by Madison Dors, Student Public Relations Writer
Cedarville's discipleship ministries is heading into its 25th year of making disciples, mentoring students and equipping them to disciple others.
More than 100 different discipleship leaders now lead weekly groups on campus, meeting with students to study books of the Bible or Christian books about the nature of God and living as a believer. Those leaders are mentored by members of the discipleship council, a group of 13 upperclassmen led by Aaron Cook, director of discipleship ministries.
Student Discipleship Modeled on 2 Timothy 2:2
The structure of discipleship ministries is based on 2 Timothy 2:2, where Paul calls Timothy to entrust his teaching to other reliable individuals so that many will grow in their faith. At Cedarville, that model is reflected in a leadership structure designed to help students be discipled and then learn to disciple others.
“It’s an idea of taking what has been entrusted to us in the gospel and passing it on to others who will in turn be able to pass it on to others,” said Cook. “The structure of discipleship ministries fosters ongoing training, encouragement and accountability to help ensure that real life change can happen as we encounter God’s Word with God’s people.”
Discipleship Council Mentors Student Leaders
Cook said the discipleship council meets together to discuss what God has been teaching them and what Scripture has been on their minds recently. From there, council members invest in student leaders, who in turn invest in their own groups.
Abby Paulding, a senior biology major from Ravenna, Ohio, has experienced that progression firsthand. She joined a discipleship group as a freshman before becoming a discipleship leader. During her junior year, she served on the discipleship council, mentoring new discipleship leaders.
“We’re seeking to love Christ more,” said Paulding, “and the Lord has given us people to help one another extol his name. The more we love Christ, the more other people are drawn to worship him.”
Christian Community at the Heart of Campus Discipleship
Community is central to discipleship groups, where students share not only in the gospel but in each other’s lives. These groups create space for students to walk alongside one another through struggles and celebrations, joy and pain.
“I think part of the reason we have so many struggles is because people are so lonely, and they have bought into the lie that they need to be self-made and individualistic,” said Cook. “When we realize that we were made to be dependent on God and one another, we see how that’s just contrary to the gospel.”
Over the past 12 years as director of discipleship ministries, Cook has seen students grow through studying the Bible and sharing life with others. As the ministry enters its 25th year, its structure continues to center on that same goal: equipping students to make disciples and help those disciples do the same.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
