Introduction
When I think about my personal Philosophy of Discipleship for this assignment, I would have
to say that my Philosophy of Discipleship includes having a plan for evangelizing the Gospel
message so that the Great Commission Mandate can be fulfilled.
My Personal Philosophy of Discipleship
After helping lead an unbeliever to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, I would say that my
personal philosophy would include guiding and supporting the new Christian as they begin in
their journey as a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ. Throughout the entire process of coming
alongside and mentoring the new believer, I will be able to better strength my faith and
relationship with Jesus as I am able to share in this amazing journey witnessing firsthand the new
disciple growing in their faith in God.
One of the passages of Scripture that I would say reflects my philosophy of discipleship is
found in Romans 12:2 (KJV) which states, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable,
and perfect, will of God.” C.S. Lewis quotes that to have discipleship, there “must be a real
giving up of the self… The principle runs through all life from top to bottom. Give up yourself,
and you will find your real self. Lose your life and you will save it. Submit to death, death of your
ambitions and favorite wishes every day and death of your whole body in the end: submit with
every fiber of your being, and you will find eternal life…. Look for yourself, and you will find in
the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you
will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.”1
1 Joel Woodruff, Discipleship with C.S. Lewis: A Guide to Mere Christianity for Small Groups and Mentoring
Relationships (Springfield, VA: CSLI Press, 2020), 42.
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Being a true disciple of Jesus means that you are a teacher of the Word of God. Matthew
28:19-20 (KJV), says that “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with
you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” The main aspect of biblical discipleship that I
have had to learn throughout my years of ministry, is that discipleship does not simply stop when
a lost soul comes to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Discipleship is only just the
beginning! Once that lost soul accepts Jesus into their heart, it is up to you to follow-up on that
believer and make sure that you mentor that new believer. What I have personally done, in the
past, with people that I have helped lead to the Lord, is that I would often call them later in the
week after they have accepted Jesus, and I would check-in on them. I would then offer to take
them out to go soul-winning, because the whole reason we are placed here on this Earth is to
fulfill the Great Commission Mandate and win lost souls for Jesus Christ.
In 2 Timothy 1:13-14 (KJV), the Apostle Paul reminds us that we need to, “Hold fast the
form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.”
Paul also encourages us in 2 Timothy 2:2 (KJV) to “And the things that thou hast heard of me
among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others
also.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would say that my personal philosophy of discipleship is firmly rooted in the
belief that true biblical discipleship is both transformational and relational. It is about being an
encouragement to one another, as we seek to live a God-centered life. I am so thankful that God
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has directed every step in my ministry, and that He has placed me in the military prison system,
because as John 4:35 (KJV) says, “…Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white
already to harvest.” Every time that I walk into that facility, I see countless lives that are just
ready to be witnessed to and discipled. I just have to remember to follow what Matthew 5:16
(KJV) says to, “Let your light so shine before me, that they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
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