Deepening Your Effectiveness answers the following questions about the six stages of spiritual development:

• Who is the primary person at each stage?

• What is the primary question on the mind of the person at each stage?

• What is the primary relationship that will move that person forward on his or her spiritual journey?

• What is the primary barrier that will stop that person dead in his or her tracks?

• What is the primary ministry the church must put in place to help that person overcome the barrier he or she faces?

The Ocean Diagram
© 2000 Dan Glover & Claudia Lavy

The Ocean Diagram is a window into the stages of spiritual development of an individual from unchurched to fully committed follower of Christ.

In this image, the ocean represents the Body of Christ - the Church - and the figures represent six biblically identifiable stages of spiritual development.

As we read the New Testament, these six stages emerge through the lives of men and women who live them out in scripture.  Understanding the biblically-based spiritual formation process is the key to developing an effective discipleship pathway in the local church.