Introduction
Stages of Discipleship
A disciple undergoes a spiritual transformation to match Christ’s image. Through this process, a believer experiences an in-depth growth of spiritual knowledge. Christians consume the “spiritual milk” in the discipleship stages and go through the “Christian walk.” Learning how to become Christ’s disciple is crucial for believers in understanding their spiritual journey. It encompasses five stages: spiritually dead, infant, child stage, young adult, and parent.
Stage One: Spiritually Dead
In this stage, the individuals do not believe that God exists and the Bible is just a compilation of myths. The individuals are against God, and even some say to be religious but have no relationship with Jesus Christ. These individuals have not experienced the divine formation process, which is crucial for them to have the glorious transformation that makes them be like Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:1 describes these people as “dead in their trespasses and sin.” These people range from atheists to those who believe in some high power not under Christ’s will. These people need to be introduced to Jesus and God through the believers of the faith.
Stage Two: Infant
This stage is also known as the newborn baby in Christ, as these individuals have accepted Jesus Christ. However, all they have done is accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, but nothing else for their spiritual transformation. They are represented in 1st Peter 2:2-3 as “newborn babies” who crave “pure spiritual milk” that will enable them to develop in their salvation. Hebrews 5:12-14 states that these infant believers who live on “milk” and not “solid food” are unskilled in righteousness. They have not put in efforts to ensure the growth of their strength and relationship with Christ. However, some of them show excitement and eagerness to grow in Christ. They lack the knowledge to apply spiritual nourishment in their lives.
Stage Three: Child Stage
The Christian continues to advance in their salvation and relationship with Christ. They begin to apply God’s words in their daily lives and start experiencing spiritual transformation. Christians in this stage need strong relations with believers for spiritual growth. They are mentioned in 1st John 2:12, where John writes to the children in the discipleship that their sins are forgiven. Some of these believers complain about changing their church because of feeling not well spiritually fed. These people need to be concentrated on ensuring religious transformation into Christ’s image, as Paul writes in 2nd Corinthians 3:18. They need to understand that spiritual transformation is an ongoing process. Paul in Philippians 3:12-15 encourages Christians to continue and grow in Christlikeness. Spiritual formation develops in these individuals because of seeking the face of God.
Stage Four: Young Adult Stage
These people show defined efforts for growth in their spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. They make a shift from acting self-centered to thinking about God and His Kingdom. They make efforts to serve God joyfully, faithfully, and cheerfully because their spiritual mind is open. These people become more excited to be involved in ministry and understand God’s word. They are described in 1 John 2:13-14 as those who “have overcome the evil one.” They are also described as strong, and God’s word lives in them. They use their talents, gifts, and abilities to glorify God, and thus they need spiritual mentors to make them grow God’s word.
Stage Five: Parenthood
The Christians in this stage are mature in God’s word as they fulfill His word daily and surrender to Christ. They focus on advancing God’s Kingdom and glorifying His name. They are believers who get involved in reproducing more believers as they fully believe in God’s works. They are recognized in 2nd Timothy 2:1-2 as parent encouraging their son to be strong in the “grace that is in Jesus Christ.” Spiritual parents are also advocated in verse to be reliable people who can teach others. These individuals have undergone complete spiritual formation and transformation. They show an absolute desire to teach and develop others in the Kingdom and glorify Christ and the gospel.
Current Stage of Discipleship
Through a thorough reflection, my current stage of discipleship is parenthood. I understand that my righteousness is governed by Christ and can not be interfered with by other people’s opinions. I am concentrating on making more people focused on God’s word and His Kingdom. As Deuteronomy 11:13 encourages Christians to love God with all their heart and soul, I am focused on serving Him passionately. I am happy to help more people become disciples of Christ, and I believe I have undergone a complete spiritual transformation.
Spheres of Discipleship
Discipleship growth occurs in four spheres of life: God, the church, the home, and the world. The first sphere encompasses the relationship with God, entailing understanding righteousness. It is described in Matthew 22:37-38, where the believers are inspired to love God with all their hearts. The other three spheres originate from the love towards others as described in Matt 22:39, where Christians are encouraged to “love their neighbors as they love themselves.” Bonhoeffer’s call to the cross stresses Christ’s centrality in Christians’ daily life. A believer should be ready to face suffering and rejection by people, just like Christ did.
Sphere One: God
In Christianity, God is the supreme being that preserves and owns all that exists. Christians need to appreciate, learn, understand, and submit to God’s authority. The believers are persuaded in Matthew 22:37-38 to love God with all their hearts. A Christian cannot express his spiritual life without first sounding his love to God. Dietrich Bonhoeffer stresses that this relationship occurs through a Christian being drawn to Christ. God’s presence in Christians’ life produces peace and purpose, which are crucial for spiritual growth.
Sphere Two: The Church
It encompasses a believer’s love for other disciples, crucial for their spiritual growth in daily life. The church plays a fundamental role in the spiritual transformation of a person. Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:11-12 states that Christ, through his love, equipped the prophets, pastors, evangelists, teachers, and apostles to perform God’s works. The disciples are encouraged by Paul to “build up Christ’s body” in love in Ephesians 4:15-16.
Sphere Three: The Family
It focuses on the disciples’ relationship with their spouses, children, and other family members. Family forms an essential part of supporting one’s spiritual transformation through the support it accords. In Ephesians 5:22-27, Paul encourages husbands to extend their love towards the church, just like Christ loved it. Paul, in Ephesians 6:1-4, motivates parents not to exasperate, but they should raise them in God’s instruction and training.
Sphere Four: The World
It focuses on the believer’s relationship outside the church and at home. Christians need to be role models that other members of society can emulate. Paul encourages Christians to serve wholeheartedly in Ephesians 6:7, as he writes, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.” They should reflect God’s image within the community and inspire other people to become disciples through their actions.
Conclusion: Meaning of Submission to Christ
Submission to Christ entails being under the authority and control of God and Christ. It encompasses Bonhoeffer’s arguments that taking up the cross involves suffering and making sacrifices. The word submission is encountered in Ephesians 5:24, where Paul states that the “Church is subject to Christ.” In 1st Corinthians 15:28, man will be subject to God; the latter has control over everything. Furthermore, in Hebrews 12:9, Christians are encouraged to submit to God. In James 4:7, it is written, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” In all cases, submission required the denial of earthly idolatry and acceptance of suffering to take up the cross. Deterioration of Christian worship towards God occurs when they place anything above the creator Himself.
In modern society, earthy idols worshiped by people include money, luxuries, and other people, making the believers proud and failing to submit to Him. In 1st Peter 5:5-6 and James 4:6-7 shows that God resists those that are proud but gives to the humble. Thus, believers must be modest in submission to Christ and avoid bragging about their accomplishments. God uplifts those who humble before Him and resist the devil. Submission entails believers worshipping God alone and believing in Jesus’s suffering to save people from sins. Jesus achieved the victory of saving Christians from sins through his suffering on the cross. Luke 17:25 states, “But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation,” and this indicates Christians must be ready to endure suffering and rejection in their preaching and spreading the gospel. Through sacrifice, the believers’ faith must grow and not quit.
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