1
Introduction
Showing discipleship involves living out the principles outlined in Colossians 2:6-7,
where it advises to persist in living in Christ, being firmly grounded and growing in Him, and
maintaining a strengthened faith with gratitude.1 Additionally, I John 2:6 emphasizes that those
who profess to abide in Him should conduct their lives in a manner similar to Jesus.2
Engaging in discipleship, as directed by Scripture, includes the imperative of disciples
making more disciples, as exemplified in the Great Commission outlined in Matthew 28:18-20.
Discipleship is essentially the manifestation of Christ's presence in one's life. To prevent
reverting to a non-believer lifestyle, believers must maintain a persistent hunger for God and a
commitment to pleasing Him.3 While attending church on Sunday mornings is valuable,
achieving maturity as a Christian demand much more than mere attendance—it requires an
ongoing, intentional pursuit of a deeper connection with God.
Living a life centered on God is not a spontaneous occurrence for Christians. In I
Timothy 4:7-8, Paul instructs Timothy to actively "train yourself to be godly." This emphasizes
the intentional effort required to cultivate a godly life. This paper will delve into the students
personal theology of discipleship, exploring and articulating his perspectives on this crucial
aspect of Christian living.
1 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New International Version.
2 Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for Christian Life (Revised and Updated) (NavPress, 2014), 142
3 Dr. Steve Keith, Watch: Chaplains and a Disciplined Life (Video),
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/329822/pages/watch-chaplains-and-a-disciplined-life?module_item_id=34946815
2
Theology of Discipleship
Indeed, Hebrews 4:12 emphasizes the dynamic nature of the word of God, describing it
as alive and powerful, sharper than a double-edged sword. The imagery conveys its ability to
penetrate deeply, making a clear distinction between the soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It
also highlights its role in discerning and judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart. This
verse underscores the transformative and discerning power inherent in the Scriptures.
Dr. Keith Seith mentions an experience during one of his missions as a Chaplain in the
military called “Heal Our Patriots” in Alaska at Lake Clark.4 In this event, ten couples were
invited, and they engaged in activities such as fishing, bear watching, exploring remote lands,
going on hikes, and other nature-related activities. One day, Keith entered the lunchroom, sat
down, and found one of the veterans there with his wife. The veteran approached him and asked,
“Are you telling me that all my sins from the past thirty years can be forgiven instantly?” Seith
responded, “Yes, that is what Jesus is telling you”. Afterward he proceeded to share the good
news. Afterward, the veteran started crying and expressed his desire to accept Jesus in that
moment.
Keith utilizes this experience to demonstrate how the Holy Spirit teaches humanity,
guides mankind, and convicts individuals of sin by opening their blind eyes. This process allows
people to see how they are falling short of their divine purpose in life, which is to serve the Lord.
Once an individual understands and accepts Christ into his life, the person starts growing
spiritually and develops the need to nourish the soul by praying, reading and worshipping the
Lord, thus develops spiritual disciplines due to the need of keeping close to God.5
4 Steve Keith, Watch: Theology of Discipleship (Video), derived by
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/597855/pages/watch-theology-of-discipleship?module_item_id=61102721.
5 Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for Christian Life (Revised and Updated) (NavPress, 2014),
103–104
3
Following this divine transformation, the new reform individual transcends to become a
child of God in which the person finds the need of taking every opportunity presented to share
the good news of Jesus Christ to others and help them grow in Him.6 By helping others grow
spiritually they can go out and make disciples, and turn them into disciple makers and by doing
so accomplishing God’s divine plan “The Great Commission”. These are the last words of Jesus.
This is His definitive command to all of His followers. This is God’s will for our lives.7
Christian must submerse themselves with Biblical wisdom in order to find themselves
focus on their divine mandate on earth and not loose themselves with mundane distractions.
Philippians 4:6-7 imparts timeless wisdom, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every
situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace
of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.” Modern society is characterized by a constant barrage of noise. The prevalence of cell
phones, video games, and other technologies inundates us with continuous sounds and
interpersonal interactions. This volume of noise has significantly risen in recent years, leading
people to raise their voices in an attempt to be heard amidst the clamor. This heightened noise
level poses a challenge in discerning God's quiet whispers to us. Maintaining focus on God
becomes more challenging amid the escalating noise, making it harder to hear His subtle
guidance.
Transitioning from the exploration of noise and its impact on our spiritual connection,
Psalm 46:10 echoes a timeless call: “Be still and know that I am God.” This divine directive
6 Steve Keith, Watch: Theology of Discipleship (Video), derived by
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/597855/pages/watch-introduction-to-chaplain-evangelism-and-discipleship?
module_item_id=61102716
7 Earley, Dave., and Rod. Dempsey. Disciple Making Is ... : How to Live the Great Commission with
Passion and Confidence. (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group 2013), 2
4
emphasizes the significance of embracing silence as a conduit for profound connection with the
Almighty. The biblical injunction to be still suggests that in the quietude, our souls gain the
capacity to genuinely listen. Building upon the foundation laid by Philippians 4:6-7, which
highlights the challenges posed by the noise of modern society, Psalm 46:10 invites us to
rediscover the transformative power of silence. This silence holds a unique quality, providing the
space for our souls to attentively listen to the whispers of God. In this hushed environment, the
profound awareness of God's presence becomes not only a possibility but a reality. Moreover, it
unveils God's desire to communicate His thoughts and reveal the beauty of His creation to us. As
we immerse ourselves in these moments of silence, the full potential of prayer is realized,
transcending the routine expression of desires to create a sacred space for God to respond and
engage in a meaningful dialogue with His children.
Conclusion
After completing this assignment, the student has obtained a deeper understanding of
God’s plan, being The Great Commission thanks to the materials provided for this paper. To
follow Jesus as disciples, God expects us to lead disciplined lives that are visibly evident to
others, prompting their response to the Lord's presence in our existence. There are many ways in
one can falter because the flesh is weak and the temptations are everywhere because it is a factor
of humanity, Ephesians 6:13, “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able
to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. “As disciples, our role
extends to making more disciples by testifying to others about God's grace and allowing the
radiance of Christ to shine through our lives. It is essential to recognize that we cannot
effectively disciple others unless we ourselves are faithful disciples committed to practicing the
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spiritual disciplines outlined in this discussion. Ephesians 4:15 emphasizes the importance of
expressing truth with love, contributing to our growth as a mature body in Christ, aligning with
Him as the head. As Dave Earley expertly mentions in his book “The Great Commission Is Not
the Great Suggestion,” it is foolish for someone to call themselves a follower of Jesus and refuse
to fulfill His final wishes and obey His supreme orders. Since this order to evangelize the world
by making disciples was clearly and repeatedly given as portrayed in Scriptures it is obvious that
it must be obeyed.
Bibliography
6
Dave Earley, and Rod. Dempsey., Disciple Making Is ... : How to Live the Great
Commission with Passion and Confidence, (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group 2013), 2
Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for Christian Life (Revised and Updated)
(NavPress, 2014), 142
Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New International
Version.
Steve Keith, Watch: Chaplains and a Disciplined Life (Video),
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/329822/pages/watch-chaplains-and-a-disciplined-life?
module_item_id=34946815Whittington & Davidson, “Was America Founded as a Christian
Nation?”, 37
__________, Watch: Theology of Discipleship (Video), derived by
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/597855/pages/watch-theology-of-discipleship?
module_item_id=61102721.
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