Written by Paul J Bucknell on October, 29, 2018

Basic Concepts of Discipleship

THREE STAGES OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Consider this profound concept of three stages of Christian growth, gifted to us by Elder John. He draws a compelling parallel between the intangible growth of our spiritual lives and the tangible, evident growth of our physical bodies. While sociologists have extensively studied the physiological development of a child, why haven’t we delved deeper into our spiritual development? By adopting this physiological model, we unearth a wealth of fresh insights into discipleship, sparking a sense of excitement and curiosity.

As we delve into the following pages, we'll uncover some of the valuable lessons we've learned. This is not a definitive analysis, but it has proven to be a powerful tool in clarifying three crucial aspects: understanding the expectations at each stage of discipleship, deciphering the mechanisms through which these expectations are met, and, most importantly, recognizing the interplay between the different stages of discipleship. This knowledge is not just theoretical; it's actionable. Visual aids like the chart above empower disciple makers and disciples to assess their, set goals, and navigate the path to spiritual growth in the current position.

The key to growing churches is the effectiveness with which they train others to live and serve like Christ.
We must recognize that the three spiritual stages of growth are closely related to each other. Just as a person cannot be born a young adult, neither can he bypass certain spiritual stages. That being said, physical growth largely depends on the maturing process of time. We are all aware (some painfully!) how we grow older with time. Spiritual growth, however, develops as God’s truth is implanted into our hearts and minds to shape what we think and do.

Introduction to the Flow Diagram

If everyone in the church wore spiritual clothes, our churches would look utterly ridiculous. We would see 10-year-old Christians dressed as infants. On the other hand, we might be very surprised to see some very young Christians wearing a suit. Time is not the key factor for maturing but the entrance of light. However, we cannot discount the factor of time in the process of acquiring truth. This is why the Apostle Paul says we should not anoint those who have been Christians into eldership for a short time.

Check out the BFF NT Digital Library, which includes all our New Testament resources.