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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Course Reflection
Submitted to Dr. William England
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
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Table of Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………………………….3
Personal Discipleship Reflections..….……………………………………………3
Key Biblical Passages and Principles …………………………………………….4
Best Practices/Plan Practices.……………………………………………………..5
Conclusion..……………………………………………………………………….5
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Introduction
This course has shaped my thinking in ways unimaginable. I learned how valuable
discipleship could be to any church. This course has influenced me to change the priorities of my
ministry. I learned to accept the good and the bad that comes with becoming a disciple who
preaches the word of God to nonbelievers. Suffering and rejection may result from spreading the
word of God. Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. It was by divine necessity that Jesus had
to suffer and be rejected.1 Our belief in Jesus Christ gave us salvation, so our responsibility is to
ensure that Christ’s name is held to the highest of heights. The discipleship process has produced
some of the greatest people in the world.
Personal Discipleship Reflections
Christian discipleship is a way of life that most do not attend church regularly and will
understand. Matthew 28:18-20 states, “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in
heaven and on Earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the
age.” I went through a discipleship process at my church, so I understood why it is important. I
was blessed to have the opportunity to have great leaders present to ensure I had the tools and
resources needed to accept the role of a Christian leader. I took a few months to learn about Jesus
Christ and what we have done during his time on Earth. This knowledge gave me the confidence
to step out of my comfort zone to spread the word of God to other Christians and nonbelievers.
Reflecting on my journey through Jesus Christ, I realize how much I have grown. Matthew 5:14-
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), 85.
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16 states,“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people
light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the
same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory
to your Father in heaven.” Christian Living has allowed me to conduct many great works in the
name of Christ.
Key Biblical Passages and Principles
They have consolidated many principles and passages after completing the many
assigned tasks throughout the course. A principle I have made a focus in discipleship,
proclaiming Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Proclaiming Jesus Christ is a prerequisite to
becoming a disciple. Without this proclamation, it would be difficult to receive the full blessings
that Jesus Christ has to offer us. Every person that enrolls in our discipleship program will
understand the significance of this passage. 1 John 4:3 states, “And every spirit that does not
confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming
and now is in the world already.” Proclaiming Jesus Christ in the discipleship program ensures
the members will take the necessary actions to proclaim Jesus Christ to the world.
Our ministry also preaches the power of discipleship. Becoming disciples of Jesus Christ
will give us the energy to overcome the challenges we will encounter as believers.
Isaiah 40:29-31 states,
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even
youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait
for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they
shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Discipleship requires a lot of time and energy. The benefit of discipling is that Jesus Christ gives
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us the strength to surpass all difficulties.
Best Practices/Plan
Execution of the developing disciples has an everlasting impact on the members who
enroll in the program. The church's members need good leaders, such as good pastors. Good
leaders educate and lead their members.2 Developing disciples in our ministry begins with love.
John 13:34-35 states, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I
have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my
disciples if you love one another.” As previously mentioned, discipleship has become a priority
in my ministry. Our ministry has found out that members who went through the discipleship
program are more involved in the church than those who have not participated. We implemented
small groups within the ministry to spread leadership opportunities. Exodus 18:21 states,
“Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and
hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties,
and of tens.” Each member of the discipleship program are required will be assigned a small
group leader. This mentor-mentee relationship will evolve, allowing the members to become
comfortable enough to flourish in their Christian journey. The goal is for those who go through
the disciple process to lead their groups. The result will be that each disciple would have the
experience of being brought into the program and getting others into the program.
Conclusion
Discipling others is a command given to us by Jesus Christ. As a believer in Jesus Christ,
our faith requires us to follow the commands of the Lord. Over the past few years, some
churches in America have struggled to increase and retain membership. Discipleship should be
2 Ibid, 185
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the foundation of every Christian. Although the advancement of technology caused a change in
how people conduct church services, we must not forget what Jesus Christ commanded us to do.
