What actions would benefit a disciple at each of these discipleship (spiritual maturity) phases: baby, child, teen, adult? In what actions/activities should the individual be involved and which ones could the church provide that would encourage spiritual progress?
I am still chewing through these thoughts. Naturally some of the actions/activities will be consistent throughout every phase (such as daily quiet time in Bible study and prayer). Some will naturally vary according to the individual’s personalities and needs. Others will naturally vary according to the church body’s gifts and abilities. However, different phases will also benefit from different actions and activities from the individual and church.
With those ideas in mind, I have created a brainstorming discipleship phases strategy template. Be warned, it is still in the formative stage. Consider the following template. Use it to think about your own discipleship or that of an individual or group of individuals (like a small group or Sunday School class).
Discipleship Phases Strategy Template
Print this blog post and jot down a few thoughts in each block. I am not trying to legislate discipleship or make it all about actions. I know it is a relationship with Jesus that leads us to love people actively like He did. But I believe identifying some actions may also serve as indicators of a personal, growing, and obedient relationship.
Virgil Grant of Eastside Community Church in Richmond, Kentucky, provided the picture at the top of the post. It is a flattening (simplification) of a SCMD wheel diagram by Real Life Ministries.
Go into all the world and proclaim the gosepl to the whole creation. The business plan should start with family then comunity and go from there doing as Jesus said in Mark 16:15. The whole creation starts with the family and not just blood or law related family but also the church for if the disciple has a crumbling foundation then those he influences may be unsteady to. In the bible it says to use the gifts given to you so that u may use them to glorify God. I see the meaning of that as doing what we’re best at to bring others to God. For instant I’m horrible at speaking but love to cook (I.e. cookies), there are so many was to show the love of Christ throught giving when words are not enough. A desciple needs to be able to do what it takes to reach the people who are more sensitive than others like in other ways than speaking. Although speaking is important knowing is the first step. To sum it up the business plan for a desciple is to reach out to the world and show the love of Christ even to the so called unlovable.
DuWarren, contact Virgil Grant at Eastside Community Church, Richmond, to get permission to use that graphic (picture). His email is [email protected]. If you want to use the chart (grid) that I developed, you have my permission. Thanks, Darryl Wilson
Ben, contact Virgil Grant at Eastside Community Church, Richmond, to get permission to use that graphic (picture). His email is [email protected]. If you want to use the chart (grid) that I developed, you have my permission. Thanks, Darryl Wilson
Hi
I like the diagram. Can I get a permission to use the flattening (simplification) of a SCMD wheel diagram in my capstone paper?
thanks,
Ben
Thanks for this posting. If possible, can you share the image of making Biblical Disciples? I would like to print the image as a poster per your permission.
Thanks a million.
Dr. Wilson,
Here is a couple things to think about:
1. Who in the NT represent each stage of the discipleship process? Ie spiritual babe, child, etc.
2. How did Jesus interact with people in each stage?
3. As a disciple-maker where are those you are discipling?