Evaluate
Why Is It Important To Evaluate Your Discipleship?
In determining our S.H.A.P.E. as a disciple, we need to evaluate our growth as a disciple. To be perfect, disciples need to be mature in all aspects of faith, knowledge, and practice. Although perfection may seem impossible, the Holy Spirit will help our weakness if we trust and obey His guidance.
God wants his children to continue growing in faith and knowledge until they are mature and perfect.
In this lesson, we will examine how to evaluate our growth as a disciple.
“11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:11-16)
How to Evaluate Your Discipleship
Disciples should continually evaluate their measure of knowledge, faith, spiritual maturity, and practice. Growth as a disciple is a never-ending pursuit. The goal of being Christ’s disciple is to grow closer to Him in unity of faith and knowledge so that we may enjoy a proper relationship with Him and reflect the fullness of Christ to others. (John 17:20-26)
Disciples Education Network has structured a curriculum called S.T.E.P.S. to enable disciples to evaluate and grow in their discipleship.
Shape
God created man for a loving relationship. Communion with God requires holiness. Sin separates man from God because it violates the requirements of a loving relationship. At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit enters our spirit, reconnecting us to God and enables us to live holy lives.
The elements of Shape enable disciples to understand who God created them to be.
Lessons include Salvation, Holiness, Attributes, Plans, and Evaluate.
Theology
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)
The elements of Theology enable disciples to grow in knowledge and understanding of scripture and faith.
Lessons include Introduction to the Bible, Bible Basics, How to Study the Bible, Interpreting the Bible, Essential Doctrines, and Nonessential Doctrines
Equip
“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” (Colossians 1:9-10)
The elements of Equip enable disciples to learn how to grow as a disciple and develop skills for service.
Lessons include Scriptural Training, Spiritual Training, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Gifts, Spiritual Warfare, and Servant Training
Practice
“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8)
The elements of Practice enable disciples to walk as a disciple and properly observe the commands of Jesus.
Lessons include Bible Study, Devotions, Prayer, Fasting, Worship, Communing, Servanthood, and Stewardship
Share
God created man for a loving relationship. Communion with God requires holiness. Sin separates man from God because it violates the requirements of a loving relationship. At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit enters our spirit, reconnecting us to God and enables us to live holy lives.
The elements of Share enable disciples to fulfill the commission by making other disciples.
Lessons include Methods of Sharing the Gospel