LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Practical Theology Assignment II: The Method of Christ
(Ecclesiology / Personal Disciple Making)
Submitted to Systematic Theology Professor, Dr. Russell Woodbridge
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
THEO 530 (B07)
Systematic Theology II
By
Thomas C. Poling
February 25, 2024
1
CONTENTS
Thought Journal Entry #1………………………………………………………………………2
Thought Journal Entry #2………………………………………………………………………3
Thought Journal Entry #3………………………………………………………………………4
Thought Journal Entry #4………………………………………………………………………5
Thought Journal Entry #5………………………………………………………………………7
Thought Journal Entry #6………………………………………………………………………8
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………….....…11
2
Thought Journal Entry #1
Though Journal assignments are a great exercise at preparing me to provide a reason for
what and why I believe in this or that. My aim as a self-proclaimed Christian, is to understand
Scripture fully. My hope as a self-proclaimed Christian, is to adhere to 1 Peter 3:15-17, “but in
your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone
who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior
in Christ may be put to shame.”
1
I have accepted that both, my aim and my hope, are to endure a
life’s long pursuit of education shaped by academics and life experiences. I do receive joy in my
search for answers and I have peace knowing that I may never possess the ability to answer
every question. My desires as a self-proclaimed Christian, are to continue investing in (pursuing)
my relationship with God, to honor Him as we participate in Spiritual walks with others, and to
explain the source of my joy when questioned by others. A portion of this journey requires me,
as a Seminary student, to understand man’s creation and assignment of terminology. This too,
aides in my quest at understanding what I believe.
Ecclesiology: Defined using the most simplest of terms, is the branch of Christian
theology relating to the study of the church. Follow-on questions: what is the church and what
purpose does the church provide? For an undisclosed population of people, the church is a
location for a community of believers; a place for a group of believers to worship God. For one
to believe that a church is a location is actually not correct, biblically. The act of people
gathering for worship and fellowship defines the church. It is the act and not the location. The
location of the act does not define the church. Acts 2:42, The Fellowship of the Believers, is a
1
Unless noted otherwise, all biblical passages referenced are in the English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway, 2016).
3
verse describing the practices of the early Christian church: “And they devoted themselves to the
apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” The four
practices defined below, can be conducted anywhere and at anytime by a group of Christian
believers, i.e., the Church: 1). To teach doctrine to Believers, 2). Provide a location for the
doctrine of Believers, 3). To observe the Lord’s supper, and 4). Pray – Believers are to pray.
For those that seek understanding about the role of the church, the ordinances, and the
structures of the church, what worship and discipleship are for the Believers, and what ministry
and evangelism are for the Unbelievers, the study of Ecclesiology provides understanding. Most
of all, one must understand the church is the Body of Christ. Each and every Believer is part of
the Body; provides a specific role and fulfills a contribution within the Body of Christ. The
Apostle Paul provides Believers with an exceptional visual, reference his letter to the church
located in Corinth; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, One Body with Many Members. The church is God’s
hands, His mouth, and His feet in this world, i.e., the Body of Christ. The church is to be “Christ-
like” and Christ-following.
Thought Journal Entry #2
Explaining the term, Body of Christ, and defining the relationship for the Believer are
excellent discussion points during one’s fellowship. The Church has had and continues to be
referenced by a multitude of names. So, where does Body of Christ come from? References to
this name are found throughout the New Testament. One can read in Romans 12:5, that the
church is called, “one body in Christ.” Elsewhere, the Body of Christ is noted as “one body” (1
Corinthians 10:17), “the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27 and Ephesians 4:12), and simply
“the body” (Hebrew 13:3). Ephesians 5:23 and Colossians 1:24 links the Lord and Savior with
Believers becoming “the body” of Christ.
4
God entered and lived among us in our earthly world. He is a relational God. The Creator
connects with and is concerned about that, which He creates. He experienced the same joy and
sorrow that each of us experience in this life. Hebrews 10:5 and Philippians 2:7 points to God
taking a physical body that was “prepared” for Him. Through the physical body, Jesus Christ
demonstrated God’s love by living the life and receiving the death that he did, for each person.
Following the bodily ascension into Heaven, Jesus Christ continues His work in the world
through each person that He has restored. Each Believer, as the Body of Christ…the Church,
now demonstrates God’s love. Believers should take comfort in knowing that as a member of the
Body of Christ, they are the physical representation of Him in this world. Believers are joined to
Him in salvation and by the Holy Spirit. Believers share in Christ’s inheritance and
righteousness.
Thought Journal Entry #3
To be “Christ-like” is not always an easy task for a Believer to fulfill on a daily basis in
this earthly world. Jesus Christ challenges each Believer to become “a fisher of men” as stated in
Matthew 4:18-20. Each Believer must understand what Jesus Christ meant by that statement and
more specifically, to understand the conditions of discipleship: to know the Word of God and to
apply the Biblical teachings to oneself, permitting one to spread the Gospel to others. Later on,
further reading in Matthew 28, Jesus Christ provides the “Great Commission” to the disciples.
Jesus Christ assigns the church with the responsibility to baptize and make disciples of all
nations. Believers must reach the lost; those that do not believe. Believers must welcome the
unbeliever with love, with gentleness and kindness, and help guide them as they have
expectations, as they experience an alteration, and receive a revelation before having a
5
transformation. Believers are to baptize and to make disciples of all nations. All of this begins
with the love of and from the Father.
Love. My mind immediately races to John 3:16 and Galatians 5:22-23 in Scripture.
Sharing the Gospel with a nonbeliever requires one to possess the Spirit of love, joy, peace,
forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These “Fruits of the
Spirit” should be prominent characteristics for a true Believer. In my opinion, love is key for the
reason that “love” is the base line from which each other Spiritual Fruit springs forth. Jesus
Christ brings love to the forefront as he instructs His disciples as recorded in John 13:34-35, “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 have love
for one another.”
Thought Journal Entry #4
Being “Christ-like” as an individual. Being “Christ-like” as a group. More than one
Believers gathered together becomes a group. A group becomes the Church. A church may be
visible, and a church may be invisible. Millard Erickson notes the relationship between the
visible church and the invisible church. There is a distinction in the relationship as noted by, at
first, Augustine in his work titled, De Doctrina Christiana, iv libri., and further formulated into
theology soon after by Martin Luther and John Calvin. Which relationship reflects the true
church…to be identified with the present earthly institution?
2
Erickson makes the following
inquiries: Is it possible that persons within the visible church are not true believers; they are not
actually part of the Body of Christ? Can there be membership in Christ’s body apart from
affiliation with some segment of the visible church; some local collection of Believers? Does
2
Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, 3rd. Ed., (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), 966.
6
connection with an institutional church make one a Christian? Or is one constituted by the
individual Christian experiences of its members? Another great question formulated by these
men includes: Which justifies the other, the institutional organization or the individual spiritual
experiences?
3
I have had to read and re-read this section a few times to formulate my
understanding. The topic at-hand remains, I believe. Understanding how the earthly institution of
the church (the visible) associates with the supernatural or heavenly institution of the church
(spiritual) as there is a difference. Does the ability or the inability to identify the heavenly (true)
church impact the earthy institution of the church or one’s relationship? My interpretation of this,
from these influential men, is that it comes down to a distinction between religion and
relationship, i.e., individual experiences and growth. I do believe that for some populations, the
visible church is a convenience for the individual Believer during his/her earthly time. Noting
one’s pessimistic perspective, the visible church may look like a manufactured pillar of hope that
is theologically weak. Erickson’s explanation provides me with further insight. He acknowledges
the distinction between both, but stresses unity, “we should do whatever we can to make the two
identical. Just as no true believer should be outside the fellowship, so also there should be
diligence to ensure that only true believers are within.”
4
It is my opinion that Erickson is
incorporating the Apostle Paul’s view, that the Christian is in the world, but not of the world. I
like that. I agree that as a self-proclaimed Christian, I am a stranger…a visitor on this earth
participating in the visible church. Grace separates Believers from the sin in this world enabling
each one to become “citizens of Heaven” in anticipation of participating in the true church at the
conclusion of this life.
3
Ibid., 966.
4
Ibid., 966.
7
Thought Journal Entry #5
Personal Disciple Making. The very use of the words in the naming of the title implies
everything associated with having a heart-to-heart and life-to-life fellowship with another human
being. This is an experience wrapped around by a genuine relationship centered upon one’s trust
to follow the life of and belief in Jesus Christ. In regard to The Method of Christ topic, Jesus
Christ provided the best example (method) of disciple making. This method is rooted in and
motivated by love, fueled by the Holy Spirit, which produces a dramatic transformation in the
life of a Believer.
I recall one of my favorite Seminary courses thus far as being Discipleship Ministries
(DSMN) 500. I was part of an inaugural discipleship men’s group associated with my church at
the time. This group met for two years and the spiritual and theological growth that each man
experienced, was fantastic. One of the books that was part of our reading plan is titled, The Cost
of Discipleship, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer’s book served as a resource reference in
support of my personal discipleship reflection writing assignment for the class as well.
Often at times, I will reflect on my time with that group: being part of a young church
(planted in August 2008) and being part of this male discipleship group. Then, I will recall a few
points made by Bonhoeffer especially when the topic at-hand comes up during a conversation
and/or what the term Personal Disciple Making might suggest. One point that resonated with me
was Bonhoeffer’s explanation about the difference between Cheap Grace and Costly Grace.
These are Bonhoeffer’s terms and he explained Cheap Grace as “Grace without price; grace
without cost!”
5
Now, meditate about that statement and then ponder about the following
statement for a moment. To truly follow Jesus Christ comes at a cost. Bonhoeffer also stated,
5
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 4. (Minneapolis, MN: First Fortress Press, 2003), 38.
8
“When Christ calls a man, He bids the man to come and to die.”
6
Each person, I believe, regard-
less of one’s belief status, has a cross to bear while living in this earthly world. The call to follow
Jesus Christ is an invitation for one to pick-up his/her own cross. The takeaway from this portion
of my Thought Journal, and what I am routinely reminded of and share with others, is that
discipleship comes at a cost. This is a cost that most are not willing to accept. Even as I write
these statements now, as they are being read, the writer and the reader has at least one person in-
mind, who is not willing to accept the cost…not eager to make the sacrifice…are not willing to
be part of the disciple making process.
Thought Journal Entry #6
The disciple making methodology that Jesus Christ provided to His followers is an
insightful and transformative example for one to model. Jesus Christ provides a couple of simple
key points that remain relevant for Believers to adopt into practice today:
• Jesus Christ was intentional with His disciples and those that He encountered each day.
His actions were deliberately guided by Father’s grand plan. Jesus Christ was and
remains methodical with the use of time. There is purpose for His teaching. He was and is
very deliberate with His disciple-making moments.
• Jesus Christ was relational with His disciples and those that He encountered each day.
Always selfless, He genuinely cared for everyone in a self-sacrificial manner. I reflect
upon those conversations surrounding the Last Supper, the even before His impending
betrayal and death. Loving one another is at the forefront of these moments between
Jesus Christ, His disciples, and for the future generations of His followers. His disciple
making was very relational rooted in sacrificial love. He provides humility and sincerity.
6
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 4. (Minneapolis, MN: First Fortress Press, 2003), 89.
9
Scripture passages John 13:34-35 and John 15:13 come to my mind as Jesus Christ being
relational. His disciples knew joy and anger. They knew success and setbacks. They
knew birth and death. Jesus Christ, as God in the flesh, expressed empathy. He was
relational without question.
• Jesus Christ was process-driven with His disciples and those that He encountered each
day. He was formational in His discipleship works. The process became a habitual
pattern of making disciples. A group forms and over a period of time, new members
recruit and select new men into the community. Process multiplication occurs after a
season or two, and so forth.
Discipleship involves teaching disciples to obey everything that Jesus Christ commanded.
His disciple making methodology is intentional, relational, and formational. Some may see
and/or experience the methodology differently. In the book, Following Jesus: Biblical
Reflections on Discipleship, N.T. Wright describes Christian discipleship based on variety of
religious themes and different images of Jesus Christ. Wright notes that discipleship is so much
more than simply being taught by and/or teaching others. He takes the reader through orthodox
ideas and distinct phases of discipleship modeled after New Testament themes such as: the
Resurrection and the Rebirth, Temptation, Hell, Heaven, and a new life in a New World. All of
which can be relevant to the life of a modern-day disciple.
In Following Jesus, Wright states that, “Discipleship is motivated by the gift of faith
imparted through the Word. Faithful discipleship is exemplified in the lives of that great cloud of
witnesses reviewed in Hebrews Chapter 11. The very next chapter encourages us to be such
faithful disciples: “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of [faithful] witnesses … let us
run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of
10
our faith.”
7
Wright also notes how discipleship not only contends with this world, but also of
cosmic powers. I believe, for a fruitful multiplication of disciples, we must adopt the same
disciple making model that Jesus Christ provided and commands (Matthew 18:19-20). We must
have a relationship with Him. We must know Him. We must include Jesus Christ in our disciple
making methodology with others. 1 John 2:3-6 guides each Believer in such a way, “And by this
we know that we have come to know him if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know
him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever
keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in
him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
The bottom line about His disciple making methodology was making a relatable connection
with people. These relationships were (and still remain today) driven by love and guided by the
Holy Spirit. This proven methodology transforms men (and women) through the phases of one’s
expectation and alteration, to their revelation and transformation as children of God.
7
N.T. Wright, Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1995), 68.
11
Bibliography
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 4., Minneapolis, MN: First Fortress
Press, 2003.
Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology, 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013.
Wright, Nathaniel Thomas. Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship, Grand Rapids,
MI: Eerdmans, 1995.
