WOLBI's Heartbeat - Personal Discipleship

Have you ever felt the need to just talk to someone? Talk to someone and be able to them about the things that are really bothering you, REALLY bothering you? Have you ever felt afraid to say anything because it might make you seem weird or someone might find out?

Discipleship is really what sets us apart at the Owen Sound campus of the Word of Life Bible Institute.

“I really enjoy the personal discipleship here. The disciplers are really interested in you and want to see you grow closer to God in your spiritual walk.” Student Class of 2012

“It has been an amazing year to grow closer to God and learn. In two months I believe I have learned more at WOLBI than in my year at another Bible college last year.”Student Class of 2012

Some would consider discipleship as meeting with people and simply asking, “So, how are you?” “How’s work?” etc. but is that really what Jesus had in mind when He put forth the command to “Go and make disciples”? Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing ungodly about just ‘getting together’ as a form of informal discipleship. We seek to provide just that through the many social activities such as banquets, crazy game nights, and other merely fun and social activities that dot our calendars allowing students and staff to connect. However, if this is our only definition of discipleship, I believe we are being blatantly disobedient to God’s desire. Let’s look at Jesus’ words:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…”
Matt. 28:18-20a

You see discipleship is more than just what we call “fellowship.” It is teaching people to obey everything that Jesus commanded – the whole counsel of God! This grand a task cannot effectively be done shooting the breeze over coffee with idle chatter. It is transparent, purposeful, and diligent inter-personal ministry.

“A big blessing for me has been discipleship. There have been times when I feel like I am the only one struggling with the issue that I have. Through discipleship, I have learned that my struggle is actually very common and the Bible has the exact answer for it. The more I get into God's Word the more I learn about the mighty God we serve.” Student Class of 2011

“A staff member was used by the Lord to change my life and I daily remember the things he has taught me… He changed the way I used to think and taught me life-values from the Bible. He taught me how to make biblical principles for my life. He taught me how to act proper in the way I treat my parents. He taught me how to deal with many bad situations.” Student Class of 2011

So what makes us so different?  Our daily Quiet Time (personal devotions), evening Dorm Devos, chapels, dorm life, and the voluntary, personal one-on-one discipleship program with discipleship-equipped staff members, all focus on the intersection between God’s Word and our lives and is a powerful recipe for life-change!

“Deans’ chapels have really been applicable and practical in helping me dealing with sin in my life!” Student Class of 2012

There’s no better place to not only learn the Word, but to learn to live the Word.
Why not consider joining us as we corporately and personally ‘provoke each other to love and good works’ and teach each other to ‘observe all the things that Jesus has commanded us.’

 Jonathan Ward, Assoc.Dean of Students



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