Practice: Multiply 9.2 - May 9, 2010

Practice #9 – Multiply
9.2 – 5 Phases of Discipleship

Review last week:
• Spiritual Growth is defined by our ability to be in real, authentic, spiritual relationship.
• Discipleship has 5 parts: pastoring, accountability, modeling, a place to play, and teaching
• Discipleship must be: relational, intentional, and reproducible

How do we assess someone’s spiritual maturity?
Matthew 6:5-8 (NIV)
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Jesus’ measuring rod:
Matthew 20:25-28 (NIV)
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

5 Stages of Spiritual Development:
1. Spiritually Dead
Ephesians 2:1-3 (NIV)
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

To them, Jesus gives one call every time:
“Come follow me…”

2. Spiritual Infant
John 3:3-5 (NIV)
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”
To them, Jesus gives this call:
“Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men…”

3. Spiritual Child
Hebrews 3:12-13 (NLT)
Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.
To them, Jesus gives this call:
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few…”

4. Spiritual Young Adult
Galatians 5:13-14 (NLT)
For you have been called to live in freedom – not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
To them, Jesus gives this call:
“I am sending you out…”

5. Spiritual Parent
2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT)
You have heard me teach many things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Teach these great truths to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others.

To them, Jesus gives this call:
“You will be my witnesses…”