DSMN 500 Discipleship Ministries Module 1_Week 1 Discussion Post with Responses
2026-2027 Liberty University
Discussion Thread: Characteristics of a Follower
1. Synthesize the readings from Dempsey & Earley and Putman et al. textbooks and give 3
characteristics of a follower of Jesus Christ.
When I synthesize the readings from Dempsey & Early and Putman et al. textbooks, I see more
than three characteristics but the immediate ones that caught my attention are:
A. A characteristic of a follower of Jesus Christ is someone who continues in God’s Word
and experiences freedom in Christ.1 It is important for an individual to consistently seek
guidance and clarity by constantly searching Scripture. This is what it means to have a
hunger for God’s Word and to know the Bible inside and out.2 A follower of Jesus is not
only captured by the Word of God but is also captivated by the Word of God. The more
the individual learns about God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the more he or she
wants to know. This is an ongoing developmental characteristic of the Christ follower and
drives the individual towards spiritual maturity.
B. Considering the cost of following Christ is important for the person that must make the
decision. I like to say that if we understand that all things belong to God as the bible
states; “Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the
earth and all that is in it.” (Deu. 10:14, New King James Version), then it is easier for us
to understand that we are only stewards of what God has placed beneath us. When we
consider the cost, we must decide to forsake all in trusting Him, that is the essence of
faith. In other words, the decision to follow Christ will cost us our lives, but our lives
already belong to Him. When we come to realize this, then it is only the decision and
determination that can keep us from following Him. “God’s will and God’s plan cost
Jesus His life; it cannot cost His followers anything less.”3
C. Being productive through sharing our faith is another important characteristic. We cannot
be ashamed of our faith, our walk, or our commitment to Christ. Putman et al. states that
“A mature disciple is a witness for Christ in every way.”4 This mean that we should be
bold examples and advertisements for the Kingdom of God. Through every follower of
Christ, God is providing the world with an example of what kingdom living looks like.
We must be all in if we truly want to be followers of Christ. Does this mean that we will
1
Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making Is... How to Live the Great Commission with Passion
and Confidence. 1st. (Brentwood, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2013). 23
2
Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman. DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your Church
to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. 2nd. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2013). 43
3
Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making Is... How to Live the Great Commission with Passion
and Confidence. 1st. (Brentwood, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2013). 22
4
Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman. DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your Church
to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. 2nd. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2013). 43
, have problem free, worry-free, trouble-free lives? No, it does not! What it does mean is
that when trials and tribulation come, we know where our hope lies, we know where our
strength lies, we know where our trust lies. It is all in Jesus. When the challenges of life
hit us, we remember Psalm 121, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence
cometh my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” (Psa.
121:1-2, NKJV). We must be serious about God and we must be serious in our walk and
life in following Christ. “Our love for Christ is so great, so consuming that, in
comparison, our love for anything or anyone else in our lives feels like hatred (disdain)
for others.”5
2. Create your own definition of a follower of Jesus; use Scripture to support our definition.
My definition of a follower of Jesus;
A Jesus Follower is someone loves God and puts Him first in all things. That is placing
Him first above all else and diligently seek Him in every aspect of their life. “Therefore, do
not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we
wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you
need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these
things shall be added to you.” (Mat. 6:31-33, NKJV). God knows our needs and He directs us
to seek Him first and He will enable us to acquire all the things that we need.
A Jesus Follower is someone who places the needs of others before him or herself.
Hebrews 13:1-3 says; “Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for
by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained
with them those who are mistreated since you yourselves are in the body also.” Placing
others before yourself is having and sharing the love of God with everyone that you
encounter, so that people will know that you are a Christ follower not just in word, but also in
deed.
A Jesus Follower is someone that realizes that everything that he or she has, belongs to
God. God entrust His possessions to us and places us in a position of stewardship to manage
and use His resources properly and for His purpose. Even we are created beings, created by
God so scripture applies to us also as God’s possessions. “The earth is the LORD’S, and all
its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.” (Psa. 21:1, NKJV).
Though there are many other elements in this definition, I must also add that a Jesus
Follower must fully trust the Lord and be completely obedient to Him. Even if that mean
leaving everything behind. “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after
Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save
his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Mat. 16:24-25,
NKJV). We must be obedient to Christ all the way to the cross. When we surrender our lives
to Him, we find the new life with Him.
5
Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making Is... How to Live the Great Commission with Passion
and Confidence. 1st. (Brentwood, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2013). 23
2026-2027 Liberty University
Discussion Thread: Characteristics of a Follower
1. Synthesize the readings from Dempsey & Earley and Putman et al. textbooks and give 3
characteristics of a follower of Jesus Christ.
When I synthesize the readings from Dempsey & Early and Putman et al. textbooks, I see more
than three characteristics but the immediate ones that caught my attention are:
A. A characteristic of a follower of Jesus Christ is someone who continues in God’s Word
and experiences freedom in Christ.1 It is important for an individual to consistently seek
guidance and clarity by constantly searching Scripture. This is what it means to have a
hunger for God’s Word and to know the Bible inside and out.2 A follower of Jesus is not
only captured by the Word of God but is also captivated by the Word of God. The more
the individual learns about God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the more he or she
wants to know. This is an ongoing developmental characteristic of the Christ follower and
drives the individual towards spiritual maturity.
B. Considering the cost of following Christ is important for the person that must make the
decision. I like to say that if we understand that all things belong to God as the bible
states; “Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the
earth and all that is in it.” (Deu. 10:14, New King James Version), then it is easier for us
to understand that we are only stewards of what God has placed beneath us. When we
consider the cost, we must decide to forsake all in trusting Him, that is the essence of
faith. In other words, the decision to follow Christ will cost us our lives, but our lives
already belong to Him. When we come to realize this, then it is only the decision and
determination that can keep us from following Him. “God’s will and God’s plan cost
Jesus His life; it cannot cost His followers anything less.”3
C. Being productive through sharing our faith is another important characteristic. We cannot
be ashamed of our faith, our walk, or our commitment to Christ. Putman et al. states that
“A mature disciple is a witness for Christ in every way.”4 This mean that we should be
bold examples and advertisements for the Kingdom of God. Through every follower of
Christ, God is providing the world with an example of what kingdom living looks like.
We must be all in if we truly want to be followers of Christ. Does this mean that we will
1
Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making Is... How to Live the Great Commission with Passion
and Confidence. 1st. (Brentwood, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2013). 23
2
Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman. DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your Church
to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. 2nd. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2013). 43
3
Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making Is... How to Live the Great Commission with Passion
and Confidence. 1st. (Brentwood, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2013). 22
4
Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman. DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your Church
to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. 2nd. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2013). 43
, have problem free, worry-free, trouble-free lives? No, it does not! What it does mean is
that when trials and tribulation come, we know where our hope lies, we know where our
strength lies, we know where our trust lies. It is all in Jesus. When the challenges of life
hit us, we remember Psalm 121, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence
cometh my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” (Psa.
121:1-2, NKJV). We must be serious about God and we must be serious in our walk and
life in following Christ. “Our love for Christ is so great, so consuming that, in
comparison, our love for anything or anyone else in our lives feels like hatred (disdain)
for others.”5
2. Create your own definition of a follower of Jesus; use Scripture to support our definition.
My definition of a follower of Jesus;
A Jesus Follower is someone loves God and puts Him first in all things. That is placing
Him first above all else and diligently seek Him in every aspect of their life. “Therefore, do
not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we
wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you
need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these
things shall be added to you.” (Mat. 6:31-33, NKJV). God knows our needs and He directs us
to seek Him first and He will enable us to acquire all the things that we need.
A Jesus Follower is someone who places the needs of others before him or herself.
Hebrews 13:1-3 says; “Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for
by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained
with them those who are mistreated since you yourselves are in the body also.” Placing
others before yourself is having and sharing the love of God with everyone that you
encounter, so that people will know that you are a Christ follower not just in word, but also in
deed.
A Jesus Follower is someone that realizes that everything that he or she has, belongs to
God. God entrust His possessions to us and places us in a position of stewardship to manage
and use His resources properly and for His purpose. Even we are created beings, created by
God so scripture applies to us also as God’s possessions. “The earth is the LORD’S, and all
its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.” (Psa. 21:1, NKJV).
Though there are many other elements in this definition, I must also add that a Jesus
Follower must fully trust the Lord and be completely obedient to Him. Even if that mean
leaving everything behind. “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after
Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save
his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Mat. 16:24-25,
NKJV). We must be obedient to Christ all the way to the cross. When we surrender our lives
to Him, we find the new life with Him.
5
Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making Is... How to Live the Great Commission with Passion
and Confidence. 1st. (Brentwood, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2013). 23
