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Discipleship Training:
Disciplers' Main Objective Should be to Work Themselves Out of a Job:
The ministry description for a discipler is the same in many respects as any other kind of shepherd both in the general ministry duties as well as the specific ministry duties of a shepherd.
Possibly more than any other shepherding venue, however, a discipler's objective should be to work themselves out of a job by helping the disciple develop spiritual disciplines. The long range goal is to build a dependence on the Lord and not on you. If you don't get people into the Word on their own, devoted to prayer, and engaged in the other disciplines, you have not truly developed a disciple of Jesus Christ.
- Matt. 28:19-20 - "baptizing them . . . and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
- Col. 1:28-29 - "teaching everyone . . . so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ."
- Phil. 2:12 - "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed -- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence -- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you . . . "
- 2 Tim. 2:2 - "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others."
Even Jesus did not stay with His disciples forever. Ultimately He ascended to heaven. At times He sent them out on their own in preparation of His leaving and then had a time of feedback.
Following Jesus' instructions and example, the discipler will accomplish this objective by:
- seeking them out
Matt. 28:19 says "go and make disciples."
- sharing the Word
Matt. 28:19 - To "make disciples" in the Greek means to teach.
- supplication
Jn. 17 - Jesus prayed for His disciples.
- supporting
Jn. 15:11; 16:33 - Jesus told them certain things to encourage them.
- showing
Jn. 13:15 - "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."
- spurring them on
Matt. 5:21-22, 27-28, 31-32, 33-34, 38-39, 43-44 - Jesus took His disciples to higher levels . . . He said, "You have heard it said but I tell you . . ."
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