Online Discipling of North African Isolated Christians of Muslim Background

Abstract

This project was a small-scale study of the effectiveness of using the Created for Relationship curriculum (Arabic Version) to disciple isolated Christians from Muslim backgrounds (CMB) of North African descent, using Action research as a methodology. The study materials, created purposefully, to disciple CMB were delivered to participants in an online environment. The teaching goals of this Bible study were to enable believers to understand and reflect on essential Christian doctrines, apply it to their daily lives, and engage in biblical behavioural practices as a result. This project was conducted and tested with twenty participants. Data collection tools included an initial written narrative, the responses to a 14-week online study Created for Relationship, an online course evaluation survey, and a second written narrative. The findings indicate that CMB were aware of their need to learn and grow in their new relationship with God, however, discipleship in a world of online social connections requires the same intentional mentorship relationship as in-person discipleship. This project demonstrated that online discipleship can be complex, but is a feasible endeavor when a relational rapport has been established between the discipler and the disciple. Though not initially expected, this finding is what the research revealed.