Rationale for the course
“Discipling the Christian Life”
Biblical Foundation
The rationale for the “Discipling the Christian
Life” course is based on the words of the
Jesus when He said “go and make disciples”
(Matt. 28:19). The verb makes disciples is
from the Greek πορευθέντες οὖν
μαθητεύσατε. The verb for “go” is
πορευθέντες. It is aorist, passive, and
participle. While μαθητεύσατε is aorist, active
and imperative. Consequently, the phrase is
saying something to the effect of “as you go
along (living your life), I command you to
make disciples.”
Discipleship and Discipline
Mathetes (disciple) is a learner that denoting
learning by endeavor (Vines). This means to
“strive to achieve or reach” fulfillment of
obligation such as finishing a race (Merriam-
Webster). In order to walk as a disciple of
Christ one needs to practice discipline. In the
Christian church, these are called spiritual
disciplines. These include disciplines of
prayer, fasting, study worship, guidance and
much more (Boa). Edman clearly states that
“Discipleship means ‘discipline!’”
Disciples require the discipline of conversion,
the initial stage for salvation, and the other
components of salvation which included
faith, sanctification, and holiness. Since
conversion requires changing one’s life style,
the converted needs to exercise discipline to
obey the Spirit of God instead of the flesh
(sarx) (Romans 8:1-18).
Grunders claims that discipline and disciple
share the same root word. The idea is when
one surrenders him/herself to a coach in a
sports discipline.
In Proverbs 1 we read about the importance
of discipline. In the context of the chapter
and the book, it speaks about teaching,
training, obedience testing and
transformation. Proverbs commands that we
should endeavor to love discipline
St. Paul pictures discipline in discipleship
when he stated “For the grace of God has
appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12
instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly
desires and to live sensibly, righteously and
godly in the present age, … (Titus 2:11-13
NASU). The word “denying” of verse 12 is the
discipline needed in discipleship. We may use
scientific words to call this concept “controlled
behavior.”
Areas of Discipleship
In order to be a disciple, the Christian must
develop four essential areas of life. These are:
(1) the devotional life, (2) doctrinal perspective,
(3) personal character, and (4) Christian
service. Christian discipleship speaks about
the devotional life. It mainly refers to prayer,
worship, Bible, study, and friendship with the
Holy Spirit. These disciplines will help
Christians understand their new walk with
Christ, the importance of knowing their Bible,
who Jesus is, and how they should relate to
their Christian community.
Behavior and Attitudes
Some of the skills that are developed in
Christian discipline are new attitudes which
cause changed behavior. The goal is that their
life will please God. This is known as Christian
Ethics. Christian ethics are clearly defined in
the Bible. Since the Bible is God’s Word, in it
the Christian will find God’s design for
humanity. However, the disciple will also
discover that in order to obey God, he or she
must exercise their own will, that is one’s own
choice. Furthermore, biblical attitudes have a
direct influence on society, especially its
nucleus, the family. The disciple will develop
skills of communication and loving expression
in the family to actively strengthen it and keep
it united.
Responsible Citizenship
Christian discipleship trains the Christian to
become a responsible person. The skill one
learns will be applied in his or her daily life,
such as at the workplace, places of
entertainment, and the church fellowship he
or she attends. The Christian will become an
active laity and learn how to communicate
Christian values by teaching, evangelism and
by using his or her gifts and talents for the
benefits of others. Consequently, this course is
aimed to develop children, young men and
women, and adults into responsible citizens
and be the “light and salt” in this world (Matt.
5:14).