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Introduction
By definition, a disciple is a follower, a supporter, one who acknowledges and helps with
spreading the precepts of another. A disciple is an individual who acknowledges and aids the
spreading of the uplifting news of Jesus Christ. Discipleship is the procedure by which
supporters develop in the Lord Jesus Christ and are prepared by the Holy Spirit, who lives in our
souls, to defeat the weights and preliminaries of this present life and become increasingly
Christlike.
This procedure expects believers to react to the Holy Spirit's inciting to inspect their
contemplations, words and activities and contrast them and the Word of God. This necessitates
we be in the Word day by day, examining it, imploring over it, and obeying it. Also, we ought to
consistently be prepared to give declaration of the explanation behind the expectation that is
inside us, according to 1 Peter 3:15, and to teach others to stroll in His manner.
This document will create an outline and investigate the techniques for which the 5 phases
and 4 spheres of discipleship has achieve in the errand of how to complete the work. It will
likewise give you a self-assessment of the stages and circle that this essayist was and is at present
in, just as what is being set up for the future and will finish up with a scriptural viewpoint on
being in accommodation to Jesus of whom we call Christ. For “I must work the works of him
that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”, John 9:4
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The 5 Stages of Discipleship
Stage 1: Spiritually Dead. We begin at the top of the circle (in the twelve to one o’clock
position). Ephesians 2:1–5 describes those who are “dead in [their] transgressions and sins.”
People in this stage have not yet accepted Christ as Lord and Savior.1 Sin is pollution thereby it
debases and pollutes the individual. “Dead in trespasses and sins” according to Ephesians 2:1, of
which reduces in quality and/or make impure by adding inferior elements; using less desirable
goods in the production on how to slaughter.
The world thinks they are having a great time when they sin yet in all actuality, they are
biting the dust, they actually are not living. They are then considered being “Off-springs of
insubordination”, Ephesians 2:2. Like contaminated lead which is an after-effect of debased
wants. That is the place where sin starts with the substance debasing many.
While salvation often begins with curiosity, it takes more than curiosity in Jesus to
experience true conversion. It takes experiencing the conviction of the Holy Spirit as He
convinces us of our sin, our lack of true righteousness, and the resulting judgment according to
John 16:8. It takes being convinced that Jesus is indeed the Christ, the sinless Son of God, by
believing the Word of God, John 16:30–31.2
Stage 2: Infant. Looking at the diagram of spiritual stages, the next category in the two to
three o’clock position on the wheel, is the infant stage. 1 Peter 2:2–3 describes people who are
like newborn babies, craving spiritual milk so they can grow in their salvation. People at this
stage are spiritually alive; they have made a decision to follow Jesus, but that’s about as far as
they’ve gotten!3 “A principle repeated often in the life of Jesus is, Give people time to make solid
1 Jim Putman and Bobby Harrington, Discipleshift (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013), p.61.
2 Rod Dempsey & Dave Earley, Disciple Making Is . . . (Nashville, Tennessee, B&H Publishing Group, 2013), p.
65.
3 Jim Putman and Bobby Harrington, Discipleshift (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013), p.63.
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decisions. Jesus didn’t rush his men, Consequently, like ripe fruit ready for picking when the
time came, they offered no resistance. Another reason why these men immediately followed
Christ is that they were given an invitation not a responsibility. “Follow me” is a simple
invitation. What is even more impressive that what Jesus said is what he didn’t say.”4
An individual must have a fair longing for to eat. Nonattendance of supernatural longing
for comes when you have filled your reality with mischief. The motivation behind why various
Christians don't create on the grounds that they're ceaselessly sitting in front of the TV, and less
of the Bible. Places of worship as opposed to revering, filling the assembly with projects playing
around and not the Word.
Stage 3: Child. The next stage of spiritual development is the child stage, found at the three
to six o’clock position on the diagram. The apostle John often referred to the early Christians he
pastored as his children in 1 John 2:12. And in 1 Thessalonians 2:10–12 the apostle Paul
describes himself as a spiritual father who, in dealing with his children, must encourage, comfort,
and urge them to live lives worthy of God. People in this stage are continuing to grow in their
relationship with God, and they are beginning to grow in their relationships with other Christians
as well.5
Paul’s Ministry was unadulterated, “Ye are observers, and God likewise, how holily and
fairly and unblameably we kept out of mischief among you that think:” as indicated by 1
Thessalonians 2:10. With the goal that the Gospel message will raise the standard and not to be
cut down, seeing and ready to prepare others “That ye would walk deserving of God, who hath
4 Bill Hull, Jesus Christ, Disciplemaker: 20th Anniversary Edition, (Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Books,
2004), p.81.
5 Jim Putman and Bobby Harrington, Discipleshift (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013), p.65.
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called you unto his kingdom and magnificence.”, 1 Thessalonians 2:12. All ministers, should
walk a hallowed life in like way.
Such a large number of clergymen, evangelists, and ministers today have stooped to
profane direct positions. They legitimately scratch out, get rid of, evacuate or pulverize totally all
hints of the administration of the minister and harms created by the Gospel everywhere.
Stage 4: Young Adult. Young adults are found at the six to nine o’clock position on the
diagram. 1 John 2:13–14 describes people who are spiritually young adults. It says they have
overcome the Evil One, and the Word of God abides in them. Spiritual young adults are making a
shift from being self-centered to being God and other-centered. They are beginning to re-orient
their lives around God’s Word and his people and mission, to understand that God called them to
give to the body of Christ, rather than simply take.6
You have full developed dads, experienced aficionados who had a not too bad partner with
Jesus Christ. They fellowshipped with Him. No one ever will be significant that he needn't mess
with any inexorably extraordinary assistance. “I make unto you, little adolescents, in light of the
fact that ye have known the Father”, 1 John 2:13. One never gets to where he knows it all
significantly. To beat Satan, an individual who pursues and maintains a pioneer needs much
quality, who have the triumph, and who are strong since they have been in the Word of God.
Stage 5: Parent. The spiritual parent stage is found at the nine to twelve o’clock position on
the diagram. Theologically, we believe that God is the one who births people spiritually. So
strictly speaking, none of us are spiritual parents in this way. But this term is helpful in
reminding us that those who grow and mature will usually do so under the guidance of spiritual
parents; this is God’s plan.7
6 Jim Putman and Bobby Harrington, Discipleshift (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013), p.65.
7 Ibid., p. 69.
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Be Strong, “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”, 2
Timothy 2:1. Fragile and weak Christians don't function admirably and isn't in the reality yet in
the significant life. Since most will sell out you. It takes significant solidarity to suffer in
supernatural issues when you have ended up being offensive and bothersome. You must be
strong in the ease that is in Christ Jesus. Picking teachers, the educator figures out what to
instruct which was the Gospel and the entire Word of God all things considered.
The Four Spheres of Discipleship
Sphere 1: The Centrality of a Relationship with God. We trust Paul is an incredible case of
teaching and that he uncovers his musings on the issue in the book of Ephesians. Paul establishes
the pace by advising us that we are received as otherworldly offspring of our glorious Father in
view of the gospel, that we are not mishaps; our lives were arranged before time started and that
we came to be conceived again profoundly, despite the fact that we were dead in our
transgression. We are spared by effortlessness through confidence, to do benevolent acts that
God foreordained for us to do before time started, Eph. 2:8–10.8
Sphere 2: Relationships within the Family of God, the Church. Paul extends his message to
discuss how God’s kids identify with each other in God’s family, the congregation and the sacred
text reveals to us that when we are conceived once more, we become some portion of the group
of God and have a profound Father just as siblings and sisters in Christ, yet neglect to identify
with different adherents as siblings and sisters, yet the two are associated.9
Sphere 3: Relationships at Home. Paul addresses in Ephesians 5 and 6, the family. Paul
talks about what the home ought to resemble for an adherent, how a spouse should lead and love
his significant other, and how a wife should regard her better half. The obligation moms and
8 Jim Putman and Bobby Harrington, Discipleshift (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013), p.85.
9 Ibid., p. 86.
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fathers need to bring kids up in the Lord, how kids should act toward their folks, for individuals
may get a handle on the gospel ideas however neglect to apply.10
Sphere 4: Relationships with the World. Paul, through Ephesians 6, addresses a last circle
of connections, as the world and being a slave and a slaveholder. Some state that 90 percent of
the Roman world in Paul’s time would have been viewed as a slave and without a doubt there
was a portion of that sort of subjection in the Roman world. We regularly consider slaves with
regards to American history, however to be a slave could have implied that you worked for
somebody who paid your everyday costs. That sounds progressively like what we manage
today.11
Servant evangelism embodies the service model and Passion of Christ. Successful servant
evangelists have embraced what is called the “Philippians 2 Attitude.” We are told to take on the
humble servant attitude of Jesus. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who,
being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of
no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even
the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8, KJV12
Centrality of Christ
The distinction between this second comprehension of elegance is fundamental for a
comprehension of apprenticeship and goes to its root and specifically to submission. Shabby
beauty, from one perspective, does not see a requirement for acquiescence, since transgression
has been secured. Expensive effortlessness, then again, comprehends confidence as that which
10 Jim Putman and Bobby Harrington, Discipleshift (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013), p.87.
11 Ibid., p. 88.
12 Dave Earley and David Wheeler, Evangelism Is . . .: How to Share Jesus with Passion and Confidence,
(Nashville, Tennessee, B & H Publishing, 2010), p. 153
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can't exist separated from acquiescence. Such reasoning leads Bonhoeffer to the focal idea of his
content: “only the believers obey and only the obedient believe.”13
It must be said here that Bonhoeffer isn’t upholding fundamentalism or setting up another
legalism. Truth be told, what he is doing is the polar opposite. His bring in this work is for
Christians to understand their reliance upon Christ for their lives. Salvation is through Him and
with Him and His way is the method for the cross. In his talk upon the job of the cross in
apprenticeship he states, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”
Personal Evaluation
In my own life it is difficult to assess exactly where I fall in. I have been a parent for a long
time for I have been in ministry for 50 years come this mid-October. I teach, preach, witness,
evangelize, and even sing. I’m training two ministers over the phone and have been for over two
years now. I counsel via phone, text, in person, etc. When given the opportunity, I’m out on the
streets of San Francisco even though I live in Sacramento. Almost been arrested at 3:00 in the
morning for witnessing in the downtown S.F. area last summer due to the way I was dressed.
Being challenged by seven “Pimps” at one time when the police rolled up on us telling us
all to get up against the wall. Well, my response was simple for I informed the officers that I was
a minister and not a pimp. I was not out there trying to sell (blank), but was trying to help save
souls. You can rhyme the blank with souls! Gave them my business card and they sent me on my
way! I am one who can say, “Been there, done that!” Looking at this portion of our assignment
gives me pause for I am doing so much, it is hard to say where do I fit in the picture.
I can say for right now that I am currently preparing to start and open up a ministry here in
Sacramento. I am tired of the old way of things being done, plus there is a need for change.
13 Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship. 4th ed., (MINNEAPOLIS, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), p.63.
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Being raised up in the old fashion Baptist way, but continuously striving in research, exploring,
observing, and knowing that Christ is for all, my vision is geared towards the youth/young adults
because they need us the most. So I’m praying that I can have the building by mid-October so I
can open by the end of October.
Submission to Christ
Submission to Christ, who needs it? We do. At least I know I do still. The scripture is clear
when Jesus states, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and
follow me.” Luke 9:23. It is the “let him deny himself and take up his cross daily” is the greatest
challenge of all. Let him deny himself means not to be selfish. Willing to sacrifice anything in
order to follow Christ. For me this is not hard to do.
But many are not willing to deny anything today and getting them to understand that it is a
process that does not happen overnight. Taking up his cross is one’s duty, and it speaks of a hard,
difficult, and possible painful duty for the most part. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ involves
many difficult and painful duties on a daily basis. Do they really understand what this means?
Here is faithfulness. To be a disciple requires much faithfulness, and much steadfastness. A
process that one needs to know that this is not going to be easy, once again. For me the process is
not hard while at the same time, due to this world’s ignorance, it becomes upsetting for me when
I know that these new preachers/pastors are looking at the money instead of the souls. Not
walking the community like they should but sitting behind their office desk. If we are not going
to step up to the plate, then it would be better for them to move out of the way and give it to
someone who is willing to go through the sacrifice.
Bibliography
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Discipleship. 4th ed., MINNEAPOLIS, MN: Fortress Press, 2003.
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Dempsey, Rod & Earley, Dave, Disciple Making Is. . . .How to Live the Great Commission with
Passion and Confidence, Nashville, Tennessee, B&H Publishing Group, 2013.
Earley, Dave and Wheeler, David, Evangelism Is . . . How to Share Jesus with Passion and
Confidence, June 1, 2010, Nashville, Tennessee, B & H Publishing, 2010.
Hull, Bill, Jesus Christ, Disciplemaker, 20th Anniversary Edition, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Baker Books, 2004.
Putman, Jim, and Harrington, Bobby, Discipleshift, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2013.
