Introduction
Making a disciple requires a combination of daily Christian living practices while
completely accepting God into our lives. Living a pleasing life to Christ will expose our
ultimate principles of faith as believers in Jesus Christ. Those who love Christ love people
from all walks of life, including those who are seen as enemies. To loves others like we love
Christ requires that we practice forgiveness and evangelize the word of God.1 Matthew 28:19-
20 states, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Totally
reliance on Christ is a requirement to live every day in the spirit of Christ.
The book Discipleshift: Five Steps That Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make
Disciples, authored by Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert Coleman, emphasizes the
different stages and spheres of discipleship. These stages and spheres were created to bring
awareness to Christians, informing them of where they are in their journey to the kingdom of
God while focusing on areas of improvement that strengthen their relationship with God.2
Below is a summary of each stage and sphere of discipleship:
Spiritually Dead Stage
This is the default stage for those who have not accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. The
first stage includes many people we encounter in our world today. Those who fall into this
category do not believe in God, deny Christ as the Lord and Savior, and pretend to be
Christians when it is convenient. Before taking the time to influence those who are spiritually
1 Dave Early, Rod Dempsey, Disciple Making is… How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and
Confidence, (Nashville: B&H Academic, 2013), 22.
2 Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman, Discipleshift: Five Steps That Help Your Church to Make
Disciples Who Make Disciples, Exponential Series (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013), 37.
dead, it is important to develop authentic relationships. Having legitimate interactions with those
who are spiritually dead will increase the chances of the nonbeliever trusting you enough to
accept Christ and follow your example. Transitioning out of this phase can be simple if the
believer can adapt to the spiritually dead. To create disciples, one must first see themselves as
a disciple. To help the spiritually dead, one must show the greatness of Christ through service.
The spiritually dead will not care about what you know until you show how much you care.
Creating an environment through service is needed to allow the spiritually dead the ability to
be comfortable enough to listen to the word of God.
Infant Stage
During the infant stage, those who were nonbelievers transitioned into Christians. This
stage tends to consist of novice Christians. Those in the infant stage have accepted Jesus Christ
as their Lord and Savior, but that is as far as it goes. Many people claim that they are Christians
but have not taken the opportunity to deepen their relationship with Christ. The demographic of
those who fall into the infant category age range varies. Some attend church only on the
holidays, and some have attended church for the past twenty years.
For those who have attended church for years are the individuals who tend to show up to
church without any expectations to grow spiritually. Hebrew 5:12 states, “For though by this
time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the
oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food.” Christians, in this stage, require additional
motivation to assist them in achieving the next stage in discipleship. Teaching scripture to
Christians in the infant stage will work to a certain point in their journey. For seasoned
Christians in the newborn stage, it will require the church leaders to bestow responsibility onto
the followers in the congregation.
Child Stage
Stage 3 of the discipleship process involves the Christian continuing to mature in their
journey as a believer in Christ. Like any other child, they are still dependent on the guidance of
a more experienced individual. The Christians in the infant stage can recognize that they are a
believer in Christ and that they have taken the proper steps toward the Kingdom of God. They
still may view themselves from a self -centered view. Christians in the child stage do not need
to know much about a topic before solidifying the decision they deem the best decision.
Most children are not mature enough to self-evaluate themselves to recognize areas of
weakness. The child stage can be dangerous for many Christians. Some Christians in this stage
may show signs of arrogance and cockiness. This mentality stems from the fact that they have
learned something that the nonbeliever has not learned. Some Christians can not handle the
power that comes from being exposed to the Bible.
Having a better understanding of the Bible allows one to interpret the scripture more
effectively which instills premature arrogance in their biblical abilitites. 2 Chronicle 7:14
states, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my
face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin
and heal their land.” When leading a believer in the child stage, it is important to emphasize
humility to prevent the believer from exalting themselves. Displaying humility will allow the
believer the opportunity to themselves and where they are in their journey. This awareness will
help them build stronger relationships with other believers. Colossians 3:12 states,“Put on
then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility,
meekness, and patience.” Humility helps the believer transfer from the child stage to the young
adult stage.
Young Adult Stage
During this stage, the Christian is progressing spiritually on their Christian journey. For
most, they are no longer focused on this journey will benefit themselves, but they must focus on how
they can become better believers in Christ. In the young adult phase, the Christian has now found
their place in the body of the church. They take the initiative to join one or more ministries
and begin accepting more responsibilities where needed. They begin to lose the sense of
arrogance they once had toward nonbelievers and see them as people who need to receive the
good news of the Lord. They begin to seek more understanding of Christ and use their gifts to
better their church and enhance the kingdom of God.
Parent Stage
During this stage, the Christian is completely devoted to Christ. Those in the parent
phase now have the knowledge and experience to produce more disciples. As a disciple, they
have the tools and resources to connect with those at any stage of the disciple formation
process. In the parent stage, God has become the priority, allowing them to use God as a guide
in other areas of their lives such as work and family.
The Four Spheres
The four spheres consist of our relationship with God, God's family and the church, our
home life, and the world. Each sphere adds an element of value to assist in fulfilling the other
spheres. For example, having a strong relationship with God allows the believer to lead their
family to the Kingdom of God. Loving God helps us love everyone we encounter, from family
to coworkers. Romans 8:1-2 states, “Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a]
free from the law of sin and death.” When we choose Christ, we chose a life of righteousness.
My Current Stage of Discipleship
I am currently in the adult stage. I have played a leadership role in my church as a youth
pastor and ministry. I am also a chaplain when I am not doing the work of Christ within the four
walls of my church. I work endlessly to serve those in need while maintaining my love for
Christ, family, and work. More importantly, I use my knowledge and experience to produce
more disciples as a disciple. I do not take pride in the amount of work I have accomplished in
the church, I take pride in knowing that I am living in a manner that is pleasing to God.
Submitting to the Centrality of Christ
Establishing a relationship with God is the most important priority when submitting your
life to a path of righteousness. Bonhoeffer mentions that entering discipleship is a step taking by
yourself. Still, once the process is complete, you’ll join a family of disciples. 2 Timothy 3:12
states, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Submitting
to Christ requires one to surrender their personal needs for a life of righteousness through Christ.
To submit ourselves to Christ, we must be willing to strip ourselves of what we thought we knew
to accept Christ's blessings. Ephesians 5:21-23 states, “submitting to one another out of
reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head
of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.”
Submitting to Christ positively impacts all areas of the believers' life. Submitting to Christ
introduces a level of freedom and stability that can not be obtained with Christ himself. Openly
following Christ allows you to use him as a guide to Christian Living.
Bibliography
Dave Early, Rod Dempsey, Disciple Making is… How to Live the Great Commission
with Passion and Confidence, (Nashville: B&H Academic, 2013), 22
Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman, Discipleshift: Five Steps That
Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples, Exponential Series
(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013), 37.
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