| LOST SINNER (a complete atheist — does not believe at all that God exists; or an idolater) | |
| -8 | Awareness of a supreme being, but no effective knowledge of the gospel |
| -7 | First hearing that the gospel exists (belief in only one God, initial knowledge of Christ) |
| -6 | Becoming acquainted with the basics of the gospel (what we need to be saved from) |
| -5 | Grasping the meaning of the gospel (what the consequences of sin are, what we need to be saved from, and how we can be saved — without Christ people are lost) |
| -4 | A positive attitude toward the gospel |
| -3 | Recognizing our personal problem (applying the gospel to oneself personally) |
| -2 | A decision to act (ready to step forward and receive Christ) |
| -1 | Repentance and faith in Christ (conversion) |
| NEW CREATION (justification, regeneration, adoption) | |
| +1 | Reassessing life after the decision (“Who are we now, and are there things we need to leave behind?”; rethinking priorities, one’s role in the family, relationships with colleagues and friends, and so on) |
| +2 | Joining the Body (becoming part of Christian fellowship — the church) |
| +3 | Growth in understanding and conduct (learning and grasping Christian concepts) |
| +4 | Communion with God |
| +5 | Stewardship (All that I am and all that I have belongs to God — a person is ready to give for the Lord and His work) |
| MATURE FOLLOWER OF CHRIST — reproduction (discipleship) |
