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The following is based on the above CORE Discipleship Resource Chart/Process:
Introduction: Overview Of Spiritual Life Stages In The Disciple’s Life:
As a means of introducing the concept of spiritual life stages as it relates to the CORE Discipleship process and resources, the following is presented as a brief overview so that you can develop your discipleship process and curriculum:
A. The Christian life (spiritual) parallels the physical life (natural):
• There are definite stages in life;
• Each stage of life in the Christian journey builds upon the other (precept upon precept);
• Just as there are natural parents, there should be spiritual parents;
• Only through "growth" does a person pass from one stage to the next;
• When growth does not occur, it is a sign of a serious problem.
B. There is a major difference between physical growth and spiritual growth:
• Physical growth usually takes place with little to no effort on our part;
• Spiritual growth must be nurtured and overseen by spiritually mature “fathers” or “mothers” who understand the process as being intentional, relational and that the process is 100 percent spiritual.
C. From the mature writings of the Apostle John we discover several truths (1 John 2:12-14): “I write to you dear children ... young men ... fathers”
Three Stages of Spiritual Maturity:
• There are different stages in the Christian life not necessarily dependent upon chronological age. The Apostle John made reference to three stages of spiritual maturity:
1. Children (boys and girls in the faith - “childhood” those just entering the journey of faith).
2. Young Men (young sons and daughters in the faith - “adulthood” those growing in the faith).
3. Fathers (fathers and mothers in the faith - “parenthood” those who are spiritually mature and who are reproducing like kind).
• In each stage there are blessings to be enjoyed and instruction/virtues to be realized and learned.
• Children need to become young men/young women, and young men/young women need to become fathers/mothers.
D. Spiritual Transformation:
• Simply leading people to Jesus and getting people to attend church regularly does not produce a spiritually mature disciple.
• Spiritual transformation is learned and imparted as believers walk together on the journey.
Unlike 1 John 2:1,18,28; 3:7,18; 4:4; 5:21 where "children" appears to be a term of endearment for all believers, in 1 John 2:12,13 "children" seems to refer to a specific life-stage:
*Any distinction between "teknion" and "paidion" is likely not significant, since John uses both as terms of endearment in this epistle when speaking of all believers (1 John 2:18 paidion) with (1 John 2:28 teknion)
*Taken literally, the terms "fathers, children, young men" would leave out many disciples (old men, old and younger women); therefore, we take the terms to be figurative.
Recommended Reading:
• CORE Discipleship: This book presents a big picture overview of the CORE Discipleship process and should be the first book read and implemented by pastors/leaders who are seriously desiring to fulfill the Great Commission. The purpose of this book is to inform and to challenge you to take a fresh look at discipleship. You will find practical help and a biblical, systematic, relational way of making disciples who can then make disciples - teaching them to observe all that Jesus commanded.
With this understanding, let’s proceed by presenting the three spiritual life stages as provided by the Apostle John and our recommendations for CORE Discipleship Ministry resource materials as it relates to each spiritual life stage ...
Click here to continue Part I
Click here to return to the CORE Process Page
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