Spiritual Formation: Stages of Discipleship

Have you ever talked to a believer about the stages of Christian maturity? I have, this experience draws believers into the conversation of the level of competency in Jesus Christ. In the same vein, discipleship has different environments and relationships. Believers need to understand each other’s growth in the Lord, so iron may sharpen iron (Prov. 27:17). Throughout this essay, the persistent question is, what are the levels and stages of discipleship? This is somewhat of a book review of Discipleshift. This is going to be answered through a variety of formats. First through the five stages and four spheres of adherence to Christ, the essay writer’s current stage, the spheres to submit to the Lord, and the theology of submission to Jesus the Messiah. Disciples mature through sanctification through the followers’ steps, the author’s evaluation on stairs, and submitting theology to Christ.

The Followers’ Steps

            The first point is that disciples mature through sanctification through the followers’ steps. It is important to comprehend the stages in which a believer grows into the image of Jesus Christ.[1] Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert Coleman explain the purpose of these developments, “We recognize that although growth typically does not happen linearly, there is a path of progress, a direction we need to move to grow.”[2] This is important as the authors teach ministers to place believers into an environment for others in the congregation to grow.[3] The first level is being spiritually dead. This is at the forefront, those who have yet to believe Christ as their Lord and Savior, are dead in transgressions and sins (Eph. 2:1-5).[4] The authors write that the solution to this stage is, “It all needs to be done in an environment of love and prayer.”[5] The second step is infancy, which the apostle Peter evaluates by proclaiming that believers in this stage need spiritual milk (1 Pet. 2:2-3).[6] The writers of this book explain that the answer is believers who can model, care, and feed these newer believers as they pursue Christ. Spiritual warfare is possible.[7] The third step is child, Paul, and John both used these terms in their writings (1 Thess. 2:10-12; 1 Jn. 2:12). Maturing these brothers involves having close relations with other believers.[8] The fourth level is young adults, who are growing into being centered on God and others, who have overcome the evil one (1 Jn. 2:13-14).[9] Growing these congregants involves serving, providing boundaries, and equipping their talents to serve the Lord.[10] The last stage is parent, maturing strength in the Lord, and becoming disciple-makers (2 Tim. 2:1-2).[11] The spiritual parent is aware of lesser-matured believers, who need peer relationships, and delegating responsibility.[12] The four spheres are different social arenas which are a relationship with God, a relationship within the body of Christ, relationships at home, and relationships with the world.[13] These are the followers’ steps in discipleship. The next section emphasizes the author’s evaluation of these environments.

The Author’s Evaluation on Stairs

The second point is that disciples mature through sanctification through the author’s evaluation of stairs. Within the discipleship stages, the essay writer is currently a spiritual adult.[14] In fact, within the past year or two, a new adult. William Klein provides further insight into this stage of Christian maturity, “He insists, possibly in irony, that mature Christians exercise a kind of sober judgment (Phil 3:15). This can be diverted into two growth models in the congregations, comparing the attractional church model, and missional model as portrayed in Acts.[15] Christ’s power, he argues, fulfilled its intended goal or was truly operative when Paul was at his weakest (2 Cor 12:9; see Weakness).”[16] Paul provides in the book of Hebrews that solid food is for the mature as they can discern between good and evil (Heb. 5:14). Paul adds in his letter to the churches in Philippi to be perfect-minded, if not, God will reveal to the individual this wisdom (Phil. 3:15). In this passage, Delbert Weins proclaims that even though Paul not perfect, the wisdom he had attained in ministry would be revealed to them by the Lord.[17] While this can be considered apostolic succession, it also reveals the work of Christ in His body. The essay writer relates extremely with the phrases given by Putman, Harrington, and Coleman.[18] Recently, the desire to grow others into the likeness of Jesus Christ has become a mission for this essay writer. This is important as the author reflects on his maturity in the Lord.

The second measure is the relationship spheres. In the author’s evaluation of himself relating to these arenas. The essay writer submits to the Lord in all these spheres, for further surrender, would have to be relationships in the church. Now I need to work on each sphere, this one sticks out the most in the writer’s life. Maybe also perhaps relationships at home. Being a Seminary student has its perks, yet often the time spent is long. Family time is frequent. Dietrich Bonhoeffer explains this about discipleship, “So the call to discipleship is a commitment solely to the person of Jesus Christ, a breaking through of all legalisms by the grace of him who calls.”[19] This is important as disciples of Jesus Christ, that are fully surrendered to Him. Bonhoeffer begins to explain that as committed followers of Christ, the obligated duty is to believe and trust the Lord in faith, even if the scenario is uncomfortable and with obedience.[20] 

The essay writer describes his experiences as he pursued Seminary, to step out. Yet as a growing believer, has much sanctification to go. By the Lord’s grace. Bonhoeffer continues to describe the consequences of a believer’s rebellion through fleeing, trying to be perfect by human merits, and misunderstood discipleship back to the Law.[21] It does reflect something that the General Epistles note on those becoming godless (2 Tim. 2; Titus, 2 Pet; 2 John). At this point, it begs the reader back to ponder the spirit of unbelief when hearing the Lord, and false teaching back into bondage (Heb. 3:7-19). To not grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30). Both statements equal the same consequence, not choosing to hear the perfect Lord in His words and ways. This reality is true because Scripture is truth. The essay writer has witnessed these passages in his ministry. This is not the way discipleship is to be followed, instead it is full submission to the Lord. How an individual can apply these passages is to seek the Lord while He may be found, repenting and turning to God (Is. 55:6; Acts. 3:19). Many papers can be written on false teaching, and further solutions to bringing back a believer. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians emphasizes the state of those in Corinth, needing spiritual food (1 Cor. 3). However, no matter how a disciple may choose to grow, God does the increase (1 Cor. 3:6-7). No person is an exception to growing or reading God’s Word. The next section explains theological submission to the Lord.

Submitting Theology to Christ

Disciples mature through sanctification through the submitting theology to Christ. Guy Duffield and Nathan Van Cleave provide insight into submitting to Jesus Christ, “The members cannot function properly without full submission to the Head who provides direction to the whole Body (1 Cor. 12:4–7): “And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church” (Eph. 1:22).”[22] In the theology of Ecclesiology and Sanctification, Jesus Christ by His grace requires the church submit to Him, as a wife to a man in everything (Eph. 5:24). This is critical as the body of our Lord, are made through Christ. In essence, the church would not be here had it been for the Salvation of the Lord, Jesus Christ! Discipleship is maturing in the sanctification of Jesus Christ, having been bought with a price. In the letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul eagerly proclaims the church being saved in Christ, having once walked in transgression and sins (Eph. 2:1, 5; 5:14). In referencing the Psalms, Darrel Bock quotes on Christ’s authority over creation and the church (Ps. 8:6; Eph. 1:22), “So Jesus is connected to the larger world and his people. If he has authority. Those of faith recognize it; for others, it is present whether they recognize it or not. The one with whom the church is intimately related has authority over the whole of the creation.”[23] Every knee shall bow to Jesus Christ (Is. 45:23; Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:10-11). In summary, being a disciple of Jesus Christ involves whole-hearted surrender to Jesus Christ, because believers serve the Lord. This theological topic is unique, as the essay writer gleans, is important for all Christians to submit to Jesus Christ. As the body of Christ is saved by Him. These are important lessons to learn in the short discussion on this short theological synthesis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, disciples mature through sanctification through the followers’ steps, the author’s evaluation on stairs, and submitting theology to Christ. You may ask yourself, am I in one of these stages? If so, I would encourage you to get connected with a local church. Hook up with your mentor. Feel free to reach out to me through this website. All believers need to be growing, in some fashion conforming to Jesus. If this is not happening, you may need to ask the Lord to get deeper with Him. Seek wise counsel, and mature believers who follow the Lord. In this, you will become wise, serving the Lord in everything He wills. The call to action is to pursue the Lord in wonder and majesty, as believers are part of His body. He is the Head of the church.

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Bibliography

Bock, Darrell L. Ephesians: An Introduction and Commentary. Edited by Eckhard J. Schnabel.

Vol. 10. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. London: Inter-Varsity Press, 2019.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Discipleship. Edited by Martin Kuske, Ilse Tödt, Geffrey B. Kelly, and

John D. Godsey. Translated by Barbara Green and Reinhard Krauss. Vol. 4. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003.

Brown, L. E. “Missional Ecclesiology in the Book of Acts.” Edited by Robert N. Wilkin. Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society Volume 24 (2011).

Duffield, Guy P., and Nathaniel M. Van Cleave. Foundations of Pentecostal Theology. Los

Angeles, CA: L.I.F.E. Bible College, 1983.

Klein, William W. “Perfect, Mature.” Edited by Gerald F. Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin, and

Daniel G. Reid. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Putman, Jim, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman. DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013.

Wiens, Delbert L. “That I May Know Him: A Meditation on Philippians 3.” Direction 51, no. 1

(Spring 2022): 109–17. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lsdar&AN=ATLAiACO221219000701&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

[1] Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is referenced in the King James Version.

[2] Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman, DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013), chapter 3.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Putman, Harrington and Coleman, DiscipleShift, chapter 3.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid.

[9] Putman, Harrington and Coleman, DiscipleShift, chapter 3.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Putman, Harrington and Coleman, DiscipleShift, chapter 4.

[14] For clarification, “essay writer” is the student writing this paper.

[15] For more information, see Brown, L. E. “Missional Ecclesiology in the Book of Acts.” Edited by Robert N. Wilkin. Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society Volume 24 (2011).

[16] William W. Klein, “Perfect, Mature,” In ed. Gerald F. Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid, Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 700.

[17] Delbert L, Wiens “That I May Know Him: A Meditation on Philippians 3.” Direction 51, no. 1 (Spring 2022): 115. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lsdar&AN=ATLAiACO221219000701&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

[18] Putman, Harrington and Coleman, DiscipleShift, chapter 4.

[19] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 59.

[20] Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, 62-64.

[21] Ibid, 70-76.

[22] Guy P. Duffield and Nathaniel M. Van Cleave, Foundations of Pentecostal Theology (Los Angeles, CA: L.I.F.E. Bible College, 1983), 440.

[23] Darrell L. Bock, Ephesians: An Introduction and Commentary, ed. Eckhard J. Schnabel, vol. 10, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (London: Inter-Varsity Press, 2019), 57-58.