DSMN 500
Discipleship Ministries
Course Description
This course will examine the biblical, general and specific steps to enable a person first to be a disciple, then to discover systems, biblical principles, and methods that create a disciple making context. The systems will cover both the macro level and the micro level. Once this has been discovered and discussed the student will select a disciple making system and create a micro-level disciple making plan for a local church.
Rationale
DSMN 500 is a portal course serving as an introduction to discipleship ministries. The purpose of the course is to equip the student with a comprehensive description of what is discipleship from a biblical and Christ-centered perspective. This course will also explore the structure of the discipline as well as address the essential activities of disciple making. Whether for individual or church ministries, these principles form the underlying and foundational components necessary for effective ministry within the local church context.
I. Prerequisites
None
II. Required Resource Purchases
The resources below are provided in the course at no cost to the student.
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 4. Minneapolis: First Fortress Press, 2003. ISBN: 9780800683245.
Earley, Dave, and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making Is…: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2013. ISBN: 9781943965304.
Putman, Jim, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman. DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013. ISBN: 9780310492627.
Disclaimer: The above resources provide information consistent with the latest research regarding the subject area. Liberty University does not necessarily endorse specific personal, religious, philosophical, or political positions found in these resources.
III. Additional Materials for Learning
A. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
B. Internet access (broadband recommended)
C. Blackboard recommended browsers
D. Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
(Microsoft Office is available at a special discount to Liberty University students.)
E. School of Divinity Writing Guide: https://www.liberty.edu/divinity/index.cfm?PID=28160
F. Adobe Reader
IV. Measurable Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
A. Evaluate the teachings of Jesus regarding what it meant to be a disciple and how to make disciples.
B. Analyze the foundational directions of being and making disciples of Jesus.
C. Examine the approach of Jesus in the disciple making process.
D. Explain the role of the local church in the disciple making process.
E. Evaluate the different small group philosophies related to making disciples.
F. Review the four different church structures pertaining to making disciples.
G. Create a detailed discipleship project.
V. Course Requirements and Assignments
A. Textbook readings and lecture notes/presentations.
B. Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.
C. Discussion Board Forums (2)
Discussion Boards are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will participate in 2 Discussion Board Forums that will consist of a thread and 2 replies in response to the provided prompt for each forum. Each thread must be 300–500 words and must cite 2 scholarly sources in current Turabian format to support the content in the thread. Each reply must be 150–200 words.
D. Written Assignments (4)
The Written Assignments will address 4 critical areas relating to disciples, discipleship, and the formation of a healthy church body through discipleship ministries. Each assignment must be at least 5 pages and must utilize at least 5 scholarly sources per paper. Each paper must be in current Turabian format.
E. Disciple Making Plan
The student will create a comprehensive discipleship ministry plan as a personal strategy to develop disciples for Christ. Based on the written assignments completed for this course, the student will thoroughly discuss 5 major areas of discipleship and disciple making in ministry. The student will develop a coordinated plan that covers the 5 V’s of ministry (Vision, Values, Views, Vehicles, and Verifiers) and that can be implemented in a local church or other ministry organization context.
F. Course Reflection
The student will write a 1,000–1,200-word reflection essay in current APA format. The essay will answer the question “How has this course shaped your thinking in the following areas related to the ministry of discipleship: 1) stages of discipleship, 2) discipleship in the local church, and 3) healthy church characteristics?”
VI. Course Grading and Policies
A. Points
| Course Requirements Checklist | 10 |
| Discussion Board Forums (2 at 150 pts) | 300 |
| Written Assignments (4 at 100 pts ea) | 400 |
| Disciple Making Plan | 200 |
| Course Reflection Assignment | 100 |
| Total | 1010 |
B. Scale
A = 940–1010 A- = 920–939 B+ = 900–919 B = 860–899 B- = 840–859
C+ = 820–839 C = 780–819 C- = 760–779 D+ = 740–759 D = 700–739
D- = 680–699 F = 0–679
C. Late Assignment Policy
Course Assignments, including discussion boards, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time.
If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email.
Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:
1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive a 10% deduction.
2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive a 20% deduction.
3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted.
4. Group projects, including group discussion board threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due date.
Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.
D. Style Guidelines
All assignments for this course are to be formatted in accordance with the LBTS Writing Guide and the latest edition of the Turabian style manual ( A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations). Discussion assignments and essay examinations may use the parenthetical citation style. All other written assignments should use the footnote citation style. Supplemental writing aids are available via the Online Writing Center.
E. Extra Credit
No additional “for credit” assignments will be permitted beyond those given in the course requirements stated above.
F. Course Changes
Course requirements are subject to change by the administration of the University at any time with appropriate notice.
G. Disability Assistance
Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online’s Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu to make arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport.
If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at equityandcompliance@liberty.edu. Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy or the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures.
