For starters, Jesus chose ordinary people.There was no attempt to reach the rich and famous in order to build a ‘trickle-down’ gospel. He went for people who were surprised at his choice. An honest desire to know God and his grace is a better qualification for ministry than wealth or political strength. The scriptures advise us that the Lord has chosen the simple of this world to confound the wise. God can only work with willing hearts.
Second, he lived a consistent life before them. His message and character were in line with each other. Take the disciples desire to call down fire on their enemies. Jesus’ response was consistent with a message of love and forgiveness.
Third, Jesus modeled ministry before he asked it. The disciples of Jesus could simply imitate his actions. The best teacher will break a process into small parts and demonstrate each to his or her students. There is comfort in knowing what to do in a crisis because you watched and practiced beforehand.
Jesus allowed for failures. He built a climate of love and acceptance that rewarded mistakes with calm explanations and deeper insights. Fear of failure keeps most people from living anywhere near their potential. The wise coach will encourage many small risks. The successes catalogue as progress while the mistakes open the door for more teaching. There is no room for castigation and ridicule.
Jesus’ coaching and discipling model was often driven by the disciples’ questions. He would engage the Pharisees in debate and then retreat with the disciples. In those times of retreat he answered questions arising from the conflict with the Pharisees. He allowed hungry minds to explore areas of concern. The disciples initiated discussion under the umbrella of the situations he created.
Life and ministry offer opportunity at every turn. Everyday struggles present a format for learning just as waves present opportunity for surfing. Too often we confine learning of God and his kingdom to a classroom experience. We need a change of paradigm when training for life and ministry. Teaching is best done where learning is best accomplished. Classroom instruction is helpful and most often necessary. But, it can never be primary.
Primary or foundational education must always be relational. You learned to speak the same way someone learns surfing or how to pilot an aircraft. You listened and imitated someone who was kind to you and willing to correct you in love. After speaking for awhile, you entered a classroom to refine your skills. The same is true of Christian living and of Christian leadership. You learn it best in the context of a friendly relationship where you are free to learn by imitation and exhortation.
For Jesus, discipling is usually informal but structured. You work in the context of a friendship or you build one, but you work from a plan. In building your plan look to Jesus as your model.
An informal, but structured discipleship focuses on the Head, the Heart and the Hands.
Head—what did you learn?
Heart—what did God say to you?
Hands—what will you do?
— Ralph Moore (check Church Planters Forum for resources)
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