LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Course Reflection Assignment
Submitted to Dr. Gary Waller,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN 500–D06
Discipleship Ministries
by
Jerrold Hinton
December 17, 2021
CONTENTS
Introduction ....................................................................................................................1
Personal Discipleship Reflections .................................................................................1
Key Biblical Passages and Principals ............................................................................2
Best Practices / Plan for Developing Disciples .............................................................3
Conclusion .....................................................................................................................4
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Introduction
In Jesus' day, a disciple would follow their master wherever they went. Then, they
would concentrate on the teacher. Inquire and accept the teacher's perspective on the
world. The disciple would observe the teacher's habits and methods of living and
effortlessly adopt them. Anyone who wishes to follow Jesus Christ has the same mission
as those who declared Him to be their Lord and Savior during Jesus' time. Then they will
go to make disciples in every nation (Matthew 28:19).
This command from Jesus was not to be taken lightly. The Holy Spirit empowers
converts and disciples to lead people to become more like Jesus in every aspect of their
lives. His words are not an instruction for "each one reach one." We must carry it out so
that disciples not only make disciples, but disciples make disciples. They should show
them how to allow spiritual growth in their hearts, souls, and spirits. Doing so will ensure
that the heritage of making disciples is carried on for future generations.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer discusses how to create healthy discipleship through the act
of obedience, making sure that the individual understands that this is an essential
discipleship quality. To be transformed by renewing their minds, the believer must realize
God's traditional role in their lives. God is not an afterthought in the life of a believer, and
individuals who profess Christ must recognize that God is essential and that perfect
obedience to God's plan is impossible without entire trust.
Personal Discipleship Reflections
As I begin to leave this course in my spiritual rearview mirror, There have been
numerous times I have said, "The door of the church is open. We extend the invitation
to discipleship." A few years ago, the gospel singer Andrae Crouch sang in his songs,
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"Take Me Back."1 He said, "Take me back, take me back, dear Lord. To the place where I
first received You. Take me back, take me back, dear Lord, where I first believed." Many
times, people become disciples, and many are excited about meeting Jesus. They
participate in at least one of the church's ministries. However, that passion and excitement
fade along the way for many reasons. One of these is church hurt, which exists in a
dysfunctional church. One of the many reasons is that the new disciple is not treated as a
beautiful potted plant in the home. They have seen clicks within the church fueled the
widely held belief that the church is full of hypocrites. The world has changed
dramatically, and some people are no longer as active in their communities or as willing
to reach out to many non-believers as they once were. Many church doors have been
closed because of COVID-19 and its variances. Even though the doors have closed, the
importance of having adequate discipleship leadership and its importance for a Christian
to have and retain it continues.
In comparison, no hybrid or gasoline-powered car can run indefinitely without
needing to be refueled or charged. So, with the disciple - they need to be recharged and
revitalized. I appreciate God for every opportunity to witness as I prioritize discipleship
over all else I do, just as Jesus never let life get in the way of His mission. It makes no
difference how challenging life can be at times. It is never too late to tell someone about
what He's done for me. This course has given me a sense of empowerment, making me
rethink my discipleship journey and create a more digital plan to continue winning souls.
1 “Andre Crouch--Take Me Back.” n.d. Www.youtube.com. Accessed December 18, 2021.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0I9iEUfRvI.
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Key Biblical Passages and Principals
Matthew 20:28 is the disciples commissioning authority, the most significant text to
examine in discipleship and spiritual leadership, much as an officer is commissioned in the
United States military by presidential direction. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give His [a]life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Jesus shared
this information with His disciples. This is the example Jesus gave to all His disciples as we
spread His message and love. One of my favorite scriptures in discipleship is Proverbs 11:30,
which states, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and one who is wise gains souls." This
has always been an area of my life where I have appeared to be strong in the Lord. Especially
after undergoing radiation and chemotherapy and witnessing people stressed or depressed. I do
not have a heaven or a hell to send anyone to, and I cannot tell who can go to which. God is the
only one who has the power to transform everything and everyone. Even then, there are times
when I, like Peter, look down to see the raging sea and feel the terrible wind and doubt Him. I
would have been one of the eleven disciples who stayed in the boat after Peter got out, despite
how tough it is for me to confess at times. However, we can be effective in our discipleship if we
put Him first in both good and troubled times, knowing that He has the power to change the
situation and comfort us.
Best Practices / Plan for Developing Disciples
Looking back on my sixty-six years as a disciple and spiritual leader, I recognize I fell
short of God's glory. Another of my Liberty classes revealed that I could spend more time
praying with Jesus. He said that man should always pray, not merely check in with Him. I enjoy
sitting down and conversing with Him, just as I would with a real BFF. As I continue to follow
Him, the Holy Spirit can work in my heart, assisting me in hearing God's plan and messages
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more clearly. I want to spend more time in His word, praying that the Holy Spirit will give me
the strength, understanding, and confidence to share the Gospel. Although the world is an evil
place today, and many people's lives have grown cold, I pray that God gives me the words I need
to better reach out to individuals from other cultures and pluralistic backgrounds so that they can
hear God's loving and robust message through me and my life.
Conclusion
As the semester draws to a close, I will continue to pursue my high calling as a disciple. I
am grateful for every point awarded on all the assignments. Points are important, but only what I
accomplish for Christ will be remembered. Many times, like many other Liberty married
students, I had to remain up late at night while the other three-quarters of my family went to bed
and turned off the lights. Then, I had to get up at four a.m. four hours later to get ready for work.
Yes, I am thankful for this opportunity. Discipleship Ministries has taught and reminded me that
discipleship is a vital part of being a Christian and that our goal as we grow older is to become
spiritual leaders. It would be simple to promise to use everything I have learned in this course,
but it is not essential. After I have finished this course for the last time, my heart desires to keep
searching for the lost. Because He chose and called me to accomplish that precisely, I know I can
and will.
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