Last Saturday I attended a one-day men’s conference led by Every Man a Warrior, a disciple-making tool for men I whole-heartedly endorse. I was able to take the two men I’m working with now with me.

I was impressed with their challenge in the third presentation:

Be a Level 7 Man of the Word

While familiar with the concept, I had not seen it presented like this:

• Level 1: heard, listened to, forgot
• Level 2: heard, kind of know, “I can look it up if I need to.”
• Level 3: heard and studied, not applied (head knowledge)
• Level 4: memorized, can quote, not applied (head knowledge)
• Level 5: memorized, meditated, developing convictions and need to apply
• Level 6: memorized, meditated, put into practice, reaped success, have a testimony about that verse
• Level 7: memorized, meditated, put into practice, reaped success, began teaching Biblical truth to another

The key verse was James 1.25:

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (ESV)

I like it, especially ending with Level 7. We don’t stop with out own growth, we pass it on:

What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2.2, ESV)