Stage 1 and Beyond Training Content

Recently I have had questions regarding suggestions for material content beyond Stage 1 basics. This is a very good question. 

In Posts #5 and Post #6 I have dealt with material for Stage 1 only. In Stage 1 and Stage 2 more generic material can be used. In Stage 3 and Stage 4 material has to be oriented to the specific needs of the individual being discipled and the outcomes desired. 

I am not going to prescribe material to use but the Criteria for Entrance and Outcome that you should consider before choosing or developing material for each stage. You know your church and people better than myself so be realistic in your evaluation of yourself and them. This is where a good advocacy group is an advantage. Do you have an advocacy group? – If not, you are about to get “shot in the back”. Remember no one set of material fits all stages.

But first a quick story about my wife and I as we began discipling others.

In 1983 my wife and I embarked on discipling others after our Stage 1 training. That year we attended a Navigator conference in Colorado Springs dealing with discipleship. Two people at that conference, Leroy Eims and Dr. Howard Hendricks, impressed on us in private sessions regarding the issue of “criteria” and “metrics”. Entrance Criteria for people coming into a group. Outcome Criteria – what traits are you striving to produce in a person and the “metrics” for measuring the outcome. These will be addressed in this Post.

We have developed four training Stages based on the Biblical training of Jesus’ Apostles in Post # 2. I make an assumption that you desire to follow the 4 Stages that the Apostles experienced. Another assumption is that you believe the Bible is the Holy inerrant Word of GOD.

Today new believers and most existing church attenders do not have the understanding and training as the Apostles had “built-in.” We have to be very intentional in our training to establish habits that conform to the traits with which the first Apostles came. This is the reason for the effort of Stage-1 training and this is the keystone for developing useful disciples of Christ and sustainability in a church. This effort requires:(1) intentionality, (2) discipline and (3) accountability which is the biblical role of your church and the work of elders and your E-4 Group (Ephesians 4:11-13) if you have an E-4 group. Future Posts will discuss E-4 Teams.

We have two major obstacles with which to contend Brain Biology and Digital Babylon. Recent medical findings indicate it takes more than 8 weeks to reshape the prefrontal cortex muscles (brain) in adults in forming a new habit but with children and young adults under age 25 the time is much shorter. 

Since about 1990 we have become exiles in “Digital Babylon.” The Barna Group has coined this phrase (see “Faith for Exiles” by David Kinnaman & Mark Matlock, Baker Books, 2019). We have become slaves in Digital Babylon – I have and you have. We use our cell phones and computers (now AI) to obtain instantaneous answers to almost everything. We are now Digital Babylon technology slaves! Digital Babylon has reshaped our brains. Our Digital Babylon culture says “instantaneous”. There-in lies a major obstacle to the development of disciples using Biblical principle’s – our Digital Babylon culture says “give it to be quickly in 15 second sound bites.” The Biblical way requires intentionality, accountability and discipline and time. It requires actions in a small group and being face-to-face. 

Thus, we have discovered for adults it requires a considerable amount of time (brain biology) to build a new habit (8 weeks or more) and we have also come to realize we are slaves in “Digital Babylon.” This requires a methodology that runs counter to our culture in “Digital Babylon” and its 15 second spot commercial. A very, very difficult cultural issue. This has been a long introduction but necessary for understanding the time required In Stage 1 to develop strong habits.

Stage 1

What are you trying to develop? – Stage 1 Objectives

The goal of Stage-1 training is to develop spiritual disciplines or habits that will continue in a person’s life such that they can management their lives in a Biblical manner. Habits that will help them maintain a close relationship with Jesus through-out their lives. 

In Stage 1 training you are striving to produce a life-time habit of spiritual disciplines resulting in life management and real value change impacting the individuals thinking, values and actions resulting in the renewing of their minds (Rms. 12:2) – a new Kingdom Worldview. It is wholistic from the stand point of the Biblical perspective of impacting every facet of their lives – morally, ethically, relationally, spiritually, and financially. The Apostles and other Jewish men that followed Jesus came with these built-in.  

What you are trying to produce are the habits and spiritual disciplines the Apostles came with:

• Daily quite time that includes:
  • Daily Bible reading
  • Prayer time 
  • Keeping of a spiritual journal (log book)
• Prayer 
• Scripture memory
• Scripture meditation
• Fasting
• Basic theology
• Personal Testimony
• How to share the Gospel and follow-up
• Vision for developing disciples
• Church Service – what ministry

Per Ephesians 4:12 the long-term goal of any church should be to train people to become useful functioning disciples of Christ by helping them to mature in Christ and equipping them with tools and know-how to help them make disciples of others. Basically, you are using the Bible to build a daily habit of reading, study, memorize, applying and obeying. Habits that should bring them into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. You are giving the indwelling Holy Spirit material to use in a person’s ability to make Biblical choses. 

What you equip your people to do reveals what you actually believe.

Entrance Criteria – Questions to ask

1. Are they a member of your church? You want them to be under the authority and headship of your elders. This is a key principle ordained by the Jesus. (Matt. 16:17-20; 18:18; John 20:21-23; Hebrews 13:17; 13:7:1^st Cor. 16:16;1^st Thess.5:12-13)
2. Are they “born again” believers? (John 3:3,5) Ask them to share their “born again” experience. Don’t judge if not. Developing a testimony will help people realize they are not. 15 to 20% of the people I have discipled are not when they start.
3. How much time do they have available for Stage-1 participation? A very key practical question! Do they have children that need care? 
4. Explain what is expected – explain Luke 9:23. These are the “metrics” by which you will measure your success.
   1. Are they willing to sign a covenant
   2. Weekly meetings and homework
   3. A weekly sign-off sheet 
   4. Scripture memory
   5. Daily quite time and spiritual log book.
   6. Other items for sign off
   7. Expectations after training
5. Give them time to count the cost as Jesus says in Luke 9:23 — And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”.

You can add your own criteria but these are or what I suggest. Set criteria and hold to your standards. Otherwise, you weaken the process and end with a weak outcome. Stage 1 is not to be a gloried Bible study with no accountability. It takes time and more than thirty weeks. You will not get instantaneous results as our culture “Digital Babylon” says you should — but be steadfast.

Material Content Stage 1

My wife and I have used (42 years of discipling) the Navigator 2:7 Series material for this Stage1 as the majority of our training has been with baby or infant disciples. Many of those we discipled had been in church for many years. Remember one size does not fit all. If you decide to develop your own material or chose other material then use the criteria for STAGE 1 that has been given previously. I urge you to stick to the Biblical traits that the Apostles came with “built-in”.  I can guarantee (100%) that Jesus will honor your obedience – don’t go “off script’.

Outcome Criteria

1. Meet all requirements especially of evidence of having a daily quiet time and has memorized all scripture. You measure this by the weekly sign off sheet – metrics (accountability). Don’t backdown on your criteria as you dilute your efforts and a weaken outcome.
2. Ready to take on a service role in the church.
   1. Men – Responsible spiritual leaders of their household
   2. Women – understand their home responsibilities and support of husband
   3. Stage 1 trainer (couples)
   4. Service in a variety of ministries
   5. Many others – your call
3. Attitude to take the next step into Stage 2 training. 

Stage 2

The goal of Stage-1 training is to develop spiritual disciplines or habits that will continue in a person’s life such that they can management their lives in a Biblical manner. Habits that will help them maintain a close relationship with Jesus through-out their lives (to abide). In Stage 1 training you are striving to produce a life-time habit of spiritual disciplines resulting in life management and real value change impacting the individuals thinking, values and actions resulting in the renewing of their minds (Rms. 12:2) – a new Kingdom Worldview. It is wholistic from the stand point of the Biblical perspective of impacting every facet of their lives – morally, ethically, relationally, spiritually, and financially. The Apostles and other Jewish men that followed Jesus came with these built-in. 

This I call the “Basics” and is the “corner stone” for a person to develop into a mature disciple of Christ. Without the basics they flounder with no sustainable habits formed. The Biblical responsibility of the elders in any church is to develop the “basics”. This is reflected in Ephesians 4:12-13

Ephesians 4:12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, (13) 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,

Objectives of Stage 2 – Outcome

1. Stage 1 and 2 trainers
2. Potential Deacons
3. Ministry heads
4. Special small group teams (outreach, missions, etc.)
5. Potential elders
6. ‘New’ small group leaders
7. Special disciplers for youth
8. Many others – your call

Entrance Criteria

1. Have completed Stage 1 training.
2. Are having a daily quiet time
3. Have shared their testimony with non- believers
4. Have the attitude to move forward in maturing as a disciple of Christ.
5. Have considered the time available
6. Willing to sign a covenant
7. Understand addition scripture memory

Material Content for Stage 2

Within the first three years of discipling young couples my wife and I realized that additional training was require in four basic areas for an individual to move into a more mature disciple stage with better management of their lives. They are: (1) finances – a budget, (2) roles in marriage, (3) biblical conflict resolution and (4) time management. In the 1990’s, we added an additional area – (5) life goals and legacy. All couples we discipled came with issues around these five areas — no matter their economic level, educational level or ethnicity. 

Many churches have “stand-alone” programs in these areas. My wife and I found without accountability, goals soon faded. Small groups with strong relationships are required. There is much good commercial material available. You know your own people better so chose material that is appropriate. Material we have used follows.

• Finances-a Budget – Ron Blue and Dave Ramsey material – for couples

• Roles in Marriage – spiritual leadership – Men Only
  • Every Man a Warrior – Books1-4 by Lonnie Berger, NavPress, www.everymanAWarrior.com
    • Book 1 Walking with God
    • Book 2 Marriage and Raising Children
    • Book 3 Money, Sex, Work, Hard Times, Making Your Life Count
  • Have used these three with great success
    • Book 4 Every Man a Pure Warrior – deals with pornography – a major issue with men (have never used this book – came out in 2021)

• RightNowMedia https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/289– Men Only
  • Men’s FraternitySeries written by Dr. Robert Lewis, Teaching Elder, at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.
    • Book 1 – “The Quest for Authentic Manhood” – 24 sessions- 45-minute video and 45 minutes in a small group with a trained leader. Takes about 7 months.
    • Book 2 – “Winning at Work and Home” – 16 sessions — 45-minute video and 45 minutes in a small group with a trained leader. Takes 4.5 months
    • Book 3 – “The Great Adventure” – 20 sessions – 45-minute video and 45 minutes in a small group with a trained leader. Takes about 6 months
  • Have used these three with great success.
  • These 3 books have been broken into smaller session that last about 4 to 5 weeks. Have used these smaller session books but with not good success.

• Biblical Conflict Resolution – Design for Couples (must be taught by a married couple)
  • “The Marriage Mender – A couples guide for staying together” by Thomas A. Whitehead & Thomas G. Bartlett, Navpress,1996. 
  • Note: Have used with mixed success – several times the couple was referred to a Christian marriage counselor. My wife and I have used in small groups and developed scripture to match the discussion. 
    
• Time Management – used my own material. For both men and women. Great success but accountability over a long period of time is required. Lots of material available.

• Life Goals and Legacy – used my own material. For both men and women. Many have a difficult time with this issue. I continue to get feedback from couples and individuals on this subject after 25-30 years. 

Have used but not recommended for Stage 2

1. “Discipleship Essentials- A guide to building your life in Christ” by Greg Ogden, IVP Connect, 2007. Probably a later version. This is a good book for Stage 3 with additions. Each session takes at least 2 to 3 sessions to cover. I added supplemental material when using it. My older son has used this book in discipling.

2. “High Quest; Men on a Mission” by Ron Bennett and others, 8 books – have not used but other friends have with success. Good material for Stage 3

Outcome Criteria

1. Meet all requirements especially of evidence of having a daily quiet time and memorized all scripture. You measure this by the weekly sign off sheet – metrics (accountability). Don’t backdown on your criteria as you will produce a weak product outcome.
2. Ready to take on a major service role in the church.
   1. Men – Responsible spiritual leaders of their household
   2. Women – understand their home responsibilities and support of husband
   3. Stage 1 and Stage 2 trainer (couples)
   4. Service in a variety of ministries
   5. Deacons
   6. Potential elders
   7. Potential future ministers
   8. Many others – your call
3. Attitude to take the next step into Stage 3 training. This is an option and most decline. Celebrate that they have completed Stage 1 and Stage 2 and are trained leaders that can be used in most roles in the church that match their abilities, spiritual gifts and time.

Stage 3 and 4

Most men and women my wife and I have discipled have stopped their discipleship after Stage 2. They are trained for any role in most churches but specifically for trainers in Stage 1 and Stage 2. A few men have chosen to go forward and have decided to be elders or move into a ministerial role and pursue seminary. At this juncture I review their life goals and if they have decided to pursue being an elder or minister, I hand them off to the Senior Pastor and elders for Stage 3 and Stage 4 training. 

For those that do not have such lofty goals to be an elder or minister I disciple them in the “Four Lenses”. This is material that helps them to analyze New Testament scripture in a manner that matches the teaching of Jesus, Paul and others in the New Testament and how it relates to scripture. I have developed this material over the past 25 years for my own use but have found that others have keen interest in such understanding. It is a specialized hermeneutics course geared to the special requirements of the individual. I explain this in a book I am presently writing.

The “Four Lenses” are as follows.

1. The Salvation/Redemption Process that Jesus used with his Jewish audience found in John 6:35-40 and other passages.

2. The Salvation/Redemption Process Paul uses with his Greek/Gentile audience found I Ephesian 1 and 2 and in Romans especially in Romans 8:29-30. Paul uses Jesus’ exact format but uses words that his Greek/Gentile audience could understand and to which they could relate.

These two are combined to form a S/R Process that is common to most since the Reformation. Wayne Grudem expresses this S/R Process in his “Systematic Theology- An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine” Zondervan,2000, page 670. I explain the motivating force behind the S/R Process is the Gospel.

3. Jesus’ stated standards to be his disciple as given in the first four books of the New Testament, Acts 1 and Revelations 1-3. There are five major headings and each has several components. The major headings are; (1) love, (2) service, (3) kingdom virtues, (4) make disciples and (5) expect strong opposition.

4. Relationships and Kingdom Virtues – five relationships are defined for an individual (1) to the Trinity, (2) to self, (3) to wife, family and children, (4) to believers and (5) to non-believers.

This is a long Post but not something that can be expressed without explanation. Please forgive me for the length.

Future Posts – E-4 Teams and their makeup, roles and function. Also, several questions have been asked that will be considered for future posts. (1) explanation of Romans 8:29-30. (2) how does the Salvation/Redemption Process, the Gospel, and Discipleship relate to each other.

Suggestions: I appreciate the feedback many have given me and the suggestions for future Posts. Please continue.