Theology of Discipleship Paper

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Liberty University *

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655

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Philosophy

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Apr 3, 2024

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i LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY Theology of Discipleship Paper Submitted to Dr. Paul Greer, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of the course, CHPL655: Chaplain Evangelism and Discipleship (B01) By January 21 st 2024

ii Contents Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………….1 Theology of Discipleship……………………….………………………………………… 2 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………3 Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………...…..4

1 Introduction Showing discipleship involves living out the principles outlined in Colossians 2:6-7, where it advises to persist in living in Christ, being firmly grounded and growing in Him, and maintaining a strengthened faith with gratitude. 1 Additionally, I John 2:6 emphasizes that those who profess to abide in Him should conduct their lives in a manner similar to Jesus. 2 Engaging in discipleship, as directed by Scripture, includes the imperative of disciples making more disciples, as exemplified in the Great Commission outlined in Matthew 28:18-20. Discipleship is essentially the manifestation of Christ's presence in one's life. To prevent reverting to a non-believer lifestyle, believers must maintain a persistent hunger for God and a commitment to pleasing Him. 3 While attending church on Sunday mornings is valuable, achieving maturity as a Christian demand much more than mere attendance—it requires an ongoing, intentional pursuit of a deeper connection with God. Living a life centered on God is not a spontaneous occurrence for Christians. In I Timothy 4:7-8, Paul instructs Timothy to actively "train yourself to be godly." This emphasizes the intentional effort required to cultivate a godly life. This paper will delve into the students personal theology of discipleship, exploring and articulating his perspectives on this crucial aspect of Christian living. 1 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New International Version. 2 Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for Christian Life (Revised and Updated) (NavPress, 2014), 142 3 Dr. Steve Keith, Watch: Chaplains and a Disciplined Life (Video), https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/329822/pages/watch-chaplains-and-a-disciplined-life?module_item_id=34946815

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2 Theology of Discipleship Indeed, Hebrews 4:12 emphasizes the dynamic nature of the word of God, describing it as alive and powerful, sharper than a double-edged sword. The imagery conveys its ability to penetrate deeply, making a clear distinction between the soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It also highlights its role in discerning and judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart. This verse underscores the transformative and discerning power inherent in the Scriptures. Dr. Keith Seith mentions an experience during one of his missions as a Chaplain in the military called “Heal Our Patriots” in Alaska at Lake Clark. 4 In this event, ten couples were invited, and they engaged in activities such as fishing, bear watching, exploring remote lands, going on hikes, and other nature-related activities. One day, Keith entered the lunchroom, sat down, and found one of the veterans there with his wife. The veteran approached him and asked, “Are you telling me that all my sins from the past thirty years can be forgiven instantly?” Seith responded, “Yes, that is what Jesus is telling you”. Afterward he proceeded to share the good news. Afterward, the veteran started crying and expressed his desire to accept Jesus in that moment. Keith utilizes this experience to demonstrate how the Holy Spirit teaches humanity, guides mankind, and convicts individuals of sin by opening their blind eyes. This process allows people to see how they are falling short of their divine purpose in life, which is to serve the Lord. Once an individual understands and accepts Christ into his life, the person starts growing spiritually and develops the need to nourish the soul by praying, reading and worshipping the Lord, thus develops spiritual disciplines due to the need of keeping close to God. 5 4 Steve Keith, Watch: Theology of Discipleship (Video), derived by https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/597855/pages/watch-theology-of-discipleship?module_item_id=61102721. 5 Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for Christian Life (Revised and Updated) (NavPress, 2014), 103–104

3 Following this divine transformation, the new reform individual transcends to become a child of God in which the person finds the need of taking every opportunity presented to share the good news of Jesus Christ to others and help them grow in Him. 6 By helping others grow spiritually they can go out and make disciples, and turn them into disciple makers and by doing so accomplishing God’s divine plan “The Great Commission”. These are the last words of Jesus. This is His definitive command to all of His followers. This is God’s will for our lives. 7 Christian must submerse themselves with Biblical wisdom in order to find themselves focus on their divine mandate on earth and not loose themselves with mundane distractions. Philippians 4:6-7 imparts timeless wisdom, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Modern society is characterized by a constant barrage of noise. The prevalence of cell phones, video games, and other technologies inundates us with continuous sounds and interpersonal interactions. This volume of noise has significantly risen in recent years, leading people to raise their voices in an attempt to be heard amidst the clamor. This heightened noise level poses a challenge in discerning God's quiet whispers to us. Maintaining focus on God becomes more challenging amid the escalating noise, making it harder to hear His subtle guidance. Transitioning from the exploration of noise and its impact on our spiritual connection, Psalm 46:10 echoes a timeless call: “Be still and know that I am God.” This divine directive 6 Steve Keith, Watch: Theology of Discipleship (Video), derived by https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/597855/pages/watch-introduction-to-chaplain-evangelism-and-discipleship? module_item_id=61102716 7 Earley, Dave., and Rod. Dempsey. Disciple Making Is ... : How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence. (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group 2013), 2

4 emphasizes the significance of embracing silence as a conduit for profound connection with the Almighty. The biblical injunction to be still suggests that in the quietude, our souls gain the capacity to genuinely listen. Building upon the foundation laid by Philippians 4:6-7, which highlights the challenges posed by the noise of modern society, Psalm 46:10 invites us to rediscover the transformative power of silence. This silence holds a unique quality, providing the space for our souls to attentively listen to the whispers of God. In this hushed environment, the profound awareness of God's presence becomes not only a possibility but a reality. Moreover, it unveils God's desire to communicate His thoughts and reveal the beauty of His creation to us. As we immerse ourselves in these moments of silence, the full potential of prayer is realized, transcending the routine expression of desires to create a sacred space for God to respond and engage in a meaningful dialogue with His children. Conclusion After completing this assignment, the student has obtained a deeper understanding of God’s plan, being The Great Commission thanks to the materials provided for this paper. To follow Jesus as disciples, God expects us to lead disciplined lives that are visibly evident to others, prompting their response to the Lord's presence in our existence. There are many ways in one can falter because the flesh is weak and the temptations are everywhere because it is a factor of humanity, Ephesians 6:13, “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. “As disciples, our role extends to making more disciples by testifying to others about God's grace and allowing the radiance of Christ to shine through our lives. It is essential to recognize that we cannot effectively disciple others unless we ourselves are faithful disciples committed to practicing the

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5 spiritual disciplines outlined in this discussion. Ephesians 4:15 emphasizes the importance of expressing truth with love, contributing to our growth as a mature body in Christ, aligning with Him as the head. As Dave Earley expertly mentions in his book “The Great Commission Is Not the Great Suggestion,” it is foolish for someone to call themselves a follower of Jesus and refuse to fulfill His final wishes and obey His supreme orders. Since this order to evangelize the world by making disciples was clearly and repeatedly given as portrayed in Scriptures it is obvious that it must be obeyed. Bibliography

6 Dave Earley, and Rod. Dempsey., Disciple Making Is ... : How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence , (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group 2013), 2 Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for Christian Life (Revised and Updated) (NavPress, 2014), 142 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New International Version. Steve Keith, Watch: Chaplains and a Disciplined Life (Video), https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/329822/pages/watch-chaplains-and-a-disciplined-life? module_item_id=34946815 Whittington & Davidson, “Was America Founded as a Christian Nation?”, 37 __________, Watch: Theology of Discipleship (Video), derived by https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/597855/pages/watch-theology-of-discipleship? module_item_id=61102721.

Theology of Discipleship Paper

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