Ministry Training - Equipping | Christian Ministry Training Blog

Who Needs to be Thoroughly Equipped?

Posted on May 24, 2017 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 1 Comment ↓

Scripture Thoroughly Equips All Servants of God — (Click image to go to Pinterest & repin an enlarged image.)

God uses His Word to thoroughly equip but who needs that kind of equipping? Certainly we would say pastors, missionaries, and others in full-time ministry. And, we might add Bible teachers and ministry leaders to the list.

If we look at 2 Timothy 3:16-17, however, we find that those God intends to thoroughly equip aren’t just people in certain positions or types of ministry but rather, all of His people.

All God’s People Need to be Thoroughly Equipped

Depending on the Bible version we use, we might read that either the “man of God” or “servant of God” be equipped. The Greek word anthropos used in this verse does mean “man” but generally refers more to mankind or human beings, whether male or female. The verse does not use the typical word for servant. The “of God” phrase, however, narrows down the target to those who belong to God so, by implication, “servant of God” would be accurate.

God does use His Word to bring unbelievers to Himself as seen in the verse just prior that refers to “the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15). Elsewhere we read, “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Rom. 10:17).

The full benefit of God’s Word, however, comes after salvation in the lives of those now in Him — people “of God” (2 Tim.3:17). Why? We have the Spirit within us who is able to take what is God’s and make it known to us.

What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. (1 Cor. 2:12-14)

Because of God’s Spirit within us, we are able to understand God’s Word and use it as the grid through which we make decisions. God and His Word become the standard against which we line up whatever we do. Consequently the Holy Spirit within us makes it possible for God’s Word to thoroughly equip us. No matter our gender, ministry position, age, background, or any other factor, if we belong to God, He not only intends for us to be thoroughly equipped but has also provided the means.

But, for what purpose does He want us to be thoroughly equipped? That’s the topic for the next post.

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How are we Thoroughly Equipped?

Posted on May 17, 2017 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

We’ve established in the previous post that God intends for us to be thoroughly equipped for the ministry He gives us to do.

As we’ll also see in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, God provides the means for such equipping through His Word.

(Click on image to go to Pinterest for an enlarged version and repin.)

The Comprehensive Nature of Scripture Means We can be Thoroughly Equipped

Notice that “ALL Scripture is … useful” according to 2 Timothy 3:16-17. If we handpick what parts of the Bible we want to believe or apply to life, we may not find ourselves thoroughly equipped. Even the genealogies and detailed measurements can have a place in equipping us.

Perhaps before we can appreciate the details, we need a big picture perspective of Scripture and particularly of the God of the Bible. Understanding the fullness of the character and ways of God can make such a difference. Although written with Bible teachers in mind, the following posts on the TrainBibleTeachers.com blog may increase the value we place on gaining the bigger picture.

Suggestion: Come up with a plan to read through and study all of Scripture, not just the easy to understand or more palatable parts.

The Authoritative Basis of God’s Word for Equipping

The reason all Scripture is useful is because “all Scripture is God-breathed” and thereby not only has a purpose for being included but also the authority and power to make a difference. If we don’t believe this, we will have more of a tendency to pick and choose what we want to believe and apply. As a result, we will very likely not find ourselves thoroughly equipped. For more about this point, read the following:

Suggestion: If you doubt the veracity of Scripture, or tend to pick and choose, take time to get to know the God of the Bible better. If He truly is the God of whom there is none greater, then He has absolute authority.

The Targeted Means through Which the Bible Equips

We are at different places. What one person needs to be ready for service may differ from the next person. Some may need to learn something new. Others may need to become aware of something they’re doing wrong. Or, it might be simply tweaking or improving what we’re doing. Perhaps some need to be taken to the next step in their walk and service. Whatever the need, God’s Word is what will teach, rebuke, correct, and train us. Thorough equipping cannot be a “one size fits all” or “cookie cutter” approach.

Suggestion: Examine your approach to God and His Word. Are you hearing from Him or merely copying and comparing yourself to what others are doing?

The Depth or Extent to Which Scripture Equips

Notice how God uses His Word to train us “in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). This is a very important point as God cares about the process, not just the end result. If God didn’t address the heart, our equipping wouldn’t be thorough. He wants to transform our hearts not merely our behavior. Motivation matters. Character matters. Integrity in serving matters. Thorough equipping happens from the inside out. — For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Heb. 4:12)

Suggestion: Ask God to search your heart and thoughts to see what needs to change and to equip you accordingly (Ps. 139:23-24).

Intended to be Thoroughly Equipped

Posted on May 10, 2017 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 4 Comments ↓

God saved us for a reason — to do good works.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:8-10)

God doesn’t, however, save us by His grace and power and then intend for us to go off in our own wisdom and strength, to figure it out on our own. Rather, “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).

God’s Intent for Us to be Thoroughly Equipped

When God commissions us to do His work here on earth, He provides all we need to do it as seen in a number of Scripture passages like:

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life … (2 Pet. 1:3-4)

has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Eph. 1:3)

Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. (Jn. 1:16)

for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Phil. 2:13)

But, the verses we will focus on for the next several posts come from 2 Timothy 3:16-17 —

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

(Click on image to go to Pinterest for an enlarged version and repin.)

What It Means to be Thoroughly Equipped

The phrase “thoroughly equipped” stems from two forms of the same Greek word, one an adjective, artios, and the other a verb, exartizo. They both bring the idea of completeness. The verb is the furnishing, providing, fitting, or supplying part of completeness. The adjective describes how thoroughly that process is accomplished. By using these two forms of the same word so close together, God obviously wants to make a point, emphasizing how much He intends to provide for us to do His will. — We are furnished completely complete.

As noted in the other referenced verses, we have everything we need, every spiritual blessing, grace upon grace, to accomplish “every good work” according to His power and grace.

Make no mistake: God’s aim is for us to be thoroughly equipped. In the upcoming posts we will examine 2 Timothy 3:16-17 to learn:

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Prepared Ministry Workers

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 1 Comment ↓

We usually equate preparing people for ministry with training them to effectively accomplish the tasks involved in their area of service. While that is good and necessary, they should also be prepared for what they will face. If they go into ministry with unrealistic expectations, they’ll become disillusioned, discouraged, or disgruntled. They may even want to quit. Prepared ministry workers, on the other hand, tend to rise above and find serving worthwhile regardless of what they face.

The Truth About Ministry

Ministry will not always be easy or pleasant. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble” (Jn. 16:33). Nowhere do we read of ministry being the exception.

But, prepared ministry workers acknowledge other truths that make ministry, no matter how difficult or trying it may be, so worthwhile and possible to accomplish with peace and joy in our hearts. We have a Power Source to enable us to not only survive but thrive no matter what we face.

Jesus’ words to His disciples in John 16:33 begin with, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.” Let’s follow the example of the Master Disciple-Maker. He prepared His ministry workers by informing them of the harsh realities of serving. He also informed them of what they needed to remember in order to not lose heart in ministry — “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Kinds of Trouble Ministry Workers Should Be Prepared to Face:

If serving long enough, ministry workers will undoubtedly face some kind of problem or issue. If we at least prepare them for this reality, they may not let it pull them down. Let people know that they will face …

obstacles

conflict

temptation

(Click on the above links for input on being prepared for each of the above-mentioned troubles.)

We don’t always know what we will face in ministry so we need to prepare in ways we can. Prepared ministry workers know that no matter what happens, we have a God who is with us to guide, motivate, empower, and use us to make a difference. And, that makes it so worthwhile!

Why Don’t We Provide Ministry Training for Everyone?

Posted on June 22, 2009 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 4 Comments ↓

We all have something to learn. None of us have arrived … in our personal walks or in our ministries. So, shouldn’t we be providing ministry training for everyone?

“Not that I have already obtained this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” –the Apostle Paul (Phil. 3:12)

It doesn’t matter the . . .

position (how high or how low),

tasks (how minor or how major),

experience (how long or how short),

training (how formal or how informal),

. . . we all need to keep learning and growing.

Reasons We Fail to Provide Ministry Training for Everyone in All Types of Ministries

Perhaps we resist training everyone because of past reactions. People don’t seem interested. They don’t attend. They don’t need one more thing to do.

Not interested? Perhaps they aren’t finding it relevant and therefore lack a reason to be interested. When we use a one-size-fits-all approach, meeting the needs of ministry workers is hit or miss.

Don’t attend? Perhaps the time doesn’t suit. Perhaps they find it hard to sit through a meeting. When we fail to provide alternative means of training, gaining their participation is an uphill battle.

Too busy? Perhaps the real issue is that they don’t view it as a priority. We tend to find the time to do what we view as important. When we make training simply about doing a better job, getting people on board might be all the harder if they feel they are doing a good enough job. When we make serving more about lining up with the Almighty God and working in cooperation with Him, people just may find themselves thinking twice about equipping.

The Minimum Training We Should Provide

At minimum, we should be giving everyone in ministry a big picture perspective of the area of ministry in which they are engaged. What does God want to do through that kind of ministry? How can we line up with Him and work in cooperation with Him?

The Ministry Manuals published by Ministry Tools Resource Center can help you with that. They are available individually for twelve different ministry areas or as a download bundle deal.

If you haven’t been training everyone for ministry, think and pray about it. If it seems a bit overwhelming, begin by determining some first steps that to take toward that objective.