Dear Church Leader,
Thank you for taking the time to participate in this Biblical Discipleship Survey, which forms part of a doctoral dissertation research project (PhD in Theology/Biblical Studies) focused on strengthening authentic New Testament discipleship in the local church. This questionnaire has been developed to help pastors, elders, and ministry leaders thoughtfully reflect on how their church’s discipleship practices align with the New Testament pattern presented in the Gospels, Acts, and the Epistles. It draws from a clear Biblical Discipleship Framework consisting of seven core themes:
The survey also includes targeted sections on doctrinal faithfulness and healthy leadership practices to identify areas of strength and any potential influences that may unintentionally drift from historic Biblical teaching. Your honest responses will provide valuable insight into current discipleship realities and will contribute directly to this dissertation research while also serving as a tool for ministry encouragement and church health. All responses are completely anonymous and confidential. No individual church or leader will be identified in the final dissertation or any related publications. Data will be reported only in aggregated form.
The survey should take approximately 12–15 minutes to complete. Most questions use a simple 5-point scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree), with a few checkbox and open-ended questions for deeper reflection. Please answer each question based on the current realities and practices in your church context. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers—only honest reflection that honors the Lord and His Word. May the Lord bless your honesty and use this exercise to draw both you and your church closer to the heart of true Biblical Discipleship.
IMPORTANT: 1. All the questions require an answer. 2. All Scriptural references given must be based on the Literal Interpretation of Scripture and the Inductive Study Method.
Johann Hanekom
064 650 7872
Your role in the church (e.g., Pastor, Elder, Deacon, Other):
Size of your congregation:
Denomination or affiliation (if any):
Years in church leadership:
Section 2: Alignment with the Biblical Discipleship Framework
Theme 1: Calling to Follow Jesus
(Definition: A personal, immediate response to Jesus’ “Follow Me” command, rooted in repentance and faith; Greek akoloutheō – to walk behind as a disciple.) Primary passages: Matt 4:18–22; 8:18–22; 16:24–26; Mark 1:16–20; 10:17–22, 27.
Leaders in my church clearly teach and model immediate, wholehearted following of Jesus as the starting point of discipleship.
We emphasize that true discipleship requires counting the cost and denying self (no “easy-believism”).
Theme 2: Obedience to Christ’s Commands
(Definition: Active obedience to Jesus’ teachings as the evidence of genuine faith and love for Him.)
Primary passages: Matt 7:21–27; 28:19–20; John 14:15, 21; 15:10–14; James 1:22–25.
Church teaching prioritizes full obedience to the commands of Christ over cultural or denominational traditions.
Leaders equip members to obey Scripture through practical application rather than mere knowledge.
Discipleship in our church focuses on inner character transformation and the fruit of the Spirit more than external programs or attendance.
Leaders regularly assess and encourage personal fruitfulness through mentoring and accountability.
Theme 4: Community, Accountability, and Service
(Definition: Loving, accountable relationships within the body of Christ, with humble service; Greek diakonos.)
Primary passages: Matt 18:15–20; 20:25–28; Acts 2:42–47; Eph 4:11–16; 1 Pet 5:1–5.
Our church practices Biblical community, mutual accountability, and servant leadership without hierarchical control.
Leaders model and teach sacrificial service rather than demanding it from members.
Theme 5: Making Disciples and the Great Commission
(Definition: Actively reproducing disciples who make disciples, fulfilling the mission.)
Primary passages: Matt 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; 2 Tim 2:2; Titus 2:1–8.
Discipleship training in our church explicitly prepares every member to make disciples.
We measure success by multiplication of disciples, not just church growth or programs.
Theme 6: Spiritual Growth
(Definition: Intentional, ongoing progress in maturity in Christ through the Word, prayer, the Holy Spirit, and obedience — moving from spiritual infancy toward full Christ-likeness.)
Primary passages: 1 Peter 2:2; Ephesians 4:11–16; Philippians 1:6; 2 Peter 3:18; Colossians 1:28; Hebrews 5:11–6:1.
Our church intentionally equips believers to grow from spiritual infancy toward maturity in Christ.
Leaders regularly teach and model practices that promote spiritual growth (e.g., personal Bible intake, prayer, and application of truth).
Discipleship pathways in our church help members progress beyond basic knowledge to deep transformation and fruitfulness.
We celebrate and measure spiritual growth by increasing Christ-likeness rather than by attendance or program involvement alone.
Church teaching emphasizes that spiritual growth is a lifelong process empowered by the Holy Spirit, not a one-time event.
(Definition: The call and process of being set apart for God, pursuing purity in thought, word, and deed, and reflecting God’s holy character in daily life.)
Primary passages: 1 Peter 1:15–16; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–8; Hebrews 12:14; Romans 6:22; Ephesians 1:4.
Our church clearly teaches and encourages the pursuit of personal holiness as essential to authentic discipleship.
Leaders model a life of holiness and repentance, calling the congregation to separate from sin and worldly influences.
Discipleship in our church addresses practical areas of holiness (thought life, speech, sexuality, relationships, etc.).
We emphasize that holiness is God’s will for every believer and is made possible through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Church practices and teaching uphold the Biblical truth that without holiness no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
The Bible is the fully inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God in all matters of faith and practice.
Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—without works or additional requirements.
Baptism is for believers only and should occur immediately upon genuine profession of faith (no mandatory classes, waiting periods, or scheduled services).
Church traditions or denominational policies must never override clear New Testament patterns (e.g., immediate believer’s baptism as in Acts).
Church leaders regularly engage in deep, inductive personal Bible study and equip every member to do the same.
Which of the following best describes the Theological/Educational qualifications of church leaders (pastors, elders, deacons) in your church? (Select all that apply)
Formal Theological training
Some Theological training
Teaching in the church upholds historic evangelical doctrines (e.g., literal resurrection, virgin birth, substitutionary atonement) without re-interpretation to fit modern culture.
Section 4: Biblical Church Leadership
Church leaders provide clear, transparent expectations for service, giving, and involvement without using guilt or fear as motivation.
Members are actively encouraged to study Scripture independently and to question teachings in light of the Bible.
Leadership welcomes honest feedback, constructive criticism, and accountability from the congregation.
Spiritual growth is measured by personal devotion to Christ and obedience to Scripture rather than compliance with church programs or attendance.
Leaders empower members to use their gifts freely for the body of Christ without creating dependency on pastoral approval.
Decisions about resources, housing, or support (if provided) are handled with full transparency and without tying them to obedience or loyalty.
Your thoughtful responses are deeply appreciated and will play a valuable role in strengthening Biblical Discipleship within the local church. By taking the time to reflect on these important areas — from wholehearted following of Jesus and obedience to His commands, to detecting potential influences that may drift from Scripture, and evaluating leadership practices — you are contributing to a clearer vision of New Testament-style discipleship.
This feedback will help identify strengths to celebrate, as well as opportunities to realign church practices more closely with the pattern we see in the Gospels, Acts, and the Epistles. May the Lord continue to grant you wisdom, courage, and joy as you shepherd His people. As Paul encouraged Timothy: “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called” (1 Timothy 6:12).
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