LIBERTY UNIVERSITY RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Course Reflection Assignment
Submitted to Dr. Jonathan Geukgeuzian
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN 500 – B02
Discipleship Ministries
By
Kion Bolden
February 15, 2024
Contents
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………….1
Personal Discipleship Reflection ..………………………………………………………………..2
Key Biblical Passages and Principles Related to Discipleship ………….………………………..3
Best Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples …………………………………….………………6
Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………..……....7
Bibliography ……………………………………………………………………………..…..…...9
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Introduction
Discipleship, according to Bonhoeffer, has several concepts and is all about obedience.
He uses several areas of discipleship and the concepts that support them in each chapter to
demonstrate what it means to fully walk in obedience with Jesus Christ. Overarching all of
Bonhoeffer's statements about discipleship, the primary premise is that to follow Jesus, one must
entirely sacrifice oneself. Disciples should identify the failure that comes with living in the flesh
daily and recognize the need for Jesus on a daily basis. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at
Galatia stating, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and
desires” (Galatians 5:24 ESV). According to Bonhoeffer, we must put on the Kingdom of God
rather than the Kingdom of self. When we deny ourselves and set aside everything that our flesh
desires, we can begin to seek the Kingdom of God. This is what it means to obey God. Each of
Bonhoeffer's principles is based on being obedient to Jesus. “Wherever simple obedience is
fundamentally eliminated,”1 Bonhoeffer writes, “there again the costly grace of Jesus’ call has
become the cheap grace of self-justification.”2
The term “cheap grace” refers to the justification of sin rather than the sinner. Everything
can continue in its old manner since grace alone does everything.3 According to Bonhoeffer,
cheap grace suggests, “Of course you have sinned, but now everything is forgiven, so you can
stay as you are and enjoy the consolations of forgiveness.” The primary fault in such a statement
is the absence of a call to discipleship, which leads us to give up our own lives and follow Christ.
Bonhoeffer says, “Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace
1 Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. 2003. Discipleship. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.
vol. 481. 81.
2 Ibid, 81.
3 Ibid, 43.
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without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”4 Bonhoeffer emphasized personal and communal
religiosity, and he reintroduced the concept of imitation of Christ. He stated that Christians
should not flee the world but rather participate in it. He felt that faith was made up of two
elements: the application of justice and the acceptance of divine suffering. Jesus expressed the
cost of discipleship saying, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down
and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the
foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This
person began to build and wasn’t able to finish’ (Luke 14:28-30 NIV). Being a follower of Christ
comes at a high price. Following Christ entails bearing our own cross and denying our own
desires in order to obey God's plan for our lives, which was written in our scrolls even before we
were born.
Personal Discipleship Reflection
This course has taught me a lot about what it means to be a true follower of Jesus Christ
and to surrender my life to Him. It has reintroduced me the value of the church and the
importance of a healthy church in assisting Christians in their spiritual walks with God. Every
Christian should live by certain ideals and keep Jesus at the center of their lives. The absence of
Christ is the epitome of a life without purpose or meaning. A church should have a vision and a
mission, as well as leaders who are qualified to teach and lead people in the ways of Jesus Christ.
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?” Paul wrote to the church in
Rome. And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they
hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14 NIV) As everyone strives to follow
their values, it will show in their actions, and they will bring others to Christ by example. The
4 Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. 2003. Discipleship. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.
vol. 481. 44.
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distinction between a leader and a follower has become increasingly important to me. Although
they may have the same connotation, it is crucial to remember that not everyone is called to lead,
but everyone is called to follow Jesus Christ. Paul said, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also
am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV). Both of these are extremely important in the
construction of God’s Kingdom.
As a church ministry, there should be programs in place to assist new and old Christians
in their spiritual journeys, as well as to develop them as leaders and disciples. I have learned
about various church models and their effects on people. In the ministry environment, having a
good disciple-making plan is beneficial. It assists in the development of a healthy church that can
live up to its full potential and accomplish the great commission of creating disciples. If we want
to be effective in our communities, we must also be effective in our local churches, so that when
we introduce people to Christ in public, we can bring them back to church and assist them in
their Christian journey.
Key Biblical Passages and Principles Related to Discipleship
“Christianity without the living Jesus Christ remains necessarily a Christianity without
discipleship,”5 Bonhoeffer writes, “and a Christianity without discipleship is always a
Christianity without Jesus Christ.”6 As a result, we recognize that becoming a disciple entails not
only having a relationship with Christ, but also being willing to divorce one's old self and marry
the values of the Kingdom. Accepting the life-long commissional commitment to “go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV).
5 Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. 2003. Discipleship. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.
vol. 481. 59.
6 Ibid, 59.
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Discipleship’s main goal is to help you grasp who Jesus is and how you might become more like
Him. You cannot be a disciple, get discipled, or disciple others if you do not know Jesus. Jesus
instructed his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his
cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for
my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25 ESV). People will take notice and become inquisitive
once we begin to carry Jesus’ name and exemplify Him. We can bring people to Christ, who will
ultimately alter their lives, if we allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us while also being
obedient.
Likewise, it is imperative in discipleship to be a student of God’s Word. Every day, we
must be in the word because as disciples it is the supreme authority in our life. The process of
implementing the truths of God’s powerful Word in our lives is true discipleship. While
discipleship entails more than just teaching, it cannot be limited to that. The scriptures reveal
Christ to us and transforms us into his likeness. “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my
disciples,” Jesus replied. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (Johns
8:31-32 NIV). Because of this, David stated, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not
sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11 KJV). While we are no responsible for saving individuals, we
are commissioned to share the Gospel with them. We can only know the Gospel by spending
time in it every day and meditating on it. As disciples, we are expected to share what we have
been given the opportunity to learn. “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many
witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also,” Paul informed Timothy
(2 Timothy 2:2 ESV). The cycle is expected to continue, culminating in the Body of Christ's
progressive expansion.
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Discipleship also entails a sense of belonging or community. Creating a space where
believers can interact on a soul level with one another, spurring one another on to a greater
relationship with God. Believers can truly challenge one another to be more like Christ through
words and acts. Thus, especially after bringing in new believers, having a church with a healthy
community where everyone can grow together, point each other ahead, and hold each other
accountable is critical. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of
some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching,” says
the Bible (Hebrews 10:25 KJV). We were not made to be alone, as God Himself stated, “It is not
good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18 KJV). As a result, he asks us to join a community
where we can interact with one another. It is our mission to go out into the world and make more
disciples once we are spiritual leaders and genuinely are His disciples. We can only do this by
His strength, which is why it is critical for us to be in right standing with Him first. Community
can also aid correction and reconciliation of relationships. To win over a brother who has “sinned
against you,” Jesus encouraged His followers to enlist the help of several others, or perhaps the
entire church (Matthew 18:13-17). Individuals well known in a community can also be used by
God to foster Christ like behavior. Individuals might also benefit from the community’s support
in seeing victory over sin. “Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another that you
may be healed,” James encourages believers (James 5:16). Confessing our sins to caring people
has healing power. Without community, there is no Christianity. As a result, any spiritual
formation efforts are incomplete unless they include the discipline of practicing life together.7
We must understand that discipleship is a lifelong commitment, not a one-time decision.
Only when we have fully forgotten ourselves, when we have lost all sense of self, are we ready
7 Dempsey, R., & Earley, D. (2018). Spiritual formation is... : How to grow in Jesus with passion and
confidence. B&H Publishing Group.
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to take up the cross for his sake.8 Every day, we must choose to lay down our lives in order to
take up Christ’s cross. Every day, we must surrender ourselves to God.
Best Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
A vision is required for the development of disciples. Without a vision, a mission to
develop other disciples is like a sailor without a map. “Write the vision, and make it plain upon
tables, that he may run that readeth it,” the Lord ordered the prophet Habakkuk (Habakkuk 2:2
KJV). A vision statement is not something you merely slap on your wall and forget about. Your
vision statement is something you work hard to achieve over time.9
Once the vision is set, it is essential to have a disciple-making process. Develop a
disciple-making process, and then put it in the hands of frontline soldiers as a means of
equipping them with weapons they must be familiar with and adept with.10 Puttman, Harrington
and Colman suggests, “If you’re a church leader and your church has a playbook, then right up
front it helps answer a well-meaning person who wants the church to go another direction.”11
Lastly, being adamant and intentional about the mission. It is all about implementation
once you have worked out the vision, set the terms, and created the processes.12 It is easy to lose
sight of the vision and ultimate mission that underpins the regular functional areas of ministry,
but the goal is to make sure that no matter what your church’s program is, everyone on every
spiritual level accepts the vision's practical implications. “The Lord added to their number daily
those who were being saved,” Paul, says when the vision is the primary focus of the ministry and
8 Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. 2003. Discipleship. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.
vol. 481. 86.
9 Putman, J., Harrington, B., Coleman, R., & Harrington, B. (2013). Discipleshift : Five steps that help your
church to make disciples who make disciples. Zondervan.
10 Ibid.
11 Ibid.
12 Ibid.
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Christians are united in God's teaching and fellowship (Acts 2:47 NIV). It is critical to spend time
in the Word each day, to obey the Spirit, and to go forth and share the Gospel with others. It is
where discipleship begins and ends.
Conclusion
The growth and expansion of Christ’s Church is dependent on discipleship. Jesus
commands all Christians to make disciples in the Great Commission. The Apostles repeat this
charge to make disciples throughout the New Testament. As the secular worldview draws society
and, more surprisingly, the Church away from the reality of God’s Word, Christians must be
diligent in following Christ’s charge to make disciples. Discipleship is costly and difficult, but
we must remember that it is rewarding. We were created for a life with Jesus Christ, not for a life
of our own. Everything we do is for the advancement of the Kingdom and for the sake of God’s
glory. There is reason to be optimistic. A design for efficacy can be found within the pages of
God's Word. The remedy to our churches' ineffectiveness is to train people to be spiritually
mature, totally devoted followers of Christ, and then have those disciples produce more
disciples.13
13 Putman, J., Harrington, B., Coleman, R., & Harrington, B. (2013). Discipleshift : Five steps that help
your church to make disciples who make disciples. Zondervan.
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Bibliography
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. 2003. Discipleship. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works. Minneapolis, MN:
Fortress Press. vol. 481. 81.
Dempsey, Rod, and Earley, Dave. 2018. Spiritual Formation Is... : How to Grow in Jesus with
Passion and Confidence. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group.
Putman, Jim, Harrington, Bobby, Coleman, Robert, and Harrington, Bobby. 2013. DiscipleShift :
Five Steps That Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. Grand
Rapids: Zondervan.
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