Discipleship

Briercrest is a Canadian Christ-centred, Bible-anchored, and ministry-focused community that includes three schools: a high school, college, and seminary. Our schools share a commitment to train students to seek the kingdom of God, to be shaped profoundly by the Scriptures, and to be formed spiritually and intellectually for lives of service.

Below are five essential characteristics of a disciple. As each of these marks is known, valued, and lived out, a disciple can imitate Christ. These five marks can be seen in our student body, especially in daily chapels, small groups, discipleship in dorms, and outreach opportunities.

SURRENDER

Surrender is essential for the growth of the remaining five marks in a disciple’s life. Without it, those aspiring to be like Christ risk legalism, hypocrisy, or ongoing failure. Surrender is central to the discipleship journey, serving as the root, channel, and catalyst for each mark of a disciple.

COMMUNITY

Community is cultivated by engaging in a local church and developing loving, intentional, transformational relationships that are expressed through “one another” obedience, with other disciples.

PURSUIT

Pursuing God involves both community and personal practices, balancing private and public engagement. It is cultivated through spiritual practices such as Bible reading, prayer, worship, fasting, meditation, silence, and rest, both individually and in corporate and communal settings.

SERVICE

Service is cultivated by contributing to a local church or helping others in need, giving generously, and using one’s spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ.

MISSION

Mission is cultivated by praying for lost people, building friendships with those far from God, and courageously seeking to share the gospel in every aspect of our lives, whether at home, work, or during leisure activities. Sharing the Good News and doing good deeds are practiced, but priority is given to gospel witness.

A disciple is someone who accepts the teaching of a great leader, lives by it, and is passionate to share it with others. Christian discipleship, then, is the process of growing in maturity as a disciple of Christ. Along with the Holy Spirit, we call our students to have faith in Jesus, to adopt his teaching about the Kingdom of God as revealed in Scripture, and to live more and more like him every day.

Discipleship Initiatives

Although we believe every facet of a person's life is a context for discipleship, at Briercrest Christian Academy, we intentionally set time aside during the school day to worship God and grow as disciples of Jesus. All students are required to participate in the following discipleship initiatives:

Christian Ethics class

For the first two semesters, students are enrolled in a Christian ethics class that focuses on studying and memorizing the Bible, learning about Christian history, theology, and spiritual disciplines. Additionally, this class is an opportunity for students to ask questions about God and the Christian faith and to learn from their teacher’s life experiences and faith in Jesus.

Chapel

A typical week includes two chapel times in which students gather together to foster Christ-centered fellowship, to worship God, and to receive instruction from God’s word, the Bible. Occasionally, we join the College and Seminary students for larger chapels led by our President.

Small groups

Spiritual Emphasis weeks

Twice per year, BCA holds a Spiritual Emphasis week in which we give extra emphasis and encouragement toward spiritual formation, discipleship, and growth in relationship with God.

Typically, there are typically 6 chapel sessions that week (in comparison to the usual two) in which a guest speaker is brought in to teach our staff and students and challenge them to go deeper in their relationship with God.

Other Opportunities for Spiritual Growth

One-On-One Mentorship

When you attend BCA, you have the opportunity to be mentored one-on-one as a follower of Jesus, if you wish. Talk to the Director of Discipleship through the Student Development Office for more information.

Youth Quake

Every spring, students participate in Youth Quake, a Christian youth retreat by Briercrest. During Youth Quake, over a thousand high school students and youth workers join us on campus for a weekend of worship, speakers, small group time, concerts, competitions, and more!

Outreach and Service

Jesus did not come to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. Our students have a number of opportunities throughout the year to put their faith into action and, like Jesus, serve others. From shoveling people’s driveways when we get a dump of snow, to serving at a local soup kitchen, to going to other countries to help people in need, we try to provide opportunities for students to step out of their comfort zone and help other people.