Stages and Spheres of Discipleship - Research Paper Example

Stages and Spheres of Discipleship Introduction According to Dr. Rod Dempsey, there are five stages of discipleship. They include the spiritually dead, spiritual infants, spiritual child, spiritual young man and spiritual parent. The paper analyses the stages and spheres of discipleship. The spheres include developing a relationship with God, church relationship development, home centered Christ development and development of a relationship with the world. Union with God compels us to act in love and the definition of what love is Jesus. The human values, justice and culture, are maintained authentically when individuals turn to Christ. The five Stages of Discipleship The spiritually dead do not consider Christ. They do not consider Christ as their lord and savior. They are the unsaved and not born again people in the society. The spiritually dead do not believe in god. To them, the bible is just a bunch of myths. Christians are intolerant and homophobic people to God and they need to develop patience. Religion is a crutch for the weak individuals and such take chances in god.1 They do not differentiate between the right and wrong and they consider what might be right for one person to be right for another person. For them, the truth is just relevant for the one who perceives it. The spiritually dead do not consider the existence of hell and consider many ways a person can get to God. They consider themselves good individuals, and when they die, everything will be okay. Ephesians two 1-5 “God due to his great love for us and his rich mercy make us alive makes us alive with Christ even when we are dead in transgression."2 The spiritual infants These individuals just know the Christ as their lord and savior. They are in the stage to learn the way God taught his disciples. They are described as infant babies filled with many questions and with many curiosities. The spiritual infants consider it necessary to go to church regularly to learn more about Christ. The spiritual infants need to pray and read the bible regularly. They consider it not necessary to need anyone else in their lives apart from themselves and Jesus. However, the infants are faced with dilemmas; they consider Jesus to be the solution of their problem. They will tell you that they were saved recently, but they still have problems in their lives. Peter 2:2-3 peter a servant and apostle of God says, “To those who have received Gods righteous and Jesus Christ as their savior, Grace and peace be abundant upon them through the knowledge of Jesus Christ and God. The divine power of God will give them everything they need.”3 The spiritual child The spiritual children know Jesus Christ and are in the process of growing in their information on him. The individuals spiritual lives revolve around want they want in life and like a small child, they believe that the world somewhat revolves around themselves. They want to consider joining other church to consider whether they will meet their needs. They are faced with issues and are worried. You will hear them complaining that the church is getting too big and they would like to know any new members who joined the church. They will complain of the music and do not consider it necessary to learn new songs in church. They say that no one is interested to say hi to him or her or wants to know how he or she is doing. The children consider themselves with the ability to serve if they were asked to. They have conflicts among themselves and consider it necessary to have a ministry for women, singles, adults and widows differently for a change. John 2:12 “Demetrius has a good testimony for all. Moreover, you bear witness that the testimony is true.”4 Spiritual young adults These individuals are beginning to gain and see their responsibility to Jesus Christ and his kingdom. The individuals will say that they love being part of worship with God. They will consider options to get more people to be involved and know Jesus Christ more. They will be concerned about others welfare. They are spiritually filled and will raise some relevant issues about devotion. The young adult are involved in serving Jesus Christ. They will consider how god has gifted them and is using them. They want to extend and expand the work of god and the mission community. John 2:13-14 “the children of our chosen sister’s peace be upon you. Our friend is greeting you, great the friend by his name.”5 Spiritual parents These individuals understand christian teachings, and will teach other people to learn and grow in Christ. They feel entrusted with the responsibility of bringing up more people to serve Christ. They are considered parents responsible for actions of their children as well as dedicating to raising them up and preparing them for their life they are going to face and live. They are worried of their ways, whether God is leading them to the correct ways in helping develop Christ business. They want the responsibility and to be held encounter able of raising other. They are involved helping others in to know the bible and will ask for guidance for God and elders. Their most important discipleship is their followers and children and they will want their children to lead their mission community. Timothy 2:1-2 says “my sons be strong in the grace of Jesus Christ. For the things that you have heard from my followers, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others.”6 Spheres of Discipleship Developing a relationship with God-individuals ought to have a stronger relationship with God. The bible teaches that developing relationship with God involves many factors such as praying, changing the lifestyle by doing what his word says. In the New Testament Jesus demonstrates using his own life experience that Gods relationship is not about rituals, rules or fabricated religions. However, these elements are used in exalt and impress people and they are fruitless in attaining real knowledge to God. In Luke 11, “the disciples struggled with really knowing God.”7 Developing god relationship with God does not mean following certain rules or rituals. When individuals have a good relationship with God, life gets exciting because he stirs up passion inside to love people. Thus, individuals will not struggle to do in his will. Hebrews 4:15 “you have a high priest, a savior who will understand your weakness. He has been put into temptation just like one of us, yet he never sinned.” Mark 8:31-38 "The call to discipleship and developing Gods relationship is connected here with the proclamation of Jesus suffering. Gods promise requires this, so that scripture may be fulfilled."8 Thus, in developing a relationship with God calls us to learn to receive his mercy and patience. Developing a relationship with church Developing a relationship with the church is essential for the development of a relationship with God. Acts2:42 the church is devoted to teaching the apostles and to the fellowship.” Individuals ought to devote to the church teaching as well as fellowship. The church ought to have the ability to say a Gods word, word with authority, in the best concrete and solid way possible, with the knowledge information in the situation. However, it calls for something else, a pure human response, and a word of impotence. Therefore, the church ought does not proclaim its principles that are always correct, but only the commandments, which are considered true and God is always true to mankind.9 Thus, Christians ought to develop a good relationship with the church through self-denial. "Self-Denial does not mean suicide, because even suicide can be an expression of a humans own will. Self-denial only means knowing only Christ, no longer knowing oneself and taking commitment to others."10 Developing Christ centered relationships at Home Building the kingdom of god starts with the established building a righteous home as well as a family. The home and the family are the most important structure in the church. Members of the church ought to establish a home spirit is present.11 A Christ centered home is considered a place with security and defense to sin, refuge to the older world and genuine love. “Those who enter into discipleship enter into Jesus. They turn their lives into dying; and it has been the case since the start.”12 Thus, developing Christ centered relationship is very necessary. Developing a relationship with the Greater world In order to reach the higher world it is necessary for the development of a good relationship with the greater world. The church examines on relationship with the non-Christians in order to enhance unity and love between men as well as among nations. Go provides manifestations of goodness and saving design extended to all men who are united by the Holy Spirit.13 Conclusion The mandate of work, family, church cannot be isolated from each other. They cannot be considered part of historical evolution but are given by God. Gods mandate are different from moral percepts, as they ought to focus on life, as it has been lived and not on how people perceive it. The commandments are considered as the permission to live as a man of God. Freedom is an element of ethical living but is a bound by obedience. Developing relationship with God involves many factors such as praying, changing the lifestyle by doing what his word says. Developing a relationship with the church is essential for the development of a relationship with God. References Barbu, L., The `Poor in Spirit’ and Our Life in Christ: An Eastern Orthodox Perspective on Christian Discipleship. Studies in Christian Ethics, 22, (2009) pp.261–274. Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Christ the Center Trans. John Bowden with an Introduction by Edwin H. Robertson from the German Christologie in Gesammelte Schriften III, (New York: First Fortress press 84-91, 2003) Flynn, J.T., DIGITAL DISCIPLESHIP: CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN A DIGITAL WORLD. Christian Education Journal, 10, (2013) 88–89. Himes, B., Discipleship as Theological Praxis: Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a Resource for Educational Ministry. Christian Education Journal, 8, (2011) 263–277. Song, M., Contextualization and Discipleship: Closing the Gap between Theory and Practice. Evangelical Review of Theology, 30, (2006) 249–263. West, R.C. & Noel, D., Situational discipleship: The five-fold ministry roles of Ephesians 4:11 and their relationship to the situational leadership model. Culture & Religion Review Journal, 3, (2013) 124–144. Wringe, C., Teaching Learning and Discipleship: Education Beyond Knowledge Transfer. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 43, (2009) 239–251. Woelfel, James W. Bonhoeffer’s Theology: Classical and Revolutionary (New York: Abingdon Press, 1970) Yoder, J.H., Discipleship as Political Responsibility, (New York: Herald Press, 2003)  Read More