All assignments must be at least 5 pages and in current Turabian format. Each assignment must include a bibliography with a minimum of 5 scholarly sources.

Written Assignment 2 – Spheres and Stages of Discipleship

For this assignment, you will write a paper summarizing and analyzing the 5 stages and 4 spheres of discipleship. Identify what stage of discipleship you are currently in, giving evidence from your life and correlating biblical support. Also, identify what spheres you need to submit to the centrality of Christ by referring to Bonhoeffer’s call to the cross. Conclude with at least 1 page discussing what it means to be in submission to Christ, using Scripture and other scholarly sources.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT 2: SPHERES AND STAGES OF DISCIPLESHIP

___________________

A Paper

Presented to

Dr. William J. Higley

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary

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In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Course

DSMN 500 Discipleship Ministries

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by

Cynethia Gillispie

February 2016

Salvation is the free gift of God made available to His creation through the work of redemption offered to humanity through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit causes conviction in the heart of a man or woman to help guide him or her to decide to receive Christ as Lord; after which, the hard work begins. It is here that many new Christians lose heart and wander off and away from God. The process of sanctification is commonly misunderstood and the notion of being a disciple escapes the new Christian, especially because many are not made aware of the process. When it is made known, it oftentimes becomes too much to handle because so much is required. Joerg Rieger writes, “If sanctification is the work of God and refers to real moments of transformation, it encompasses quite naturally every dimension of human life, private as well as public, including economics and politics.”[footnoteRef:1] This also explains why so many that have been a Christian for a long time lack the depth of spiritual maturity they should have or could have – they were never trained up as a true disciple of Christ and have, thusly, fed on spiritual milk for the whole of their Christian walk; one cannot expect to live on milk alone and be productive in the things and ways of God (Heb. 5:12). [1: Joerg Rieger, “Sanctification.” In Cambridge Dictionary of Christian Theology. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011), http://www.liberty.edu:2048/login?url=http://literati.credoreference.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/content/entry/cupdct/sanctification/0, accessed February 6, 2016.]

The process of becoming a disciple and consequently the process of making disciples are necessary ones if a believer is to grow to full maturity in Christ. A Christian will never truly attain fullness in Christ if he is not connected to Him in the intimacy of discipleship, nor in the intimacy of discipling another. This process is a difficult one, one that will take time and expend a great deal of effort. Greg Ogden writes, “Disciple making is about relational investment. It is walking alongside a few invited fellow travelers in an intentional relationship over time.”[footnoteRef:2] [2:  Greg Ogden, Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time, (Westmont, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2010), 17, http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/lib/liberty/docDetail.action?docID=10828094, accessed February 6, 2016. ]

There are no shortcuts to becoming a true disciple of Christ.

Five Stages and Four Spheres

According to Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman, there are five stages and four spheres in the process of discipleship.  The five stages are: spiritually dead, infant, child, young adult, and spiritual parent.[footnoteRef:3]  The four spheres are: relationship to God, relationship to God’s family (church), home life, and relationship to the world.[footnoteRef:4]  Combined, these stages and spheres are telling in that they reveal where a disciple is in his walk with God, whether he is progressing, and whether or not he is ready to lead others in the disciple making process. [3: Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman, Discipleshift: Five Steps that Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013), 75. ] [4: Ibid., 78. ]

Stages

Stage one is “spiritually dead.” This stage identifies any person who does not have a relationship with Christ, regardless of their claim. Putman, et al, states “the key concept [here] is that a spiritually dead person does not have the life of Jesus within.”[footnoteRef:5]  Stage two is “infant.” Here can be identified people that are alive in Christ and have received him as Lord but no more. They can be new believers or long time believers that have chosen to sit still in their faith. They are people with tons of needs.[footnoteRef:6] Stage three is “child.” Here can be identified people that are growing in Christ and in relation to other believers. They are in the beginning stages of their walk but are still rather self-centered. Stage four is “young adult.” “Spiritual young adults are making a shift from being self-centered to being God-and others-centered.”[footnoteRef:7] In this stage the believer is moving to a place of thinking about and doing for others; it is no longer just about themselves. They still need help, but they are well on their way to being spiritual parents. Stage five is “parent.” At this point the believer has gone from spiritually dead to becoming so God-focused and dependent that they understand how to live out their faith enough to teach others how to do so effectively. They are certainly not faultless people, but they are walking with Christ very intentionally with a mind for working with those that are still in their Christian infancy. [5: Ibid., 62. ] [6: Ibid., 64-65. ] [7: Ibid., 67. ]

Spheres

The four spheres are made up of different relationships. The first sphere is the centrality of a relationship with God. This is where the believer understands that her main focus is her relationship to Jesus and that without being connected to Him, it offers no ability to disciple others. The believer simply cannot bear good fruit if not attached to the vine (Christ). The second sphere is a relationship within the family of God, the church. Here the believer understands that God is his Father and that other believers are his brothers and sisters; the two are connected.[footnoteRef:8] The third sphere focuses on relationships at home. So many believers can grasp living the Christian life outside of the home because it is easy to put on the mask of a godly person, yet, it is at home that the Christian life is truly realized. “The best place to make disciples is in our own families.”[footnoteRef:9] The last sphere deals with relationships with the world. Here the believer is responsible for living out his life in a way that represents God in the best light in all he says and does. Putman writes, “In this sense, our work affects God’s reputation.”[footnoteRef:10] The best excuse the unbelieving world has for not embracing Christ is the Christian. [8: Ibid., 86.] [9: Ibid., 88 ] [10: Ibid., 89.]

Analysis

The five stages of growth and four spheres in the life of a disciple are important in that they offer a solid gauge in understanding where the believer stands in relation to his walk with God. A new Christian would be hard pressed to begin discipling another; it would be like the blind leading the blind (Matt. 14:15). Moving people from the new birth to spiritual maturity is no easy task and to attempt to do so without having moved through the stages discussed herein will leave the disciple-maker frustrated, not to mention undiscerning. In order to grow another person intelligently and effectively in Christ, the teacher or disciple-maker must go through the various stages and spheres herself. In this she is able to foresee the road blocks ahead and help guide her disciple through the various terrains to better help her disciple avoid common pitfalls.

The four spheres are essential in understanding the role of the believer in relation to his attitude about the people around him, especially his God. There are far too many Christians that live for ministry and not for God or his people; they see opportunity only for their own satisfaction rather than the opportunity to please God in his service towards others. It is a spiritual check-up that all believers should ascribe too often.

Where I Am

I believe that I am a “young adult.” I have seen the glory of God in my life over the years and know without a shadow of a doubt that He abides in me, and I, in Him (John 15:4). There are areas of my life that I have learned to submit to God because of His promises and my experiences. Worry is one such area. The Word states that the believer should not worry about what he will eat, or drink, or wear because it adds nothing to his life, rather trust in God to provide for all his needs (Matt. 6:25-34). God has shown me over and over again that this promise is a reality for those He loves. My heart desires to share this truth, and others, with believers and unbelievers alike. I strive to be a doer of God’s Word and not just a hearer and I want so much to love, live for, and serve my God in any and every way I possibly can. I thought

The sphere that I need to submit to is sphere number three: relationships with my family. I know that I am a light in my family, as they have seen me persevere through major trials and, by the grace of God, continue to stand. The biggest issue in this sphere for me deals with the “mask” of godliness that my family sometimes think I put on. This impression stems from my need to “relax” after spending so much time doing the work of the ministry. As a leader in my church, I wear many hats; I love God and the ways in which I serve in ministry, but I am also an introvert by nature. This means that the “busier” I am, or the more time spent interacting with people, the more mentally drained I get. Unfortunately, by the time I get home, my family only sees the “drained” me. They vary between feeling that I “put on” at church or that they are getting the “short end of the stick.” I am constantly asking God for grace to fulfill the call He has placed on me, however, I see that I need His grace to help me to prioritize my family.

            Bonhoeffer writes, “Just as Christ is only Christ as one who suffers and is rejected, so a disciple is a disciple only in suffering and being rejected, thereby participating in crucifixion.”[footnoteRef:11] It is extremely difficult to accept the pain, heartache, and stress that comes along with being a true follower of Christ at times. The misconception is that all will be perfect when Christ enters into one’s life. Of course, there are plenty of marvelous advantages to being a child of God, God Himself being number one; there is also a great cost. Jesus tells us in Luke 14:28 that a builder must count the cost of a project before starting to see if it can be done. Sadly, the cross of Christ has become a way for many believers to distance themselves from having to take it up – the thought is since Jesus died there for me, why do I have to? Lee C. Camp writes, “The cross is looked upon as something Jesus does for us – he dies so we don’t have to.” He goes on to state, “the New Testament, however, makes very clear that the cross is not something reserved for Jesus alone.”[footnoteRef:12] No, it is not. The Christian man or woman will miss completely the strength and compassion, the love and the sorrow, the submission and courage that is the cross of Christ if she refuses to carry it. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”[14]   [11: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, Geffrey B. Kelly and John D. Godsey, eds. And Barbara Green and Reinhard Krauss, trans., (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2001), 85.] [12: Lee C. Camp, Mere discipleship: Radical Christianity in a rebellious world, (Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2008), 82, http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/lib/liberty/docDetail.action?docID=10722501, accessed February 6, 2016.]

For Christians, the cost of following Christ is massive and must be considered very carefully. It is a decision the rich young man had to make and could not because it was just too high a price (Matt 19:22).

Submitted to Christ

Being submitted to Christ is one of the hardest parts of being a true disciple. So much was asked of Jesus, so much so that He cried out to His Father in heaven and asked if He could refrain from having to do the thing that would cause Him His greatest turmoil (Luke 22:42); nonetheless, because of His great love for His Father and His willingness to submit in utter obedience to Him, He did what was necessary to save the whole of humanity. No one in Christendom will ever be called to save the whole of humanity, but we will be called upon to minister in our own mission fields as true disciples in order to save family members, co-workers, classmates, neighbors, and people in our communities. This will take complete and utter commitment, obedience, and submission to our Lord as He was to His Father.

Christ knew that without absolute submission to His Father, His mission would not be accomplished (John 6:38). Jesus had to model what would eventually be the manner of lifestyle for all of His disciples, from the twelve onward (John 5:19). Without submission, we, as His disciples, would not be able to fully appreciate all He has done and all He desires to accomplish through those who love him. Christians must be connected to the vine to reach parenthood. Submission to Christ also teaches disciples to be submitted to one another (Eph. 5:21). As participants in the family of God, we are to honor and respect one another in godly love. We are to attribute the fruit of the Spirit of God to one another (Gal. 5:22-23) and please the Lord by humbly submitting to Him, our brethren, and the world, in order to see it saved. Alan G. Padgett writes, “Mutual submission is the concrete action of Christian love working within the social structures of this world.”[footnoteRef:13] [13: Alan G Padgett, As Christ submits to the church: A biblical understanding of leadership and mutual submission, (Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group, 2011), 2, http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/lib/liberty/docDetail.action?docID=10652959, accessed February 6, 2016. ]

Submission does not need to have the negative connotation the world would have us believe it does. Submission to Christ and His will is the greatest show of love and appreciation the believer can bestow on his Lord.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Discipleship. Geffrey B. Kelly and John D. Godsey, eds. and Barbara Green and Reinhard Krauss, trans. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2001.

Camp, Lee C. Mere discipleship: Radical Christianity in a rebellious world. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2008, http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/lib/liberty/docDetail.action?docID=10722501. Accessed February 6, 2016.

Ogden, Greg. Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time. Westmont, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2010, http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/lib/liberty/docDetail.action?docID=10828094. Accessed February 6, 2016.

Padgett, Alan G. As Christ submits to the church: A biblical understanding of leadership and mutual submission. Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group, 2011, http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/lib/liberty/docDetail.action?docID=10652959. Accessed February 6, 2016.

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

Rieger, Joerg. “Sanctification.” In Cambridge Dictionary of Christian Theology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011, http://www.liberty.edu:2048/login?url=http://literati.credoreference.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/content/entry/cupdct/sanctification/0. Accessed February 6, 2016.