Phases of Christian Growth

Growth does not occur overnight. Just as a newborn baby develops gradually and only after much nourishment and the proper care, so it is with the new Christian. We should expect to drink milk before we can eat meat and to crawl before we can walk. God understands this better than we do, and He patiently works with us as He conforms us to the image of His Son. We see this principle illustrated in the approach Christ took with His disciples.

Jesus Had A Plan
A careful study of the life and ministry of Christ shows He was deliberate in the way that He related to and worked with His disciples. Because each of the Gospel writers recorded the life of Christ from his own perspective, it can be difficult to see a pattern simply by reading through the New Testament.

A Progressive Process
However, when the Gospel accounts are combined into a chronological narrative, it is clear that Jesus taught His disciples things that were appropriate for each phase of growth, and that He moved them through successive phases. It is also clear that Jesus intended this pattern to be repeated because, before His return to heaven, He commanded His followers to make disciples of all nations, teaching the same things He had taught.

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What's Your Next Step?

What's Your Next Step?

When you can assess where disciples are in their growth, you can apply the content and activities that nurture growth. Download a Sample Christian Growth Checklist (CGC). (PDF)
RCAPS Grid

RCAPS Grid

The R-CAPS grid-framework is straightforward and simple to comprehend, and yet not simplistic. When we understand this process, ask God for wisdom and use the tools given us by the Spirit of God to facilitate growth, we can effectively help people grow to maturity. We can track the normal progressive stages (or phases) of spiritual growth and integrate these with a set of activities that a disciple builder can employ to stimulate growth.