Ibid., 59.
us. They are in need of clear, definitive answers about the Word of God and they need an
invitation to accept Jesus and follow Him. This must be done in a loving environment, just as
Jesus did.4
Level 2: Infant
This stage consists of Christians that are like newborns. They have accepted Christ as Lord and
Savior, but that is all they have done. This level can refer to new converts, and Christians who
have been saved for several years, but have never put the work in to grow their faith and their
relationship with Jesus. Hebrews refers to them as infants who live on milk and not meat.5 They
are not prepared to ingest the depth of the Word and apply it to their lives. The Holy Spirit is
working in the infant, but they may be clouded by adverse worldviews or just ignorant to the
truth of the Word. They are also known as carnal Christians because they are self-centered, and
everything revolves around them and their needs and desires, just like a baby. Some things they
may express that they were unaware that they need to attend church or pray regularly, that it’s
just about them and Jesus, and/ or an expectation that Jesus is supposed to eradicate all
problems.6 In this stage, Christians are in need of care, protection, and guidance. They need the
truths of Christianity taught and modeled for them as they learn how to study and know Christ
for themselves.
Level 3: Child
Christians in stage 3 are continuing to grow in their walk with Christ as well as with the body.
While they are showing strides in their spiritual development, they may still be self-involved.
4 Ibid., 62-63.
5 Heb. 5:12-14 (NASB).
6 Putman and Harrington, 64.
They are usually unaware that they are self-centered and they also tend to be rigid in their
beliefs. They may exhibit, pride, overconfidence, and contrarily may exhibit, shyness, insecurity,
self-loathing, and an attitude of defeat. Often they will express issues of not being fed by their
church, and concerns over leaving to find another church, as well as concerns over church
growth or changes in music etc... They may also be overly concerned about how others in the
church treat them and what their church doesn’t have to meet their needs or if they are involved,
they may express being underappreciated. Christians in this stage are in need of strong relational
connections to a mature believer. They need to grow into a God and Kingdom focused
perspective. At this level, they need to continue to learn about who they are in Christ, how to
have close relationships with other believers, and what to expect from other believers .7 It is here
where they are learning that obedience is better than sacrifice and they must trust God and obey
Him, even if they do not feel like it. These are extremely important lessons a Christian must
learn in order to grow in their walk.
Level 4: Young Adult
Young adults are exhibiting definitive growth in their walk with Christ. They are transitioning
from being self-centered to being God and Kingdom minded. They are in a place where they are
experiencing revelation that they are called to serve the body. In this stage, they are involved in
ministry and understand that they do everything as unto God, not man. They are excited about
God and their walk with Christ, and want to be used by Him to affect change. They are
becoming less judgmental and more forgiving of others faults. They have come to see the
correlation between God’s grace and mercy toward them, and how they treat others. It is here
that they are honing their gifts, talents, and abilities and putting them to use for the Kingdom.
7 Ibid., 67.
Some expressions at this stage may consist of having questions about scriptures etc., being
excited about growth in the church, as well as an understanding that change is necessary to reach
others. Their lives are focused around God and His perspective.8 In this stage, Christians need
deep, ongoing relationships with spiritual mentors who can encourage them, coach them, and
provide accountability. They need continued training and to grasp an understanding of how to
serve those that they lead. It is also important that they learn to process pain and disappointment
and know that they have support when this occurs.
Level 5: Parent
This is the stage where Christians are multiplying per se’. They are actively involved in the
spiritual reproduction of disciples. They are responsible disciples, who have exhibited growth
and understanding of the Word. They are now living out God’s Word daily. Their lives are
surrendered to Christ and their focus is on glorifying God and furthering His Kingdom by
training up other disciples. As the writers make clear, parents are not perfect. They understand
that it’s not even about pursuing perfection. It is all about chasing after God, which is reflected
in every facet of their lives, including their relationships. Christians at this level are consistently
feeding on the Word and remain filled in order to be a vessel poured out to others. They
understand that each sphere in their lives must be developed and fed: God first, then their spouse
and children, then the church and others. They express a desire to develop others for the
Kingdom, and they are always concerned and conscience of how they represent Christ and the
Gospel. They are God and others centered.
8 Ibid., 68.
The Four Spheres\
The Five stages previously discussed are all in direct correlation with the four spheres of life.
The four spheres outline how a disciple grows in each relational area of their life. In each stage,
energy must be focused toward growth in each of the four spheres. These spheres include: our
relationship with God, our relationship with God’s family and the church, our home life, and our
relationship with the world. In each sphere, a disciple understands God’s commands and submits
to His authority (Head), is transformed by Jesus (Heart), and joins Jesus on a Kingdom mission
(Hands) in every area of their lives. As a disciple abides and grows in Christ, each area of their
lives is transformed. The most important sphere is the relationship with God. Growth in this
sphere affects all the others. A consistent reliance on God keeps the disciple balanced and is a
reminder that we are saved by grace and not works. As we walk with Christ, we grow in the
second sphere and build and learn to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. The third sphere is
integral in the discipleship process. It is counted a grave loss to disciple others for the Kingdom,
yet lose one’s family in the process. As disciples, we must apply everything we learn within our
homes. We are responsible for exhibiting the love, mercy and grace of Christ with our spouses
and children. Finally, we must exhibit Christ as we are in the World but not of it. As disciple
makers, we can pose the questions listed in each sphere in relation to the head, heart, and hands
in order to ascertain where others are in their walk and determine what their needs are.
My Discipleship
It is my determination that I exhibit several traits of a parent as well as a young adult. I still
come across some questions during my daily devotions. I seek out answers on my own as well
as asking others. While I can relate to every attribute of the young adult, I do disciple others. I
counsel several young women, and I mentor several others. I consistently share my testimonies
and teach them all that I have learned. I give them resources and assignments that will teach
them God’s Word and who they are in Christ. I consistently give of my time to teach, comfort,
and edify my mentees, which I believe is my reasonable service. John 12:24-26 states that unless
a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it
produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life
in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am,
my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.9
I do have a pretty solid understanding of the Word. I study the Word daily and my life reflects
that. I am Kingdom centered and God dependent. I teach my children and others by example.
My children rise up and call me blessed (Prov 31). They tell me and others constantly that they
can see how Jesus has changed me. They continually send their friends to me for counsel. I
volunteer at the Local Help Crisis Pregnancy Center as a counselor and at my church as a
counselor and facilitator for the lay counseling class. This is all for the equipping of the saints so
that they can be healed, delivered, edified, and then trained to do the same for others. I am far
from perfect, and I have my struggles, but I am intentional in building my relationship with
Christ: knowing, understanding, and living His Word, and honoring God and teaching others to
do the same. I am abiding in Christ and bearing fruit. The proof of discipleship is fruit bearing.10
It is clear to me and apparent to others that God worked all things together- the things that were
intended to break me- for my good and the good of others.
Presently, I am learning more and more to submit the sphere of relationships with others to God.
Not in the sense of bearing my brothers burdens, but more in relation to suffering at the hands of
9 Jn. 12:24-26 (NASB)
10Dave Early and Rod Dempsey, Disciple Making Is (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2013), 145.
others. God has shown me that though others may turn against me and may conspire against me,
He is sovereign and He keeps and protects me. Through this process, I am learning more and
more to forgive others and to pray for them when they try to hurt me. I continue to walk in love
toward them despite their behavior. I understand that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds11 I know that Jesus suffered for me
and as His disciples shall suffer as well.
Submission to Christ
Complete submission to Christ is integral to a relationship with Him. As Disciples of Christ, we
must surrender all of who we are and everything we have and hope to be, to Jesus. We must
first commit to believe whatever Jesus says, and then we must commit to obey all that He says.
We have to depend completely upon God to give us the strength to submit completely to God.
Submission to Christ is an inward transformation that reflects on the outside of the disciple.
Early and Dempsey (2013) 12 discuss the premise that discipleship is radical. It is a lifestyle of
absolute abandonment to loving God and to obeying His commands.13 We must make the choice
to follow The Word of God and live the lifestyle of a disciple of Christ. When we have
surrendered our lives to God and are willing to forsake the world in order to stand for what God
has commanded of us, it is reflected in every aspect of our lives. We are called to love God,
serve others and further the Kingdom. We must do this with while trusting God to provide and
guide us. He promises that He shall be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.14 There
is not one aspect that does not belong to God and that should not be submitted to God. As Smith
11 2 Cor. 10:4 (KJV)
12 Putman and Harrington, 51.
13 Ibid.
14 Ps. 119:105 (KJV)
Wigglesworth stated in this writers favorite book, Devotional, “We must seek to have the mind
of God in all things. If we don’t, we will stop His workings. He wants us every day to live in
the Spirit so that all of the revelations of God are just like a canvas thrown before our eyes, on
which we see clearly step by step all the divine will of God.”15 We must come to a place where
Christ dwelling within us becomes our identity, and it is His presence within that leads to our
perfection. We no longer belong to ourselves. We are under Christ’s authority, we are under His
responsibility, and we are totally subject to His will.16 This is what submission to Jesus Christ
looks like.
Bibliography
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Discipleship (Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works. Vol. 4). Maryknoll, NY: Fortress
Press, 2003.
15 Smith Wigglesworth, Devotional (New Kensington: Whitaker House, 1999), 145.
16 Charles Stanley, Living in His Sufficiency (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Inc., 2010), 70.
Earley, Dave, and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making Is--: How to Live the Great Commission with
Passion and Confidence. Nashville: B&H Academic, 2013.
Putman, Jim. Discipleshift: Five Steps That Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make
Disciples (Exponential Series). New York: Zondervan, 2013.
Stanley, Charles. Living in His Sufficiency. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Inc., 2010.
Wiggleworth, Smith. Devotional. New Kensington: Whitaker House, 1999.
