A mature believer who embraces the cost of discipleship, stands firm in Scripture, and lays everything before God. “Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord” (2 Kings 19:14 ESV). Disciples leave ignorance of God and the Bible behind, abandon selfishness, apply the Lord’s teaching while focused on spiritual growth, and walk the path Jesus leads them on. They move toward a God-centered life of committed fellowship, service and worship. These men recognize setbacks as God’s will to ensure their growth in faith, trust, perseverance, and obedience. In this stage of discipleship, they learn to recognize that God’s will for them in the world is a journey designed to continue His maturation process. Disciples display the early characteristic signs of self-replicating discipleship—peace during chaos, and joy during hardship. Their biggest challenge is letting go of the natural impulse to fix things they have no control over.

What they need to learn:

​

• Adversity fosters spiritual growth

• Full acceptance of God’s will

• Apply what Jesus teaches

​