1.
HOW A DISCIPLE
GROWS

2.
Normally, every
living thing grows
and matures. It is
abnormal, even
unhealthy, when
growth fails to
occur.

3.
We divide human growth
into identifiable stages
that normally are
associated with a
corresponding
chronological age that
allows us to define normal,
healthy growth and
identify abnormal growth
or development.

4.
In a similar way stages
of growth for a disciple
of Jesus Christ have
been identified and
described to help us
know how healthy
Christian growth is
described in the Bible.
We will look at 5 stages.

5.
Stage 1:
Spiritually Dead
(Ephesians 2:1-5)

6.
Characteristics
•Unbelief
•Rebellion against God
•Rejection of God’s
will

7.
What they say

8.
What they need
1. The Gospel explained
clearly
2. The Gospel lived out
3. Answers to their
questions
4. A challenge to believe
in Christ

9.
5. Stage 2:
Spiritual Infant
(John 3:3;
1 Pet. 2:2)

10.
A. Characteristics
1. Ignorance of the Bible
and spiritual things
2. Confusion about how
to live the new life
3. Dependence on others
for growth

11.
B. What they say

12.
C. What they need
(1 Peter 2:2-3)
1. Personal attention of
a disciple-maker (1
Thess 2:6-8)
2. Care and protection
3. Teaching and
modeling of truths and
values

13.
C. What they need
(1 Peter 2:2-3)
4. To develop new
habits for life as
disciples
5. Solid Bible teaching
and preaching

14.
6. Stage 3:
Spiritual Child
(1 Tim. 1:1-2)

15.
A. Characteristics
1. Self-centeredness;
selfishness
2. Idealism
3. Over/Under-
confidence- pride/defeat

16.
B. What they say

17.
C. What they need
1. Relational connection
to church and small
group
2. Teaching how to ‘feed
themselves’ spiritually
3. To learn who they are
in Christ

18.
C. What they need
4. How to maintain their
relationship with Christ
5. How to relate to
believers and others
6. Realistic expectations
about others

19.
7. Stage 4:
Spiritual Young
Adult
(1 John 2:12-13)

20.
A. Characteristics
Rom. 12:10-13; Phil. 2:3-
4; 1 Jn. 3:16-18
1. Move to a God- and
others- centered
spiritual outlook

21.
B. What they say

22.
C. What they need
1. A place to learn how to
serve
2. A spiritual parent to
debrief ministry
experiences
3. Relationships that offer
encouragement and
accountability

23.
C. What they need
4. Help establishing
boundaries
5. Help identifying
their spiritual gifts
6. Skills training

24.
8. Stage 5:
Spiritual Parent
(a disciple who
makes disciples)

25.
A. Characteristics
1. Intentionally
cooperates with God
to reproduce disciples
2. Able to reproduce
the process they
learned

26.
A. Characteristics
3. Able to work with a
team of other
disciples
4. Able to feed
themselves; know how
to find answers

27.
B. What they say

28.
C. What they need
1. Relationships with
other disciple-makers
2. A church family-
their team
3. Peer accountability
and encouragement

29.
Don’t mistake
physical age for
spiritual maturity!

30.
In which stage
are you?

31.
How long have
you been there?

32.
What are you
doing to grow?

33.
How can I
be of help?