Spiritual formation is a continual process. # Spiritual Growth: The Five Stages > [!summary] The big idea Just as people grow physically from infancy to adulthood, followers of Jesus grow spiritually through recognizable stages. Knowing these stages helps us see where we are, take our next step, and help others grow toward maturity in Christ. --- # Growth Is God's Plan God doesn't want His children to stay spiritual babies. He wants us to grow up. > [!quote] Ephesians 4:13 (ESV) ...until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. The Bible often uses the language of family and growing up to describe spiritual life: - Paul calls the Corinthians **infants** who still needed milk (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). - Hebrews contrasts those who need **milk** with the mature who eat **solid food** (Hebrews 5:12-14). - Peter tells new believers to crave **pure spiritual milk** so they can grow (1 Peter 2:2). - John writes to **little children, young men, and fathers** (1 John 2:12-14). - Paul describes himself as a **spiritual father** to those he led to Christ (1 Corinthians 4:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12). From passages like these, many churches describe five stages of spiritual growth. The model was popularized by Jim Putman in _Real-Life Discipleship_. --- ## The Five Stages at a Glance |Stage|Description|Greatest need|Key passage| |---|---|---|---| |**1. Spiritually Dead**|Not yet a follower of Jesus|The gospel|Ephesians 2:1-5| |**2. Infant**|A new or immature believer|Care and the basics|1 Peter 2:2| |**3. Child**|Growing, but focused on self|Connection and community|1 Corinthians 3:1-3| |**4. Young Adult**|Serving others, gaining strength|Opportunities to serve|1 John 2:14| |**5. Parent**|Mature and making disciples|Encouragement and support|2 Timothy 2:2| > [!note] Spiritual age isn't physical age Someone can be 70 years old and a spiritual infant, or 17 and a spiritual parent. It isn't measured by how long someone has been a Christian or how much they know, but by how they live and love. --- ## Stage 1: Spiritually Dead > [!quote] Ephesians 2:1 (ESV) And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked. **Who they are:** People who haven't yet trusted Christ. They may be hostile, curious, religious, or friendly toward church, but they don't yet have spiritual life. **What they might sound like:** - "I'm a good person. I don't need religion." - "I believe in God, but Jesus isn't the only way." - "I'm not sure what I believe." **What they need:** The gospel, shared with love and patience. They need someone to pray for them, befriend them, and explain who Jesus is (Romans 10:14; Colossians 4:5-6). --- ## Stage 2: Infant > [!quote] 1 Peter 2:2 (ESV) Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation. **Who they are:** New believers, or believers who never grew beyond the beginning. They have real life in Christ but little understanding of what it means to follow Him. **What they might sound like:** - "I don't really understand the Bible." - "I didn't know Christians weren't supposed to do that." - "Is it normal to still struggle with this?" **What they need:** Spiritual parents who will care for them, answer questions, and teach the basics: assurance of salvation, reading the Bible, prayer, baptism, and belonging to a church (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8). --- ## Stage 3: Child > [!quote] 1 Corinthians 3:1 (ESV) But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. **Who they are:** Believers who are growing and learning, but whose faith still centers mostly on themselves. They may know a good deal of Bible content but still see church as something that exists to meet their needs. **What they might sound like:** - "I didn't get anything out of the service today." - "Nobody from church called me when I was sick." - "I love my small group. I hope no new people join." **What they need:** Deeper relationships and accountability in a small group, and gentle challenges to look beyond themselves. Children grow by being connected to a spiritual family (Hebrews 10:24-25; Galatians 6:1-2). --- ## Stage 4: Young Adult > [!quote] 1 John 2:14 (ESV) I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. **Who they are:** Believers who have shifted from "What about me?" to "How can I serve?" They are strong, eager, and active in ministry. They may still be learning how to help others grow, and sometimes their zeal outpaces their wisdom. **What they might sound like:** - "How can I help?" - "I love serving on my team." - "I shared my faith with my coworker this week." **What they need:** Opportunities to serve, plus a mentor who helps them grow in character, handle disappointment, and avoid burnout or pride (Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 4:10). --- ## Stage 5: Parent > [!quote] 2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV) And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. **Who they are:** Mature believers who are intentionally helping others become disciples who make disciples. They are not perfect, but they are stable, humble, and reproducing. Their focus has shifted from doing ministry to raising up others to do it. **What they might sound like:** - "I'm meeting with someone new in their faith this week." - "Who could lead this instead of me?" - "I'd love to help you grow in that area." **What they need:** Encouragement, support, and fellow parents to walk with. Spiritual parents can grow weary, so they need care and rest too (Galatians 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:11). --- ## How Disciples Grow Growth happens through relationships. Each stage calls for a different kind of help from a mature believer: |From|To|What helps them get there| |---|---|---| |Spiritually Dead|Infant|**Share** the gospel| |Infant|Child|**Connect** them to relationships and the basics| |Child|Young Adult|Help them **minister** to others| |Young Adult|Parent|**Disciple** them to make disciples| This was Jesus' own pattern. He called His disciples, lived life with them, sent them out to serve, and then commissioned them to make disciples of all nations (Mark 1:17; 3:14; 6:7; Matthew 28:19-20). --- ## Finding Your Next Step Ask yourself: 1. **Which stage best describes me right now?** Be honest. The goal isn't to look mature, but to grow. 2. **What do I need for my next step?** Someone to teach me? A group to connect with? A place to serve? Someone to disciple? 3. **Who is one stage behind me,** and how could I help them grow? Wherever you are, God is committed to your growth. > [!quote] Philippians 1:6 (ESV) And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. --- ## Other Models The five stages are a helpful tool, not a rigid formula. Other models describe spiritual growth differently. For example, Willow Creek's REVEAL study described four movements: exploring Christ, growing in Christ, close to Christ, and Christ-centered. Christian writers throughout history, from early church fathers to the Puritans, have also described the journey toward maturity in their own ways. What they share is the conviction that God intends every believer to grow, and that maturity is measured by love for God and love for others (Matthew 22:37-39; 1 Corinthians 13). ## For Further Reading - Jim Putman, _Real-Life Discipleship_ - Jim Putman and Bobby Harrington, _DiscipleShift_ - Robert Coleman, _The Master Plan of Evangelism_ ![[Five Stages of Discipleship.pdf]]