From Seeker to Believer: 7 Stages of the Spiritual Journey

1. Not interested – OK for you, not for me. Holds many misconceptions about the Bible and Christianity. Have a negative view of religious faith in general. Believe all religions are basically the same. Are generally uninterested in spiritual matters.
 
2. Curiously seeking – thinks there might be something to all this, but not sure.  Struggles with old biased views of Christianity. Considering the existence of God. Beginning to question the belief that all religions lead to the same God.
 
3. Searching assertively – searching for the answers, reading the Bible, asking questions, begins to intellectually understand God, but doesn’t have a relationship. Often begins attending church services to learn more.
 
4. Faith commitment – Discovers Jesus is real and personally accessible.  May involve a single or series of "aha" moments. Receives the risen Lord Jesus Christ as savior, freed from all past sins and spiritually reborn.
 
5. Experiencing New Life – Grasps the meaning of the gospel, continues to struggle with changing value system and worldview. Pursues the spiritual relationship, prays regularly. Battles sin. Struggles with assurance of salvation. Wrestles with God on tough questions of the faith. 
 
6. Growing in Community – growing in intimacy with God through prayer and bible study, has come under authority of biblical values. Serves under faith leaders in community. Experiencing victories over self defeating habits. Begins to share Jesus with others. Discovers that not all Christians are growing.

7. Living Missionally – Lives in God's will for their life. Mentors others spiritually. Studies diligently. Gives generously. Serves the community. Understands the centrality of the gospel to his or her life. Lives a surrendered life to God the Father.  Actively and effectively shares Jesus with others. Truly walks by the Spirit in powerful love for God and others. 

Related Posts:

1. Living in a Mad World: The Entire Spectrum of Life & Jesus  
2. Healing from Past Struggles
3. Post-modernism is Dead, Jesus is Alive
4. The Deep and Beautiful Secret of the Human Soul
5. How has God blessed you in the Last Year? 
6. The Growth & Flourishing of the Christian Mind 
7. The Crying of the Wolf at Midnight
8. Rediscovering Lost Values, Political Engagement
9. God of Love, God of Justice: A Future Heaven, a Future Hell
10. How to Pray Authentically: The Four Position Prayer
11. A Junkie Shares about Addiction, Jesus, and the Salvation Army
12. What is a real Spiritual Journey?