Principles Of Effective Discipleship & Spiritual Maturity: Tutorials For Basic Christian Education And School Of Ministry

Spiritual transformation is what happens when we evolve on the level of the Soul. Like a lotus flower (which is symbolic of inner transformation), we emerge from the muddy waters of the ego into a more divinely expanded version of ourselves. Spiritual transformation can happen slowly throughout time or in an unexpected, fast, or intense way.

Spiritual developing or growth is a term that refers to the spiritual path as a whole. Spiritual transformation, on the other hand, is what happens within the spiritual journey. Another way of distinguishing these two terms is by seeing spiritual awakening as a force of change that happens at the very beginning of the spiritual journey to experiencing a breakthrough in the middle of adversity. And spiritual transformation is what happens near the end of that spiritual journey.

A disciple has been shown to be someone who follows the teachings, life, and aim of another until the person becomes like the master. Discipleship in the Christian sense is the process of making someone become like Christ. The disciple of Christ is to become like Christ in everything. What is meant by discipleship and why is it important?
Discipleship helps believers to grow in their faith, to grow in maturity and wisdom, and build their faith on a strong foundation so that they can then disciple and lead others towards Christ.
What does the word discipleship mean in the Bible?

1: one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: such as in Christianity: one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ's followers according to the Gospel accounts

Followership can be defined as a process in which subordinates recognize their responsibility to comply with the orders of leaders and take appropriate action consistent with the situation to carry out those orders to the best of their ability. Followership is the process of attaining one’s individual goals by being influenced by a leader into participating in individual or group efforts toward organizational goals in a given situation. Followership thereby becomes seen as a function of the follower, the leader and situational variables.

Followership is a relational role in which followers have the ability to influence leaders and contribute to the improvement and attainment of group and organizational objectives.
We are all followers, but what we gain from that relationship can vary widely depending on our reasons for following, our enthusiasm for the methods and goals of the leader, and our own skills and characteristics. In this next activity, you’ll consider the leaders you follow.

As you undergo the process of spiritual transformation, the attachment to your ego becomes more transparent. You cease being stuck in limited and rigid ways of being. There’s a freshness and lightness within your mind and heart that makes it easier to be flexible and adaptable. Because your ego lessens, you react less to other people and events that would usually irritate you up.

But by the grace of God, I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10.

Most of us live our lives in a state of near-constant anxiety. Even if we’re not consciously aware of this fear, it’s always waiting at a deeper subconscious level. During spiritual transformation, some (and in very rare cases, all) of this looming anxiety dissolves. What we’re left with is more trust in the unfathomable wisdom of God. We understand that everything is working for us, not against us. This enhanced trust leads to feelings of greater inner security as we come to see that nothing can truly touch our lives without divine permission.

EMMANUEL OKAFOR