WDA’s structure for Christian Growth has 5 phases. The first phase is Repentance and Faith.
Some think that once you master something you no longer have to focus on it again. Discipleship is a process and we do believe that once a person is able to learn the principles in a phase they will continue toward the next phase. They do not however leave the things they learn behind.
A home that has a firm foundation, is able to last a long time. A person who lays good foundations in Christlike character will also grow strong over time. The first phase, Repentance and Faith is like the foundation for a building. Once laid you are able to build on it. You do not however leave that foundation to build your home somewhere else.
For the Christian, we begin to walk with God as we turn from sin (repentance) and trust in Christ’s work (faith). C. Jack Miller once said that you need to continually preach the gospel to yourself each day. We are never too mature to return to phase 1. We are always needing to remember that while our salvation is secured in the finished work of Christ, the act of believing and turning from sin is a continual work of the Holy Spirit as He teaches us from God’s word. I need to go to the cross all through my day. As I find myself stressed and worried, I remember that the God who has called me to Himself by grace and died for my sins, Loves me dearly. I repent turning from my anxiety and fear and run in faith to my heavenly Father.
Phase one is not only necessary for a person to come to Christ, believing and trusting, it is also the life breath of my day as I continually learn to trust and run to Christ over and over.