Discipleship Framework

Discipleship is all about

• Examine through  the Word of God

• Experience through the Power of God 

• Effect through the Presence of  God 

• Engage with the Love of God

Engaging with a community in a meaningful and transformative way requires intentional preparation and alignment of our inner lives, our relationship with God, and the outward effects of this transformation. The process can be broken down into three essential steps, each of which builds upon the other. Skipping any of these steps risks engaging in a way that is shallow, ineffective, or even hypocritical. Let us delve into each step and its implications:

1. Examine Ourselves:

Before we can authentically contribute to our community, we must first look inward. This step is about introspection, repentance, and self-awareness.

• Why It Matters: True engagement begins with integrity. We must confront our motivations, biases, and shortcomings to ensure our actions are not driven by ego, self-interest, or unresolved issues.

2. Experience God

Having examined ourselves, the next step is to turn to God for renewal and guidance. This is where we deepen our relationship with Him, drawing strength, purpose, and clarity from His presence.

• Why It Matters: Without experiencing God's transformative power, our efforts may lack the spiritual depth needed to make a lasting impact. God’s presence ensures our actions are rooted in His love and truth.

3. Confirm the Effects:

The effects of our inner transformation must be evident in three interconnected spheres:

• Being Circle: Our identity and character. Are we living as people shaped by God’s truth and grace?

• Caring Circle: Our relationships with those close to us. Are we expressing God’s love and care in our immediate spheres of influence?

• Sharing Circle: Our broader community impact. Are we using our gifts, resources, and opportunities to serve others in meaningful ways?

• Why It Matters: Authentic transformation leads to observable changes. If our faith does not produce fruit in these circles, our engagement risks being hollow or performative.

4. Engage the Community:

Only after completing these preparatory steps is it time to step into community engagement. At this stage, we are equipped to serve with authenticity, humility, and a God-centered focus.

• Why It Matters: Engaging prematurely, without self-examination, divine renewal, and visible transformation, risks hypocrisy. True engagement comes from an overflow of what God has done in and through us.

Avoiding Hypocrisy:

Skipping any of these steps undermines the process:

• Without self-examination, we may act out of pride or ignorance.

• Without experiencing God, our efforts may lack spiritual depth and guidance.

• Without confirming the effects, we risk presenting a false or incomplete witness to others.

Engaging the community without these foundational steps can lead to actions that are disconnected from our true selves and from God’s purpose. Hypocrisy not only diminishes our witness but also harms the very community we aim to serve.

Recognizing that everyone is at a different stage in their faith journey, we’ve designed assessments tailored to four distinct groups (4 Phases of Believers) based on their level of spiritual growth:

• Converts – Those who are Discovering the Grace & Truth (Jesus), leading them to repentance toward God. They are beginning their walk of faith, seeking clarity and conviction. Read more Converts 

• Believers – Those who are Embracing the Grace & Truth (Jesus), resulting in being justified by the death & resurrection of Jesus Christ. They place their faith in Jesus as Savior and receive forgiveness and declared righteous. Read more Believers 

• Disciples – Those who are Practicing the Grace & Truth (Jesus), experiencing sanctification through the power of Holy Spirit. They follow Jesus daily, growing in righteousness, holiness and obedience. Read more Disciples  

• Servants – Those who are Surrendering to the Grace & Truth (Jesus), leading to bringing others to faith. Their lives reflect Christ's mission as they serve and disciple others in His name. Read more Servants or Friends 

Click here Assessments 

Scripture often describes God’s people as sheep, a picture that captures both our vulnerability and our deep need for the Shepherd’s guidance. In passages like Ezekiel 34 and Zechariah 11, the Bible identifies different conditions of the flock—lost, scattered, weak, sick, broken, young, and standing. These categories reveal the diverse spiritual states believers experience on their journey with God.

Not all believers grow at the same pace, and not all struggles look the same. Some are searching for direction, others are wounded and needing healing, and others are mature and standing strong, ready to support the rest of the flock. By understanding these categories, we gain clarity about where people are spiritually, how the Good Shepherd cares for them, and how we can join Him in shepherding others.

These spiritual conditions also align with four key phases of discipleship—Discover, Embrace, Practice, and Surrender. Each phase reflects a believer’s level of spiritual knowledge and obedience, showing how growth is both a journey of learning and a journey of becoming more like Christ.

Studying these categories helps us see people the way Jesus sees them: with compassion, wisdom, and purpose. It guides pastors, leaders, and believers in providing the right kind of support, correction, healing, and encouragement at the right time.

1. Lost Sheep

• Ezekiel 34:4, 16 – “You have not sought the lost… I will seek the lost.”

Qualities:

• Wandering from God

• Uncertain about truth or direction

• Spiritually disconnected

• Easily misled

Phase Fit: Discover Phase

• Low knowledge, low obedience

• Needs rescue, clarity, and basic gospel foundation

2. Scattered Sheep

• Ezekiel 34:5–6 – “My sheep were scattered… and no one searched or looked for them.”

Qualities:

• Separated from community

• Lone-Christian lifestyle

• Vulnerable to isolation, discouragement

• Often desires connection but doesn’t know how to return

Phase Fit: moving from Discover → Embrace Phase

• Beginning to understand truth but lacks fellowship and belonging

• Needs community, gathering, and relational support

3. Weak Sheep

• Ezekiel 34:4 – “You have not strengthened the weak.”

Qualities:

• New Believers

• Spiritually unstable or inconsistent

• Easily influenced by emotions or circumstances

• Needs encouragement, teaching, and steady guidance

Phase Fit: Embrace Phase

• Growing in knowledge but obedience still low

• Needs strengthening, consistent mentoring, and simple disciplines

4. Sick Sheep

• Ezekiel 34:4 – “You have not healed the sick.”

Qualities:

• Facing trials, illness, grief, emotional or mental burden

• Faith weakened by suffering

• Needs comfort, healing ministry, prayer, and compassionate care

Phase Fit: moving from Embrace → Practice Phase

• Has knowledge of God but struggles to live it out due to hardship

• Needs healing, intercession, and stabilizing support

5. Broken Sheep

• Ezekiel 34:4 – “You have not bound up the broken.”

Qualities:

• Carrying deep wounds, trauma, betrayal, or church hurt

• Often fearful to trust leaders again

• Needs restoration, counseling, and gentle shepherding

Phase Fit: moving from Embrace Phase → Early Practice Phase

• Beginning to obey, but pain slows progress

• Needs inner healing and safe relationships to rebuild confidence

6. Young Sheep

• Zechariah 11:16 – “not care for the young.”

Qualities:

• New Disciples

• Hungry to learn

• Needs nurturing, basic doctrine, and discipleship

• Easily confused or overwhelmed

Phase Fit: Practice Phase

• High knowledge growth, rising obedience

• Needs structured teaching, spiritual habits, and accountability

7. Standing Sheep (Mature)

• Zechariah 11:16 – “not feed the standing healthy.”

Qualities:

• Mature, stable believers

• Consistent in obedience and doctrine

• Able to serve, teach, mentor, and protect others

• Disciplined and fruitful

Phase Fit: Surrender Phase

• High knowledge, high obedience

• Living sacrificially for Christ

• Helps other believers grow and stand firm

By identifying their current phase through honest assessment, believers can recognize their strengths, areas of struggle, and next steps in discipleship. Each phase shows how a person is growing in both knowledge of God’s truth and obedience to God’s will, giving a clear picture of their spiritual condition.

This framework also guides pastors and small group leaders as they nurture believers through God’s Word, preaching, and personal ministry. It ensures that teaching, sermons, and discipleship efforts are not random but intentionally aimed at meeting people where they are—whether they are discovering, embracing, practicing, or fully surrendering to Christ.

Ultimately, the four phases provide a biblical roadmap that helps every believer progress toward maturity and Christlikeness.