Disciples
| As you read the Scriptures it becomes apparent that disciples move from beginning stages to more advanced stages. Time, knowledge, practice, and suffering help a person to develop and grow. Paul described this development process using the different stages of life: infancy, adolescence, and adulthood. In apostolic tradition, the movement of people from one stage to another was celebrated with rites of passage. Special ceremonies were held that were rich in symbolism, similar in nature to the ceremony that takes place at a graduation or wedding of today. As a community, we seek to celebrate growth and help people move through the various phases of growth and development. | |
| While it helps to look at growth in stages or phases, we are all too familiar with how life really works. It is not as simple as moving from one stage to the next. Often we find ourselves moving back and forth on a particular continuum, and many times we are pushed outside of any type of framework. These phases are not meant to explain all of the aspects of growth, or present a simple formula for development. They are simply meant to be a framework to assist us in accomplishing the goal God gave through the apostle Paul: to present each person mature in Christ. | |
| Hearer | |
| During this phase a person is checking out the faith, investigating God, His people and His word. They are increasingly exposing themselves to God’s community and may be experiencing various gatherings and ministries. They are gradually being shaped by the story of God. As they immerse themselves in the story. | |
| Infant (Children) | |
| This phase is characterized by spiritual birth, subsequent baptism, and drinking the milk of the Word of God in order that they might grow in respect to their salvation. They learn to abide in Christ’s love through obedience to Christ’s commands and have a growing hate of sin and the evil system of the world. They enter and proclaim the kingdom of God while learning to live a countercultural life in Christ in community with the people of God. | |
| Faithful (Adolescent) | |
| This phase is characterized by a deepening understanding of God, His Word, and themselves. They faithfully practice and proclaim their faith in the context of life, seek God with others who call on Him from a pure heart, and learn to engage in spiritual warfare, overcoming the evil one. They exhibit the fruit of the Spirit and have begun to learn the joy of giving, serving, and dying to self. They know God, walk with God, and live for the expansion and deepening of the kingdom of God. | |
| Mature (Adult) | |
| This phase is characterized by disciplining themselves for the sake of godliness and shepherding disciples. Their character has been tested over time and they faithfully manage their household. They are resolutely committed to abiding in Christ and subsequently bear fruit as they make and mentor disciples of Christ. They hold fast the faithful Word so that they will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. Sacrifice, service, and love mark their example. | |
| Spiritual Transformation Groups | |
A Spiritual Transformation Group (STG) is a relational, covenant community (covenant: bound together by mutual agreement) of 2-4 individuals who encourage one another towards spiritual maturity as each one hears the Word, clings to it with an honest and good heart, and bears fruit with steadfast endurance (Lk 8:15 ). |
|
| A STG is a safe place for confessing sins (1 Jn 1:5-10) and carrying one another’s excessive burdens (temptations/flesh) (Gal 6:1-2) in order that we might follow Christ (Mk 8:34) in loving obedience (Jn 14:15,23), love God, love our neighbor(s) (Mt 22:34-40), befriend sinners (Mt 11:19), and proclaim the gospel of the kingdom (Mt 24:14). |
|
| A STG passes on the essentials of faith in Christ by teaching obedience to Christ’s commands relationally, disciple to disciple. A STG includes transparency and accountability, reading the Bible, proclamation of the gospel, prayer, and holistic life transformation in the context of ministry (service). | |
134 View(s) |
Email This Page
| 
Print This Page
Recent Comments