Stage 2-3 Handout

Sunday School, Spiritual Journey

Stages 2 & 3 Handout, June 20, 2004

Stage 2 The Life of Discipleship

This stage is a time of learning and belonging.

How do people enter Stage 2?

1.  Be open to friendship / Identify with a group.                                        2.  Find a mentor

What are the cages in Stage 2?

1.       Believing that your mentor has the answer.                    

2.       Over zealousness.                                                      

3.       Getting too comfortable.                     

4.       Switching/Jumping from group to group.                              

How do we help move a Stage 2 caged person on?

1.      As a church, sponsor activities with reputable speakers.

2.      Invite them to Bible study, Sunday school.

3.      Loan your Christian tapes, books, and videos out.

What if the caged person is you?

1.      Don’t rely on any one man or woman to have all the answers.

2.      Volunteer!                                                                             

3.      Deal with issues.                                                               

What is the crisis that moves a person from Stage 2 to Stage 3? What do you have to do?

1.       Jump in, volunteer

2.       Concentrate on self development - study

3.       Take risks – don’t just sit back and soak, but participate in discussions, be willing to share.

Discussion:

1.      Can you identify a group or class that you were a part of in the discipleship process that helped shape your faith?

2.      Who are/were your mentors in the faith?

Stage 3 The Productive Life

Stage 3 is the doing stage - when we consciously find ourselves working for God.

How do people enter Stage 3?

1.      Recognize that God has given you talents that can be used for his service and Get to work.                                      

2.      Accept responsibility.                                                                        

What are the cages in Stage 3?

1.      Overzealousness and pride.                 

2.      Weary in well doing.                                                                 

3.      Actors: Life is a performance                                                       

How do we help move a caged person on?

1.      Pray for them.

2.      We make sure they have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

3.      Unless you have a close relationship with the Stage 3 caged person, you really have no right to confront them.

4.      Affirm the person weary in well doing.

Moving to the next stage 3 to stage 4 is often difficult.

What if the caged person is you?

1.      Let the questions come.

2.      Don’t run, don’t take offence. Look for direction.

What is the crisis that moves a person from Stage 3 to Stage 4? What do you have to do?

1.  Let go.
2. Accept vulnerability.

Discussion

1. Identify a talent or skill that you acquired in the secular world that can be used in the church?

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