Discipleship Training, Jesus’ Style

Bible reading: Mark 6: 7-13

 

The disciples had been spending much time with Jesus, being … discipled. J  He taught them in many ways, by preaching and teaching, through parables, by healings and other miracles, and most of all, by means of example.  He revealed truths about Himself and the Kingdom of Heaven, as this band of men moved around together from place to place.

 

Now it was time for the 12 disciples’ first practicum of their on-the-job training! They were deemed ready enough to share and serve, as they had observed Jesus doing. He sent them out two-by-two (for mutual support perhaps?) with a list of instructions:

1)      Take nothing with you except the clothes on your backs, sandals, and a staff

2)      Choose only one house per town as your base headquarters during your stay (find people of peace to rest your peace on)

3)      Don’t stick around any place that does not welcome you or listen to you

4)      Remember that I am sending you out in my authority and power

 

What life lessons did Jesus want His disciples to learn through this experience?

1)      Depend on the hospitality of those you minister to (Matt 10:10 – for a worker is worthy of his support); My Father will provide what you need through them.

2)      Work only with those who are open to learning – look for people who want to hear, learn and be discipled. Stay with them for a period of time to give opportunity for them to both observe your life in Me as well as help provide your needs. Allow a give and take relationship to develop between you.

3)      Don’t waste your time trying to convince someone to be a disciple who isn’t ready for commitment to discipleship. Move on to help those eager to grow.

4)      Know that in My power and authority you can do anything: preach such that people repent and turn to Me; cast out demons; heal sick people everywhere you go.

 

This is Discipleship Training at its best, taught by the Master Trainer Himself! We would do well to study more about how Jesus chose, taught, and sent out His disciples – that we may learn to be and to make disciples more effectively.

Called and Equipped

2 Corinthians 11:6 (NIV)  I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way.     

There are times in ministry when we do not feel as though we have enough training to do the job we have been given.  There are times we doubt our effectiveness, as we have no diploma on the topic. This is where Paul finds himself in Chapter 11 of 2 Corinthians.  He knows he doesn't have the training,  In his mind he feels he isn't a gifted orator, but he does know a few things about the topics he preaches.

There are so many times we feel inadequate to do the work Jesus needs done. We signed up to teach children's Sunday school but struggle with our lack of skills we think we need to work with little ones.  But we volunteered because there was this nudge we could not ignore.  Paul finds himself in a similar situation.  He volunteered to serve Jesus, to tell everyone who will listen, about the amazing life Jesus offers.

Paul's problem is with those who are trying to undermine him, to convince the people to follow them and they will reveal Jesus. False prophets were working to undo everything Paul had done by claiming they knew more and they knew better. False prophets are around today too, they only take on a different form and talk a different talk.

When God calls us into ministry, when we feel his tap on our shoulders, we can respond confidently.  We have walked through the field of pain and hardships with Him at our side.  We have turned to Jesus for help and comfort and we have learned of His faithfulness.  This is the only training we need sometimes; on-the-job-training is the best witness.  Remember, God doesn't call the equipped--He equips the called.

2 Corinthians 11