When I first arrived at Sattler College, I was hesitant about discipleship groups. I often questioned their true purpose, wondering if they had their own agendas or if their intentionality would become overwhelming. I feared being pressured into things I wasn’t comfortable with, or even worse—being subtly influenced in ways that would strip me of my ability to think and decide for myself.

Our modern society has deeply ingrained in us an individualistic mindset—one that tells us that faith is a personal journey, something we must figure out on our own. We are taught that “I” must be the one to develop faith, “I” must cultivate confidence in God, “I alone” am responsible for my spiritual growth. But how can you cultivate the fruits of the Spirit if you do not have the tools or have feedback from others telling you that you are on the right track? 

After a year as a Sattler student, my perspective has changed. I now strongly believe that discipleship and Journey Groups are at the heart of Sattler’s mission. In this post, I want to demystify the misconceptions about strong discipleship, offering insight to help you determine if Sattler is the right place for you.

Becoming Who Jesus Would Be if He Were You

Sattler College strives to provide an education that instructs the mind, discipleship that shapes the soul, and inspiration that inflames the heart. Kristi Mast, Co-Director of Student Life, shared that the mission of Sattler is not to make disciples of the college or of ourselves, but to make disciples of Jesus.

True discipleship requires the transformation of every part of us—our behavior, emotions, and intellect—so that we are filled by Christ. This transformation happens not only through the academic program but also through deeply personal interactions with teachers who model and encourage a Christ-centered life.

Dallas Willard, in The Divine Conspiracy, wrote that “discipleship is the process of becoming who Jesus would be if he were you.”¹ To follow Jesus, we must learn to become like Him, and the first step in that journey is developing lasting spiritual practices. Kristi reminds us that following Jesus requires sacrificial obedience and love. By cultivating habits such as reading Scripture, prayer, fasting, solitude, and confession, we learn to surrender ourselves to Christ and allow Him to transform our lives.

Discipleship is the process of becoming who Jesus would be if he were you.

At Sattler, you will find both the structure and community to develop these lifelong habits—building a foundation to serve Jesus faithfully for years to come.

Is It Safe to Be Vulnerable? 

How much should I share about myself? Should I be vulnerable? Is it even safe?

For much of my life, I was afraid of being vulnerable. Our life stories are so unique and precious—they deserve to be treated like delicate treasures of great worth. I didn’t always understand that I wasn’t meant to walk this Christian journey alone. It took years for me to realize that discipleship doesn’t mean handing your transformation over to others—it means letting safe, trusted people walk alongside you as Jesus does the transforming.

Kristi Mast helped me understand that healthy relationships have a progression. They are built brick by brick, slowly, over time. At their best, they grow into spaces where there are no secrets—just the mutual desire to be filled with the fullness of Christ. But none of this is possible without vulnerability.

I never truly understood the importance of vulnerability until this past semester. For the first time, I made the conscious decision to set aside the fear and pain from my past experiences with spiritual abuse and allow others to walk alongside me and speak into my life. Since coming to Sattler, I’ve been blessed by my mentor—someone who sees me not only as a student but also as a woman and as a fellow follower of Christ. I allowed her to see the unabridged version of me because I want to grow in Christlikeness, and she cares enough to speak the truth while sympathizing with what I’m going through. Truth can sometimes be heavy, but it is all part of becoming more like the likeness of Jesus Christ. She doesn’t walk with me every single day, but when we meet, I’m given the opportunity to learn from someone older and wiser.

I’ve also had a journey group. While it was difficult at first, something changed in me at the beginning of this semester. For the first time in my life, I shared my entire story—honestly, without hiding anything. I did it because, for the first time, I felt safe. I saw that the people around me weren’t trying to change me for their own agenda—they were here to help me grow in Christ.

It’s a process, and I’m not “there” yet. But I’m learning. I’m learning how to cultivate long-term spiritual practices, and I’m committing to the hard work of sacrificial obedience and sacrificial love.

If you’re considering Sattler, I want you to know that here, you’ll have the choice to be known—to share, to grow, and to be transformed. Every student experiences that journey differently, but what unites us is the desire to let Jesus fill us to the core.

And I’ll be honest: if you’re not willing to be transformed by Him, then Sattler might not be the place for you. But if you are—even if you’re unsure and afraid—I hope you’ll come and take that first step. You don’t have to walk alone.

My story is just one among many. The beauty of discipleship at Sattler is that no two journeys look exactly the same, but they all point to Jesus. Here are a few glimpses from other students:

A Testimonial from Grace Jantzi

The accountability at Sattler has been a tremendously positive experience for me. Through Journey Group, I’ve found a safe environment to share both victories and failures, receive prayer, and gain insight from others. The encouragement and shared goals within this community have given me fresh perspectives on spiritual disciplines, helping me solidify old ones and embrace new ones.

The encouragement and shared goals within this community have given me fresh perspectives on spiritual disciplines, helping me solidify old ones and embrace new ones.

Having a close group of girls walking alongside me has also made integrating into a new community much easier. When I first arrived at Sattler, I didn’t know anyone, but the relationships formed through the Discipleship Program have been a true blessing. It’s incredibly encouraging to be surrounded by others who are passionate about following the Lord.

For new students, my advice is this: step into it wholeheartedly and without fear. The rewards of vulnerability are huge. Deep, committed relationships take effort, and it can feel daunting at first, but you won’t regret allowing others to walk alongside you in your faith journey.

If I had to describe the discipleship experience here, I wouldn’t be able to sum it up in just one word. It has been both supportive and stretching in the best ways, constantly encouraging me to grow.

A Testimonial from Nevan Miller

Sattler’s Discipleship Program provides an excellent framework for spiritual growth in community. The depth of personal formation that students experience is closely tied to the time and intention they invest in the program.

In my own experience, the discipleship structures at Sattler—whether Journey Group, end-of-semester reflections, or Tea Time—naturally foster personal growth. But that growth truly flourishes when students intentionally engage, coming together to listen, encourage, and exhort one another. Walking this path in community not only strengthens us individually but also leads us closer to the glorification of God.

Walking this path in community not only strengthens us individually but also leads us closer to the glorification of God.

 A Testimonial from Hannah Watson

When it comes to accountability, I’ve had quite a journey—from not practicing it at all to making it a regular habit—and it has been incredibly powerful. One of the areas where I’ve seen the most growth is in my prayer life and Bible study routines, especially through a class called Fundamental Texts.

As someone who is naturally relational, going through this experience with my best friend Sabrina made a big difference. We learned so much together, especially how to engage with Scripture in a deeper, more meaningful way. One of the biggest takeaways for me has been learning what it truly means to seek first the Kingdom of God. Before this, I honestly had no idea what that meant. Now, it has become a guiding principle in my life.

One of the biggest takeaways for me has been learning what it truly means to seek first the Kingdom of God. Before this, I honestly had no idea what that meant. Now, it has become a guiding principle in my life.

Another important lesson has been the value of pursuing vulnerability. It’s easy to stay on the surface, but opening up—especially in journal groups—has helped me understand myself more clearly and grow in ways I didn’t expect. Sattler is such a safe and beautiful place to do this kind of work. That’s why I encourage anyone stepping into this community to prepare yourself to share openly, be vulnerable, and let yourself grow. It’s deeply worth it.

1. Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God. HarperOne, 1998. ↩︎