LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Spheres and Stages of Discipleship
Submitted to Dr. Geukgeuzian,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of the course
DSMN-500 DSMN500_D03_202120
Discipleship Ministries
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Contents
INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................1
FIVE STAGES AND FOUR SPHERES OF DISCIPLESHIP ..................................................1
Level 1: Spiritually Dead.........................................................................................................1
Level 2: Infant..........................................................................................................................2
Level 3: Child ..........................................................................................................................2
Level 4: Young Adult ...............................................................................................................3
Level 5: Parent ........................................................................................................................3
Sphere 1: The Centrality of a Relationship with God..............................................................4
Sphere 2: Relationships within the Family of God, the Church ..............................................5
Sphere 3: Relationships at Home ............................................................................................5
Sphere 4: Relationships with the World ..................................................................................5
MY CURRENT STAGE OF DISCIPLESHIP............................................................................6
CONCLUSION ..............................................................................................................................7
BIBLIOGRAPHY..........................................................................................................................9
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Introduction
A quick search of the Modern English Version of the Bible for the word disciple finds it
is used 278 times, but only twice in the Old Testament. One might wonder why, but for others it
is clear. The call of the disciple under the law only allowed certain people the opportunity to
serve as a disciple, however, when Jesus came, He opened the door for “whosoever will” (John
3:16). Once someone accepts Christ as his or her Lord and Savior the next step in the journey is
to grow as Jesus did by becoming “strong in spirit, filled with wisdom and [with] the grace of
God” ... “upon” (Luke 2:40) us, a disciple.
Jonathan Falwell in his book, InnovateChurch, stated “a disciple is a person who has
trusted Christ for salvation and has surrendered completely to Him. He or she is committed to
practicing the spiritual disciplines in community and developing to their full potential for Christ
and His mission.”1
The pages that follow will show discipleship is not only for a few chosen people, anyone
can become a disciple because Jesus taught us how, prayer, study, connection with others, and
Holy Spirit power, discipleship is something available to all.
Five Stages and Four Spheres of Discipleship
Level 1: Spiritually Dead
When someone is dead, there is no life. He or she is simply an empty shell, this is also
true for someone who is spiritually dead. “The key concept is that a spiritually dead person does
not have the life of Jesus within. This life is not there because they have no faith in Jesus as
1 Jonathan Falwell. InnovateChurch: Innovative Leadership for the Next Generation Church By.
(Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2008), p, 98.
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Savior and Lord.”2 Often those who are dead, are difficult to love because they do not love
themselves, but it is love they need more than anything else, as believers it is important to
embrace them as they are. By showing them the love of Christ, it will draw them to Him
providing opportunities to “to trust and follow Jesus.”3
Level 2: Infant
It is easy to picture a baby swaddled tightly, safe, warm, and protected. He or she
depends on a caregiver for everything. The same is true for someone who is still an infant
spiritually. This often means whatever Biblical knowledge he or she has comes from what others
say. “The key concept is that infants don’t know much. They don’t understand yet what it means
to follow Jesus. They aren’t aware of the ways in which they need to change.”4 Babies rarely
understand the things they are going through and might act irrationally or speak incoherently.
Their needs are simple, “they need someone to care for and feed them so they can grow and
thrive. Eventually they will learn to feed themselves, but they don’t really know how. They need
the personal attention of a spiritual parent. They need protection and guidance during this
vulnerable stage of discipleship.”5
Level 3: Child
As the infant weans from its mother’s milk, it will desire to have something with more
substance, but still will not understand how to deal with others, often “being developmentally
2 Jim Putman. DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples.
(Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 2019), p. 62.
3 Ibid., 62.
4 Ibid., 64.
5 Ibid., 64.
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self-centered.”6 In this stage the child will need “a strong relational connection to a mature
believer so he or she can make the transition to a more God- and kingdom-focused life. They
need someone who will help them learn how to make the developmental transition from
dependency to learning how to spiritually feed themselves.”7
Level 4: Young Adult
As young adults, they are understanding who they and “orienting their lives around God
and his perspective.” As with any growth, there are growing pains, but if they have “a place
where they can learn how to serve,” ... [with] ... “a spiritual mentor who will coach and debrief
them on their ministry experiences,” ... [they will grow considerably during this phase. This is
also why] ... “they need deep, ongoing relationships with people who offer encouragement,” ...
“accountability,” ... “help to establish boundaries,” ... “guidance in responding to the
expectations of people they serve,” ... [and] ... “identifying their gifts and receiving skills
training. When they get hurt, and they will, they need to process the pain[,] so they don’t become
disillusioned and cynical.”8
Level 5: Parent
One may never fully reach spiritual maturity, but it should be the desire for all believers
to reach a point where they are discipling others. As this is what Jesus commanded in Matthew
28:19–20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have
commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” As a
6 Putman. DiscipleShift, 65.
7 Ibid., 67.
8 Ibid., 68.
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“spiritual parent” ... [one must have] ... “a mindfulness of the needs of the less mature
disciples.”9 “One of the most important thing “spiritual parents” ... [need is] ... “close peer
relationships with other spiritual parents who are involved in making disciples for
encouragement.” ... [This] ... “peer accountability and ongoing training” ... [will] ... “help
spiritual parents hone their skills” ... [as] “they” ... “delegate responsibility so” ... “they take time
to rest and avoid getting burned out” ... [Another important thing] ... “they need’ ... [is] ... “to be
encouraged and freed to make disciples in the church.” ... [By being empowered] ... “to develop
people to maturity” ... [they will grow stronger in their faith as well.] 10
Sphere 1: The Centrality of a Relationship with God
Each sphere involves the head, heart, and hands. Just as the human body works together,
the spiritual body must connect first with God. Spiritual growth begins by placing God and His
desires foremost we are to. “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew
6:33).
When “discipling someone, there are three questions” ... “to ask in relationship to this
sphere: Head: Does the person I am discipling know what Jesus teaches about growing in
relationship to him?” ... “Heart: Are there visible changes happening in this person’s life? ...
“Hands: Are they willing to follow Christ in the direction he is leading them?”11
9 Putman. DiscipleShift., 68.
10 Ibid., 71.
11 Ibid., 85.
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Sphere 2: Relationships within the Family of God, the Church
The next sphere relates to how the disciple is growing in relationship with others in the
church. Just as Jesus told His disciples, “the first of all the commandments is” ... “You shall love
the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with
all your strength.’ ... ‘The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Mark
12:29–31).” It is important to see if the disciple is embracing the truth of both scripture and how
it relates to them and their role in their relationships. It is vital they are “growing in their love for
others” ... [and they are developing] ... “the relational skills they need in order to have healthy
relationships” ... [and] ... “using” ... [them] ... “to minister to believers who are in need.”12
Sphere 3: Relationships at Home
The next sphere embraces the relationship of the disciple with his or her family. “In
Ephesians 5 and 6” ... “Paul discusses what the home should look like for a believer” ... [he
explains] ... “how a husband should lead his wife and love her, and how a wife should respect her
husband” ... [and how] ... “mothers and fathers” ... [are] ... “to raise children in the Lord and” ...
“how children should act toward their parents.”13 While it might not seem relevant to those who
are single without biological children, Jesus said, “for whoever does the will of My Father who is
in heaven is My brother, and sister, and mother” (Matthew 12:50).
Sphere 4: Relationships with the World
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus said, “let your light so shine before men that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Disciples must embraced fully that “we”
12 Putman. DiscipleShift., 86.
13 Ibid., 87.
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... [are to] ... “work and live in a way that meets” ... [not only] ... “our physical needs” ... “but at
the same time” ... [to] ... “serve as missionaries to a lost and dying world.”14
My current stage of discipleship
I am currently shifting from a young adult to a parent. I feel that as I continue to grow
spiritually and plug myself into my church, I will continue to mature. I hate to admit it, but I
allowed COVID to paralyze me in a lot of ways. Just prior to the pandemic, I felt called to
change my degree from life coaching to the master’s in divinity. God led me to a new church
home at the end of 2019, and I was excited to see what the future held. I can now see clearly that
this was one more thing the enemy used to stop me. As Jim Putman states in his book
“DiscipleShift,” “in your own life, you too will struggle against the devil as you grow and
change. This battle is ever present, and the enemy will try to persuade you to justify your own
sin… or he will shame you with it so you feel like giving up!”15 It is difficult to look back on the
last year because instead of growing in my faith and becoming a strong parent, I became a more
like a selfish child. I am blessed to find myself back on track and embracing God’s truth once
again. It is here I find myself not worrying about the how or the why, I am simply hearing Jesus
as His “call goes out, and without any further ado the obedient deed of the one called follows.
The disciple's answer is not a spoken confession of faith in Jesus. Instead, it is the obedient
deed.”16 I find it disturbing how easy it is to slip back into old habits, fumbling around on my
“own path” ... [foolishly believing it is] ... “ideal” ... [only to discover it is] ... “without the
14 Putman. DiscipleShift., 88.
15 Ibid., 90.
16 Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 4. (Minneapolis: First Fortress Press, 2003) p
57.
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promise” [and realizing] ... “Jesus will reject it.”17 I know it is important that I remain close to
God, embracing not only His love, but the love of my spiritual family. I must put on the whole
armor of God knowing my victory is sure (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Conclusion
As a disciple of Jesus, I need to understand it takes more than believing in Him. True
discipleship “begins with immersion into a deeper relationship with Jesus, immersion into
Christian community, immersion into learning the words of Jesus, and immersion into
ministry.”18 I can no longer allow myself to succumb to fear as this is exactly what Satan wants
me to do. God has a plan for me, and He will use me, but only if I am willing to “put away all
wickedness, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking.” (1 Peter 2:1).19 I must fully and
completely surrender to God.
One way I can do this is by “approaching the Bible with humility” ... “laying aside” ...
[my] ... “agendas and looking for what God will teach” [me]. “Every time” [I] ... “find” ...
[myself] ... “struggling to accept something the Bible says,” [I need to embrace it as] “an area of”
... [my] ... “life that needs to be brought into submission to Christ.”20 In my 48 years, I have
found myself in times of regression, stagnation, and growth. Just when I foolishly believe I will
not wander around in this wilderness ever I again, I find myself back where I started. I have now
come to discover; it not a waste as long as I learn from them and share what I learn with others.
17 Bonhoeffer. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, p 59.
18 Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making Is ... (Nashville, B&H Publishing Group, 2013), p. 68.
19 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the Modern English Version. Thinline
Edition. (Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014.)
20 Francis Chan and Mark Beuving, Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples, First Edition. (Colorado
Springs, CO: David C Cook, 2012), 103.
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“Christian spirituality intersects the Christian mission at three critical points. First, the Christian
mission is an extension of and an expression of authentic spirituality. True spirituality includes
service in response to the call of God and the brokenness and alienation of the world. Christian
spirituality includes sacrificial service for Christ. To walk with Christ is to respond to his
mandate to make disciples.”21
One day after Jesus had finished praying, His disciples asked Him to teach them how to
pray and He said, “Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come;
Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us
our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation but
deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:1-4). If we will seek the Lord, asking for His will to be done here
on Earth as it is in Heaven, we will seek His Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33), instead of on ours.
21 A. Scott Moreau, Harold Netland, and Charles van Engen, Evangelical Dictionary of World Missions,
Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria, UK: Baker Books; A. Scott Moreau, 2000), 904.
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Bibliography
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 4. Minneapolis: First Fortress Press,
2003.
Chan, Francis, and Mark Beuving. Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples, First Edition. Colorado
Springs, CO: David C Cook, 2012.
Earley, Dave, and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making Is…: How to Live the Great Commission with
Passion and Confidence. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2013.
Falwell, Jonathan. InnovateChurch: Innovative Leadership for the Next Generation Church By.
Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2008.
Moreau, A. Scott, Harold Netland, and Charles van Engen. Evangelical Dictionary of World
Missions. Baker Reference Library. Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria, UK:: Baker
Books, 2000.
Putman, Jim, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Colem. DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your
Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013.
