Discipleship Continuum Stages Explained
Against
People in this stage have not received Jesus as their Lord and Savior and are spiritually dead. They completely reject God and have possibly been burned by the church in some way. They don’t want to have anything to do with Christianity or the Church.
Phrases they might say: “I don’t need God.” “There is no God.” “The Church is just trying to lead simple minded people astray.”
People in this stage have not received Jesus as their Lord and Savior and are spiritually dead. They completely reject God and have possibly been burned by the church in some way. They don’t want to have anything to do with Christianity or the Church.
Phrases they might say: “I don’t need God.” “There is no God.” “The Church is just trying to lead simple minded people astray.”
Open
People in this stage are also spiritually dead. They too have not received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They may be “spiritual”, and may even be connected to a local church. These are people who are open to further conversations and are often simply looking for someone to show that they care for them.
Phrases they might say: “I believe there are many ways to Heaven.” “I’m a good person.” “I believe in ‘god.’”
People in this stage are also spiritually dead. They too have not received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They may be “spiritual”, and may even be connected to a local church. These are people who are open to further conversations and are often simply looking for someone to show that they care for them.
Phrases they might say: “I believe there are many ways to Heaven.” “I’m a good person.” “I believe in ‘god.’”
Infant
In this stage people are born again through the powerful working of the Holy Spirit granting them the gift of faith to see Jesus as their Lord and God. These people can be new believers or they might be stagnant, longtime Christians. Life is generally all about them and their needs.
In this stage people are born again through the powerful working of the Holy Spirit granting them the gift of faith to see Jesus as their Lord and God. These people can be new believers or they might be stagnant, longtime Christians. Life is generally all about them and their needs.
Phrases they might say: “Christians are hypocrites.” “The Church just wants my money.” “I’m too busy to commit to anything church related.”
Child
In this stage, people are growing in their relationship with God, and are also beginning to grow in their relationship with other Christians. They are applying God’s Word in their lives and allowing others to walk beside them in their journey. The growth in this stage is usually movement from their own needs and comfort to beginning to see others and their needs.
Phrases they might say: “I love my church because I feel like I belong.” “I’m upset about having to branch our small group. I just started making friends.” “I’m going to visit Bob in the hospital tonight rather than go to the movies.” “I am going to take cookies to my next door neighbor.”
In this stage, people are growing in their relationship with God, and are also beginning to grow in their relationship with other Christians. They are applying God’s Word in their lives and allowing others to walk beside them in their journey. The growth in this stage is usually movement from their own needs and comfort to beginning to see others and their needs.
Phrases they might say: “I love my church because I feel like I belong.” “I’m upset about having to branch our small group. I just started making friends.” “I’m going to visit Bob in the hospital tonight rather than go to the movies.” “I am going to take cookies to my next door neighbor.”
Parent
In this stage, the parent has a solid understanding of God’s Word and a deep, abiding relationship with the Father. They are living out God’s Word in their lives daily. They are others-centered and God-dependant. They are able to reproduce mature disciples of Christ by inviting others to follow them as they follow Christ.
Phrases they might say: “I’m taking Steve with me the next time I visit Bob to help him learn how to minister.” “I have a couple good potential leaders in my G2 group that I am going to invest in.” “I am going to see if my neighbor would be willing to sit down and talk about life.”
In this stage, the parent has a solid understanding of God’s Word and a deep, abiding relationship with the Father. They are living out God’s Word in their lives daily. They are others-centered and God-dependant. They are able to reproduce mature disciples of Christ by inviting others to follow them as they follow Christ.
Phrases they might say: “I’m taking Steve with me the next time I visit Bob to help him learn how to minister.” “I have a couple good potential leaders in my G2 group that I am going to invest in.” “I am going to see if my neighbor would be willing to sit down and talk about life.”
Other
Can you think of other stages which aren’t represented above? (toddler, teenager, elder, etc)
Can you think of other stages which aren’t represented above? (toddler, teenager, elder, etc)
Why might you relate to one of these? How would you describe the stage you relate to most?
