DiscipleShift: Growth Stages (cont.)

Introduction

Recap of the Series

Answer the Call - Not to give Jesus a nod, but to give Jesus your whole life and follow Him.

Growth Stages of a Disciple

Recap of Spiritual Growth Stages from last week

Spiritually Dead

Spiritual Infant

Far too many people who claim the name of Jesus spend way too much time being spiritual infants who do not know the Word of God nor the Ways of God. We must be intentional about learning and growing in our understanding of what our Lord has in store for our lives… Heaven is not the end game for a Christian…Knowing Jesus and following Him is the End game.

Ephesians 4:1–16 ESV

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

3) Spiritual Childhood

Born again people in this stage are continuing to grow in their relationship with God and their relationships with other Jesus followers.

They have learned enough about the teachings of Jesus and the Bible to hold conversations about spiritual things.

People in this stage are also very curious about things they are reading in the Bible.

Though they are growing, much of their spiritual life still revolves around themselves - wanting what meets their needs, their desires, and their interests.

As children generally are, they are quite still self-centered, not yet fully oriented to the focus on others that marks people who are living in maturity in God’s kingdom and family.

As with spiritual infancy, its not about how long you’ve been a Christian, its about what has happened or not happened in a relational discipleship process during that time.

Spiritual children can be people who have been Christians for 60 years while someone who has been a Christian for just a few years may be spiritually adults or even spiritual parents.

Characteristics of a Spiritual Child

They can do some things for themselves, but are still quite dependent on care and guidance from other more mature Christians.

They can be active in the church, but still view church involvement through the lens of self-benefit. If the ROI is beneficial to them, then they will give and serve. If the church is no longer meeting their needs, then their commitment to the church fades.

Children generally crave affirmation and approval and will do the right things as long as they are rewarded in a way that makes them feel appreciated.

The key trait of a spiritual child is wanting to grow closer to Jesus and others, but still from their own self-defined terms.

Spiritual Children are also easily persuaded and manipulated by flashy but false theology and doctrines, confidence confused with competence, and smooth-talkers who use human reasoning without spiritual substance in faith discussions. (vs. 14).

What do Spiritual Children need?

A strong relational connection to a mature believer to help be more Jesus-focused and Kingdom-minded.

Someone who can help them transition from spiritual dependency to learning how to spiritually feed themselves.

Teaching about who they are in Christ and what it means for Jesus to define their identity through the Word of God.

To be taught to look at God’s Word holistically, rather than just using scriptural talking points.

Clear expectations of what it means to be a Jesus-follower and what it means and looks like to trust God in obedience, doing what the Word says, rather than what they feel is right.

As they transition to the next stage, they will learn what it means to have a servant’s heart that honors our Father, rather than being self-centered and to do the right things for the right reasons.

4) Spiritual Adulthood

1 John 2:14 ESV

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 abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

1 Corinthians 13:11 ESV

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

Colossians 4:12 ESV

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

James 1:4 ESV

And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Spiritual Young Adults are those who are maturing in the faith and have found their identity in Jesus and seek to live their lives according to God’s Word. Their view and their focus is transitioning or has transitioned to a Christ-focused, Kingdom Mindset. (1 Jn 2:14)

They no longer focus on what their personal wants or desires are because their wants and desires are being shaped by Jesus so that He is the object of their wants and desires. (1 Jn 2:14)

They are more others-centered, mirroring the servanthood of their Master. (Col. 4:12)

Their lives are revolving around a love for God’s Word, a love for God’s Church, and love for God’s Mission (Jam. 1:4)

They understand that God has called them to give to the body of Christ, rather than just consume from the body of Christ. As such, they are overjoyed to give and serve and have ultimate satisfaction and fulfillment in being faith to Jesus, no matter what season the church is in.

They are not just hearers of the Word, but doers also!

Characteristics of a Spiritual Adult

Daily time in God’s Word is the rule, not the exception.

They also enjoy Bible intake through listening to other preachers or people who are expositing God’s Word outside of Sunday.

They look for or create ways to be plugged in and serving others.

They are hungry and passionate about being in community with other believers.

They see and use their time, talents, and treasure as tools for worship God and serving His Church.

They have burden for lost people who are in their sphere of influence.

Their speech is seasoned with grace and their faith is generally a part of their every day conversations.

Their “down time” is still Jesus-focused along with their media choices.

They are growing and developing spiritual awareness for encouraging others around them.

What do Spiritual Adults need?

Opportunities to serve or to learn how to serve.

Spiritual mentor to help them grow and understand more the impact of what they do when they serve.

Help them to see the win, when it feels like nothing is happening.

Spiritual community that includes encouragement and accountability

Guidance in responding to the expectations of the people they serve and established boundaries for bigger picture influence.

Help identifying their Spirit-given gifts and training to develop and use those gifts appropriately

When hurt arrises from serving, and it will, they need help processing the pain so they don’t become disillusioned or cynical.

They need other mature spiritual adults to have deeper spiritual conversations with for continued growth.

They need to start working towards being a spiritual parent.

CLOSING

As we close, Spiritual Children need to grow up. Spiritual Adults need to grow out or they could regress towards being apathetic or complacent. If they are not careful, they can also think that Spiritual retirement is a stage…its not!