Course Reflection Assignment
Final Assignment
William C. King
DSMN500: Discipleship Ministries
August 10, 2025
Contents
Deitrich Bonhoeffer’s Views............................................................................................................1
Personal Discipleship Reflections....................................................................................................2
Key Biblical Passages and Principles...............................................................................................3
Best Practices for Developing Disciples..........................................................................................3
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................3
Bibliography....................................................................................................................................
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Throughout this course, there have been varying views which were presented of how
discipleship should be accomplished. There have been various charts, assessments, and other
readings which presented discipleship methods and practices. In the final assignment, the
question was asked, “How has this course shaped your thinking in the following areas related to
personal discipleship and local church development of disciples.” In light of the views taught by
Deitrich Bonhoeffer, Rod Dempsey, and Dave Earley, the reader will explore how the essay
author’s views have been shaped by this course.
Deitrich Bonhoeffer’s Views
The past few weeks have been rather enlightening. The have furthered a resolve to
become a better leader by making better disciples. Deitrich provides a “cheap grace against
costly grace.1 The archenemy of the church, as he puts it is the lack of desire to pursue Christ
deeply because of the cost it presents to an individual. This is evidenced by the discussion
provided by Bonhoeffer on Jesus’ call to His disciples and the great sacrifices it cost them to
follow Jesus. But, the view proves that the disciples did not count that cost. “As individuals they
should see nothing except him who called them.”2 The other views that Bonhoeffer discusses is
the separation between a believer and the world. Further, he showed how each individual
needs to be willing to go to make other disciples. Part of this is the understanding that even
though believers are to work out their “own salvation with fear and trembling,” (Phil. 2:12), it is
never in isolation. Discipleship requires community. Additionally, he showcases how a true
disciple lives under the authority of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in an effort to be more like
Jesus. Deitrich experienced a lot of suffering during his time in prison in Tegel Prison,
Buchenwald, and Flossenbürg concentration camp. His writings reflect the understanding that
as a disciple of Christ, one will experience suffering and that it is a necessity for authentic
1 Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard Krauss, vol. 4,
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 57.
2 Bonhoeffer. 92.
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witness. Finally, the biggest view of discipleship, is that faith requires obedience (works) and as
James says, without it faith is dead. (Jam. 2:17). “But the Christ proclaimed to us in scripture is,
through every word he says, the one whose gift of faith is granted only to the obedient, faith to
the obedient alone.”3 Therefore, true discipleship is expensive as it will cost the disciple literally
everything.
Personal Discipleship Reflections
In light of this, there are seven key factors that I feel need to be looked at often. First, is
whether I have responded to Jesus’ words “Follow Me.” Have a lived today in light of my
securities or trying to follow Jesus with my whole heart? The second is whether I am settling for
cheap grace. Where are the areas I am asking for grace daily but resisting the transformation
that comes with grace? The next is if I am walking in obedience to what God is telling me. Do my
actions reveal my trust in God or are my plans more reliable? The fourth is do I have people in
my life which are able to speak truth into my life and if not why am I not living in close enough
community to those around me? The next is whether I am dying to myself daily. Being a disciple
of Christ is not about occasional inconvenience; it is about dying to self each day. The sixth is
how do I embrace my suffering? When I am called to be obedient in something, what is the cost
and am I willing to make that sacrifice? The final is living out the Sermon on the Mount. Am I
actively practicing forgiveness to others? Am I praying daily? Am I judging others? Am I living as
a peacemaker, being meek, living focused on God’s will, being merciful to others, and
recognizing my dependence on God? In reflection, there needs to become action. Therefore, in
those areas where the answer is no, I challenge myself to grow but to also be willing to share
those failures with my community around me.
3 Bonhoeffer. 82.
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Key Biblical Passages and Principles
When it comes to key passages and principles, to begin with, discipleship is a command.
The Gospel of Matthew stresses the words of Jesus to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matt. 28:19,
KJV). I relate this to the orders in the military. If an officer gives an enlisted person an order, it is
not negotiable, it is a command. Jesus, Himself, gave such a command. There is no negotiation
to staying immobile about making disciples. But, there is more.
Second, discipleship involves self-denial, daily surrender, and total commitment to
Christ. The Gospel of Luke records Jesus’ words: “And he said to them all, If any man will come
after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will
save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” (Lk.
9:23-24, KJV). The understanding is that there must be a sacrificial giving of oneself to make a
disciple of another. This includes spending time with them outside of the walls of the church.
Next, there must be a multiplication mindset. The Apostle Paul exhorted believers: “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.” (2 Tim. 2:2, KJV). Finally, the last principle is found
in the letter to the church of Colossae. Paul said: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all
wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col 3:16, KJV). This shows the need to help
others in a community of believers. We are encouraged to teach and correct through wisdom.
This kind of love can only be found in a family of believers within a spiritual community.
Best Practices for Developing Disciples
First and foremost, when it comes to best practices, one must understand their identity
in Christ before they can teach others how to understand their identity in Christ. This is found by
not only accepting Christ but also in becoming more like Christ. Production of the Fruit of the
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Spirit is a telltale sign that a believer is maturing enough to reproduce a disciple. Next, there
needs to be a process that believer can reproduce to make other disciples. Then, they must
focus on their relationships, (Up, In, & Out). Part of this process is the obedience factor.
I look at it as an equation (Knowledge + Practice = Maturity). The Apostle James says:
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (Jam. 1:22, KJV).
Finally, Jesus encourages believers to abide in Him and bear fruit (Jn. 15:8). This is the
multiplication aspect that was discussed earlier. We teach and then we do. We are to model a
life in front of others. Jesus taught His disciples but they still failed as we will. Therefore, it is
imperative to keep pressing. The fruit will come as we strive to become and remain more like
Christ each day. As believers strive to be like Christ, they will want others to know Him. This is
the how to in order to produce them. Helping them to understand who they are and what they
need to be is the key to helping them grow. But, equipping them after growth to help others
grow is the paramount part that I believe we need to continue pressing on with.
Conclusion
The thing about discipleship is there is there is a parameter already set. Each believer
will be different and each disciple will be different. Some may move at a faster rate. But,
preparing and encouraging them and helping them ultimately grow more is the key. Bonhoeffer
has some of the same structures as say, Billy Graham, but in the end each of them are differing
people. How they get to the end result will be different. But, the result will still come out the
same. This is a mere framework and information presented to get started in the pathway of
making disciples. As a minister, as a believer, as a disciple, the result still boils down to this: be
like Jesus and help others be like Jesus.
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Bibliography
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Discipleship. Edited by Martin Kuske. Translated by Barbara Green, &
Reinhard Krauss. Vol. 4. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003.
