stages of spiritual growth as a disciple · 2019-03-03 · stages of spiritual growth as a disciple...

Stages of Spiritual Growth as a Disciple


“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.”

1 Peter 2:2


� Everyone in every stage needs to grow.

Stages of Spiritual Growth as a Disciple1. Spiritual ________

Positive Characteristics:Negative Tendencies:Discipleship Needs:


� Everyone in every stage needs to grow.� Everyone in every stage needs love, Scripture,

encouragement.


� Everyone in every stage needs to grow.� Everyone in every stage needs love, Scripture,

encouragement. � Natural age is not equivalent to spiritual stage.


Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

John 3:3


“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.”

1 Peter 2:2

Stages of Spiritual Growth as a Disciple1. Spiritual Newborn:

Stages of Spiritual Growth as a Disciple1. Spiritual Newborn: Beginning in Christ


Positives: excited,


Positives: excited, discovering


Positives: excited, discovering, hungry


Positives: excited, discovering, hungry Tendencies: naïve


Positives: excited, discovering, hungry Tendencies: naïve, easily led astray


Positives: excited, discovering, hungry Tendencies: naïve, easily led astray, confused


Positives: excited, discovering, hungry Tendencies: naïve, easily led astray, confusedNeeds: basic teaching


Positives: excited, discovering, hungry Tendencies: naïve, easily led astray, confusedNeeds: basic teaching, re-assurance


Positives: excited, discovering, hungry Tendencies: naïve, easily led astray, confusedNeeds: basic teaching, re-assurance, modeling


“Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

Hebrews 5:13-14


“I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.”

1 John 2:12-13


“I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”

1 John 2:14

Stages of Spiritual Growth as a Disciple2. Spiritual Child:

Stages of Spiritual Growth as a Disciple2. Spiritual Child: Young in Christ


Positives: enthusiastic about knowing God,


Positives: enthusiastic about knowing God, learning,


Positives: enthusiastic about knowing God, learning, serving



Tendencies: self-absorbed,



Tendencies: self-absorbed, judgmental,



Tendencies: self-absorbed, judgmental, inconsistent




Needs: extensive teaching,




Needs: extensive teaching, challenged to serve,




Needs: extensive teaching, challenged to serve, skill development


“I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”

1 John 2:14

Stages of Spiritual Growth as a Disciple3. Spiritual Young Adult:

Stages of Spiritual Growth as a Disciple3. Spiritual Young Adult: Maturing in Christ


� Natural age is not equivalent to spiritual stage.


Positives: biblically strong


Positives: biblically strong, faithful servant,


Positives: biblically strong, faithful servant, missional



Tendencies: pride



Tendencies: pride, self-reliance,



Tendencies: pride, self-reliance, critical



Tendencies: pride, self-reliance, criticalNeeds: advanced teaching,



Tendencies: pride, self-reliance, criticalNeeds: advanced teaching, gift development,



Tendencies: pride, self-reliance, criticalNeeds: advanced teaching, gift development,

someone to disciple


“I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.”

1 John 2:14

Stages of Spiritual Growth as a Disciple4. Spiritual Parent:

Stages of Spiritual Growth as a Disciple4. Spiritual Parent: Reproducing in Christ


Positives: reproducing disciples,


Positives: reproducing disciples, other-centered,


Positives: reproducing disciples, other-centered, sacrificial



Tendencies: loneliness,



Tendencies: loneliness, cynicism,



Tendencies: loneliness, cynicism, burnout



Tendencies: loneliness, cynicism, burnoutNeeds: committed teammates,



Tendencies: loneliness, cynicism, burnoutNeeds: committed teammates, someone to

coach,



Tendencies: loneliness, cynicism, burnoutNeeds: committed teammates, someone to

coach, perseverance


“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,’ he said to them.”

Mark 14:24


Mature disciples are more concerned about the many who need to be reached and discipled than they are themselves.

stages of spiritual growth as a disciple · 2019-03-03 · stages of spiritual growth as a disciple...

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