Shepherd's Gate Missions Inc.

Spheres of Discipleship & Personal Submission

This paper examines the five stages and four spheres of discipleship, reflecting on the personal calling to submit to the centrality of Christ through Dietrich Bonhoeffer's theology of the cross.

The Four Spheres of Discipleship

The four spheres encompass: "relationship to God, with God’s family and church, in the home life, and relationship to the world." [12] These spheres surround the core foundation—a personal relationship with Christ to "abide in Christ… to bear fruit" (John 15) [13]. Discipleship connects a person to Jesus in head (doctrine), heart (transformation), and hands (active service) [14]. As Paul outlines in Ephesians 2:8-10, we are saved by grace through faith to perform good works ordained before time [15].

• Sphere 1 (God): Personal abide-relationship in Christ.
• Sphere 2 (Church Family): Fulfilling the second commandment to "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 22:39).
• Sphere 3 (Home & Family): Raising and discipling the household in the instruction of the Lord (Eph. 6:4, Prov. 22:6).
• Sphere 4 (World): Witnessing and engaging the culture with the Gospel.

Submitting to the Cross & Centrality of Christ

Jesus instructed His followers: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Matt. 16:24). True transformation requires bringing one's vulnerable self to the divine encounter (David Benner) [16]. Bonhoeffer reminds us that allegiance to Christ involves suffering and dying to self: "Whenever Christ calls us; His call leads us to death… with our wishes and desires." [20] Daily submission yields the fruits of the Spirit—joy, peace, gentleness, self-control, and active love [22].

Biblical & Theological Foundations for Global Missions

The entire Bible is a grand narrative of mission. From Genesis to Revelation, God's purpose is to reconcile rebellious humanity to Himself and reestablish His reign over creation.

Old Testament Foundations

In the Old Testament, God established His covenant with Abraham, promising that "through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed" (Gen. 22:18). This Abrahamic promise pointed forward to Christ (Gal. 3:16). Israel was called to be a light, and prophets like Jonah were explicitly dispatched to Gentile nations (Nineveh) to demonstrate God's redemptive compassion [7].

New Testament Fulfillment & The Trinity

In the New Testament, Jesus fulfilled the promised light to the Gentiles and delivered the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19). Mission originates in the triune nature of God: God the Father is the ultimate source who sends the Son, who in turn empowers the Church through the Holy Spirit (John 20:21, Acts 1:8) [14].

Title & Meaning: Derived from the Greek translation of toldot ("generations") and the Hebrew opening word Bereshit ("In the beginning"). Also referred to in Jewish tradition as Sefer B’ri’at Ha-Olam ("Book of the Creation of the Universe") and Sefer Ha-Yashar ("Book of the Upright"). Key theme: Beginnings (universe, humanity, covenant, family, worship).

Structural Outline

Chronology of the Early Church & Paul's Ministry

Biography of Paul of Tarsus

Born in Tarsus of Cilicia as Saul, Paul was a Pharisee trained under Rabbi Gamaliel in Jerusalem (Acts 22:3). A Roman citizen by birth, he was fluent in Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. Following his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus (~31–32 A.D.), he dedicated his life to bringing the Gospel to Gentiles, kings, and Israel. He authored 13 New Testament epistles, establishing churches across Asia Minor and Europe before his eventual martyrdom in Rome under Nero.