Page 105 - Discipleship Ministries Student E-Book

mission of Christ, which is to make disciples. Just as the human race continues because we physically
reproduce, so Christianity continues on this planet because Christians spiritually reproduce or make
disciples.

So, there you have the 5 stages of the spiritual growth of a disciple. I want to emphasize that this
assessment is not a way of designating one believer as more valuable than another. It’s very important
that disciple-makers and disciples understand the difference between value and usefulness. While a
mature Christian is more useful to the purpose of the Lord and the church than a spiritual infant or child,
he or she is not more valuable.

Determining someone’s level of spiritual development is done purely for the sake of knowing where
how and where to lead them in their journey as a disciple. It is not to be used as a weapon to judge, but
a tool to help you disciple.

12.4 Let’s Practice…

1. Explain the process of becoming more like Christ.

2. Explain how teaching is involved in discipleship.

3. What is the first stage in spiritual growth and what are its characteristics.

4. What is the second stage in spiritual growth and what are its characteristics.

5. What is the third stage in spiritual growth and what are its characteristics.

6. What is the fourth stage in spiritual growth and what are its characteristics.

7. What is the fifth stage in spiritual growth and what are its characteristics.

12.5 Let’s Personalize this Lesson…

Activity: Now it is time to apply this lesson. Which stage in spiritual growth are you in? How
do you display the characteristics of that stage? What must you do to move to a higher level
(more mature) stage?

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