Cover Front Reproducing Laborers Book Three-B

NORTH AMERICAN ENGLISH EDITION

Equipping The Saints

Reproducing Laborers

“…for the work of the ministry,

for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
—Ephesians 4:12

Book Three-B
David L. Dawson
This page is intentionally left blank to indicate the inside of the front cover page.
“…for the work of the ministry, for
the edifying of the body of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:12

Book Three - B
by David L. Dawson
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Equipping The Saints, Book Three-B

Copyright © 1982 ETS Ministries
Greenville, Texas U.S.A.

All Rights Reserved, including translation.

ETS Ministries is an organization devoted to helping churches and mission

agencies train disciples to do the work of the ministry.

Scripture quotations in this publication are from The Holy Bible,

The New King James Version, Copyright ©1979, 1980, 1982, 1984,
Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.
Used by permission.

English edition printed in the United States of America.

ETS is currently being translated or printed

in 35 different languages world-wide.

For information concerning tranlations contact etsusa@aol.com.

 Course Content Overview

EQUIPPING THE SAINTS

Course Content Overview

T
he Equipping The Saints Course consists of Nine Books covering Eleven Major Subject
Areas essential to growth and discipleship in the Christian Life. These subjects are
“layered” throughout the various courses so that a student is normally working on at
least three areas simultaneously. This structure will be indicated in the numbering system
used throughout the Course. The first number (example: 2/1) refers to the book; the second
number refers to the chapter (see Contents pages 2 and 3).

10

11

Note: Shaded blocks indicate subject areas covered in Course 3B iii

 Course Content Overview by subject areas

EQUIPPING THE SAINTS

Course Content Overview

1 2
COMMISSION
Chapter
1 A Journey with a Purpose 1/1 Perspective
2 God’s Strategy for the Disciple’s Mission 1/2 The Great Commission and Its Fulfilling
3 God’s Triune Restoration of Sinful Man 1/3 The Priesthood of Every Believer
4 The Spirit-Filled Life and The Lordship
of Christ
5 The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
6 The Process of Being Filled with the Spirit
7 Discovering Spiritual Gifts
8 Introductory Guide to Using ETS Materials

3 EVANGELISM 4
MANAGEMENT 1/6 Introduction to Evangelism
1/4 A Biblical Perspective on Time 1/7 The Bridge Presentation
1/5 How to Organize My Time 1/8 Opening and Controlling a Conversation

2/1 Principles of Time Management 2/3 Open Nerves of Evangelism

2/2 How to Write Good Objectives 2/4 Sharing Your Testimony Effectively
2/5 Priorities in the Use of Time 2/6 Basic Tactics of Evangelism
2/7 Stevens’ Law and the Socratic Form of
2/15 Management of Financial Resources Evangelism
2/16 Evaluation and Appraisal

5 6
1/9 Assurance of Salvation
1/10 Quiet Time 2/8 Basic Follow–Up
1/11 Prayer 2/9 Principles of Follow–Up
1/12 The Victorious Life 2/10 Principles of Teaching
1/13 The Word of God 2/11 Principles of Learning
1/14 The Obedient Life 2/12 Follow–Up Objectives
1/15 The Lordship of Christ 2/13 Follow–Up Tools for Converts
1/16 Semester Evaluation 2/14 Follow–Up Tools for Disciples

iv
 Course Content Overview by subject areas (cont.)

EQUIPPING THE SAINTS

Course Content Overview

7 8
3/1 Definition of Discipleship 3/3 Leading Bible Study Discussion I
3/2 A Principle of Discipleship 3/4 Leading Bible Study Discussion II
3/7 The Focal Point of Discipleship 3/5 Leading Bible Study Discussion III
3/8 Commitment to Discipleship 3/6 Leading Bible Study Discussion IV

3/12 Finding the Will of God 3/9 Pacesetting

3/13 Spiritual Reproduction 3/10 Selecting People for Discipling
3/14 Interpersonal Relationships 3/11 Team and Teamwork

9
3/15 Introduction to Leadership
3/16 Biblical Leadership

4/4 Leadership and Planning

4/5 Leadership and Organizing
4/6 Leadership and Leading
4/7 Leadership and Evaluation
4/8 Leadership and Motivating

CHRISTIAN CHARACTER 10 11
4/1 Character Development 4/9 Overview: Genesis to Revelation
4/1 Pride vs. Humility 4/10 The Promise to Adam
4/2 Faith 4/11 The Promise to Abraham
4/2 Integrity 4/12 The Promise to David
4/3 Servanthood 4/13 The Promise of a New Covenant
4/3 Purity 4/14 The Promise Fulfilled
4/15 The Promise Expanded
4/16 The Promise Through Prophecy

Note: Shaded blocks indicate subject areas covered in Course 3B

v
 Course Content Overview by books

Chapter Chapter
1 Assurance of Salvation 9 The Bridge Presentation
2 Prayer 10 Opening and Controlling a Conversation
3 Quiet Time 11 The Obedient Life
4 The Victorious Life 12 The Lordship of Christ
5 The Word of God 13 Perspective
6 Biblical Perspective on Time 14 The Great Commission and Its Fulfilling
7 How to Organize My Time 15 The Priesthood of the Believer
8 Introduction to Evangelism 16 Semester Evaluation

Chapter Chapter
1 A Journey with a Purpose 5 The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
2 God’s Strategy for the Disciple’s Mission 6 The Process of Being Filled with the Spirit
3 God’s Triune Restoration of Sinful Man 7 Discovering Spiritual Gifts
4 The Spirit-Filled Life and The Lordship of Christ 8 Introductory Guide to Using ETS Materials

1/1 Perspective 2/1 Principles of Time Management

1/2 The Great Commission and Its Fulfilling 2/2 How to Write Good Objectives
1/3 The Priesthood of Every Believer 2/3 Open Nerves of Evangelism
1/4 Biblical Perspective on Time 2/4 Sharing Your Testimony Effectively
1/5 How to Organize My Time 2/5 Priorities in the Use of Time
1/6 Introduction to Evangelism 2/6 Basic Tactics of Evangelism
1/7 The Bridge Presentation 2/7 Stevens’ Law and the Socratic Form
1/8 Opening and Controlling a Conversation 2/8 Basic Follow–Up

1/9 Assurance of Salvation 2/9 Principles of Follow–Up

1/10 Quiet Time 2/10 Principles of Teaching
1/11 Prayer 2/11 Principles of Learning
1/12 The Victorious Life 2/12 Follow–Up Objectives
1/13 The Word of God 2/13 Follow–Up Tools for Converts
1/14 The Obedient Life 2/14 Follow–Up Tools for Disciples
1/15 The Lordship of Christ 2/15 Management of Financial Resources
1/16 Semester Evaluation 2/16 Evaluation and Appraisal

3/1 Definition of Discipleship 4/1 Character Development / Pride vs. Humility

3/2 A Principle of Discipleship 4/2 Faith / Integrity
3/3 Leading Bible Study Discussion I 4/3 Servanthood / Purity
3/4 Leading Bible Study Discussion II 4/4 Leadership and Planning
3/5 Leading Bible Study Discussion III 4/5 Leadership and Organizing
3/6 Leading Bible Study Discussion IV 4/6 Leadership and Leading
3/7 The Focal Point of Discipleship 4/7 Leadership and Evaluation
3/8 Commitment to Discipleship 4/8 Leadership and Motivating

3/9 Pacesetting 4/9 Overview: Genesis to Revelation

3/10 Selecting People for Discipling 4/10 The Promise to Adam
3/11 Team and Teamwork 4/11 The Promise to Abraham
3/12 Finding the Will of God 4/12 The Promise to David
3/13 Spiritual Reproduction 4/13 The Promise of a New Covenant
3/14 Interpersonal Relationships 4/14 The Promise Fulfilled
3/15 Introduction to Leadership 4/15 The Promise Expanded
3/16 Biblical Leadership 4/16 The Promise Through Prophecy

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 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS

Ministry * Outside Reading and

Book Topic Memory and Other
Assignments

3/1 Definition of Romans 8:32 • Purity of Life • DAMNB Ch. 1

Philippians * Pray for a Convert • Write Objectives
pg. 1 Discipleship * Pray for Disciple
4:19 • 5 PSMA
* Meet with Disciple • Bible Reading Chart
* Discipling Plan
• Integrity in Living
3/2 A Principle of Hebrews * Pray for a Convert • DAMNB Ch. 2
pg. 37 Discipleship 2:18 * Pray for Disciple • 5 PSMA
Psalm * Meet with Disciple • Bible Reading Chart
* Follow-Up Guide
119:9,11 * Discipling Plan
• Char. in Action
3/3 Leading Bible Matthew * Share Bridge • DAMNB Ch. 3
pg. 65 Discussion I 6:33 * Evangelism Report • 5 PSMA
Luke 9:23 * Pray for Disciple • Bible Reading Chart
* Meet with Disciple
* Discipling Plan
• Who is God?
3/4 Leading Bible 1 John * Pray for a Convert • DAMNB Ch. 4
pg. 95 Discussion II 2:15,16 * Pray for Disciple • 5 PSMA
Romans 12:2 * Meet with Disciple • Bible Reading Chart
* Discipling Plan

• Authority of Word
3/5 Leading Bible 1 Corinth- * Pray for a Convert • DAMNB Ch. 5
pg. 121 Discussion III ians 15:58 * Pray for a Disciple • 5 PSMA
Hebrews * Meet with Disciple • Bible Reading Chart
12:3 * Discipling Plan • Write Questions

• The Holy Spirit

3/6 Leading Bible Mark 10:45 * Share Bridge • DAMNB Ch. 6
pg. 145 Discussion IV 2 Corinth- * Evangelism Report • Discussion Questions
ians 4:5 * Pray for Disciple • 5 PSMA
* Meet with Disciple • Bible Reading Chart
* Discipling Plan

3/7 • Spiritual Warfare

The Focal Point Proverbs * Pray for a Convert • DAMNB Ch. 7
pg. 183 of Discipleship 3:9,10 * Pray for Disciple • Discussion Questions
2 Corinth- * Meet with Disciple • 5 PSMA
ians 9:6,7 * Discipling Plan • Bible Reading Chart

• Return of Christ
3/8 Commitment to Acts 1:8 * Pray for a Convert • DAMNB Ch. 8
pg. 213 Discipleship John 20:21 * Pray for Disciple • Discussion Questions
* Meet with Disciple • 5 PSMA
* Discipling Plan • Bible Reading Chart

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 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Ministry * Outside Reading and
Book Topic Memory and Other
Assignments

• What is a Disciple?
3/9 Pacesetting John * Share Bridge • DAMNB Ch. 9
pg. 1 13:34,35 * Evangelism Report • Discussion Questions
1 John 3:18 * Pray for Disciple • 5 PSMA
* Meet with Disciple • Bible Reading Chart
* Discipling Plan
• The Responsible
3/10 Selecting People Philippians Steward • DAMNB Ch. 10
pg. 35 for Discipling 2:3,4 * Pray for a Convert • 5 PSMA
1 Peter 5:5,6 * Pray for Disciple • Bible Reading Chart
* Meet with Disciple
* Discipling Plan
• Helping Others
3/11 Team and Ephesians Find Christ • DAMNB Ch. 11
pg. 65 Teamwork 5:3 * Pray for a Convert • 5 PSMA
1 Peter 2:11 * Pray for Disciple • Bible Reading Chart
* Meet with Disciple
* Discipling Plan
• Follow-Up
3/12 Finding the Will Leviticus * Share Bridge • DAMNB Ch. 12
pg. 91 of God 19:11 * Evangelism Report • 5 PSMA
Acts 24,16 * Pray for Disciple • Bible Reading Chart
* Meet with Disciple
* Discipling Plan

3/13 Spiritual Hebrews • World Vision • How to Know

11:6 * Pray for a Convert the Will of God
pg. 119 Reproduction * Pray for Disciple
Romans • 5 PSMA
* Meet with Disciple • Bible Reading Chart
4:20,21 * Discipling Plan

3/14 Interpersonal Galatians • Intro. to Thess. • Acceptance

pg. 151 Relationships 6:9,10 * Pray for a Convert • 5 PSMA
* Pray for Disciple • Bible Reading Chart
Matthew * Meet with Disciple
5:16 * Discipling Plan
• 1 Thessalonians 1 • Marks of a Disciple
3/15 Introduction on your own * Share Bridge
(oyo) * Evangelism Report • 5 PSMA
pg. 179 to Leadership • Bible Reading Chart
* Meet with Disciple
* Follow-Up Guide * Evaluation of
* Discipling Plan Objectives
• 1 Thessalonians 2
3/16 Biblical oyo * Pray for a Convert • 5 PSMA
pg. 213º Leadership * Meet with Disciple • Bible Reading Chart
* Follow-Up Guide
* Hand in Objectives
* Discipling Plan
viii
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
The next three pages are the most important pages in the Equipping The Saints course for several
reasons. They:

• make the Equipping The Saints course an on-the-job training program,

• make the Equipping The Saints course training practical and not just cognitive, and
• make the disciple reproduce in others what is being taught.

The end product or objective of Equipping The Saints is to make you a reproducing disciple. From the
onset of your training you must start praying for two people to win to Christ. This engages you in evan-
gelism—fishing for people. You also begin praying for one person to disciple. This causes you to reach
back into the church for people who are not growing the way they should in their walk with God.

Ministry Prayer Guide

On the next page you will find the Ministry Prayer Guide. This will help you identify potential people
for your ministry.

Non-Christian Friends
Make a list of all your non-Christian friends and begin to pray for them. When you have peace from God
about a name, move the person to the evangelism section of your Ministry Discipleship Guide and follow
their four line syllabus. Move the person to the Ministry Prayer Tree in the space marked “Convert”.

Christian Friends
Make a list of Christian friends who do not seem to be growing in their walk with God. When you have
a commitment from a person to go through Equipping The Saints with you, write the name in the
Disciple-Making section of your Ministry Discipleship Guide and on your Ministry Prayer Tree on the
line marked “Disciple.”

Ministry Prayer Tree

The Ministry Prayer Tree helps you visualize God’s plan for your ministry. Write your name in the box on
the left side of the page. The three you win and disciple must be trained to reproduce the next generation.
Set your heart now to labor until at least this page is filled with your spiritual children. What a wonderful
gift of obedience this would be to present to your Savior at the Judgment Seat of Christ!

Ministry Discipleship Guide

This guide will direct you in what to do with your converts and disciples until we get to this subject matter later
in your training.

Evangelism
The four-point outline will guide you in what to do with the people you want to win.

Discipleship
The nine-point outline will guide you in what to do with your new convert or disciple as you help the
person grow toward discipleship.

ix
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS

Student’s Name Date

Make a list of your non-Christian friends and begin to pray for them. When you feel peace about
two of them, enter their names on your Ministry Discipleship Guide (pg. xxx).

Non-Christian Friends

Make a list of your Christian friends who are not growing in their walk with God. When you have
peace about one of these, enter that person’s name on your Ministry Discipleship Guide.

Christian Friends

x
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS

Paul Timothy Faithful Men Others

First Generation Second Generation Third Generation Fourth Generation

Convert

Your Name Convert

“And the things you

have heard from me Disciple
among many witnesses,
commit these to faithful
men who will be able to
teach others also.”
(2 Timothy 2:2)

xi
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS

Student’s Name Date

As part of your Equipping The Saints training, you are to ask God for two persons to win to Christ.
List the two persons below, once you have peace from God who those persons should be.

Name ✔ Date Name ✔ Date

Prayed For Prayed For

Shared Testimony Shared Testimony

Presented Bridge Presented Bridge

Decision Decision

You are also to ask God to give you one person to disciple. This person may be a Christian friend
who is not growing, and for whom you are praying, or it could be one of the above converts.

Name ✔ Date Comment

Received Christ

Baptized

Attends Church Regularly

Consistent Quiet Time

Five Assurance Bible Studies
1/4-1/8
Memorized Five Assurance
Verses 1/4-1/8
Memorizes and Shares the
Bridge
Develops A Servant Heart
Committed to Growing —
Finished ETS Book One

xii
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS

Names 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

xiii
xiv
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Disciple Application Guide

Student’s Name Group Date

Subject Area Advanced Follow-Up
Topic Pacesetting

Completed
Disciple’s Profile
Yes No
Topic Notes
Review Pacesetting

Bible Study
Complete What Is a Disciple (Be Ready to Discuss)
Write a set of Discussion Questions

Personal & Spiritual Management Aid

Do 5 PSMA

Outside Reading
Bible Reading Chart
Read Disciples Are Made Not Born — Chapter 9
(Be Ready to Discuss)
Ministry: Evangelism/Follow-Up/Discipleship
Share Bridge
Complete Evangelism Report
Pray for your disciple
Meet with your disciple
Complete Discipling Plan
Scripture Memory
John 13:34,35
1 John 3:18
Review all previous verses

1
2
 Pacesetting

NOTES

Pacesetting

Introduction
It would be difficult to read and study the New Testament
without being struck by the remarkable difference between
secular leadership and spiritual leadership. In the world we
are often forced to live by standards which are not demon-
strated by the people who set them. We find ourselves in a
“do as I say but not as I do” environment.

However, Scripture sets forth a different standard for leader-

ship. We see in Jesus a leader who demonstrates flawlessly
the life He calls us to lead. Jesus has become the supreme
Pacesetter for all who would follow Him.

Definition of Pacesetting
Pacesetting is setting an example for others—demonstrating
what is expected for others who follow.

The word “pacesetting” comes from the world of racing.

In 1954, when the four-minute mile was broken by Roger
Bannister, a pacesetter was used to help Bannister run the
first three laps in three minutes. Although the pacesetter
was not able to maintain the pace for the last lap, he had
helped to keep Bannister within the necessary time frame
so that he was in a position to break the world’s record on
the last lap. When Bannister crossed the finish line, he had
run the mile in three minutes 59.4 seconds.

Jesus, the Primary Pacesetter

Jesus’ battle cry was, “Follow me.” He was the living per-
sonification of the message He preached, and He knew that
if people would only follow Him and observe Him, they would
learn how to live as He did.

3
 NOTES And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will
make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 4:19

Then He appointed twelve, that they might be

with Him and that He might send them out to
preach.
Mark 3:14

After these things the Lord appointed seventy

others also, and sent them two by two before His
face into every city and place where He Himself
was about to go.
Luke 10:1

The Twelve and the Seventy were called to be with Jesus,

to be trained by Him and then to be sent out to preach and
teach. These disciples learned from the Master Pacesetter
who demonstrated what they were to do, set the standard,
and defined their objective for life.

Paul, the Secondary Pacesetter

Paul is the next great Scriptural example of pacesetting.
However, Paul himself was following a pacesetter—Jesus
Christ. He was therefore a secondary pacesetter—setting an
example for others by his faithful following of the Primary
Pacesetter.

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:1

Paul so carefully followed Jesus’s example that he was able

to say, “If you do what I do, you will be following Christ.”
Paul sensed his personal responsibility to set an example
for the young churches to follow, but he also knew that he
could not do this on his own. Only by following Jesus could
he set an example worthy of being imitated by others. Paul
told the young Christians to follow him only as he was fol-
lowing Christ.

4
To whom are we to look as our pacesetter? NOTES

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of

our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and has
sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him who endured such hostility
from sinners against Himself, lest you become
weary and discouraged in your souls.
Hebrews 12:2,3

Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

1 Corinthians 4:16

Therefore be followers of God as dear

children.
Ephesians 5:1

For you, brethren, became imitators of the

churches of God which are in Judea in Christ
Jesus. For you also suffered the same things
from your own countrymen, just as they did
from the Jews.
1 Thessalonians 2:14

That you do not become sluggish, but imitate

those who through faith and patience inherit
the promises.
Hebrews 6:12

5
 NOTES

And who is he who will harm you if you become

followers of what is good?
1 Peter 3:13

In all things showing yourself to be a pattern

of good works; in doctrine showing integrity,
reverence, incorruptibility.
Titus 2:7

And you became followers of us and of the Lord,

having received the word in much affliction,
with joy of the Holy Spirit so that you became
examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who
believe.
1 Thessalonians 1:6,7

Just because we name the Name of Christ and claim to be

His disciples, others will look to us as an example or paces-
etter. We may wish they would not follow our example but
they will anyway—either for good or for bad.

How to Set the Pace for Others

A wise leader knows that more is caught by his followers as

they observe his life than is taught by him in formal situ-
ations. We are commanded by God to be an example to the
flock He has entrusted to us.

6
 Shepherd the flock of God which is among NOTES
you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but
willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor
as being lords over those entrusted to you, but
being examples to the flock; and when the Chief
Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of
glory that does not fade away.
1 Peter 5:2-4

Look to Jesus
The only way a person can set the right pace for others is
to keep his eyes fixed upon Jesus in the daily walk with
Him. If we grow lax in our personal time with Christ, we
may be setting a pace for others that is simply human and
which springs from ourselves rather than which comes from
Jesus.

…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of

our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and has
sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him who endured such hostility
from sinners against Himself, lest you become
weary and discouraged in your souls.
Hebrews 12:2,3

Live Transparently
Many of us would like to hide certain parts of our lives from
those we seek to disciple. However, Jesus did not hide any
part of Himself from those who followed Him. The disciples
had access to His privacy; they lived and ate together.

Then He appointed twelve, that they might be

with Him and that He might send them out to
preach.
Mark 3:14

Paul had a similar degree of transparency. Timothy had seen

Paul in all situations and knew him as he really was.

7
 NOTES But you have carefully followed my doctrine,
manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering,
love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions,
which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium,
at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And
out of them all the Lord delivered me.
2 Timothy 3:10,11

If we are to be able to set a pace for others, we must be

willing to reveal ourselves to those we are helping. It may
be humbling at times to admit our weaknesses, struggles
and imperfections, but as we do, we will show to others the
real Christian life. They will be able to see us appropriate
God’s forgiveness and grace for our failures as well as to
see us in our times of victory. Such a transparent life gives
hope to those who aspire to follow Christ.

Serve Others
Worldly leadership seeks to get things done by using people.
Christian leadership gets things done by serving people.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be

served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom
for many.
Mark 10:45
If our young disciples see us serving others, they will soon
see the dramatic difference between Christian and worldly
greatness. We must raise up a band of servants who will
give their lives as bondslaves to Christ. The only way to
produce such bondslaves is to be a bondslave ourselves as
we set the pace for them.

Areas of Pacesetting
The areas of our lives in which we should set the pace in-
clude devotion to the following:

Now in the morning, having risen a long while

8
before daylight, He went out and departed to a NOTES
solitary place; and there He prayed.
Mark 1:35

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed

Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My
disciples indeed.”
John 8:31

Go therefore and make disciples of all the

nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all things that I have
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age. Amen.
Matthew 28:19,20

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and

appointed you that you should go and bear
fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that
whatever you ask the Father in My name He
may give you.
John 15:16

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is
no law.
Galatians 5:22,23

9
 NOTES
Summary
Pacesetting is the key to building the people whom God has
given to you. Great men of God who are strong trainers un-
derstand this principle and set the example by demonstrating
in their personal lives the truths they want to teach.

If you are not a living example of a principle which you are

trying to teach others, you will probably not be successful
in building that principle into their lives.

10
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Bible Study:

The simplest meaning of a disciple is that he is a “learner” or a “follower.” Socrates had dis-
ciples, John the Baptist had disciples, and Gandhi had disciples. But to be a disciple of Jesus
Christ involves much more than following any human leader.

Jesus’ Definition of a Disciple

1. Read Luke 14:25-33.

a. According to these verses, what characterizes a disciple?

Verse 26
Verse 27
Verse 33

(In order to more fully understand the use of the word hate, read Matthew 10:37).
b. Do you think these characteristics in Luke 14 are external actions, internal attitudes, or both?
Explain your answer.

2. From the following verses, what actions does Jesus say should characterize the lives of His
disciples? (After your answer, record a cross-reference for each verse.)

Verse Action Cross-Reference

John 8:31

John 13:34,35

John 15:8

3. Using the Scriptures in questions 1 and 2, write a brief definition of a disciple.

11
 4. Jesus’ standards for His disciples are high. Why do you think this is so?

The Disciple is a Learner

Jesus was a lifelong learner. In His early years we see Him in the Temple, listening and ask-
ing questions (Luke 2:46). During His ministry we see Him urging His disciples to “learn this
lesson from the fig tree” (Matthew 24:32). The writer of Hebrews said of Christ’s life on earth,
“Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).
5. What attitude should characterize a learner? Proverbs 12:1 and 4:13

6. From whom can we learn?

Proverbs 4:1

Proverbs 27:17
Matthew 11:29

John 6:45

Hebrews 13:7,8
7. In 1 Corinthians 14:20, what did Paul encourage the Corinthians to do?

12
8. Why is it important for you to receive instruction? Proverbs 11:14

9. Read Proverbs 24:30-34. What can you learn about the man who lacks judgment?

The Cost of Discipleship

10. What does Jesus encourage those who want to be His disciples to consider? Luke 14:28-32

11. What might it cost you to be Jesus’ disciple? Luke 9:57-62

12. Read Romans 12:1,2. How would you explain the meaning of the term “living sacrifice”?

13
 13. Read Luke 9:23-26.
a. What do you think it means to deny yourself?

b. What does it mean to “take up your cross daily?”

c. How can you save your life?

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.
—JIM ELLIOT*

14. Prayerfully consider your life in light of the passages studied in questions 10-13. What new
commitment do you need to make?

Diligence and Discipline

15. In the New Testament the Christian life is compared to running a race. Read 1 Corinthians
9:24-27.

a. How did Paul say we should run the race?

b. List other important factors in running a race. How can these principles be applied to the
“race” of a disciple?

16. Hebrews 12:1,2 gives additional insights into this race.

a. What can hinder a Christian from finishing the race?

* From The Journals of Jim Elliot, edited by Elisabeth Elliot (Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell, 1978), page 174.

14
b. How should you run?

c. Where should your eyes be fixed as you run?

d. In what ways does Jesus’ life motivate you to run?

17. Read 2 Timothy 2:3-6, where Paul compared the Christian to three types of people.
a. What are they?

b. Pick one of these types of people and further describe how such a lifestyle might represent
a disciplined, diligent Christian disciple.

18. Read Hebrews 6:11,12. How do diligence and discipline relate to being Christ’s disciple?
(You may want to use a dictionary to help you understand the full meaning of these words.)

15
 There are four steps in completing a course of action: (1) desire, (2) decision, (3) determina-
tion, and (4) discipline. For example, consider a man who desires to meet with God before
going to work. He realizes that in order to have enough time he must get up early, so he decides
to get up at 6:30 a.m.

The next day he oversleeps

because his desire and
his decision alone could
not get him out of bed. He
then determines to use an
alarm clock to help him
get up.

But the real test comes when the alarm goes off. Discipline must then come into focus. He must
shut off the alarm clock and not go back to bed.

Good habits can be developed as a result of consistent discipline. Consistency requires thought
and effort on a daily basis.

19. a. What attitude characterizes a mature Christian? Philippians 3:12-15

b. What attitudes do you think would characterize an immature Christian?

16
20. What did Paul teach about diligence in Colossians 3:17?

21. Why is the attitude of your heart so important in being Christ’s disciple? Proverbs 4:23

22. What are some areas in which you should be exercising greater discipline? How should
you be doing it?

Remember These Points:

Using the chapter subtopics as an outline, write your own summary of this chapter.

17
18
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Bible Study Discussion Outline
Lesson Date
Lesson Objective

Time Introduction

Prayer
Discussion Question Notes
Heading Topic I:
Discovery

Understanding

Correlation

Application

Summary

Heading Topic II:

Discovery

Understanding

Correlation

Application

Summary

19
 Time Discussion Question Notes
Heading Topic III:
Discovery

Understanding

Correlation

Application

Summary

Heading Topic IV:

Discovery

Understanding

Correlation

Application

Summary

Heading Topic V:
Discovery

Understanding

Correlation

Application

Summary

Conclusion
Prayer
20
 Outside Reading: Disciples Are Made—Not Born

Chapter 9
How to Train a Disciple
Conviction and Perspective
Baseball, like most other sports, has its “Hall of On my way down, I realize to my horror that
Fame.” In Oklahoma City, one can walk through although my statement is true, “God can catch
the “Cowboy Hall of Fame.” On the right is Will me,” He never promised that He would. I die
Rogers, and down a ways are Buffalo Bill and not because of a lack of faith but because of the
many others, men who carved out the West, lack of a promise from God. I was presumptuous.
heroes of what has become the American way Faith must have a basis for its existence.
of life. Hebrews 11 is God’s “Hall of Fame”—
the heroes of the faith. As you walk through Before a person is willing to commit himself to
its corridors, you see heroes and heroines of a act on what God has promised, two things must
bygone age—men and women from all walks be true. He must have conviction and perspec-
of life but with one thing in common; they be- tive. These attributes are readily seen in the
lieved God! life of Moses as described in Hebrews 11.

Faith, simply defined, is “believing the promises Verse 23 says, “By faith Moses, when he was
of God and acting on them.” It is obeying the born, was hid three months of his parents, be-
promises of God. Faith is never passive—always cause they saw he was a proper child; and they
active. Note the action verbs in the chapter. were not afraid of the king’s commandment.”
Abel offered (verse 4), Noah prepared (verse Notice that faith as it relates to the life of Moses
7), Abraham obeyed (verse 8). began with Mom and Dad. Moses was a baby.
He couldn’t act on the promises of God. It was
his parents’ faith that saved the day.
But faith without a commitment on God’s part
is not faith at all; it is presumption. God had
Verse 24 says, “By faith Moses, when he was
made some pretty fantastic promises to the
come to years, refused to be called the son of
people in Hebrews 11, and they acted on them.
Pharaoh’s daughter.” Previously, it was the
Without these promises from God, their actions
faith of Moses‘ parents; now it is the faith of
reduce to mere presumption.
Moses. How did this happen? When did it be-
come his faith? “When he was come to years.”
Let us imagine that you and I are flying in a
small aircraft at 10,000 feet. I ask you, “Could I imagine when Moses was growing up, he
God catch me if I jumped?” mimicked the essentials of godly faith with
great enthusiasm because of what he heard
With a note of hesitation you answer, “I...I’m from his mother. (You will remember after the
not sure.” daughter of Pharaoh found Moses, she turned
him over to his own mother to be nursed.)
Believing that you are expressing a lack of To hear a small child say, “Jesus lives in my
faith, I say, “I believe He can,” and then I jump. heart,” is cute, even though this may be simply

21
 an expression of the parents’ faith. But there commanding officer, how would we find Joe’s
comes a time in each of our lives when it is no bed? Perfectly made, with the blanket so neat
longer valid to base what we believe on the and tight you could bounce a quarter off of it.
convictions of others. When we “come to years,” The locker? Immaculate, with everything ex-
our lives must be based on our own convictions. actly in its place. And the bathroom? So clean
Moses believed in the same God in verse 24 as you would think it had never been used.
his parents did in verse 23, but they were his
own convictions, the result of his own personal Four years go by and Joe Marine is now a
experience with God. sophomore at the University of California.
We visit him in his room. How do we find his
Look at verses 24-27. He refused to be called bed? As if it has never been made. His locker?
the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to A shambles. How about the bathroom? So bad
suffer affliction with the people of God rather that it reminds you of a restroom in a rundown
than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. gas station in the most backward part of the
He forsook Egypt. These were actions based on country.
his own convictions.
Why the difference? It is not that Joe does not
When we enter into training, what we do in know what to do, or how to do it. Joe’s problem
the initial stages is largely determined by the is that he has no conviction that he should
person who is helping us. The things that my continue doing it after leaving the Marine
small daughter says and believes are basically Corps.
dependent upon what she hears from her par-
ents. It is fun listening to her pray. Because Many Christians have neither the convictions
she does not understand the meaning of the nor the methods needed to disciple others. But
words, she mixes them up, parroting phrases
if a choice had to be made between conviction
she has heard other people use.
and method, conviction is the more important
by far. (I say if because I do not believe such a
So it is for the new Christian. Often he prays
choice is necessary. I call for the choice here only
before meals or goes to church not because
to emphasize the importance of conviction.)
of his own personal convictions, but because
others have suggested this is what he ought to
do. This is not necessarily bad. Having come Discover the person who has the conviction
to Christ through the influence of another, it without knowing how to disciple others, and you
is natural that he continues by doing what will eventually see that person find the method.
others suggest. Give a person all the methodology in the world
and, if he lacks conviction, eventually he will
There comes a time, however, when such rea- stop discipling others, no matter how careful
sons for doing things are no longer valid. He you have been in imparting the methods. The
must eventually arrive at his own convictions. person who has methods without conviction is
Knowing what to do and how to do it is impor- like a bouquet of cut flowers—he is impressive
tant, and has been given a lot of emphasis in to look at, but he will not last!
this book. But knowing what to do and how to
do it must be superseded by a personal convic- Verse 26 says, “Esteeming the reproach of
tion that this is what God wants me to do. Christ greater riches than the treasures in
Egypt, for he had respect unto the recompense
Joe Marine goes through boot camp at Parris of the reward.” Phillips renders the last part
Island, S.C., or Camp Lejeune, N.C. After eight of this verse, “…for he looked steadily at the
weeks of training, the commanding officer has ultimate, not the immediate, reward.” That is
a general inspection. If we were to follow the perspective—the ability to see the end from the

22
beginning. We can call it bifocal vision—the The only time a person willfully sins is when
ability to see what is directly in front of us in his perspective goes out of focus. He deceives
light of the long range. himself into believing he can sin and get away
with it. A man walks into a bank and robs it of
The person who has things in perspective makes $100,000. If he could have visualized himself
his decisions on the immediate in light of the spending the next 25 years in a 8' x 12' “cage,”
ultimate. Of the two arch stones in training, do you think he would have done it? No! He
conviction is one, perspective the other. robs the bank because he cannot see the con-
sequences of his act. He lacks perspective. This
Perspective is seeing it like it is. It has to do is the case each time we sin.
with a person’s philosophy of life, what is im-
portant to him, his sense of values, the things Conviction and perspective characterized the
that motivate him. Jesus said, “Consider the life of Moses. They are the two most important
ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; which aspects of the training process. They are essen-
neither have storehouse nor barn; and God tial ingredients in “The Art of Discipling.” If the
feedeth them. How much more are ye better aspirant lacks either conviction or perspective,
than the fowls? And which of you with taking he is not trained.
thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye
then be not able to do that thing which is least, How do you develop conviction and perspec-
why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the tive? How do you build it into your own life,
lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and how do you build it into the life of another?
and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his The psalmist says, “Except the Lord build the
glory was not arrayed like one of these.” house, they labor in vain that build it; except
the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh
“If then God so clothe the grass, which is today but in vain” (Psalms 127:1). Training begins and
in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, ends with God. If He is not at work in us “to will
how much more will He clothe you, O ye of little and do of His good pleasure,” we labor in vain.
faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what God imparts conviction and perspective.
ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
For all these things do the nations of the world Having said this, however, there are certain
seek after; and your Father knoweth that ye guidelines that can help us in exercising our
have need of these things. But rather seek ye responsibility. I will mention four of them for
the kingdom of God; and all these things shall your consideration and application. These four
be added unto you.” are by no means exhaustive. You may want to
amplify them and add more of your own.
“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good
• Major in principles rather than methods.
pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye
have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags
In this, as well as in the other three guide-
which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens lines, the phrase “rather than” is not meant
that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, to connote “either...or.” It is not principles or
neither moth corrupteth. For where your trea- methods, one to the exclusion of the other; it
sure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke is both principle and method. But in building
12:24-34). conviction and perspective, we want to major
in principle rather than method. It is a matter
This is a perfect example of perspective. This of emphasis.
is seeing it like it is, the end from the begin-
ning. Here Jesus is urging us to make present In Jesus’ Parable of the Sower (Luke 8), He
decisions in light of ultimate results. tells why the seed is sown, what takes place,
and when. But He does not mention how to

23
 sow the seed. The “how” is left up to us. Jesus First into the suds go the glasses, then the
is dealing with principles, not methods. silverware, followed by the plates, then the
bowls and finally the pots and pans. This is
The Great Commission is another example. her method of washing dishes. But I had no
The command is to go into all the world and conviction that I should wash dishes that
preach the Gospel to every creature. He said to way. One day I began with the pans—and she
begin at Jerusalem, Samaria, Judea and move corrected me. While discussing why I should
out into the world. His life and ministry are an
begin with the glasses, she pointed out that the
example of how to do it. Mark 3:14 says, “And he
objective in washing is to sterilize the things
ordained twelve, that they should be with Him,
being washed. If getting the food off was all we
and that He might send them forth to preach.”
wanted, we could let the dog lick them. They
From Jesus’ example, we can see the best way
were washed to sterilize them—this was the
to do the job is to select a few people and invest principle. Therefore, it follows that it is best
our time and our very lives in them. to wash first those things which have contact
with the mouth and last those utensils which
But the actual method, the nitty gritty of work- will have a chance to sterilize themselves.
ing it out, was left up to the disciples. The Book
of Acts is the methodology of how these men As a result of this, I always wash the glasses
sought to obey Christ’s Great Commission. first, then the silverware, and so on. I no longer
Most of what they did was the application of do it this way just because my wife is watching.
principles taught them by Jesus. We read in Having understood the principle behind the
Acts 6 that the widows had been neglected. The method, I developed my own conviction. Convic-
method they employed to meet that need was tions are built, not by practicing the method,
the appointing of deacons. The office of deacon but by understanding the principle.
was not something Jesus in His earthly ministry
urged them to initiate. It was a method used The would-be disciple sees things clearly
by them to meet a need. (perspective) and develops convictions by
probing into the whys of what is done. And
As Christians, we have our methodology. We yet, frequently, why is an irritating question,
may have a worship service and Sunday School often hard to answer. In training, resist the
in the morning and have another service in the
temptation to gloss over the why. Probe deeply.
evening. Each denomination has its own way
Ask such questions as: “Is this the best way to
of doing things: its order of worship, method have a quiet time?” “Why do we believe Bible
of baptism, doctrinal instruction, and Sunday study is necessary?” “What are the implications
School curriculum. And all of this may be right of possible alternatives?” Such probing helps
and good. There is nothing wrong with having build perspective and conviction.
methods.
• Major in meeting the needs of others
If, however, we follow our methodology because rather than in developing and imparting
of tradition (“we have always done it this way”) techniques.
rather than because of carefully thought-out
principles, we close our minds to new and Jesus and His disciples walk down the steps of
better ways. Change becomes a threat. But if the Temple. Before them is a blind man. His
biblical principles form the basis for what weneed is obvious. If I had been there with Jesus,
do, then we will be eager for new and better I probably would have whipped out a tract and
ways of doing it. begun witnessing, only to realize suddenly that
the man could not follow what I was doing. He
Let me draw an illustration from the kitchen. could not see!
My wife has a certain way of washing dishes.

24
Jesus’ approach was different. Squatting down As we sat together analyzing why this had hap-
beside him, He spat on the ground, made pened, it soon became apparent that although
some mud, and rubbed it on the blind man’s many of the people had non-Christian acquain-
eyes. “Go wash in the pool of Siloam,” was the tances, not one had a non-Christian friend. So,
command, and “he went... washed, and came when approached, the “acquaintances” were
seeing” (John 9:7). hesitant in accepting.

You will notice that the man eventually did How then do you become friends with an un-
find salvation, but Jesus began by meeting believer and discern his needs? Let me offer a
his need. few suggestions.

Many a Christian views training as sitting in • Be a good listener.

a classroom situation, learning how to mas-
ter some techniques. He learns how to teach We live in an age when everyone wants to talk
a Sunday School curriculum, how to make and no one wants to listen. When others find
a financial presentation to another member out that you are willing to listen, it is amaz-
of the congregation, or even how to pass out ing how much talking they will do. Often in an
a piece of literature and follow it up with a accepting atmosphere they will expose their
Gospel presentation. In the last illustration, needs and reveal their concerns.
more often than not the person to whom you
“witness” does not respond because you are Have you ever talked to someone and found
not addressing yourself to the point of his felt that he had turned on his “uh huh?” As you
need. He has no conviction he should pursue talk, he says, “Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh.” As
the conversation further, and because you do you draw others out, do not turn on your “uh
not get the anticipated response, you do not see huh.” Be a good listener.
the use of continuing such a futile exercise.
• Share your own needs, weaknesses, ex-
While I was ministering to students in Michi- periences.
gan, the Lord gave a great deal of fruit. Christian
students living in the dorms with non-Christian Do not make your friend feel as though he stands
friends related well with them. They went to alone. The Bible says, “There hath no tempta-
class, meals, football games, and elsewhere tion taken you but such as is common to man”
together. Relationships were formed that be- (1 Corinthians 10:13). Admit this to be true in
came natural bridges for communicating the your own life. By sharing your shortcomings, an
Gospel. Every so often we would have a pizza accepting atmosphere will be created in which
party or an “Andrew dinner” at our house and others will feel free to share theirs.
would have the privilege of seeing a number
of people come to Christ. In Amarillo, Texas, a group of men get together
each week for prayer and fellowship in some-
Hearing of these and similar successes on other body’s home. They read a passage of Scripture
campuses, a church in Ohio asked a group of and discuss it in light of their needs. Believers
us to come down and become involved with and unbelievers come together as friends shar-
them in an evangelistic thrust. They decided to ing common concerns. The Christians make
invite their friends to a neutral spot and share sure to avoid the impression of “we” and “they.”
a testimony or two before giving a short Gospel Instead they talk about “our” problems, “our”
presentation. When the time came, many from struggles, “our” sins. Then together they pray
the congregation showed up, but not one non- over them. As a result, men are consistently
Christian. All had invited someone, but no one coming to know Christ as Savior.
had responded.

25
 • Spend time together. A partial list of concepts that indicate an in-
ner change includes: God’s sovereign control
Invite your friends over for dinner. Join them over your life so you do not feel the necessity
at their parties. Go fishing together. As re- of shaping your own destiny, being a servant,
lationships are built, barriers come down. A submission to the authority of others, looking
true friendship means mutual acceptance of after the interests of others at the expense of
one another. If I accept him the way he is, a your own. You may want to make your own
freedom will exist between us that will allow list of concepts you feel are essential for the
the sharing of mutual needs and concerns. disciple of Jesus Christ.

As these needs are exposed, it will become very Often such changes in the thinking process
natural to talk about how Christ shares your come slowly and subtly. It is not until we have
life. These are just three possibilities, and a a point of comparison that the change becomes
flood of other ideas may have already come to evident. A friend of mine, training in the Chris-
your mind. tian life in California, said it was not until he
went home months later and began interacting
Meeting needs is how conviction and perspec- with old friends that he realized how great the
tive come, both to the learner and the trainee. changes in his life were.
As you and your non-Christian friends discuss
the essentials of the Christian life, you will be Many people think of training as the impart-
amazed how issues will come into focus for you, ing of ideas or skills, which takes place in the
and doctrines that were once theological jargon classroom through a pupil-teacher relationship.
will become deep-seated convictions. What we are talking about here has to do with
the imparting of character—the changing of a
• Major in developing the thought pro- person’s sense of values.
cesses rather than the skills.
The world says, “Get all you can, can all you
Jesus Christ is far more interested in what get, and poison the rest.”
we are than what we do. “It is for you to be; it
is for God to do,” provides a simple but wise God says, “Give without any thought of getting.”
piece of advise. The Savior wants to reprogram
our computer, to change our whole thought The world says, “Shop for a mate.”
process.
God says, “Trust me to provide you a spouse
What was His one complaint with the Phari- in my time.”
sees? That they did not know how to evange-
lize? Jesus Himself said they would cross the The world says, “Climb the ladder of success,
sea to proselyte one individual. That they did even if it means stepping on others in the
not know the Word of God? They studied it process.”
regularly. They tithed their income, prayed,
and fasted regularly. From all outward ap- God says, “Do not look after your own inter-
pearances, they were good men. ests, but the interests of others.”

Proverbs 23:7 says, “As he thinketh in his These kinds of changes in your life are of great
heart, so is he.” This is where Jesus found fault importance to God, more so than the acquiring
with them. It had to do with their philosophy of of skills such as a particular Bible study tech-
life, the way they thought. Their problem was nique. Major in bringing the philosophy of life
seen in their attitude, their sense of values, into conformity with the Bible, and the convic-
their whole outlook on life. tions and perspective will naturally follow.

26
• Major in how to trust God rather than situations giving the disciples an opportunity
teaching theories about God. to see what it means to walk by faith. The rest
of Luke 8 can be divided as follows:
Earlier in the chapter, we talked briefly about
the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8). Let us go Verses 22-25. . . .Crossing the stormy sea
back and take another look at it. It can equally
Verses 26-39. . . .Maniac in the land of the
well be called, “The Parable of the Four Soils,”
or “The Parable of the Four Responses to God’s Gadarenes
Word.” Verses 40-56. . . .Raising of Jairus’ daughter
Verses 43-48. . . .Healing of woman with issue
The first response to God’s Word is no faith. of blood
Verse 12 says, “The devil taketh away the Word In all of these life situations, Jesus is trying
out of their hearts, lest they should believe and to communicate the importance of faith. The
be saved.” pattern in each of the stories is basically the
same:
The second response to the Word is faith without (1) A need arises
conviction. “They on the rock are they, which, (2) Jesus intervenes and promises to
when they hear, receive the Word with joy; and meet that need
these have no root, which for a while believe
(3) No sooner is the promise made than
and in time of temptation fall away” (verse
13). They gave mental assent to the Word, but seeming disaster strikes
as the time came when it cost to believe, they (4) Jesus responds by urging them
“abandoned ship.” They lacked the conviction to trust Him: “Only believe.”
that this was something worthy of cost. “Have faith.”

The third response is seen in verse 14. “And The daughter of Jairus is sick. Jesus promises
that which fell among thorns are they, which, to meet the need. The daughter dies. Jesus
when they have heard, go forth, and are choked says, “Fear not: believe only, and she shall
with cares and riches and pleasures of this be made whole.” Jesus was not interested in
life, and bring no fruit to perfection.” This is people mastering the different theories on the
faith without perspective. After receiving the attributes of God. He wanted people to learn
Word, they turn around and give their lives to to trust God.
the wrong thing. What was important in life
went out of focus, and they gave their lives to Who do you imagine knew the most about God?
insignificance. Mediocrity is a by-product of a Abraham in the Old Testament or a modern
lack of perspective. day theologian? Let me suggest it would be the
theologian of today. Abraham could not have
Verse 15 gives us the final response to God’s told you about the two advents of Christ; nor
Word. They took God at His Word and acted could he have explained the differences between
accordingly. This fourth illustration is the only the pre-, post-, and amillennial positions; nor
proper response to God’s Word, reproductive the dual nature of Christ; nor the Virgin birth;
faith. nor a dozen other points of theology.

So, the issue of the parable is this: no faith, But Abraham knew God! He has a singular
faith without conviction, faith without perspec- place in Scripture as a man who pleased God.
tive, and reproductive faith. After this brief In the New Testament alone, he is mentioned
lecture on faith, Jesus moves out into real life 74 times. “Abraham believed God and it was

27
 accounted to him for righteousness” (Galatians walk falls down and hurts himself often. You
3:6). God was so pleased with this man that say to him, “Get up and try again.”
Hebrews 11:6 says, “God is not ashamed to be
called [his] God.” Does he say, “No, I have tried it several times,
and it does not work. I think I will just lie here
for the rest of my life.” No, he has to get up and
It is one thing for you to be known by God. It is
try it again. My son has fallen so many times
entirely different for God to be known by you.
we call him “scar face.”
The Creator God of heaven and earth says, “I
am the God of Abraham.” Fantastic! Creator
Growing is so painful a process that the first
is known by the creature. “If you want to know
chance we get, we want to stop. But there are
what I am like,” says God, “take a look at Abra-
certain pressures that keep the young person
ham.” Can the living God be known by you? growing. Physical growth itself is one. My
Can God say, “If you want to know what I am daughter can say to me, “Dad, I have done all
like, just look at the life of the person reading the growing I want. I like my age and size; I
this book?” think I will stop here.” The trouble is, she can-
not stop growing when she wants. Biologically,
We have said that in training disciples you she is forced to grow. The state laws also force
should: us to grow. A child may want to quit school in
the fifth grade. But the law says he cannot.
• Major in principles rather than methods. And finally, there is the pressure of a society
• Major in meeting the needs of people which expects a person to be able to care for
rather than on developing and impart- himself—he is expected to learn a trade or
ing techniques. profession.
• Major in developing the thought pro-
cesses rather than the skills.
By the time a person is in his mid-20s, these
• Major in how to trust God rather than pressures ease a bit. We have probably done
teaching theories about God. all the physical growing we will do. Our edu-
cation is behind us, and we have learned how
By now, you may realize that these four sugges- to make a living. So great is the temptation to
tions are simply four facets of the same truth, stop growing that when we graduate from high
like the facets of a diamond. The gem we are school or college they call it “commencement.”
looking at is conviction and perspective. Anything to encourage us to keep growing.
But our desire to escape the pain of growth
Somebody once said 90% of the Christian life is, in most instances, too great an obstacle to
is survival. This may or may not be. But if overcome. We begin to coast for the rest of our
survival is your objective in the Christian life, lives on past experience. Having begun well,
you will fail. You are like a boxer who enters we drift into mediocrity.
the ring knowing only how to defend himself.
He cannot possibly win. He needs a good at- Perspective and conviction (the ability to see
tack as well. the end from the beginning, and a deep-seated
belief regarding what is on the heart of God) are
For the Christian, an attack is another word for the only things I know that check this natural
a plan or objective. An aggressive attack in your inclination.
walk with God requires conviction and perspec-
tive, and this is hard to come by. Training is
John W. Gardner in his book, Excellence, says,
hard. But remember training means growing,
“We fall into the error of thinking that hap-
and growing means stretching. Growing has
piness necessarily involves ease, diversion,
been and never will be a pleasant experience.
tranquility—a state in which all one’s wishes
This is why babies cry. A child learning how to are satisfied. For most people, happiness is
28
not to be found in this vegetative state but in
striving toward meaningful goals. The dedi-
cated person has not achieved all of his goals.
His life is the endless pursuit of goals, some of
them unattainable. He may never have time to
surround himself with luxuries. He may often
be tense, worried, fatigued. He has little of
the leisure one associates with the story-book
conception of happiness. But he has found a
more meaningful happiness. The truth is that
happiness in the sense of total gratification is
not a state to which man can aspire. It is for
cows, possibly for the birds, but not for us”
(Harper & Row, N.Y.).

The arch stones of training to be Christ’s dis-

ciples are conviction and perspective. They
make the difference between the “finisher” and
the “also ran.” It was not easy for Moses, and
it will not be for you. Moses spent the first 40
years of his life in the palace of Pharaoh. The
next 40 years of his life were spent on the back
side of the desert squeezing sand between his
toes as he took care of another man’s sheep.
The last 40 years were spent wandering in the
wilderness suffering with his own generation.
After such a brilliant start, what a seemingly
miserable end. Everything in him must have
wanted to quit. But he did not give in. He hung
in there and became a finisher. As a result, the
whole world knows about Moses. Every Arab,
Jew, and Christian knows about Moses. Every
educated person in the world knows about the
great lawgiver. Moses’ life of seeming frustra-
tion and failure was in reality a success. Why
did he finish so well? It was because he had
conviction and perspective.

29
30
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Evangelism Report
Student’s Name Date

I Contact Name Phone

N Address
F City State Zip
O

1. Describe the person to whom you presented the Bridge:

2. Under what circumstances was the presentation made?

3. Did you use the opening questions?

❏ Set One ❏ Set Two ❏ Set Three ❏ Other

Explain:
Did the opening set up the Bridge Presentation for you?

4. Did you draw out the Bridge Presentation?

5. Did you extract the Gospel socratically?

6. Did the person receive the Lord?

7. What did you learn from the experience?

8. Did you consider it a negative or positive experience?

9. What are your plans for following through on the presentation?

31
32
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS Date/Lesson
Discipling Plan
Trainer Disciple

Lesson Objective:

Activities Tools
Review Teach

Prayer
Lesson
Bible Study
PSMA
Reading
Evangelism/Discipleship
Scripture Memory
Time Plan for Activities

Application Assignment
Lesson
Bible Study
PSMA/Reading
Ministry
Scripture Memory
33
 Discussion Questions for Readings/Instructions

Discussion Questions:

Instruction:

Evaluation:

Follow-Up Need for next week:

34
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Disciple Application Guide

Student’s Name Group Date

Subject Area Advanced Follow-Up
Topic Selecting People for Discipling

Completed
Disciple’s Profile
Yes No
Topic Notes
Review Selecting People for Discipling

Bible Study
Complete The Responsible Steward (Be Ready to Discuss)

Personal & Spiritual Management Aid

Do 5 PSMA

Outside Reading
Bible Reading Chart
Read Disciples Are Made Not Born — Chapter 10
(Be Ready to Discuss)
Ministry: Evangelism/Follow-Up/Discipleship
Pray for a convert
Pray for your disciple
Meet with your disciple
Complete Discipling Plan

Scripture Memory
Philippians 2:3,4
1 Peter 5:5,6
Review all previous verses

35
36
 Selecting People for Discipling

NOTES

Selecting People for

Discipling
Introduction
On every frontier of Christian outreach there is the same
resounding cry: “We need men; more men with better
training, men of keen commitment to the Person of Christ,
men who know how to advance the cause of Christ in our
generation.”

It has always been and will always be true that the Great
Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ stands or falls, ad-
vances or retreats, is dynamic or static in proportion to the
number of available men and women who will live or die to
take His message to the ends of the earth.

God Needs People

You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe

produce and your juices. The firstborn of your
sons you shall give to Me.
Exodus 22:29

The Laborers Are Few

The Lord Jesus was well aware of the need for people to
bear His message. He therefore instructed His followers to
pray that God would send forth laborers.

But when He saw the multitudes, He was

moved with compassion for them, because they
were weary and scattered, like sheep having no
shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The
harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are

37
 NOTES few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to
send out laborers into His harvest.”
Matthew 9:36-38

The quality of people needed as well as the quantity can

only come from God. Our part is to pray that God will raise
them up. As He does, we must assume the responsibility to
train them and implant the vision which will set their hearts
on fire, their feet moving, their hands working, and their
tongues proclaiming. Laborers will not be raised up if we
fail to pray and seek for them as God commands. Laborers
will not be reproduced if we ourselves are not committed
both to be laborers as well as to train laborers.

The fields are white unto harvest, but the laborers are few.

In many parts of the world churches are filled to capacity with

people. At first glance it would appear that there is no real
need in such places. However, when one of these churches
tries to have an outreach to the community, it becomes ap-
parent that something is seriously wrong. Committees are
formed and leaders are appointed, but often the leaders are
unable or unwilling to really lead the group. Others in the
group may become frustrated because they find themselves
in jobs they do not know how to do, and with no one to show
them how, they are doomed to failure.

If you have ever observed or been involved in such an

endeavor, you will understand why selection is so vitally
important to the cause of Christ. If we can get the right
people in the right jobs with the right know-how the task
is as good as done.

38
 NOTES
Without a continuing process of selection within the Body
of Christ, the few leaders who are available will soon be
overworked and will eventually burn out.

Moses is a primary example of this in the Scripture. He was

at the point of emotional, spiritual, and physical exhaustion
trying to administrate the two million or more people who
had come out of Egypt. His wise father-in-law, Jethro, ob-
served what was happening and warned him that he would
soon bring about his own destruction unless he began to
select and delegate.

And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat

to judge the people; and the people stood before
Moses from morning until evening. So when
Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for
the people, he said, “What is this thing that
you are doing for the people? Why do you alone
sit, and all the people stand before you from
morning until evening?” And Moses said to his
father-in-law, “Because the people come to me
to inquire of God. When they have a difficulty,
they come to me, and I judge between one and
another; and I make known the statutes of God
and His laws.” So Moses’ father-in-law said to
him, “The thing that you do is not good. Both
you and these people who are with you will
surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is
too much for you; you are not able to perform
it by yourself.”
Exodus 18:13-18

When Moses died, Israel did not suffer a lack of leadership

because Moses had been careful to train his replacement—a
young man named Joshua.

39
 NOTES As the LORD had commanded Moses his
servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so
Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that
the LORD had commanded Moses.
Joshua 11:15

However, during Joshua’s leadership the people of Israel

were so busy taking the land that Joshua failed to train a
new leader for the future. Consequently, when Joshua died
Israel was leaderless and was thrown into a state of confu-
sion. The people ended up in sin and their land was lost.

How To Select People

Through Observation and Training

Jesus did not send out raw, new recruits into service. Mark
tells us:

Then He appointed twelve, that they might be

with Him and that He might send them out to
preach.
Mark 3:14

There were two reasons why Jesus selected the Twelve:

• To be with Him—The first thing Jesus did was to call the

disciples around Him. Being with them, He could observe
their lives and they could observe His. In such a close rela-
tionship real training in their areas of specific need could
take place.

• To send them forth—Jesus had trained His men in the

midst of life and ministry. It was not a school where He
had given them academic instruction. He had trained them
in the heat of the battle. Now He was going to instruct
them so that they knew what to teach others. Because they
knew what to teach, Jesus was able to say to them on the
mountain top:

40
 Teach them to observe all things that I have NOTES
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:20

It is vital that before leaders are appointed, they are trained

to lead.

In An Attitude Of Prayer

Now it came to pass in those days that He went

out to the mountain to pray, and continued all
night in prayer to God. And when it was day,
He called His disciples to Him; and from them
He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:
Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew
his brother; James and John; Philip and
Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James the
son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot;
Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who
also became a traitor.
Luke 6:12-16

Observation of people and proper training are crucial to

selection. However, they cannot take the place of prayer—
seeking God for His selection of people.

Although Jesus intimately knew these disciples who had

followed Him faithfully for over a year, He did not depend
upon His own ability to choose. He spent the entire night
prior to His selection in prayer to God—seeking God’s face
and will. He knew how vital the choice of these men would
be. Upon them the whole future of the Church would rest.
He therefore did not select flippantly, but carefully and
prayerfully.

And it is evident that God did answer His prayer. The Bible
records Jesus’ deep conviction that the disciples had been
the men whom God had given to Him. Jesus was well aware
that these men were God’s men entrusted to Him.

41
 NOTES I have manifested Your name to the men whom
You have given Me out of the world. They were
Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept
Your word. Now they have known that all things
which You have given Me are from You. For I
have given to them the words which You have
given Me; and they have received them, and have
known surely that I came forth from You; and
they have believed that You sent Me. I pray for
them. I do not pray for the world but for those
whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.
John 17:6-9

According to Gift
The Bible states clearly that every child of God has been
given one or several spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to

each one for the profit of all.
1 Corinthians 12:7

These gifts are given for the purpose of building up the en-
tire Body of Christ. As each person exercises his own gift
and trains others in that area, the Body is edified and the
saints become equipped to minister.

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some

prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors
and teachers, for the equipping of the saints
for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the
body of Christ,
Ephesians 4:11,12

As we select people for various responsibilities, we should

be sensitive to help them serve in an area where they can
exercise their gifts. If we do, we will find people making
their greatest contributions with the least amount of effort
and frustration. As a result the entire Body will be blessed
and strengthened.

42
 NOTES

Jethro was very wise in counselling Moses as to whom he

should select to help him lead. He knew that if the wrong
people were appointed, it would be worse than not having
anyone to help at all.

Moreover you shall select from all the people

able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating
covetousness; and place such over them to be
rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers
of fifties, and rulers of tens.
Exodus 18:21

According to this verse, Moses’ helpers were to be

• Able • Honest
• God-fearing • Incorruptible

Paul also commanded Timothy on the selection of men.

And the things that you have heard from me

among many witnesses, commit these to faithful
men who will be able to teach others also.
2 Timothy 2:2

Timothy was to choose men who were faithful and able to

teach others.

When the Apostles of the early Church expanded their

leadership, they selected seven men to help them.

Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the

disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we
should leave the word of God and serve tables.

43
 NOTES Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you
seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy
Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over
this business.”
Acts 6:2,3

They looked for men who were of honest report and filled
with the Holy Spirit.

The books of Timothy and Titus give us long lists of char-

acter qualities to look for in people who are selected for
leadership. We will discuss these in our examination of
leadership in book four.

Out of all of these scriptural lists, I would like to suggest

that there are three qualities which are indispensable in
those we would select for leadership and special service.
We may be able to remember these three qualities better
by the following little slogan.

“Select F.A.T. People!”

The three letters in this acrostic stand for the three neces-
sary qualities to look for. A potential leader should be:

Faithful
Faithfulness has always been a rare quality and is becom-
ing increasingly hard to find in this existential age of “non-
commitment” and “non-responsibility.”

44
 Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, NOTES
but who can find a faithful man?
Proverbs 20:6
Discerning Faithfulness
One of the best ways to discern a person’s faithfulness is by
assigning him tasks and then observing his follow-through.
If he consistently completes the tasks on time and does them
well, faithfulness is present. If he does not, a red flag should
go up in selecting him for further leadership. Unfaithful-
ness on the part of the leader or a team member will be a
constant source of irritation and frustration to those who
work with him.

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of

trouble is like a bad tooth and a foot out of
joint.
Proverbs 25:19

Faithfulness is one of the qualities that is extremely impor-

tant to God. Jesus says that one must exhibit faithfulness
in little things before He will entrust more privileges and
responsibilities to him.

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also

in much; and he who is unjust in what is least
is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not
been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who
will commit to your trust the true riches? And
if you have not been faithful in what is another
man’s, who will give you what is your own?
Luke 16:10-12

Faithfulness and Rewards

Much of our external reward will be based upon the quality
of faithfulness.

His lord said to him, “Well done, good and

faithful servant; you were faithful over a few
things, I will make you ruler over many things.

45
 NOTES Enter into the joy of your lord.”
Matthew 25:21

Timothy is an excellent example of the kind of man we

should look for in our selection.

But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy

to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged
when I know your state. For I have no one like-
minded, who will sincerely care for your state.
For all seek their own, not the things which
are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven
character, that as a son with his father he served
with me in the gospel.
Philippians 2:19-22

Available
Many people who have great potential for leadership and
disciplemaking eliminate themselves from realizing it be-
cause they are unavailable. They fail to live by their priori-
ties and find that the “tyranny of the urgent” forces them
further and further away from eternal goals and values.

Unavailability is one of the chief causes of the lack of laborers

in the harvest. Trying to accomplish anything with people
who are unavailable to you is an exercise in futility.

Scripture contains some striking examples of men who

were greatly used of God because they were available
and ready.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:

“Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?”
Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
Isaiah 6:8

So he departed from there, and found Elisha the

son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve
yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the
twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw

46
 his mantle on him. And he left the oxen and ran NOTES
after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my
father and my mother, and then I will follow
you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for
what have I done to you?” So Elisha turned
back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and
slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using
the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people,
and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah,
and served him.
1 Kings 19:19-21

Now Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw

two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew
his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they
were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow
Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then
they immediately left their nets and followed
Him. And going on from there, He saw two other
brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his
brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father,
mending their nets. And He called them…
Matthew 4:18-20

Teachable
The third important quality to look for in selecting people
is a teachable attitude. If a person is not open and willing
to learn he will never be able to harmoniously serve or
lead in the Body of Christ. The unteachable person soon
becomes lifeless and static—in rigid patterns which lose
their effectiveness.

One of the reasons that God could not work through the
Pharisees was that they were unteachable. They thought
they knew it all. Though they were hyper-faithful and avail-
able in the keeping of the Law, they were not teachable to
Christ’s New Covenant and, therefore, Jesus had to bypass
them as He selected men.

No matter how much a person may know, he must realize

that there is ever so much more to learn from our infinite

47
 NOTES God. If we are continually open to be taught new things
from Him we will find we have an ever increasing capacity
to deal with all of life’s situations. Jesus said:

Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the

kingdom of heaven is like a householder who
brings out of his treasure things new and old.
Matthew 13:52

F.A.T. C.A.T.S.
The Rev. Howard Duma of Akron Bible Church added a
further acrostic to F.A.T. (We must make these F.A.T. dis-
ciples into F.A.T. C.A.T.S.)

C.A.T.S. stands for:

Committed
A disciple is committed to the vision of walking with God
daily and involved in the winning and discipling of the na-
tions in his Jerusalem.

Accountable
A disciple is accountable to his ETS training to make this
commitment a reality in his life and not just theology for
ministry.

48
Transparent NOTES
He also exhibits transparency in areas of his life that he
may be struggling to bring under the Lordship of Christ so
he is not cohabiting with sin in his life.
Serving
A disciple serves the Lord by walking in obedience to win
and disciple people in his Jerusalem.

Summary
As you select men and women in your ministry, train them
wisely. These people will be the keys to reaching the world.
They will also be the people whom you will select to be a part
of your team. If you have trained them carefully they will be
a giant asset in reaching the world for the cause of Christ.

49
 NOTES

50
 Bible Study: The Responsible Steward

EQUIPPING THE SAINTS

Bible Study:
The Responsible Steward
Stewardship involves managing someone else’s property. The Christian is steward of both his
life and his possessions, since both belong to God. As those who are accountable to God, we
should become responsible stewards of our time, money, gifts, and bodies.

Stewards of God’s Resources

1. What does Paul teach about stewards in 1 Corinthians 4:2?

Using a cross-reference, explain what this means to you.

2. What are some areas in which God expects you to be a faithful steward?
Proverbs 3:9,10
Romans 12:6

1 Corinthians 6:19,20

Ephesians 5:15,16
3. What is the basis on which servants are found faithful? Matthew 25:14-30

Every man, woman, and child has been entrusted with 168 hours each week. Are you invest-
ing your time wisely each week, or are you spending it? Spending is final, while an investment
produces a return. How you use your time indicates your real priorities.

4. Read Matthew 6:25-34.

a. What two things are believers told to seek? Verse 33

51
 b. Define the kingdom of God.

c. Define the righteousness of God.

d. Now write Matthew 6:33 in your own words, using your definitions for God’s kingdom and

righteousness.

5. Read verses 4,5 and 12 of 1 Timothy 3. In God’s value system, what comes before caring
for the church?

6. How important did Paul consider work? 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9

7. Number the following items in order of priority as they currently exist in your life. Then
number them again according to what you think are God’s priorities for your life.

Existing Priorities God’s Priorities

Job (your chosen profession or occupation)

God (developing your relationship with Him)

Family (your loving care and instruction)

Ministry (your personal outreach and witness)

Other (personal emphasis—social activities, hobbies,
entertainment)

52
8. After comparing God’s priorities with yours, you may want to make changes in your weekly
schedule so that what you do coincides with God’s priorities for your life. Are there any changes
in your weekly schedule that you should make? If so, write them here.

You should continually evaluate how you invest your time, and maintain
the right balance in different activities God wants you to be involved in.

9. Read Ephesians 5:15-21. What does Paul say about making the best use of time? How can
you put his advice into practice?

How to make wise use of your time:

Prayerful planning—List things to be done in order of priority. (Good things in life can often
crowd out the best things.)
Obedient selection—Do the most important tasks first, and in faith commit unfinished ones
to the Lord. (Many things that initially appear urgent may not be.)
Concentration and diligence—Do the task you select wholeheartedly. Do one thing at a time
and stay with it until it is finished.

10. How should we use the gifts God has given us? 1 Peter 4:10

11. Read Romans 12:3-8.

a. List the different gifts God gives to Christians. (Define any terms you do not understand).

b. How should a believer view himself and his gifts? Verse 3

53
 c. Summarize Paul’s teaching on how believers should use the gifts God has given them.

God has designed each person’s appearance, voice pattern, abilities, strengths,
weaknesses, and other characteristics, as well as his spiritual gifts. Each person is
to share himself in the body of Christ by demonstrating Christlike attitudes, and
by building up other Christians through the use of his God-given resources.
12. The Apostle Peter might have listed three of his strengths as enthusiasm, leadership, and
speaking, while one of his weaknesses would be impulsiveness. List three of your strengths
and one weakness.

Choose one of your strengths. How can you use it to serve others?

13. Why is it important to have the proper attitude toward money? 1 Timothy 6:10

14. The five verses on the next page are related to the use of money. Match the following.
Earning money to a. Proverbs 20:10
give to others
Warning concerning b. Proverbs 22:7
the acquisition of
wealth
c. Luke 12:15
Borrowing money and
going into debt d. Luke 16:11
Integrity in
money matters e. Ephesians 4:28
Proper use of money

54
15. Read 2 Corinthians 9. What principles of giving can you discover in each of the following
verses?

Verse 6

Verse 7

Verse 8

Verse 12

Verse 13

Verse 15

Many Christians have found a regular plan for giving to be both scriptural and practical. Plan-
ning ensures against irregular or unwise giving or neglect. In a day when so many demands are
made on your time and money, planned giving helps you honor the Lord with your possessions.

Your plan should include these steps:

1. Thoughtfully decide what percentage of your income you will return to the Lord—a
minimum percentage.

2. Set aside the Lord’s portion first whenever you receive money. Put this aside to be
used as He leads; once set aside it is His and should not be used for other purposes.

3. Prayerfully distribute the Lord’s money as He directs. It is usually good to do this at

a regular time—weekly or monthly.

Make extra gifts and increase your giving as God increases your faith, and as He prospers you.
As you trust God with your material resources, He will trust you with His spiritual resources—
He has committed Himself to this principle (Luke 16:9-12; Philippians 4:17).

The person who dedicates his money to God is dedicating himself—the fruit of his time, talent,
and energy. One who fails to dedicate his money has not fully committed himself to God.

16. Write a statement explaining the truth of Mark 12:41-44.

55
 Use the space below to record your plan for giving.

MY PLAN FOR GIVING

To Whom Amount When

Why I plan to give

Care of the Body

17. Read 1 Corinthians 6:19,20. What does it mean for you to be the temple of the Holy Spirit?

18. Read Romans 12:1.

a. What did Paul urge you to do with your body?

b. Why?

19. What was John concerned about besides our spiritual well-being? 3 John 2

56
 Treat your body with care because it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. You will
think and feel better when you have proper nourishment, sleep, and exercise.

20. From the following list, prayerfully choose an area in which you can improve the care of
your body. How do you intend to change in this area?
Maintaining a proper diet

Exercising regularly

Getting sufficient rest

Avoiding harmful habits

Remember These Points:

Using the chapter subtopics as an outline, write your own summary of this chapter here.

57
58
 Outside Reading: Disciples Are Made—Not Born

Chapter 10
How to Train a Disciple
Gifts and Calling
Just before His death on Calvary, the Lord Jesus the absence of true Christian love, and this is
expressed to His Father what was on His heart. precisely why the Apostle Paul sandwiches the
In that prayer, recorded in John 17, we find great chapter on love, 1 Corinthians 13, between
one of His major concerns was that Christians his two chapters on the spiritual gifts.
dwell together in unity.
Still another problem that we face today re-
The Holy Spirit’s bestowal of gifts on the Church garding the gifts is the tremendous feeling of
was designed to ensure that our Lord, Jesus’ inadequacy that many Christians have simply
prayer for unity would be answered. He did this because they are not sure what their gifts are.
by making sure that all Christians have some They know that they are supposed to have
of the gifts, and no Christian has all the gifts. gifts—at least this is what they have been
This assured the importance of every believer, taught from the Bible—but if you were to ask
because his gifts were necessary to complement them what their gifts are, they would be un-
the rest of the body. It also assured the depen- able to answer.
dence of every believer on others. Since one did
not have all of the gifts, he needed his brothers As we train young Christians to become dis-
and sisters in Christ. This was God’s formula ciples, one of our primary objectives should be
for unity. This design for unity, however, has to help them discover and develop their gifts,
been jeopardized by certain problems that have since every believer has gifts which God holds
entered the life of the Church. him accountable for developing and using for
the sake of the Body. In making disciples we
One of the problems is found in the background are not trying to produce proficient techni-
of many new Christians. Many today come cians who are able to reproduce themselves
from a background of existentialism, which by a prescribed methodology; rather, we are
teaches that meaning and reality are only to seeking to develop men and women who are
be found in life through an “experience.” Dope, disciples diligently exercising their particular
sex—anything to find purpose in a life that is gifts and abilities.
at its best a “sick joke.” This desire to “have
an experience” has permeated Christianity.
In many cases it finds its expression in people
looking for the more spectacular gifts of the
Holy Spirit. To explore this subject, let us briefly study Paul’s
analysis of the gifts in 1 Corinthians 12.
Another problem confronting the church regard-
ing the gifts is that they are so often sought in a In verses 1-11 we see the distribution and diver-
spirit of comparison and competition. I become sity of the gifts. It is frequently asked whether
proud because I have gifts that you lack, or I the gifts listed in Scripture are illustrative or
become envious because you have gifts that I exhaustive. Are they examples of a broader list
lack. What originally was intended to unite of gifts? Or when you list all the individual gifts
us as brothers and sisters becomes the thing mentioned in the Bible, do you have the sum
that divides us. The reason for this disunity is total of all the gifts that God distributes? The
59
 supporting evidence for either view is inconclu- at the university. The magnificent picture was
sive, but I believe that the lists of gifts such as composed by arranging stones of various colors
those in verses 8-10 are illustrative. and sizes in the form of a pattern. If any one
of the stones had been removed, the picture
This is important when helping a man discover would have been incomplete. The removal of
his gifts because you have to decide whether you your gifts from the Body would make what
will confine your quest to the gifts mentioned in Christ is doing incomplete.
the Bible or whether you will view the subject
more broadly. As I help people in this area, I Consider a lineman on a football team. By him-
work on the premise that any talents or abili- self, he cannot win the game. But his blocking is
ties a person has are God-given and become indispensable if the ball carrier is going to score.
“spiritual” when controlled and energized by An oboe in a symphony orchestra is not a solo
the Holy Spirit. Other than those mentioned in instrument, but when played in harmony with
the New Testament, we might look for abilities the other instruments, it sounds beautiful.
in the fields of music, writing, or art. Having
helped a disciple determine what his gifts are, In verses 11 and 18, we learn that God decides
we can then creatively think through on how his what function each of us is to play in the Body.
gifts can be used in accomplishing the objective The feelings of inadequacy or inferiority that
of making disciples. many Christians experience often stem from
a wrong comparison of oneself with others.
All that God has for me was made available For example, if I had been led to Christ and
through the cross of Jesus Christ; and as a be- discipled by a pastor, I would tend to compare
liever, it is my responsibility to appropriate all myself with his speaking ability and then feel
that He has made available. Helping a disciple quite inferior if I could not duplicate his gift. If,
discover, develop, and utilize his gifts is simply however, a talented musician led me to Christ
a matter of helping him fulfill his responsibility and discipled me, I would be prone to compare
to appropriate that which was made available myself with his abilities in the area of music.
to him through the cross of Christ. Again, if I could not duplicate his gifts, I would
tend to experience feelings of inferiority.
In verses 12-31, we see the dependence of the
members on the Body and the Body on the We can readily see the importance of helping a
members. As we said earlier, the Spirit’s en- man discover his gifts and realize their unique
dowment of specific gifts to each believer means importance early. These gifts, whatever they
that each has a uniquely significant place in the are, assure his worth as an individual. It must
Body and a complete dependence upon every be remembered, though, that there is no such
other believer. thing as being given a gift solely for one’s own
personal use and edification. The very nature
This passage illustrates the foolishness of com- of the gift, whatever it may be, is such that it
parison. It is as ridiculous for me to compare can be used to build up the Body of Christ. The
myself with my brother as it is for my hand to value of the gift is measured by the degree to
compare itself with my foot. If I can understand which it contributes to the well-being of the
my role in the Body and the role of my broth- rest of the Christian family.
ers and sisters, I can rejoice in their success
because I know that it contributes to the Body Verses 25-26 teach that the Body is dependent
as a whole. upon each of the members for its proper func-
tioning. Paul says a strange thing in Colossians
While visiting Mexico City, I was shown a beau- 1:24: “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you,
tiful mosaic on the wall of one of the buildings and fill up that which is behind in the afflictions

60
of Christ in my flesh for His Body’s sake, which ing himself to other people. One discovers one’s
is the Church.” What I understand Paul to be gifts by selfless giving. Therefore, encourage the
saying here is that Christ in a certain sense is person you are helping to become involved in
still suffering. He is not physically suffering, the lives of other people. As he serves others,
since that was finished at the cross; but as our his gifts will come to light.
Head, He continues to suffer, as 1 Corinthians
12:25,26 suggests. When the head is in danger • Help him exercise any gift that you or he
of being hit, the hand immediately responds suspects he might have.
by trying to ward off the blow at the sacrifice
of itself. Let’s take teaching as an example. If your man
suspects that he has the gift of teaching but is
Any time one member of the Body suffers for not sure, encourage him to use every teaching
the cause of Jesus Christ, it affects every other opportunity he can. As he teaches, it will become
member in the Body. For example, when Jim evident to him whether he has the gift or not.
Elliot and his four co-laborers were martyred
in Ecuador, all of the Church suffered. The • Generally speaking, a person’s gift lies
vacancy their death left became our responsi- in the area in which his interests lie, and
bility. Again, adapting Paul’s illustration in 1 where he can most easily exercise faith.
Corinthians 12, when one of the limbs, let’s say
the leg, is amputated, the body can adjust, but Let me illustrate this by my own life. I do not
it cannot function as well as it could before. We have the gift of healing. When I meet sick people,
say therefore that the body is handicapped. I find it very difficult to exercise faith in their
being made well. I do, however, preach. And
If a person’s gifts are not being utilized for the whereas I am always fearful and apprehensive
well-being of the Body, he will not feel a part about standing before an audience, I can, none-
of the fellowship and will soon lose his sense theless, muster enough faith to do it.
of personal worth. This could be one reason
organizations such as the Lions Club, the Opti- • Have him exercise the potential gift in
mists, and the Masonic Lodge are successful— front of people who can give him an hon-
they give their men a feeling of belonging and est evaluation.
personal importance.
If your man thinks he has the gift of teaching,
let some gifted teachers evaluate him. If he
thinks he has the gift of speaking, let speakers
Every believer needs to know what his gifts are evaluate him.
and be utilizing them for the well-being of the
Church. The Church is actually handicapped A word of caution is in order here. Not hav-
if any member’s gifts are not being properly ing a specific gift does not absolve you of
applied. How then do we help people discover responsibility in those areas where God has
and develop their gifts? Let me offer four sug- commanded obedience. Let’s use evangelism
gestions. as an example. It may very well be that you
and I do not have the gift of evangelism, but
• If he is a disciple, get him involved with God does command that we be witnesses. His
people. commandment is not abrogated simply because
we are not gifted in that particular area. I
First Corinthians teaches that the purpose of may not be a gifted evangelist, but I am still
spiritual gifts is to help edify the Body. Gifts are obligated to do evangelism.
never for ourselves. If a person does not know
what his gift is, it may be because he is not giv-

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 THE GIFTS AND CALLING OF GOD disciple should include, helping him discover
and develop his gifts must be part of it.
God never asks a person to do something he
cannot do. There are times when He may ask
a person to do something he does not think he
can do.

God asked Moses to represent Him before

Pharaoh and the people of Egypt. Feeling very
inadequate, Moses, in effect, replied to God,
“Lord, You have the wrong man.” But God as-
sured him that He had the right man and that
He would endow Moses with whatever gifts
were necessary to accomplish the task.

The gifts and calling of God always go hand

in hand. Most churches have some form of
ordination formalities for their pastors, usu-
ally preceded by an examination council. The
council examines the man to see if he has the
gifts and training necessary for the work of
the ministry.

The man says to the church, “I am called of

God to be a pastor.”

The church in response, says, “We must exam-

ine you to see if we concur that you have the
necessary gifts and call.” Ordination, then, is a
recognition of the fact that the gifts and calling
of God go together.

It is imperative that early in the discipling

process, the man begin to look for his gifts and
develop them. His calling in life should be in
harmony with whatever his gifts are. So many
Christians are uncertain about their life’s work
simply because they are not sure of their gifts.
The disciple’s life is a fulfilling one because he
is involved in the most satisfying and exciting
thing life affords, namely, being involved in
transforming people into the image of Jesus
Christ.

To experience this fulfillment, however, the dis-

ciple’s life must be in accordance with the way
God has made him. His function is in harmony
with his gifts. Whatever else the training of a

62
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS Date/Lesson
Discipling Plan
Trainer Disciple

Lesson Objective:

Activities Tools
Review Teach

Prayer
Lesson
Bible Study
PSMA
Reading
Evangelism/Discipleship
Scripture Memory
Time Plan for Activities

Application Assignment
Lesson
Bible Study
PSMA/Reading
Ministry
Scripture Memory
63
 Discussion Questions for Readings/Instructions

Discussion Questions:

Instruction:

Evaluation:

Follow-Up Need for next week:

64
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Disciple Application Guide

Student’s Name Group Date

Subject Area Advanced Follow-Up
Topic Team and Teamwork

Completed
Disciple’s Profile
Yes No
Topic Notes
Review Team and Teamwork

Bible Study
Complete Helping Others Find Christ (Be Ready to Discuss)

Personal & Spiritual Management Aid

Do 5 PSMA

Outside Reading
Bible Reading Chart
Read Disciples Are Made Not Born — Chapter 11
(Be Ready to Discuss)
Ministry: Evangelism/Follow-Up/Discipleship
Pray for a convert
Pray for your disciple
Meet with your disciple
Complete Discipling Plan

Scripture Memory
Ephesians 5:3
1 Peter 2:11
Review all previous verses

65
66
 Team and Teamwork

NOTES

Team and
Teamwork

Introduction
As you study the Scriptures you become keenly aware that
God is fulfilling His will and destiny through men. Usually
He begins with a God-fearing man and burns His divine
objective or vision into the man’s heart. He gives to that
man promises to guarantee the fulfillment of the objective.
As that man begins to do what God has called him to, he
soon discovers that one person will never be able to do it
alone. At this time God begins to bring other men around
who are attracted to the vision and are recruitable. Soon
a team is formed and together they give themselves to the
task. Rarely does God begin and end with one man.

Definition of Teamwork
The dictionary defines a team as “a group of persons joined
together in an action, especially in a game. Animals har-
nessed together.”

Often we use words such as “group,” “gang,” “crew,” “bunch,”

and “team” interchangeably. However, I would like to
suggest that there are six essential elements common to
a real team.

✓ A common vision or objective

✓ An accepted leader
✓ Agreement of method and activities
✓ A strong sense of love and loyalty among members
✓ A division of labor among the members
✓ Members subjugated to the objective and to each other

67
 NOTES Anything less than this would only constitute a collection
or an association of individuals who may or may not ac-
complish an objective.

Team and Teamwork in Scripture

As I have already suggested this concept of team and team
work is not foreign to the Bible. In the life of the Lord Jesus
we see that He called a group of twelve men to become a
part of His team.

Then He appointed twelve, that they might be

with Him and that He might send them out
to preach.
Mark 3:14
We also see this in Paul’s pattern of life and ministry.

And Sopater of Berea accompanied him

to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus
of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe,
and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus
of Asia.
Acts 20:4

Not only is this found in the New Testament but the Old
Testament as well.

And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and valiant

men went with him, whose hearts God had
touched.
1 Samuel 10:26

Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we

are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates
are burned with fire. Come and let us build the
wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a
reproach.” And I told them of the hand of my
God which had been good upon me, and also of
the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So
they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they
set their hands to do this good work.
Nehemiah 2:17,18

68
Advantages of a Team NOTES

Tremendous Power
It is obvious that two or more can accomplish more than one
person working by himself. Two men working together are
not just one plus one but the equivalent of two squared. In
Leviticus we see this illustrated for us.

Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred

of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your
enemies shall fall by the sword before you.
Leviticus 26:8

Team effort multiplies the individual’s thrust and provides

the impact of sheer numerical strength. A team also has the
ability of engaging many to a task who could never operate
by themselves.

If I jab five fingers at a wall I will end up with five broken

fingers. However, if I form them into a fist, I can punch a
hole in the wall.

Balance and Cross Training

A good team has complimentary gifts and abilities as well
as depths of experience. No one individual has everything
that is needed to accomplish an objective no matter how
smart and skilled he may be. Each team member, includ-
ing the leader, is strengthened and developed by the other
members of the team. The team helps each member become
well-rounded and more capable of fulfilling the objective.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given

to each one for the profit of all: for to one is
given the word of wisdom through the Spirit,
to another the word of knowledge through the
same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit,
to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit,
to another the working of miracles, to another
prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to

69
 NOTES another different kinds of tongues, to another
the interpretation of tongues. But one and the
same Spirit works all these things, distributing
to each one individually as He wills. For as the
body is one and has many members, but all the
members of that one body, being many, are one
body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we
were all baptized into one body—whether Jews
or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all
been made to drink into one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:7-13

Protection and Encouragement

Christians teamed together in loyalty to Christ and His
Word provide mutual protection against the world and its
attractions. When Jesus sent men out, He sent them two
by two and not alone. It’s interesting to note that when
Judas decided not to follow this pattern he opened himself
to destruction.

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot,

went to the chief priests and said, “What are you
willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And
they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew 26:14,15

Two are better than one, because they have a

good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one
will lift up his companion. But woe to him who
is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help
him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will
keep warm; but how can one be warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered by another,
two can withstand him, and a threefold cord is
not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

70
Planning NOTES
Men benefit greatly by bouncing ideas off each other, whether
it be the strategic plans of where and how to minister or
the more tactical plans of method and timing. The team
concept allows this, particularly where the leader provides
a permissive atmosphere. An editor of Newsweek magazine
interviewed the heads of 100 of the largest corporations in
America and sent questionnaires to another 300 in an effort
to find a pattern for their success. He discovered that good
executives had strong teams around them. The executive
presents an idea to his team, lets them attack it, probe it,
and offer suggestions. When the meeting is concluded, the
whole team is ready to follow through on the plan.

For by wise counsel you will wage your own

war, and in a multitude of counselors there is
safety.
Proverbs 24:6

Rapid Establishment of Ministry

A band of men who know where they are going attracts
others who want to get going. If a man tried to penetrate
an area alone it may take him a year or more before he
had a group of men who demonstrate the dynamic aspect
of the Christian life. If he starts with a team, however, he
immediately has his “showcase”.

How to Start a Team

Prayer
The first step in forming a team is to pray, for in the final
analysis teams, like all good things, are a gift of God. In
praying about a team we are following Jesus’ example.

Now it came to pass in those days that He went

out to the mountain to pray, and continued all
night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He
called His disciples to Him; and from them He
chose twelve whom He also named apostles.
Luke 6:12,13

71
 NOTES Remember that believing prayer is sustained by the prom-
ises of God, so we must look to God for pertinent promises.
Another way to strengthen prayer is to look for a person of
like heart to pray with you for a team. God has especially
committed Himself to the fervent prayer of two or more who
join together in faith.

Again I say to you that if two of you agree on

earth concerning anything that they ask, it will
be done for them by My Father in heaven.
Matthew 18:19

Get Started
The next step is to simply start. Start making contacts through
evangelism, Bible studies, rallies, etc. God will guide you as
you prayerfully move out in faith expecting God to give you
people. Often Christians make the mistake of simply pray-
ing without acting. They seem to expect that as they pray
God will just drop team members out of a cloud, prepared
and designated for the team. However, this does not often
happen! It is much easier to guide a moving ship than one
that is moored in the harbor. So God will guide the person
who is moving out in faith.

It is also important to realize that people will not be at-

tracted to a team that “is going to get started someday” but
to a team that is already in motion. Recently a small group
of teenagers had a vision to start a swimming team in their
school. For months they had talked to their classmates
about being on the team. They had cajoled, reasoned and
pleaded— all to no avail. Finally they decided to start with
what they had. At the first training session only three were
present, but they had decided to start and keep going no
matter what. Within six weeks a dozen others had joined
the team. After three months the word had spread outside
the school that a team had formed. Others from the com-
munity were joining. The ranks had grown into an active
and sizeable team.

72
This is exactly what happened in the infant church of Acts 2. NOTES
The first converts got started serving God with joy and sim-
plicity. As a result, others were attracted and daily people
were added to the growing team of believers.

So continuing daily with one accord in the

temple, and breaking bread from house to house,
they ate their food with gladness and simplicity
of heart, praising God and having favor with all
the people. And the Lord added to the church
daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:46,47

Handpick Members of Your Team

From all the contacts that you develop, you must choose a
workable team. Insofar as God gives liberty, the team leader
should aim at a balance of gifts and abilities in selecting the
people for the team. But above all, the leader must look for
godly people who are living by Biblical convictions.

Moreover you shall select from all the people

able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating
covetousness; and place such over them to be
rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers
of fifties, and rulers of tens.
Exodus 18:21

Keep the team small and hard. To bring the wrong person
into the team means that you are handing over the lead-
ership of the team to him. Why? Because the leader will
constantly be asking himself, “What if he doesn’t like this
idea?” or “Will he have an attitude problem if we do this?”
Remember the DBITH principle! (Don’t bring in the half-
hearted.)

Then the officers shall speak to the people,

saying: “What man is there who has built a
new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go
and return to his house, lest he die in the battle

73
 NOTES and another man dedicate it. And what man is
there who has planted a vineyard and has not
yet eaten of it? Let him also go and return to his
house, lest he die in the battle and another man
eat of it. And what man is there who is betrothed
to a woman and has not yet married her? Let
him go and return to his house, lest he die in
the battle and another man marry her.”
Deuteronomy 20:5-7

While we must be careful not to surround ourselves with

the half-hearted, we must be equally careful not to surround
ourselves with “yes-men,” or those who are unable to be
honest or to think independently.

Present the Objective

It is essential in forming a team that the leader present a
vision that is realistic and attainable, yet big enough and
exciting enough to warrant giving one’s whole life to it.

The vision must be imparted in such a way by the leader

that it becomes the individual objective of each team mem-
ber. As long as the goal is simply “the leader’s goal” or “the
team’s goal,” commitment will not be deep enough or strong
enough to weather the enemy’s attacks. The vision must
be preached and presented again and again until the team
members are captured by the objective.

Billy Graham tells the story of a man who was offered a

job at a fabulous salary. He turned it down. The company
asked, “Aren’t we offering you enough?” The man replied,
“Oh, your salary is big enough, but your job is too small—
I’m out to reach the world for Christ.”

Summary
As you launch out in your ministry and it begins to grow,
the need for a team will grow with it. It will be an encour-
agement to you to see God bring a small team together
which will help you accomplish the ministry that God has

74
given to you. As you apply these principles they will help NOTES
you form your team.

If the world is ever to be reached for Christ, it will be because

of thousands of small teams which are banded together in
different places—all dedicated to fulfilling the Great Com-
mission in their own particular sphere of influence.

75
 NOTES

76
 Bible Study: Helping Others Find Christ

EQUIPPING THE SAINTS

Bible Study:
Helping Others Find Christ
Sharing with others the gospel of Jesus Christ should be one of the results of your Bible study.
If you are prepared, the Holy Spirit will use you to awaken an unbeliever to his need.

How to Prepare
1. In Philippians 2:14-16 Paul described the kind of life that reveals Christ and attracts men.
Define in your own words the terms he used, and rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 in each
area, with 10 as the best score.
Score

Does not complain or argue

Is blameless and pure

Is without fault
Shines like a star
Holds out the word of life

Which of these areas needs the most attention in your life at this time?

What can you do to improve in this area?

2. Read Matthew 4:19. What is the best preparation for sharing Christ with others?

(Explain your answer).

3. According to the following verses, what can you pray for those without Christ?

John 6:44

John 16:8,9

77
 1 Timothy 2:1-4

4. How can you prepare yourself to speak for Christ?

2 Timothy 2:15

1 Peter 3:15

Making Contact
5. Read Matthew 9:10-12.
a. With what kind of people did Jesus associate?

b. How did Jesus make contact with them?

6. Where did Paul meet people to present Christ to them? Acts 20:20

7. Using questions can help you introduce spiritual matters into your conversation with an
unbeliever. You must guide the discussion and not command it—and the person who guides a
conversation is usually not the one answering questions, but the one asking them.

List by name some non-Christians with whom you come in contact regularly. Develop questions
that would help you make the transition in your conversation into the good news of Christ.
(Note the examples. Jane is a college student, Clark is a businessman, and Norman is a soldier).

Person Question

Jane How have your ideas on religion changed since you came to school?
Clark What need in your own life do you hope to meet by having a successful business?
Norman Why do you suppose there is so much unrest in the world today?

Recognizing Needs
Jesus was a master at recognizing needs, and would speak to the issue that was of deepest con-
cern to a person He met. The primary need of a man without Christ is to receive Him as Savior
and Lord. However, a man without Christ may feel he has many other needs that should be
met before he receives Christ. You may have to meet “felt” needs before you can help a person
with his “real” needs. Felt needs are symptoms caused by real needs.

78
8. Read Mark 10:17-22. (Also compare Matthew 19:16-30 and Luke 18:18-30.)

a. What was the man’s felt need?

b. What was his real need?

c. How did Jesus illuminate the real problem?

d. What attitude did Jesus have toward the man when he put him to the test?

9. In recognizing needs it is important to realize that problems result in a variety of surface

symptoms. John warned us about three such problems: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17). What are possible symptoms for each of these problems?
a. Lust of the flesh
Example: Instability and discomfort around people

b. Lust of the eyes

Example: Possessive attitude

c. The pride of life

Example: Boasting

10. What does God’s word do? Hebrews 4:12

11. What does God promise to believers concerning His word? Isaiah 55:11

79
 12. Where and with whom did Paul use the Scriptures in sharing Christ? Acts 17:1-3 and 26:22

13. How should you handle a situation with an antagonistic or indifferent person? 2 Timothy
2:23-26

Carry a small New Testament with you. When presenting Christ, let the other person read the
verses for himself if possible. This is a powerful way to present Christ and to build confidence
in the Scriptures.

Presenting Christ
14. Why is it important to present Jesus Christ to men who are lost?
John 14:6

Acts 4:12

15. Read John 3:16-18.

a. What four points summarize the gospel? Verse 16

b. Why did God send Jesus into the world? Verse 17

c. What are two types of people? Verse 18

d. What one thing is necessary to escape condemnation?

Be ready to speak of Christ in any situation: Know the essentials of the gospel. Plan and
practice how to explain about Jesus Christ in a clear and interesting way. Then pray and take
advantage of your opportunities.

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16. After presenting the gospel, the key to helping a person open his heart to Christ is often a
question such as, “Would you like to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord now?” If he
would, ask him to pray and invite Jesus to come into his life as Savior and Lord.

In bringing a person to this point of decision, it is good to use an “action” verse to show him his
part in responding to Christ’s offer as the Holy Spirit prompts him. Choose one of the following
verses and explain how you could use it in such a situation.

John 1:12 John 3:16 John 5:24 Revelation 3:20

Handling Objections
17. Conviction of sin and the desire to receive Christ come from God alone. But He gives Chris-
tians the privilege of cooperating with Him in helping others come to faith in Jesus Christ.
Persons who have heard the gospel have a number of reasons for not receiving Christ. By being
familiar with some of the more common objections and courteously pointing out the answers,
you can sometimes help others see more clearly their needs of Jesus Christ. (Remember to keep
Christ and His forgiveness at the center of the discussion. Don’t let Satan sidetrack you into
spending too much time on less important matters.)

The following verses apply to some of the most frequently used objections. List the reference
that answers each objection.

Proverbs 14:12 Romans 1:19,20 1 Corinthians 1:21

Mark 2:17 Romans 1:28 2 Corinthians 6:2
Mark 8:36,37 Romans 3:23 Hebrews 9:27
John 7:17 Romans 14:12 2 Peter 1:21
John 14:6

a. “If God is all powerful and a God

of love, why does He allow evil in
the world? Why doesn’t He stop it?”
b. “What about those who have never
heard the gospel?”

c. “What about the errors in the Bible?”

d. “Why do so many educated people
reject Jesus?”

e. “What about all the hypocrites?”

f. “If a person is doing the best he

can, God will accept him. Sincerity
is what counts.”

81
 g. “Surely there is more than one way.”

h. “There is too much to give up.”

i. “I will probably become a Chris-

tian some day.”

j. “There are so many things in the

Bible I can’t understand,” or, “I
must wait until I understand more.”
k. “I’m really not such a bad person.”
1. “Maybe we’ll get another chance
after we die.”

m. “I’m too sinful to be saved. God

won’t accept me.”

Read Colossians 4:5,6.

a. What should your attitude be toward non-Christians?

b. Explain how you should go about communicating the gospel.

Remember These Points:

Using the chapter subtopics as an outline, write your own summary of this chapter.

82
 Outside Reading: Disciples Are Made—Not Born

Chapter 11
Multiplying Your Efforts
In 1945 a group of eminent scientists convened In Genesis 1:28 we read, “And God blessed
in a strange location, the desert of New Mexico, them and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and
to test the results of many long months of multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue
research. The success of their test could be of it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea,
inestimable significance. It could be the key and over the fowl of the air, and over every liv-
to rapidly terminating a long and costly war. ing thing that moveth upon the earth.”
The first testing of an atomic bomb was about
to occur. In this verse we find the first commandment
that God ever gave to man, a commandment to
Atomic energy, whether in the form of nuclear multiply. This is about the only commandment
warheads or plants producing valuable energy, that God has given us that we have ever been
has greatly shaped the progress of civiliza- able to keep. Man has certainly multiplied upon
tion since the dark days of Hiroshima and the face of the earth.
Nagasaki.
Numerically, it works out as simply as this:
The principle underlying the mechanism of an If parents have two children they maintain
atomic bomb is simple. Fast moving neutrons the status quo; there is no net growth in the
are used to cause fission to occur within the population. When parents have three or more
bomb. As a neutron strikes the nucleus of a ra-
children, then the population begins to multiply.
dioactive substance such as uranium, it causes
The more children, the faster the multiplica-
it to split, forming two new, different nuclei,
tion process.
and in so doing to release three more neutrons.
Each of these three neutrons now may strike
There is a certain cost involved in multiplica-
a new nucleus and repeat the process. As each
tion. Every parent knows that reproducing is
nucleus splits, energy is released. A chain reac-
costly. The more children you have, the more
tion occurs, and the energy released takes the
form of an explosion. it costs to rear them. There are more interper-
sonal relationships to cope with in the family
There is explosive power in multiplication, unit. There are more decisions to be made,
power that the disciple can see unleashed with greater chance of disease to strike a member
the Gospel of Jesus Christ. of the family.

There is a greater chance for heartache or dis-

appointment in one form or another. Certainly
Multiplication is one of the foundational laws more children take more time.
of the universe. Sheep, cattle, wildlife, trees,
flowers, or bacteria—every growing thing For a salmon, the cost of multiplication is death.
operates on a principle of multiplication. Mul- A salmon swims upstream, lays its eggs in the
tiplication is God’s way of doing things. sand, and then dies.

83
 Grain also dies to reproduce. Jesus said, “Ver- disciple and his ministry will be propagating
ily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of faster than the combined ministry of dozens of
wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth gifted evangelists.
alone, but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit”
(John 12:24). This is not to say that there is no need for the
ministry of an evangelist, but that an evange-
Even in the development of the atomic bomb, list by himself can never complete the task of
a cost was involved. In addition to the tre- reaching a lost and dying world.
mendous cost in terms of money and other
resources, there was the “cost” of the atom It’s like the dad who offered his two sons the
itself. It had to be split and broken in order choice of either taking one dollar a week for
to produce its effect. 52 weeks or one cent the first week, and the
amount doubled every week for 52 weeks.
The cost involved in multiplication can also
be seen in the fact that it is initially slower One son took the dollar. The other son said,
than the process of addition. This is particu- “Well, Dad, I will try the penny to see what will
larly important as we apply it to fulfilling the happen.” We all know who wins: the son who
Great Commission. Let’s say for example that takes the one penny and has it doubled each
a gifted evangelist is able to lead 1,000 people week. The degree to which he wins is absolutely
to Christ every day. Each year he will have astounding. By the end of the year, the son who
reached 365,000 people, a phenomenal minis- began with the penny will have enough money
try indeed. to pay the United States national debt and still
have plenty left over for himself!
Let’s compare him with a disciple who leads
not 1,000 people a day to Christ, but only one God wants the same principles that are at
person a year. At the end of one year, the dis- work in the physical realm to be applied in
ciple has one convert; the evangelist, 365,000. the spiritual realm. The reason the Church of
But suppose the disciple has not only led his Jesus Christ finds it so difficult to stay on top
man to Christ, but has also discipled him. He of the Great Commission is that the population
has prayed with him, taught him how to feed of the world is multiplying while the Church is
himself from the Word of God, gotten him into merely adding. Addition can never keep pace
fellowship with like-minded believers, taken with multiplication.
him out on evangelism and showed him how
to present the Gospel to other people. At the Some time ago there was a display at the Mu-
end of that first year, this new convert is able seum of Science and Industry in Chicago. It
to lead another man to Christ and follow him featured a checkerboard with 1 grain of wheat
up as he himself has been followed up. on the first square, 2 on the second, 4 on the
third, then 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, etc. Somewhere
At the start of the second year, the disciple has down the board, there were so many grains of
doubled his ministry—the one has become two. wheat on the square that some were spilling
During the second year, each man goes out and over into neighboring squares—so here the
leads not 1,000 people per day to Christ, but demonstration stopped. Above the checker-
one person per year. At the end of the second board display was the question, “At this rate of
year, we have four people. You can see how doubling every square, how much grain would
slow our process is. But note, too, that we do you have on the checkerboard by the time you
not have only converts, but disciples who are reached the 64th square?”
able to reproduce themselves. At this rate of
doubling every year, the disciple, leading one To find the answer to this riddle, you punched
per year to Christ, will overtake the evangelist a button on the console in front of you, and
somewhere in the 19th year. From then on, the the answer flashed on a little screen above the

84
board: “Enough to cover the entire subcontinent is assured only when there is proper training
of India 50 feet deep.” of faithful people who can carry the training
process into succeeding generations.
Multiplication may be costly and, in the initial
stages, much slower than addition, but in the It is easy to see that the training process needed
long run, it is the most effective way of accom- to ensure multiplication is slow and costly.
plishing Christ’s Great Commission...and the It takes a tremendous amount of time. And
only way. whenever you endeavor to insert a shortcut,
you jeopardize the whole process. That is why
the ministry of multiplying disciples has never
been popular. Everybody likes the results it
The key to success in the multiplying process produces, but few are willing to pay the price
is training the disciple in depth. Each time one to obtain the results.
person fails to “reproduce spiritually,” you cut
your results in half. A friend of mine and I were talking about a
discipling ministry, and he said, “I am in the
One of Adolf Hitler’s objectives was the destruc- process of discipling 50 men right now.” At that
tion of the Jewish race, but as determined as point I realized that he and I were talking about
his endeavor was, he failed. The multiplication two entirely different things, for it is impossible
process had gone on for too long by the time he to train 50 people at the same time. Disciples
appeared on the scene. If, on the other hand, he cannot be mass produced.
could have been with Abraham on Mt. Moriah,
and taken that knife and plunged it into Isaac, While on earth, our Lord Jesus Christ was God
he would have destroyed the entire Jewish race in the form of man. He was endowed with every
with one blow. spiritual gift, He did not have any of our weak-
nesses or failings, nor did He have the heavy
Today, nuclear reaction is used for producing responsibilities of being married or running a
energy. This will grow increasingly during the business; His time was devoted completely to the
coming years. The nuclear reaction is controlled ministry. And yet, with all of these advantages,
by introducing a series of graphite rods into the He felt that He could effectively train only 12;
reaction chamber. This slows down the multi- and even out of those 12, to really major in 3.
plication process, preventing an explosion. As If 12 was the number our Lord decided on, I
the Church of Jesus Christ seeks to “explode” doubt if we, with all our limitations, can plan
through multiplication, Satan is constantly to effectively disciple 50 at one time.
trying to insert his “rods” to slow us down.
One way Satan does this is indicated by Jesus In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he
Christ: “And the cares of this world, and the explains why he has embarked on a certain
deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other course of action by saying, “Furthermore, when
things entering in, choke the Word, and it be- I came to Troas to preach Christ’s Gospel, and
cometh unfruitful” (Mark 4:19). a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had
no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus
Note what the Apostle Paul says to Timothy, my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went
his son in the faith, “And the things that thou from thence into Macedonia” (2 Corinthians
hast heard of me among many witnesses, the 2:12,13).
same commit thou to faithful men, who shall
be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). Four When Paul came to Troas, not only did the Lord
generations are clearly seen in Paul, Timothy, provide an opportunity to preach the Gospel,
faithful men, and others also. Multiplication but also people who were ready to listen. But

85
 perhaps finding Titus was more important being involved in disciple-making transcends
than preaching to the whole city of Troas just gifts and calling. Irrespective of our gifts or our
then. Why? Because if Paul reached Titus and calling, all men and women should be disciple-
trained him, he would double the effectiveness makers.
of his ministry, and together they could turn
around and reach two such cities as Troas in- Everyone has the gifts necessary to be a disciple-
stead of just one. maker. You may be a teacher, or a housewife,
or an engineer, but irrespective of your voca-
The importance of the individual in the process tion, you are also to be a disciplemaker. If you
of multiplication can also be seen in Acts 8. are not a disciplemaker, then I would suggest
Philip (believed to be one of the deacons chosen that you do the same thing Timothy did with
earlier, Acts 6) went to the city of Samaria and Paul, or that Peter, James, and John did with
preached the Gospel. “And the people with one the Lord Jesus. Make yourself available to a
accord gave heed unto those things which Philip disciplemaker who can help you to become a
spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which disciplemaker. Latch on to them. Learn from
he did” (verse 6). The ministry was so successful them the “how to” involved in developing those
that some of the leaders from Jerusalem came qualities needed to spiritually reproduce your-
up to witness it and give it their blessing. self in the lives of others.

Right in the middle of this great evangelistic Every Christian should ask himself two ques-
effort, the Spirit of God called Philip and sent tions: “Who is my Paul? Who is the person I
him down to the Gaza desert to talk to one am learning from, who is helping me to become
man—an Ethiopian eunuch (verses 26,27). a multiplying disciplemaker?” And secondly,
If Philip could multiply his ministry through “Where is my Timothy? Where is the person
the eunuch, then possibly this Ethiopian could I am in turn helping to become a multiplying
become the key to reaching all of Ethiopia. disciplemaker?”

The discipling ministry lacks the glamour and

excitement of the platform or large meeting type
of ministry. But we can hardly overemphasize
the importance of investing in the right kind Twelve sons were born to the Patriarch Jacob.
of person, one of vision and discipline, totally The Bible tells us that they multiplied and filled
committed to Jesus Christ, willing to pay any the land of Egypt. “And the children of Israel
price to have the will of God fulfilled in his were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and
life. Sticking with a person and helping him to multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and
overcome the obstacles involved in becoming a the land was filled with them” (Exodus 1:7).
disciple is a long and arduous task. Jesus, likewise, chose 12 men to become His
“spiritual children.” He invested three years
So often I have heard the excuse, “I just don’t of His life in them and told them to become
have the gift to do this kind of ministry.” The fruitful, to multiply, and to spread the Gospel
Great Commission given to us in Matthew to every creature. You and I are Christians
28:19-20 says, “Go therefore, and teach [make today because 12 men caught Jesus’ vision and
disciples of] all nations.” It takes a disciple- did as He commanded. Spiritual reproduction
maker to make disciples. Historically, the works!
Church has believed that the Great Commission
was not given to a select few people, but to all Paul’s desire on his second missionary journey
believers. If this is true, then all believers can was to preach the Gospel throughout Asia. Acts
be disciple-makers. Or, to put it another way, 16:6-11 tells us that the Holy Spirit checked

86
his attempt and finally boxed him into the city His cry today: “And I sought for a man among
of Troas. There Paul received the vision to go them, that should make up the hedge, and
to Macedonia and preach the Gospel. So, be- stand in the gap before Me for the land that I
ing forbidden of the Holy Spirit to preach the should not destroy it: but I found none” (Ezekiel
Gospel in Asia, Paul and his team left and went 22:30). Have you heard His cry? Will you be that
to what is now Europe. person? Will you be God’s disciplemaker?

Now notice what happens on Paul’s third mis-

sionary journey, as recorded in Acts 19. Paul
is back in Asia once again, this time in the city
of Ephesus. Verses 8-10 say: “And he went into
the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space
of three months, disputing and persuading the
things concerning the kingdom of God. But
when divers were hardened, and believed not,
but spake evil of that way before the multitude,
he departed from them, and separated the
disciples, disputing daily in the school of one
Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of
two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia
heard the Word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews
and Greeks.”

Here is a beautiful illustration of spiritual

multiplication. Because of Paul’s discipling
ministry in the school of Tyrannus, everyone
in the province of Asia heard the Word of the
Lord Jesus. And just to make the point clear,
Luke adds, “both Jews and Greeks.”

Multiplying disciples is the New Testament

vision and method for getting the job done. We
have not taken time in this chapter to do an
exhaustive study on the principle of multiplica-
tion from the Scriptures, but this might be a
topical study you would like to do on your own.
You will certainly find it rewarding.

Discipleship is not the ministry of any one

particular organization or church. It is God’s
ministry. It has been on His heart from the be-
ginning of time. Just as He set up the physical
propagation of the human race on a multiply-
ing basis, He has likewise set up the spiritual
propagation of the human race on a multiply-
ing basis. But, because of the spiritual battle
involved, many would-be disciples disqualify
themselves. God’s cry to the Prophet Ezekiel is

87
88
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS Date/Lesson
Discipling Plan
Trainer Disciple

Lesson Objective:

Activities Tools
Review Teach

Prayer
Lesson
Bible Study
PSMA
Reading
Evangelism/Discipleship
Scripture Memory
Time Plan for Activities

Application Assignment
Lesson
Bible Study
PSMA/Reading
Ministry
Scripture Memory
89
 Discussion Questions for Readings/Instructions

Discussion Questions:

Instruction:

Evaluation:

Follow-Up Need for next week:

90
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Disciple Application Guide

Student’s Name Group Date

Subject Area Discipleship
Topic Finding the Will of God

Completed
Disciple’s Profile
Yes No
Topic Notes
Review Finding the Will of God

Bible Study
Complete Follow-Up (Be Ready to Discuss)

Personal & Spiritual Management Aid

Do 5 PSMA

Outside Reading
Bible Reading Chart
Read Disciples Are Made Not Born — Chapter 12
(Be Ready to Discuss)
Ministry: Evangelism/Follow-Up/Discipleship
Share Bridge
Complete Evangelism Report
Pray for your disciple
Meet with your disciple
Complete Discipling Plan
Scripture Memory
Leviticus 19:11
Acts 24:16
Review all previous verses

91
92
 NOTES

Finding the

Introduction
As disciples of Jesus we are to follow in His steps. Listen to
what Jesus said about doing the Will of God:

My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me,

and to finish His work.
John 4:34

I do not seek My own will but the will of the

Father who sent Me.
John 5:30 (b)

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My

own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
John 6:38

…nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be

done.
Luke 22:42 (b)

Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth

as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:10

It is interesting to note Jesus inserted this as a petition

in the Lord’s prayer. Every time we pray this prayer, we
are asking God for His will to be done. Whose will are you
doing?

It is obvious from the above passages that Jesus was totally

committed to doing the will of His Father—no matter what

93
 NOTES the cost to His own person. We, therefore, as His disciples,
must also be committed to doing God’s will above our own.
But—how can a person know the mind of God in specific
issues of life?

The Scriptures are clear that God wants us to know His will
and that He will reveal it to obedient hearts.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you

should go; I will guide you with My eye.
Psalm 32:8

The Bible

Jesus said:

If anyone wants to do His (God’s) will, he’ll know

whether my teaching is from God or I speak my
own thoughts.
John 7:17 (LB)

.94
 NOTES

If you have some unconfessed sin in your life or are out of

fellowship with God over some issue, you need to deal with
that before going any further in seeking God’s will for the
future.

If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will

not hear.
Psalm 66:18

Pray For God’s Guidance

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God,

who gives to all liberally and without reproach,
and it will be given to him.
James 1:5

Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall

find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.
Matthew 7:7

Check Your Real Motives

For example, in considering a new job, my real motives may
be the money and status connected with the position rather
than because the job will better enable me to serve God. If
my motives are not sincerely directed to God’s service, He
may not work in the situation.

…or you ask for something but don’t get it

because you want it for a wrong purpose—to
spend it on your pleasures.
James 4:3 (Beck)

95
 NOTES Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but
the LORD weighs the hearts.
Proverbs 21:2

Oftentimes people want to know God’s will so they can de-

cide whether or not they will do it. However, God does not
reveal His will to curiosity seekers. He reveals it to those
whom He knows will obey.

If anyone wants to do His will, he shall

know…
John 7:17

Note in this passage “willing” comes before “knowing.”

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel

of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight
is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he
meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth
its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not
wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 1:1-3

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to

my path.
Psalm 119:105

God gave you a great asset in discovering His will when He

gave you a mind.

96
 Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes NOTES
strong through common sense, and profits
wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts.
Proverbs 24:3,4 (LB)

The following considerations can help you to think logically

and practically in discerning God’s will.

Do I Have All The Facts Straight?

Am I sure that all the facts are in and they are accurate, or
am I going on hearsay or probabilities?

Making a pro and con list is helpful—list all of the factors, no

matter how insignificant, and then weigh their importance.

Sometimes Christians mistakenly think that if they really

want to do a particular thing, then it cannot be the will of
God. This is erroneous because God normally prepares our
hearts to be in tune with His will. Often the thing we are
most gifted for or desire to do the most is exactly what God
has for us.

I delight to do what You want, my God. Your

law is in my heart.
Psalm 40:8 (Beck)

My children, keep away from anything that

might take God’s place in your hearts.
1 John 5:21 (NLT)

Does This Violate Any Scriptural Principles?

Would I marry a non-Christian knowing that God has spo-
ken so explicitly in Scripture?

97
 NOTES Do not be unequally yoked together with
u n b e l i e v e r s . Fo r w h a t f e l l o w s h i p h a s
righteousness with lawlessness? And what
communion has light with darkness?
2 Corinthians 6:14

Stumble?

But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours

become a stumbling block to those who are
weak.
1 Corinthians 8:9

When you have honestly answered the above questions, you

are ready to apply the “Will of God Hand” to the situation.

Prayer
When you have honestly answered the above questions, you
are ready to apply the “Will of God Hand” to the situation.
Surround this hand with prayer as you begin to examine
the various fingers for God's leading.

Prayer

tion
vela
Re
Prayer
Prayer

Counsel

God Hand Circumstances

Inner Peace

Prayer

98
Revelation NOTES
Has God given you some direct revelation such as was
given to Paul on the road to Damascus? If so, make sure it
is consistent with Scripture. For example, if you seem to
have some direct revelation to marry a certain person, but
that individual is not a Christian, you had better check your
revelation again. (2 Corinthians 6:14 definitely teaches us
that we are to “be not unequally yoked together with an
unbeliever.”)

God has clearly revealed His will on many specific issues in

the Word of God. If we are consistently reading and study-
ing His Word, we will be aware of the totality of teaching
on certain subjects and will be careful not to rely on any
isolated verses that may be taken out of context.

Satan delights to see us take one isolated verse and base

our decision solely on that. When we close our eyes, let the
Bible fall open and pinpoint a verse, we are not handling
the Word of God in a responsible manner, and we become
open to Satan’s false leading. In Matthew 4:6,7, Satan even
tried to get Jesus to take a passage out of context and make
a foolish decision on it alone. But because the Lord knew
the total teaching of the Word, He was able to withstand
the enemy’s deception.

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said,

“If You are the Son of God, command that these
stone. become bread.” But He answered and
said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread
alone, but by every word that proceeds from the
mouth of God.’ ”
Matthew 4:3,4

Counsel
We are advised by the Scriptures to seek counsel of others.
We need to get objective, mature, and spiritual counsel

99
 NOTES from Christians who are not emotionally involved in the
situation as we are. We must be careful not just to turn to
the counsellors who will tell us what we want to hear. A
good counsellor will help you to shed light on your situation
from the Scriptures and to evaluate the circumstances and
other factors involved. Through this godly counsel you will
be able to see things from God’s perspective and be better
able to discern His will.

Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the

multitude of counselors they are established.
Proverbs 15:22

Circumstances

The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD,

like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever
He wishes.
Proverbs 21:1

What doors are opened or closed by circumstance? Often

God gives real leading in this way. Since God is in control
of the hearts of all men and is sovereignly in control of
all things, He can often turn situations to lead us into
His will. However, we must be sure that this finger of the
“Will of God Hand” is not too large in proportion to the
other ways of finding God’s will. Circumstances can also
be very deceptive and used by Satan to lead us astray.

Inner Peace

Don’t worry about anything whatever. Tell

God every detail of your needs in earnest and
thankful prayer and the peace of God which
transcends human understanding will keep
constant guard over your hearts and minds as
they rest in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6,7 (JBP)

100
Peace and personal conviction are subjective factors which NOTES
must be considered. When you have prayerfully considered
all the factors, what does your inner conviction tell you is
right to do? Does this conviction carry with it a deep peace
that comes from God?

As you consider the “Will of God Hand” at first glance, it

may seem that all the fingers are stretched out in different
directions. But as God leads, you will find that 2, 3, or 4 of
the fingers begin to point in the same direction, and you
have a deep peace that God is at work. Then move ahead,
prayerfully, asking God to close doors or change things if
you somehow have not discerned His will rightly.

Have You [God] not delivered my feet from

falling, That I may walk before God?
Psalm 56:13
Timing

To everything there is a season, a time for every

purpose under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Remember that God has both a will for your life and a per-
fect timing that will be fulfilled. We must make sure that
we have both! Often when we try to rush or delay God’s
will, it is to our own detriment and we only hurt ourselves.
God’s will and timing are always perfect! He is never too
early or too late!

For example, I may have discovered God’s will for me for a

life partner, but it may not be God’s timing yet. Perhaps my
future partner is still very young and immature in Christ
and needs more time to develop his or her own convictions
and discipleship. If I rush into marriage without consider-
ing God’s timing, I may find that the immaturity of my
partner adds problems to the marriage that may take years
to correct.

101
 NOTES Summary
God is pleased when we, as His disciples, walk in His will.
If we apply the principles written here, God will gladly re-
veal His will to us, and we will have the joy of personally
discovering that His will is always good, acceptable, and
perfect!

And do not be conformed to this world, but be

transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
you may prove what is that good and acceptable
and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2

102
 Bible Study: Follow-up

EQUIPPING THE SAINTS

Bible Study:
Follow-up
Helping new believers get a good start in their Christian lives and grow toward spiritual ma-
turity is the responsibility of all Christians. There is always someone who needs your help.

1. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12.

a. How did Paul describe his ministry in teaching the Thessalonians to live the Christian life?

Verses 7,8

b. What was Paul’s relationship with them? Verse 11

c. What three things did he do to help their spiritual progress? Verse 11

d. What was Paul’s goal for his spiritual children? Verse 12

Follow-up is spiritual pediatrics—giving continuous help to a young believer to stimulate

healthy growth toward Christian maturity and usefulness.

2. Jesus Christ gave His followers the Great Commission to reach the world with His gospel.

What did He command them to do as part of that commission? Matthew 28:20

3. Why was Paul concerned about following up those he had reached? 1 Thessalonians 3:5

4. Read 1 Corinthians 4:15. Why do you think Paul felt personally responsible for the Corin-

thians?

103
 Every person’s value and dignity is the result of his unique creation. Man alone was made in
the image and likeness of God. In all the universe he alone has the distinct privilege of reflect-
ing godliness.

5. How did Jesus illustrate how valuable you are in God’s eyes? Matthew 10:29-31

6. What can you learn from Luke 9:25 about your individual worth?

7. What does Jesus teach about the importance of the individual in Luke 15:3-7?

8. How many people did Paul mention by name in Romans 16? How is this significant?

9. Read Psalm 8. How does the psalmist express the worth of man? Explain how this relates

to you.

Helping Others Grow

10. What did Paul and his companions do to help those who had recently believed in Jesus
Christ?
Acts 14:21-22

104
Acts 18:11

11. What did Paul and his co-workers pray for their converts? Colossians 1:9-12

Colossians 4:12

12. What could you encourage a new believer to do with the Bible? Colossians 3:16

13. In what other areas could you instruct and establish him?
Mark 5:19
Luke 9:23

John 15:10

Philippians 4:6
Hebrews 10:25

14. Paul used various methods in following up new Christians. Which methods do the follow-
ing verses describe?
Acts 15:36

1 Corinthians 4:14
1 Corinthians 4:17

2 Timothy 1:3
How can you help someone you know by using one of these methods?

105
 You will want to help a new Christian in these areas:

15. What could Paul say about his example to the Philippian church? Philippians 4:9

16. Read 1 Timothy 4:12. In what areas should you be an example to others?

17. Why is setting a good example important? Matthew 23:3

18. Can you say with Paul, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corin-
thians 11:1)? In what way should some aspect of your life be changed so that you maintain a
good example?

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19. Think of one person whom you have had the privilege of leading to Christ? Remember to
pray for him, and consider what more you can do to stimulate his growth. Should you visit,
telephone, or write him? Should you take him with you to witness, or to call on another young
Christian? Summarize how you can help him and what you intend to do.

Remember These Points:

Using the chapter subtopics as an outline, write your own summary of this chapter.

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 Outside Reading: Disciples Are Made—Not Born

Chapter 12
Choosing a Life Objective
Webster defines an objective as “an aim or end to His ministry. Over 40 times in John 17, He
of action; point to be reached.” refers to His disciples—they were His ministry.
Repeatedly He makes reference to these 12
An ancient proverb states, “He who aims at noth- men who occupied three years of His life. And
ing hits it.” We need a life aim or objective. in that context, He says, “I have finished the
work You gave Me to do.” In essence, the Lord
Your life can be represented by a straight line Jesus was looking God the Father in the face
which has as its origin your birth and an arrow and saying, “O God, all that You had on Your
on the opposite end indicating the unknown heart for My life, I did.”
time of your death. None of us knows how long
he will have in this life, but for the sake of dis- When you come to die, will you be able to look
cussion, say you have lived 20 or so years and God Almighty in the eye and say, “O Father, all
you have approximately 40 years left. that You had on your heart for my life, I have
accomplished? I finished the work You gave
Here is the question: When you come to the me to do?” If you cannot in integrity of heart
end of those 40 years, and you have nothing answer yes, then whatever the price, I would
but death to look forward to and nothing but urge you to bring your life into alignment so
memories to look back upon, what will you need that you can.
to see in order for you to come to the conclusion,
“My life was a success?” Another man who was able to claim this kind
of success was the Apostle Paul. “I have fought
I suggest that you are not ready to live those a good fight, I have finished my course, I have
40 years until you have answered that ques- kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for
tion. Until then your life is without direction, me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
aim, or objective. Make sure you answer that the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day;
question in specifics, because the more specific and not to me only, but unto all them also that
you are, the better chance you have of hitting love His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7,8). Just
your objective. previously he stated, “For I am now ready to
be offered, and the time of my departure is at
The Lord Jesus was able to answer positively. hand” (verse 6). When your time of departure
He said, “I have glorified Thee on the earth, I is at hand, will you say with the Apostle Paul,
have finished the work which Thou gavest Me “I have finished the race, I have done what You
to do” (John 17:4). Twice in the ministry of the want me to do?”
Lord Jesus, He said, “It is finished.” Once He
said it on the cross, and that obviously refers When I was in college, I was looking for purpose,
to the work of redemption. But earlier He was for meaning, for reality in my life. A giant void
praying in the Garden of Gethsemane when He existed inside me. I could not put my finger on
said, “It is finished.” There He was referring it; I did not know what it was; but I knew that

109
 the void existed. Then I met Bob, who suggested My objective—to be a civil engineer and build
the void could be filled by the Person of Jesus bridges, dams, and roads—lasted until I ran
Christ. That God Almighty was willing to enter across 2 Peter 3:10. What a shock, then, to
my life and take up residence was a brand new realize that everything I planned to build, God
concept to me. would come along and destroy! I want you to
know, that discouraged me. Good grief! I did
As I listened to Bob explain the Scriptures, I not want to build a bridge if God was going to
thought to myself, “Henrichsen, you’d be an destroy it. It was not worth it. Why give all my
idiot if you turned that offer down. Here is God, time and effort to build something which God
the Creator, the Maker of heaven and earth, had already said that He will burn?
the One who threw the stars into space and
made everything that is, and, according to the As I continued my study, I became even more
Bible, He is willing to enter into your life and discouraged. I read, “But godliness with con-
take up residence!” tentment is great gain. For we brought nothing
into this world, and it is certain we can carry
So, that night in Bob’s living room I got on my nothing out. And having food and raiment let
knees, prayed, and received Christ. I only faintly us be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
comprehended what I was doing, but when I This picture emerged: I come into the world
got up, I was a changed individual, and I have empty-handed; I build bridges and dams; God
never been the same since. follows behind and burns them down; and when
I leave the world, I leave it empty-handed. What
The void was filled. a depressing scene!

I began to ask questions: What really counts in So, I prayed, “God, I don’t want to give my life
life? What is really important? For what should to nothing. Why pour 70 years into something
I give my life? At the same time, I made an and then discover You will burn it, and leave
intensive search in the Bible for answers. me empty-handed?”

Then I came across 2 Peter 3:10: “But the day Surely there must be some purpose, some mean-
of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in ing, some direction for life. Surely there must
the which the heavens shall pass away with a be something God is not planning to burn. I
great noise, and the elements shall melt with continued my quest in the Scriptures. By His
fervent heat, the earth also and the works that grace, I found two enduring things to which I
are herein shall be burned up.” It was that last could give myself.
phrase that got me: “Shall be burned up.”
I found the first in John 5:28,29, which says,
I was an engineering major. The reason I was “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming in
majoring in engineering was that I had previ- the which all that are in the graves shall hear
ously worked on a construction gang in the His voice, and shall come forth; they that have
Sierra Nevada Mountains. It was tough work, done good, unto the resurrection of life; and
and I for one did not like tough work. Every they that have done evil, unto the resurrection
so often I would see the engineers go by, and of damnation.” In the resurrection at the end
they did not appear to be working very hard. time, who is going to come forth? They that
They would finger their slide rules, and I would have done good and they that have done evil.
think, “They’ve got the right job!” I decided Everybody is going to live forever.
that I would be an engineer too so that I could
walk around, slide rule in hand, and tell other I have talked to people who say they do not
people what to do. believe in resurrection. They do not want to

110
be resurrected. I say, “Tough grits, friend, you die so they can gain their inheritance. God Al-
are going to be resurrected whether you want mighty can choose His inheritance—anything
to be or not.” He wants. If it doesn’t exist, all He has to do
is speak, and it comes into existence. “By the
I have heard people say, “Maybe I will just be Word of the Lord were the Heavens made and
a bad guy and then God will annihilate me, all the host of them by the breath of His mouth”
and that’s it.” Bad guys and good guys alike (Psalms 33:6). So what does He choose? People!
are going to be resurrected. For better or for His people! Fantastic!
worse, people last forever.
Out of everything that is or might be, God Al-
The second thing that lasts forever is mentioned mighty has chosen people for His inheritance.
in Isaiah 40:8: “The grass withereth, the flower With that in mind, consider Isaiah 43:4, “Since
fadeth, but the Word of our God shall stand thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been
forever.” God says, the grass and the flowers
honorable, and I have loved thee; therefore will
are going to die but not God’s Word. There are
I give men for thee, and people for thy life.”
other eternal things—God, angels, virtues such
as love—but I wanted something enduring that Though Israel is the subject here, and God
I could grab hold of and give my life in exchange speaks of giving others for Israel’s sake, the
for. In setting my life’s objectives, I could give principle can apply to us also. That is, our lives
myself to people and the Word of God, and know may be given for the sake of some person who
that God was not going to follow me and burn is a chosen vessel (an Israel) of God. By thus
them up. He has gone on record that they are winning people, we have the same inheritance,
eternal. And Jesus said, “Labour not for the in the final analysis, which God chose for Him-
meat which perisheth, but for the meat which self. As Jesus said, “Follow Me and I will make
endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).
of man shall give unto you, for Him hath God
the Father sealed” (John 6:27). Some people give their lives in exchange for
money, for property, or a host of other things;
This doesn’t mean a person should not be a yet God says these things are going to burn.
teacher, housewife, businessman, or even build But He gives us this fantastic promise that
bridges. To be involved in such a vocation may our inheritance can be the same as His. We
be the perfect will of God for your life. But can catch men. This is the kind of promise you
God forbid that you should give your life in will want to hold on to as long as you live. Give
exchange for it! your life in exchange for people.

The Apostle Paul made tents for a living. If What does it mean to give your life for people?
you had bought one of them, I am sure you Paul writes, “So being affectionately desirous
would have had a good piece of equipment. of you, we were willing to have imparted unto
Paul himself said, “And whatsoever ye do, do you not the Gospel of God only but also our own
it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” souls, because ye were dear unto us” (1 Thes-
(Colossians 3:23). But note that Paul did not salonians 2:8). This means you get involved in
have as his life objective to become the larg- the lives of people. When Paul went to Thes-
est tent manufacturer in the Roman Empire. salonica, he didn’t just impart a message; he
Rather, he invested his life in people. gave of his very life because these people were
dear and precious to him.
Another verse really motivates me. “For the
Lord’s portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of Giving your life in exchange for people means
His inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:9). You and getting involved in the gut issues of life. This
I know people who are waiting for someone to is not getting involved with committees or pro-

111
 grams. As good as these may be, they are no Another fantastic promise in the Bible is found
substitute for personal involvement in others’ in Isaiah 58:10-12. “And if thou draw out thy
lives. People can be superficially involved in soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted
teaching classes, or committee work, or pro- soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and
grams, without any heart involvement. That thy darkness be as the noonday. And the Lord
has no cost attached to it. But when you spiri- shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy
tually give birth to an individual, you cannot soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and
be casual about it. You have a responsibility; thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like
it is costly, and that is why some people would a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And
rather serve on a committee than get involved they that shall be of thee shall build the old
in another’s life. waste places. Thou shalt raise up the founda-
tions of many generations; and thou shalt be
A young boy grew up in a family with several called, The repairer of the breach, the restorer
other children. They lived in the country because of paths to dwell in.”
his parents believed the children could better
learn responsibilities there. This meant hard This is a whole list of promises given by God,
work for parents and children, and a life without but they are all conditioned on an if. If, what?
many so-called luxuries. The family had close “If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry and
friends who were childless and lived in a large satisfy the afflicted soul.” We live in an age
city nearby. Yearly these friends would take in which there are many hungry and afflicted
each of the children on an outing. From early souls. The opportunities are legion—fantastic
morning until evening, they would see that the opportunities of getting involved in the lives
children had a special day: the zoo, amusement of people. I find that every time an individual
park, all they could eat at restaurants. goes on record before God as saying, “Lord,
that is going to be my objective; I am going to
Riding the train back home after such an ex- give my life to people, I will pour out my soul to
citing day, the young lad compared the two the afflicted, and satisfy the hungry,” he never
families and their life-styles. His family knew wants for opportunities.
plain hard work, raising children, limited va-
cations. The others enjoyed a nice apartment, When word gets out that you are interested
new cars, eating out, the theater after work, in people, they will beat a path to your door.
weekend trips, and long vacations. He decided Your telephone may ring a lot; your home may
that when he grew up, he was going to copy become like Grand Central Station; people who
the life-style of his parents’ friends. But when are spiritually needy and hungry may surround
he got married, he saw things from a different you. You do not have to be a gifted individual
perspective. He realized that the difference to get involved in others’ lives. Just listen to
between a comfortable marriage and a costly them, that is all; you do not have to be a skilled
marriage was children—reproduction. counselor. You will be amazed how many people
will want to talk to you and the things they
Similarly, the difference between comfortable will begin telling you—hungry, afflicted souls
Christianity and costly Christianity is spiritual looking for some answers.
reproduction. It costs to become involved in
the lives of people. This is why there is not a When you become involved with people in this
stampede to accept God’s gracious offer allow- way, you become a colaborer with God in the
ing us to give our lives in exchange for people, second creation. This is the picture. God cre-
as He did. ated heaven and earth. He made everything
that exists. Then sin came in, and God said, “I
am going to have to destroy it all and recreate.

112
Only this second creation is going to be marvel- distraught soul looking for answers to his
ously better than the first. So magnificent is needs. It will cost you your life because your
it, I am going to allow My people to labor with life is not your own.
Me in that creation.”
“And seekest thou great things for thyself?
When you pour out your life into the lives of seek them not; for, behold, I will bring evil
others, when you share with them the unsearch- upon all flesh, saith the Lord, but thy life will
able riches of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither
become involved with them in their concerns, thou goest” (Jeremiah 45:5). Are you seeking
you become God’s colaborer in a creation far great things for yourself? “Do not,” says God,
greater than the first one. “for I am bringing evil upon all flesh.”

Yet people turn down this opportunity day Jesus said, “For whosoever will save his life
after day. A man who wanted to help some shall lose it, but whosoever will lose his life for
other men begin in Bible study once asked if I My sake, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:24). I
would help him get started. Because the men submit for your consideration that there is no
involved all had busy schedules, we decided greater objective in life than to give yourself
to meet at 5 a.m. on a weekly basis in my for others.
friend’s home.

The evening prior to the first meeting, I stopped

by his home with the Bible study materials
to see how plans were developing. When I
walked into the house, I immediately sensed
that something was wrong; you could have cut
the air with a knife, it was so thick. His wife
was present, and before long she pointed out
that she did not want those men coming and
sitting on her furniture, spilling coffee and
doughnut crumbs on her carpet. Furthermore,
5 a.m. was a ridiculous hour, and why should
the rest of the family wake up just so these
men could do Bible study. Her voice began to
quiver, tears came down her cheeks, and she
began to tremble, so deeply involved was she
in the issue.

As I listened to her, I prayed silently, “O God,

deliver me from the curse of ever believing that
my living room furniture is more important
than people.”

Are not people’s lives of infinitely more value

than the furniture and carpet which God has
already promised He is going to burn? Because
involvement in people’s lives is costly, very few
take it seriously. It costs in time. Your phone
will ring in the middle of the night with some

113
114
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Evangelism Report
Student’s Name Date

I Contact Name Phone

N Address
F City State Zip
O

1. Describe the person to whom you presented the Bridge:

2. Under what circumstances was the presentation made?

3. Did you use the opening questions?

❏ Set One ❏ Set Two ❏ Set Three ❏ Other

Explain:
Did the opening set up the Bridge Presentation for you?

4. Did you draw out the Bridge Presentation?

5. Did you extract the Gospel socratically?

6. Did the person receive the Lord?

7. What did you learn from the experience?

8. Did you consider it a negative or positive experience?

9. What are your plans for following through on the presentation?

115
116
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS Date/Lesson
Discipling Plan
Trainer Disciple

Lesson Objective:

Activities Tools
Review Teach

Prayer
Lesson
Bible Study
PSMA
Reading
Evangelism/Discipleship
Scripture Memory
Time Plan for Activities

Application Assignment
Lesson
Bible Study
PSMA/Reading
Ministry
Scripture Memory
117
 Discussion Questions for Readings/Instructions

Discussion Questions:

Instruction:

Evaluation:

Follow-Up Need for next week:

118
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Disciple Application Guide

Student’s Name Group Date

Subject Area Discipleship
Topic Spiritual Reproduction

Completed
Disciple’s Profile
Yes No
Topic Notes
Review Spiritual Reproduction

Bible Study
Complete World Vision (Be Ready to Discuss)

Personal & Spiritual Management Aid

Do 5 PSMA

Outside Reading
Bible Reading Chart
Read How to Know The Will of God (Be Ready to Discuss)

Ministry: Evangelism/Follow-Up/Discipleship
Pray for a convert
Pray for your disciple
Meet with your disciple
Complete Discipling Plan

Scripture Memory
Hebrews 11:6
Romans 4:20,21
Review all previous verses

119
120
 Spiritual Reproduction

NOTES

Spiritual
Reproduction
Definition Of Reproduction
Reproduction: The means by which all living things produce
more of their own kind and keep their species alive.

God Ordained Reproduction

Physical Reproduction

Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass,

the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that
yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed
is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so.
Genesis 1:11

When God created the earth and the living things upon
it, He created once and for all. But He did bestow to every
form of life the ability to reproduce itself. In this way, He
ensured the perpetuation of each species’s existence ad
infinitum. Therefore, if a species becomes extinct through
our neglect or mismanagement, it is gone forever. God will
not recreate it. We will simply have to do without. God’s
creation was a one time only thing; but through the miracle
of reproduction, life continued. Every living thing has seed
within itself and is capable, under the right conditions, of
reproducing itself.

And God blessed them, and God said unto them,

Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the
earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over
the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air,

121
 NOTES and over every living thing that moveth upon
the earth.
Genesis 1:28

The first command God gave to man was to multiply and

replenish the earth. God was the Creator, but He made us
be the re-creators of the universe.

Mankind has been notorious for breaking God’s laws, but

this one command has been kept to the uttermost: we have
been fruitful and have multiplied again and again. In fact,
we have kept this command so well that we are in danger
of overpopulating the world!
Spiritual Reproduction

God Commands It
Just as God planned for every living thing to reproduce
itself physically, He also has planned and commanded
that we reproduce ourselves spiritually. In fact, spiritual
reproduction is to be a mark of every disciple.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much

fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
John 15:8

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and

appointed you that you should go and bear
fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that
whatever you ask the Father in My name He
may give you.
John 15:16

Most people do not need a great deal of instruction about

how to reproduce physically. Somehow they just figure it
out by themselves. It is like the song says: “doing what
comes naturally.”

Spiritual reproduction is also to be a natural outcome of our

relationship with Christ. The Bible states:

122
 That which we have seen and heard we declare NOTES
to you, that you also may have fellowship with
us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father
and with His Son Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:3

Spiritual reproduction, however, usually does require some

help to learn. The exciting thing is Jesus has promised to
supply the power and ability to do it. If you need a teacher,
He will send someone to teach you. If you need courage, He
will supply the inner strengthening of His Spirit. Whatever
you need to reproduce spiritually, Jesus will supply—if you
follow him.

And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will

make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 4:19

When Christ has taught us and empowered us, we will

be able to witness (to tell what we have seen, heard, and
experienced of Him) with a grace and naturalness that
will flow.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit

has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses
to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 1:8
God Promises It
Not only has God commanded us to reproduce spiritually,
He has also promised that if we abide in Him, He will make
us fruitful.

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who

abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit;
for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5

123
 NOTES It is not enough that we be fruitful, but that we bear much
fruit. Jeremiah has the same message for us in the Old
Testament.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and

whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a
tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its
roots by the river, and will not fear when heat
comes; but her leaf will be green, and will not
be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease
from yielding fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7,8

We see here that we are never to stop bearing fruit. As long

as God allows us to remain in this world, He desires us to
keep reproducing spiritually.

Prerequisites To Reproducing

Abide In Christ
We must be walking in daily fellowship with Christ and in
obedience to His Word.

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who

abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit;
for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5

The word “abide” means to be in “constant contact with”

or to “live with” the Vine, Jesus Christ. This means that
on a daily basis, we are in continual fellowship with Him.
It is through this fellowship that we are empowered to
bear fruit.

The word “abide” also implies obedience to Christ. In the

same chapter (John 15) we see that to abide we must keep
Christ’s commandments.

124
 If you keep My commandments, you will abide NOTES
in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s
commandments and abide in His love.
John 15:10

The way we abide in Christ—both through fellowship and

obedience—is to continue in His Word. There can be no true
abiding without the Word of God.

And you shall know the truth, and the truth

shall make you free.
John 8:32

Be Totally Committed To Spiritual Reproduction

All reproduction is costly! When we have physical children,
we must see to it that they are provided for and have adequate
food, shelter and clothing. We are also called upon to give of
our time and love to them each day. Spiritual reproduction
also means we must be willing to pay the price to see others
come to Christ. It will cost us our time, our prayer, and our
love. We must be willing to lay aside selfish ambitions and
desires in order to be spiritually fruitful.

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of

wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains
alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
John 12:24

In Romans, Paul emphasized this kind of sacrifice—being

dead to self but alive and available to do God’s will.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies

of God, that you present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your
reasonable service.
Romans 12:1

125
 NOTES Ask God For Fruit

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you

will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For
everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks
finds, and to him who knocks, it will be opened.
Matthew 7:7,8

It is important that we go to God to ask for fruit. He will give

good seed. Satan also wants to give us fruit—the kind who
will dissipate our time and energy and never grow or repro-
duce. These are described in the Parable of the Sower:

Therefore hear the parable of the sower: “When

anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and
does not understand it, then the wicked one
comes and snatches away what was sown
in his heart. This is he who received seed by
the wayside. But he who received the seed on
stony places, this is he who hears the word and
immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no
root in himself, but endures only for a while. For
when tribulation or persecution arises because
of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he
who received seed among the thorns is he who
hears the word, and the cares of this world and
the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and
he becomes unfruitful.
Matthew 13:18-22

The good seed of God is the only kind that will really bear
fruit for generations to come.

But he who received seed on the good ground

is he who hears the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a
hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Matthew 13:23

126
 NOTES

So, naturally, we proclaim Christ! We warn

everyone we meet, and we teach everyone we
can, all that we know about Him, so that we
may bring every man up to his full maturity
in Christ. This is what I am working and
struggling at, with all the strength that God
puts into me. (JBP)
Colossians 1:28,29 (JBP)

Like Paul, we must ever be working at the task of proclaim-

ing the Gospel “naturally”—that is, it must be a part of
our very lifestyle. Spasmodic sowing will never result in
abundant harvest.

He who observes the wind will not sow, and he

who regards the clouds will not reap. As you do
not know what is the way of the wind, or how the
bones grow in the womb of her who is with child,
so you do not know the works of God who makes
all things. In the morning sow your seed, and in
the evening do not withhold your hand; for you
do not know which will prosper, either this or
that, or whether both alike will be good.
Ecclesiastes 11:4-6

Hindrances To Reproduction
As we have said before, reproduction, both physically and
spiritually, is part of God’s plan. In fact, there are only four
hindrances which can keep reproduction from occurring.
They are parallel in both the physical and spiritual realms.
Study the following chart.

127
 NOTES
Physical Spiritual

Immaturity—Spiritual chil-
dren who are either:

• New babes in Christ

• Christians who have never

grown spiritually

New babes in Christ who

are just beginning their
spiritual walk need to be-
come grounded in the basic
themselves before becoming
Immaturity—Reproductive spiritual parents. Otherwise
organs are not yet developed. they would not be able to
When a child is immature, adequately follow-up their
God prevents him from re- converts.
producing offspring which
he cannot care for. However, However, there are other im-
in normal development the mature Christians who have
reproductive organs mature simply not grown spiritually
at puberty, preparing the as they should have. Such
young person for parent- people are described in He-
hood. If puberty should not brews.
occur, the person remains
physically immature and For though by this time you
retarded—incapable of bear- ought to be teachers, you
ing children. need someone to teach you
again the first principles
of the oracles of God; and
you have come to need
milk and not solid food.
For everyone who partakes
only of milk is unskilled in
the word of righteousness,
for he is a babe.
Hebrews 5:12,13

Disease—If sickness or dis- Sin—Spiritual Disease

ease attacks a person’s sys- Sin is the disease which at-
tems or reproductive organs, tacks our spiritual life and
he or she may be unable to can often prevent reproduc-
(cont.) (cont.)
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 NOTES
Physical Spiritual
have children. Many child- tion. Sin gives Satan the up-
less couples have discovered per hand in our lives, blocks
this to be the cause of their our prayers, and destroys
sterility. Unless the problem our desire to share Christ
can be healed or corrected, with others.
conception can not take
place. If I regard iniquity in my
heart, The Lord will not
hear.
Psalm 66:18

Prevention—Prevention
of spiritual conception is
caused usually by the poor
testimony of carnal Chris-
tians. The non-Christian
observing their lifestyle is re-
pelled and says to himself, “If
that is Christianity, include
me OUT! Christians who
hinder the Gospel by their
poor testimony are described
Prevention—In this case
by the Lord as follows:
conception is blocked by
some sort of human birth You are the salt of the
control method. People often earth; but as the salt
block conception because loses its flavor, how shall
they want to plan their it be seasoned? It is then
family, because they don’t good for nothing but to be
want any more children, or thrown out and trampled
because they don’t want any under foot by men.
children at all! Matthew 5:13

Abstinence—Abstinence Abstinence—Christian
means the absence of any men and women who ab-
sexual union. Obviously in stain spiritually are those
such a case, conception is who know they have been
impossible. Abstinence is to commanded to bear fruit but
be the moral code of every refuse to do it. They refuse
believer until God draws to share the Gospel with
him or her into a marriage others. They abstain from
union. obeying God’s command.
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 NOTES Having examined these four causes of failure in reproduc-
tion, each of us must ask ourselves if we are truly fruitful
or in reality spiritually sterile. Christ has promised that if
we are abiding and obedient in our relationship with Him,
we will bear fruit. If we are not reproducing, it means that
we have chosen not to abide and obey, but are going our own
separate way in disobedience. The choice belongs to every
individual Christian. It is not a question of being unable to
reproduce, but of being unwilling to do so.

Remaining Fruit
Jesus has not only planned for us to bring forth fruit, but
for our fruit to remain.

In the Old Testament we see that God established a pat-

tern to perpetuate the faith. Each parent was to instruct
and teach his own children.

You shall teach them diligently to your children,

and shall talk of them when you sit in your
house, when you walk by the way, when you lie
down, and when you rise up.
Deuteronomy 6:7

For He established a testimony in Jacob, And

appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded
our fathers, That they should make them known
to their children; That the generation to come
might know them, The children who would be
born, That they may arise and declare them to
their children, That they may set their hope in
God, And not forget the works of God, But keep
His commandments; And may not be like their
fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation,
A generation that did not set its heart aright,
And whose spirit was not faithful to God.
Psalm 78:5-8

130
This pattern is not only to be followed in training our physical NOTES
children in spiritual truths, but also in training our spiritual
progeny. Paul instructed Timothy:

And the things that you have heard from

me among many witnesses, commit these
to faithful men who will be able to teach
others also.
2 Timothy 2:2
This passage shows four generations of disciples.

• Paul • Timothy
• Faithful Men • Others Also

The key to abiding fruit is committing the Good News to

faithful men who will go on to teach others also.

2 Tim 2:2 Paul and Timothy

▼ Faithful Men ▼

Others… Others…
▼
▼

Notice in the illustration that if the faithful man is sterile

spiritually and unable to reproduce, the entire chain will
end at the third generation. This is why it is so important
to see that each generation is able to do evangelism and
follow-up so as to reproduce the next generation.

131
 NOTES

…Every person who has gone this far in the course knows
enough to get started.

…Ask God for a spiritual babe—either a young Christian

that you can nurture, or perhaps a non-Christian friend
that you can introduce to Christ.

…Get started now! Don’t let it die with you. Reproduce

the next spiritual generation!

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 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Bible Study:

God is concerned individually for all mankind. With the billions of people in the world today, you
might wonder how it is possible to have an effective part in communicating God’s love to so many.
God’s way for us to do this is to make disciples who will multiply and penetrate all the world.

World vision is getting on your heart what is on God’s heart—the world.

—DAWSON TROTMAN
1. How does John 3:16 show the breadth of God’s concern for men?

2. To whom was Jesus’s ministry directed?

John 8:12
Matthew 5:14

3. Jesus spoke of sowing good seed (Christians) in a field. What field was this? Matthew 13:38

4. In what different ways did Jesus state His “Great Commission” in these verses:

Matthew 28:19-20

Mark 16:15

Luke 24:47

John 17:18 and 20:21

Acts 1:8

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 It is certainly commendable to have the vision for reaching a neighborhood or community for
Christ, or a factory, campus, military base—even an entire nation. But the Lord’s concern is for
the whole world, and this should be our concern as well. In the Great Commission Jesus gives
Christians the responsibility of reaching every person of every nation in every generation with
the gospel. All our major decisions in life should be made with the whole world in view.

5. From these passages write summaries of how the Bible describes world conditions in the
last days:

1 Timothy 4:1-3

2 Timothy 3:1-5

2 Peter 3:3-5

Circle the conditions you listed which seem to be evident today.

6. What awaits those who reject the gospel of Jesus Christ? 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9; Revela-
tion 20:12,15

Each second, several babies are born somewhere in the world—hundreds of thousands of them
each day. Most of them will live out their entire lives without Christ. Hundreds of thousands
of people also die each day, and most of them pass into a Christless eternity.
7. What is God’s concern for all mankind? 2 Peter 3:9

Explain in your own words what this means to you.

8. As Jesus looked on the needs around Him, what did He ask His disciples to pray?

Matthew 9:36-38

“Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest?’ I tell you, open your
eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
—John 4:35

134
“God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:19)
Europe and the
former USSR Asia
795 Million 3.373 billion.

Central North America

America and 385 million.
Caribbean
67 million

South America
330 million Australia
and the
Pacific Islands
30 million

Africa and the Middle East

820 million

“The field is the world” (Matthew 13:38)

Total World Popu-

lation
About 5.8 Billion
in 1996
NOMINAL OR MUSLIMS
PROFESSING
Evangelical Christians
CHRISTIANS
1.2 billion 20.7%
Luke 10:2
6% 1.9 billion 33% “The harvest truly is
great, but the laborers
Nominal Christians are few; therefore pray
27% HINDUS the Lord of the harvest
752 million 13.1% to send out laborers into
ATHEISTS, His harvest.”
Nonbelievers with access ANIMISTS,
to the witness of the Gospel AND OTHERS
46% 1.21 billion 20.8%

Nonbeliever without access

to the witness of the Gospel ORIENTAL RELIGIONS
21% 700 million 12.1%
JEWS (Buddhists, Confucianists,
18 million .3% Shintoists, Taoists)

135
 • Use a world map and pray for countries around the world—that people living there would
come to Christ.

• Correspond with missionaries. Learn of various mission fields and agencies.

• Read missionary biographies, books on missions, and missionary periodicals.

• Be alert to your own daily contacts with non-Christians.

• Give financially to a Christian worker in another country.

Multiplication
Praying and giving are two important ways of helping reach the world for Jesus Christ with His
gospel. An even direct way we can be involved is through our personal witness. Now is the time
to begin reaching the world for Christ. We must not wait until we think we are fully trained,
or even until we feel a personal call. As Christians we have already been called to this task!

9. For what ministry does the Holy Spirit empower us? Acts 1:8

Of course the world will not be reached by the witness of a single individual. God wants us to
reach the world in the same way it is populated—by multiplication. Man has carried out God’s
command to Noah in Genesis 9:1—to multiply physically. In the same way, it is possible to
multiply spiritually.

10. Read Paul’s instructions to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2.

a. What did Paul tell Timothy to do?

b. What kind of man did Paul tell Timothy to invest his life in?

Communication passes from one person to another. In this verse, Paul’s instruction was passed
to Timothy, who was to pass it on to reliable men who would pass it on to others.

As you invest your life in one man and then see him invest his life in the life of another, you
will become part of the spiritual multiplication process.

11. None of us knows how long we are going to live. But for the moment, suppose you will live
until you are 70 years old. If this were so, how many years do you have left to invest your life
in the lives of others?

136
A Christian should be able to help a younger believer grow at such a pace that in two yearsthe
person being helped is ready to help another grow as well. Every two years you would help
someone else reach this point. Do you think this is reasonable for your life?

If it is, then in two years you and another person can have started the multiplication process.

• In four years there would be four people.

• In six years there would be eight people.
• In eight years there would be sixteen people, and so on.

Considering how many years you anticipate you can minister, calculate how many people you
can affect during the rest of your life.

How Do You Fit In?

Jesus loved the world and helped thousands, but He closely trained only twelve men. The min-
istry of multiplying disciples comes through ministry to individuals. This is the way Paul com-
municated his life to Timothy (see 2 Timothy 3:10). We reach the masses through the man.
12. Have you asked God to give you one person with whom you can put 2 Timothy 2:2 into
action? You can help change the world for Jesus Christ by allowing God to reproduce his life
through you in the life of another. Specifically, how will you allow God to use you in His plan
of spiritual multiplication?

13. Are you investing your life, time, and money with the world in view? What can you do to
become more involved in reaching the world with the good news of Jesus Christ?

Remember to pray. Many of us cannot reach other nations on our feet, but we can reach them
on our knees.

137
 14. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-4:8. Relate what Paul says here to your life and to world vision.

Remember These Points:

Using the chapter subtopics as an outline, write your own summary of this chapter.

138
 by
Russ Johnson
Used by Permission of
The Navigators
140
A certain church I know has elective Sunday know Your will, I’ll decide if I can do it,” God
School classes for their adults. Every three will not allow you to see it. He doesn’t work
months they choose a new topic to study. The that way. Jesus outlined God’s plan this way:
pastor tells me that if they can have someone “If a man chooses to do God’s will, he will find
teach on knowing God’s will, they can run that out whether My teaching comes from God or
class over and over, and still people sign up for whether I speak on My own” (John 7:17). What
it in droves. Jesus is saying is that if you are willing to do,
then you will know. This is something the whole
I’ve spoken at many conferences where part of of Scripture teaches. If you were to stack up
the afternoons are set aside for workshops on all the verses in the Bible on doing the will of
various topics. If you make one of the workshops God in one place, and all the verses on know-
“Knowing the Will of God,” half the people sign ing the will of God in another, there would be
up for it even if there are 20 other choices. a giant pile of doing, and a skinny little stack
on knowing. Because once you’re committed to
These and other experiences have convinced do, knowing comes easy.
me of two things. People want to know the
will of God, and they’re confused about it. The One reason so many of us are afraid to commit
Apostle Paul spoke to this dilemma when he
ourselves to doing the will of God, is that we
wrote, “Therefore do not be foolish, but under-
don’t understand the goodness of God. There
stand what the Lord’s will is” (Ephesians 5:17).
was a fellow once who had a real problem: he
Yet it seems that the thing about which God
was in love with two girls and didn’t know what
tells us not to be foolish, is what we are most
to do about his dilemma. He thought God could
foolish about.
help him out of his confusion, so he told Him,
“God, I’ll flip a coin, and You direct it; ‘head’ it’s
When God says, “Understand what the Lord’s
will is,” that’s a command. This means that Jane and ‘tails’ it’s Judy.” He flipped a quarter,
we should be extra diligent on this matter of looked at it, saw that it was “tails,” and “OK,
knowing the will of God. Three things are ba- God, how about two out of three?”
sic to an understanding of God’s will. First, a
person must be committed to doing God’s will. Now it really doesn’t work that way, because
Second, he must realize that God is working once you’re committed to do God’s will, God
in him. Third, he must launch out. If we have will let you know what it is. But it may not be
those figured out, then everything else about an easy thing, because like the fellow with the
knowing the will of God will line up. two girls, we’re afraid God will pick the wrong
one. Jeremiah had this attitude, and he was
an obedient, godly man. About to be carried off
to captivity with the rest of disobedient Judah,
Jeremiah told God that he didn’t like the idea.
God does not reveal His will to curiosity seek- He thought God was making a mistake. But
ers. If you are thinking, “God, if You let me God said, “Jeremiah, you will be in Babylon

141
 for a lifetime. But then, I will come and do for disciples had the same kind of problem when
you all the good things I have promised, and the neighborhood kids came chasing after Je-
bring you home again. For I know the plans I sus. “Get those kids out of here,” the distraught
have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for disciples cried. But Jesus said, “Wait a minute,
good and not for evil, to give you a future and let the children come to Me, and do not hinder
a hope” (Jeremiah 29:10,11, LB). them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to
such as these” (Matthew 19:14).
God has that future and hope for everyone who
is a Christian, for His will is “good, pleasing God has a different perspective on people than
and perfect” (Romans 12:2). Isn’t it amazing we do. Our big concern, often, is a career. We
that this is what God wants for us? You can think about material things. But God is think-
figure out some things that are good, like ice ing about manifesting His Spirit in our lives,
cream, and you can figure out things that are so that we can have peace, joy, patience, and
pleasing, like doing well in your job. But there the other fruits of the Spirit. We think about
is no possibility apart from the will of God that power; He thinks about purity. We think about
you can figure out what’s perfect. If I were to a career; He thinks about character. His think-
ask you if your current job was perfect, you’d ing is totally different from ours because He is
have to answer, “I don’t know, because I don’t far more concerned about what we are.
know what it would be like to do this or that or
another thing.” You don’t know, but God does. You might say, “You can’t just sit around and
He sorts through all the other options. If we be holy and pure and wise, and sit in your room
seek to do His will, He says, “My will for you and never go out.” That’s right, you can’t. But
will be good, pleasing and perfect, because I God has a plan for our lives that reaches ev-
know what the other options are.” erything we do, “So whether you eat or drink
or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of
The Bible has had much to say about what God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). This seems to say
God’s thinking is, and it’s generally different it doesn’t matter so much what you do, as what
from ours. I saw this demonstrated at a seminar you are in the midst of your doing. If you spe-
recently. We asked everyone in the meeting, cialize on being the kind of person God wants
“If you want to know the will of God in some you to be, He will lead you into activities He
area of your life, write down the things about has planned for you.
which you’d like to know it.” We collected the
responses, and the answers fell into two cat- When you read the honor roll of faith in
egories, vocation and location: What should Hebrews 11, you discover many people who
I be doing and where should I be going? But accomplished something. Did you know that
those things are hardly mentioned in the Bible. only one of them was a preacher? There are
God has a much higher goal for us than that. farmers, kings, shepherds, even a prostitute,
Paul gives us an idea of what God’s plan for us but only one preacher, Samuel, and he was
is like: “He chose us in Him [Christ] before the asleep when he was called. God looks at the
creation of the world to be holy and blameless character of people, and when that is right in
in His sight...in order that we, who were the His sight, then He is pleased!
first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise
of His glory” (Ephesians 1:4,12). Once you decide you want to do God’s will, there
will be some fears, because we’re generally
God is not as concerned about where we live or afraid to commit ourselves to Him. We tend to
what we do for a living, as he is about what we think, “Man, if I tell God I’ll do anything, He’ll
are. You and I get this turned around. We think send me out to be a little, green, shriveled-up
about programs; God thinks about people. The missionary in Africa.” But if God would want

142
you to do that, you’ll be the happiest in that something about this,” and began praying and
situation because His will is good, pleasing fasting. God answered him through an angel,
and perfect. “Your request has been heard in heaven and
was answered the very first day you began to
So commit yourself to doing the will of God. fast before the Lord and pray for understand-
ing; that very day I was sent here to meet you”
(Daniel 10:12 LB). Because Daniel read it in the
Scripture, thought about it, prayed about it and
“It is God who works in you to will and do what desired to do something, God started to work.
pleases Him” (Philippians 2:13). If you are
committed to doing the will of God, you can There are other ways in which God works that
conclude that God is working in you. I heard are just as important. You may be at a friend’s
a man say once that angels can do what they house, and hear of a need, and start wondering,
please, because what they want to do pleases “Does God want me to do something about this?”
God. In the same way, committed Christians That’s what happened to Nehemiah. Nehemiah
can do as they please because God is working was a captive in a foreign land, and the king’s
in them. God gives them the right desires, trusted servant.
ideas and everything else. He is inside them,
creating the power and desire to do His will. Some people came by from Judah, and being a
The psalmist knew this, “Delight yourself in faithful Jew, Nehemiah asked them, “How is
the Lord; and He will give you the desires of it down there in Jerusalem?”
your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
They replied, “Terrible. The walls are broken
Now that’s liberating. And it’s completely down, the gates are burned with fire, and the
different from what we normally think. Most people are disgruntled.”
of us think we’ve got to grab hold of God and
squeeze His will out of Him. But it doesn’t Nehemiah thought, “Well, I’d better do some-
work that way. God is revealing His will to us thing about this.” So, he started to pray, and
all the time. the whole Book of Nehemiah is about how he
got God’s leading, how the king provided the
For some people, God reaches down into the supplies and how Nehemiah went to Palestine
subconscious and brings up things. When Jesus and rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls.
said, “He, [the Spirit] will bring glory to Me
by taking from what is Mine and making it Another way the Spirit can lead you is through
known to you” (John 16:14), he spoke, among your seeing for yourself. “Open your eyes and
other things, of the Spirit making God’s will look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest,”
known. Jesus said to His disciples. They had been out
among the people all that time, and just didn’t
In another way, the Spirit has direct input into see the needs. The burden that Bob Pierce has
our lives through the Bible. When we read, and the reason that World Vision was founded
study, memorize, meditate on it, or just hear was that Bob took a trip to the Far East after
someone preach it, the Spirit has direct input World War II and saw the tremendous needs
to our brains. While Daniel was in captivity, that were there. And he has spent his life try-
he was reading the Scriptures one day (most ing to make people see the physical needs of
probably in Jeremiah) and discovered that Je- the world.
rusalem would be in captivity for 70 years. After
some quick calculations Daniel figured out that Still another way is one that doesn’t get much
the 70 years were up, so he said, “I’d better do credit these days—your own brain. Dawson

143
 Trotman, the founder of The Navigators, used mind, He probably wants you to do something
to say, “The Lord gave you a lot of leading when with them.
He gave you a brain.” But many people don’t
use it enough. It may seem to be unspiritual I have a friend whom I asked to substitute teach
to say it these days, but try using your brain. a Sunday School class for six weeks. He said,
If you’re faced with a decision, make up a list “Russ, I’d really like to, but... well, let me tell
and think through each alternative. Suppose you something. Two years ago my wife and I
you are married, and are trying to decide what started thinking about things we’d like to do,
vocation to get into. Your first question should and I told her and God that what I’d really like
be, “How can I support my family?” to do is be a teacher. So I prayed. And, Russ,
maybe I shouldn’t have prayed that. You can’t
A friend of mine was interviewing for a job imagine how busy God has kept me.”
in Jamaica with a banana processing plant.
The personnel man, after a few preliminary He started going to school, just two classes a
questions, leaned over the desk to my friend, week. Then the college found out he was so
looked him straight in the eye, and said, “We’re good that he’s only taking one class a week
looking for people who will give their lives to now—and teaching the other. “Russ,” he con-
bananas.” cluded, “I’d like to substitute, but I’m too busy
teaching.” So many of us have a desire in our
My friend leaned back, rubbed his jaw, and hearts, but we never tell God that He has the
thought, “Bananas?...Nuts!” and that’s what right to go ahead and fulfill that in our lives.
he told the interviewer when he turned down But He wants to.
that job.
When I was a senior at Iowa State University,
That may seem funny, but many people are a friend and I were walking down the sidewalk,
giving their lives to much less. Think through and we asked each other, “Why don’t we evan-
your alternatives. Plug in the brain and ask gelize the whole campus before school is out?”
yourself, “Is this what is needed? Is this what Now that was January—our senior year. Since
I should do?” it was a long walk to our destination, we dis-
cussed it. How could we get to the off-campus
We would see wonderful results if we would students? The fraternities? The dorms? We
just deal with the thoughts that continue in just let ideas run wild. But when we got home,
our minds in a godly manner. But most people we wrote some of them down. Then we talked
don’t. Let’s suppose that a thought came to about them with some other Christians, and
you that it would be nice to visit Israel and decided, “Let’s do it!”
the Bible lands. You should then ask some
questions—“When should I go? What should I We didn’t quite make it. But we did have 42
learn when I get there? What preparations do dormitory and fraternity meetings, and hun-
I need to make? God, who should I go with?” dreds of students got to hear the Gospel. And
But, what is invariably our response to that we did it through other students. Now we could
thought? “I can’t do that; I can’t afford it.” The have said during our walk, “It’s a good idea, but
thought is dismissed. it will never work here. We don’t have a full-
time Christian worker, and we don’t have the
Or, how many people have thought more than money.” But as it turned out, once we commit-
once about going to the mission field for three ted ourselves to doing it, God raised up many
months to see what it’s like? How many of workers, and all the money we needed.
them have gone? If this is something you’ve
been thinking about, start asking questions, As thoughts come into your mind and continue,
because if God has put those thoughts into your ask God, “Do You really want me (or us) to

144
do this?” Most of us just let those thoughts has called me” (Philippians 3:13, 14). Some
collapse—and God looks for someone else to people say, “Do something, even if it’s wrong.”
stand in the gap. Perhaps a better way of saying it would be, “Do
something, you might be right.”
Someone is sure to ask at this point, “Doesn’t
Satan bring thoughts into your mind?” Yes, he When you do launch out on something, one of
does, but they don’t have to mislead us. If we two things will happen. One is that the oppor-
are committed to doing God’s will and grounded tunity will close flat. If that happens, you say,
in the Word of God, we will be able to discern “Thanks, God, I guess it wasn’t Your will.” Then
which thoughts are from God and which are back up. The other possibility is that the door
from the devil. will open, and resources will be supplied for
you to accomplish whatever you have launched
out to do.

Many people hesitate at the point of action

Now that you are committed to doing the will of
because they have an ungrounded fear that
God and realize that God is at work in you by
various means, what next? Launch out. Move they will get out of the will of God. But when
out. Do it. Press forward. Take some action. God closes a door, that’s leading, not a lack of
Here’s a little formula: P-P-P/A-S-K. Two ways leading. If you’ve told people what your plan
of saying the same thing. is, and they ask you what happened to it, just
smile and say, “It wasn’t the will of God.” If
anything, only your pride will be hurt, and
PRAY—PEACE—PRESS
that’s no great virtue to cultivate anyway.
The Apostle Paul said, “Do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything, by prayer and peti- Making a mistake is no sin. Sin is sinful, but
tion, with thanksgiving, present your requests mistakes aren’t. When you’re committed to do-
to God” (Philippians 4:6). The first step to take ing God’s will, and you have prayed and have
in acting is to pray. And when Paul said pray peace, then press ahead.
about everything, that’s just what he meant.

Second, after you pray, determine if you have

peace. Paul also said, “Let the peace of Christ Jesus gave His disciples some guidelines on
rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15). Another knowing and doing the will of God that cor-
translation puts it this way, “Let the peace that respond to Pray—Peace—Press. He said, “Ask
comes from God be the umpire in your heart.” and it will be given to you; seek and you will
An umpire is charged with the responsibility find; knock and the door will be opened to you”
of deciding. He views whatever action takes (Luke 11:9). Ask—Seek—Knock.
place, and decides what effect this should make
in the game. In the same way, once you have First, ask. This is prayer and remembering
prayed about something and have peace, then what you pray. Usually, people advise you
act—launch out. If you don’t have peace, then to pray, and leave it at that, but consider
you’d better pray some more. what happens whenever you forget what you
pray.
Third, once you’ve prayed, and have peace, then
press ahead. Again Paul is our encourager in Gideon was hiding from his enemies when
this. “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind God said to him, “Gideon, I’ve chosen you to
and straining toward what is ahead, I press on deliver Israel from the Midianities” (see Judges
toward the goal to win the prize for which God 6:14). Now Gideon didn’t know quite what to

145
 make of this pronouncement, so he decided to At first glance, almost every opportunity you
ask God to confirm to him that it was He who will come across will look golden. If you’re
was calling him. “I’ll put a fleece outside, and disgruntled, don’t like your job, or don’. like
tomorrow if the floor is dry but the fleece is your Christianity, things look pure roses on
wet, I’ll know that it’s You.” Suppose Gideon the other side of the fence. Any opportunity
forgot what he prayed. Suppose he mixed up will look like a bowl of peaches to you. But you
the order, “Let’s see, was the floor supposed know what’s inside peaches—pits. So you need
to be wet, or the fleece?” to investigate those pits before you bite into the
fruit. You need a balance of information—get
Sometimes you forget what you pray because both sides of the story before you accept it.
the circumstances change so drastically that
you may think, “I didn’t pray that.” I used to I know scores of Christians who have told me
sell real estate on a part-time basis. One year of the great deal they’ve found—a pyramiding
business was especially slow—I was working company. They figure that by working two
hard, but producing little. So I decided I would years, they can start money coming in that will
seek God’s will about quitting. I prayed and told keep coming while they go to the mission field.
God, “If You bless this month, I’ll quit at the Sounds good, but I don’t know one of them who
end of it.” That was May, and as it happened, have made it to the field. In fact, I only know
I sold more in May than I sold in the whole one man who has even made a living at it, let
previous year. alone have it support him after he quit. So,
those are the facts, right? No. They’re only part
At the same time, negotiations for buying out of the facts. What you need to do is go beyond
our company were in progress. The potential the appearances—ask questions that will give
new owner asked me, “If I buy this company, you the two sides of the story. If you get some
will you stay?” well-balanced information, you’ll decide “no”
before you ever have to launch.
I said, “Oh, no, I’ve already quit.”
Now if you’re going out to seek information,
He said. “What?” go to the people who have what you want. In
many cases this means going to the person who
So I told him, “I told God that if He blessed is what you want to be. For example, if your
the last month, I’d quit.” pastor has never been in business, I wouldn’t
ask him for advice about going into business.
The man said, “Well, you got the wrong word. On the other hand, I wouldn’t ask the most
That’s a leading to stay.” But it wasn’t. God successful businessman in town to advise you
had shown me His will clearly by answering on growing spiritually if he isn’t a Christian.
what I’d asked. Figure out who has the best information, and
go to that person.
Second, “Seek and you will find.” I believe this
means seeking information. This is where you Some people are afraid to ask advice from un-
use your head again. We are advised, “By the believers, but I think that they can often come
wise counsel thou shalt make thy war, and up with as good or better information than
in multitude of counselors there is safety” many Christians because they get information
(Proverbs 24:6 KJV). That word safety can everywhere. And information is amoral. It’s
also be translated “rescue, deliverance, vic- neither right nor wrong; it’s just there.
tory.” Now most people think that counsel is
good for guidance, but this verse says “safety,” Information does not cancel out God’s role.
because information is a safety factor. Solomon said, “Trust in the Lord with all your

146
heart, and do not lean on your own understand- said to Moses, “Quit praying and get the people
ing” (Proverbs 3:5). Lean is translated from the moving” (see Exodus 14:1, LB). The time comes
Hebrew word which means to “support one’s to move out. After you’ve prayed and sought
self.” The meaning of the verse could well be, information, launch out. You’ll never know if
“Do not support yourself with [make decisions it was the will of God unless you do it.
based on] your own understanding [yourself
alone]. Allow God the decision-making power; Taking initiative in a thing as crucial as doing
He’ll close the door if He wants to. God’s will would be a frightening thing if God
were not watching out for us. So one of the
Third, Jesus said, “Knock and the door will be things I’ve done before God is to tell Him that
opened to you.” Once you’ve sought informa- I always want to be in His will. “God, if You
tion, the time comes to knock. Moses and the have a file that you look through whenever You
children of Israel were stuck on the banks of the think about me, put a red card in there that
Red Sea. In front of them was an impassable says, ‘Russ wants to be in Your will.’ No matter
obstacle. Behind them was Pharaoh’s army. what I think at the minute, or what trials or
Moses declared, “Relax, folks; never again will troubles come my way, there’s one thing I want
you see those Egyptians.” Now the Israelites and that’s to be in Your will.” So I go ahead with
had no weapons. They didn’t even know how the confidence that He will protect me.
to fight. They’d been in slavery for years. How
many of us would have advised them to stop What we have looked at so far can be seen in
praying while they were in that spot? But God perspective in the illustration provided.

Stop
1–Phil. 4:6 Door
2–Col. 3:15 will
Taking Initiative

➲➲➲
3–Phil. 3:14 close

John 7:17 Phil. 2:13

❶ Pray
❷ Peace
Recognition ❸ Press
Commitment that God
to do the is at work Seek
in you Ask

Rom. 12:2 Psalm 37:4 Go

Matt. 7:7,8 Door will
open.
God will
provide.

God’s will is… God uses… And you shall…

✔ good ✔ your brain ✔ receive
✔ pleasing ✔ your thoughts ✔ find
✔ perfect ✔ your choices ✔ have it opened
147
 If people ask you what you’re doing, tell them
you got fired. Then tell them you believe it is all
What do you do when totally out of the blue part of God’s perfect plan, and it’s going to work
something comes along and upsets your well- out for your good because God promised it.
balanced Christian life? When you’re trying to
make a decision, it’s relatively easy to see where The next day, my neighbor’s boss called me up
you are, but when something happens that you and told me that he was amazed at this man’s
don’t expect, then you find yourself off the chart. attitude—it was completely changed. He was
Every time you start to think about the facts, actually thankful and rejoicing, and the boss
you realize that you don’t want any. couldn’t understand it. So I had to explain it
all to him.
I came home from work one day, and my wife
told me that our neighbor had been fired from Later, my neighbor sold his house at a nice
his job. His wife had been over and she was profit at a time when it was difficult to sell
lower than a duck’s instep. She didn’t know homes, moved, and God gave him a new job
how to cope with her husband’s setback. I went in the same field that was far better than the
down to their house after dinner, and there one from which he had been fired. God’s will
was gloom everywhere. “Did you like the job?” is good and perfect.
I asked him.
This can be the experience of your life as well.
“Yes,” he replied. “I’ve been there for five years, Whether you have plenty of time to consider
and it’s the best job I’ve ever had. A couple weeks alternatives in making a decision and can go
ago another fellow was talking about quitting through the process, or whether it is a sudden
and I thought to myself how much of a mistake happening, you can know the will of God. But
that would be for me. I could see the company I’d like to warn you—sudden things are going
growing and I was growing with it. But the boss to happen to you. Determine now that you will
suddenly walked in today and said I was fired. believe that God has a better plan for you than
With hardly any explanation either.” any boss, professor, organization or person.

So how do you fit that into God’s will? You Commit yourself to doing the will of God; realize
don’t—He does. I asked this man, “Do you be- that God is already working in your life; then
lieve that all things work together for good for press forward, launching out in what seems best
those who love God?” after prayer and seeking His peace, thanking
God for whatever comes that His will for your
He answered, “Yes, I guess so.” life is good, pleasing and perfect.

I said, “OK, God has allowed this to happen.

The Bible also says, ‘In everything give thanks’
(1 Thessalonians 5:18).”

I continued, “Now even though you don’t know

how this is all going to turn out, you at least
know it is God’s will that you give thanks. So
every time you think about it tomorrow, and
you’ll think about it a thousand times, say,
‘Thanks, God,’ because He is allowing it to hap-
pen as part of His good and perfect plan. Then
you also ought to be honest with your friends.

148
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS Date/Lesson
Discipling Plan
Trainer Disciple

Lesson Objective:

Activities Tools
Review Teach

Prayer
Lesson
Bible Study
PSMA
Reading
Evangelism/Discipleship
Scripture Memory
Time Plan for Activities

Application Assignment
Lesson
Bible Study
PSMA/Reading
Ministry
Scripture Memory
149
 Discussion Questions for Readings/Instructions

Discussion Questions:

Instruction:

Evaluation:

Follow-Up Need for next week:

150
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Disciple Application Guide

Student’s Name Group Date

Subject Area Discipleship
Topic Interpersonal Relationships

Completed
Disciple’s Profile
Yes No
Topic Notes
Review Interpersonal Relationships

Bible Study
Complete Introduction to Thessalonians (Be Ready to Discuss)

Personal & Spiritual Management Aid

Do 5 PSMA

Outside Reading
Bible Reading Chart (located in My Walk With God Student Planner)
Read Acceptance (Be Ready to Discuss)

Ministry: Evangelism/Follow-Up/Discipleship
Pray for a convert
Pray for your disciple
Meet with your disciple
Complete Discipling Plan

Scripture Memory
Galatians 6:9,10
Matthew 5:16
Review all previous verses

151
152
 Interpersonal Relationships

NOTES

Interpersonal
Relationships
Standard For Interpersonal
Relationships
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus sets forth His will and
standard for our relationship to others. If I am to be His
disciple, I must be willing to conform to His standard in my
interaction with other people.

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love

your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say
to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse
you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for
those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven;
for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on
the good, and sends rain on the just and on the
unjust. For if you love those who love you, what
reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors
do the same? And if you greet your brethren
only, what do you do more than others? Do
not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you
shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven
is perfect.
Matthew 5:43-48

In comparison to our daily experience, this standard seems

very high. Most of us who are honest have to admit that
there are people we simply do not like. As long as they keep
their distance, we can get along pretty well. But Jesus says
that this is not good enough. We are to do the following:

Love our enemies

Bless those who curse us
Do good to those who hate us
Pray for those who despitefully
use us and persecute us

153
 NOTES Notice these previous words—they are action words. We
are not to simply avoid our enemies passively, but actively
seek their good by loving them, praying for them, speaking
kindly of them and doing acts of kindness for them. This is
the way of discipleship.

Let me ask you—are you loving, blessing, doing good to, and
praying for those you do not like or relate well to? Or are
you simply waiting passively for the other person to make
the first move? Are pride and the fear of losing face more
important to you than obeying God?

A new commandment I give to you, that you

love one another; as I have loved you, that you
also love one another. By this all will know
that you are My disciples, if you have love for
one another.
John 13:34,35

LOVE—A Mark of The Disciple

Jesus makes it very clear in this passage that an unmistak-
able mark of discipleship is love for one another. As long
as there is friction and unrest between Christian brethren,
we cannot call ourselves his disciples. Love is to be the
hallmark—the outstanding identification mark—of the
disciples of Christ.

John puts it even stronger:

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his

brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his
brother whom he has seen, how can he love God
whom he has not seen? And this commandment
we have from Him: that he who loves God must
love his brother also.
1 John 4:20,21

LOVE—A Command
Love, therefore, is not a feeling—it is a command. It is an
act of the will to obey Christ. When we begin to act in loving
ways to others, we will often find that our emotions follow,
and we begin to genuinely love them.

154
Remember: To act toward others as Christ has com- NOTES
manded when you do not feel like it is not hypocrisy; it
is obedience.

If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your

grudge. Don’t let the sun go down with you still
angry—get over it quickly; for when you are
angry you give a mighty foothold to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26 (LB)

This passage says that when a problem with a brother is

more than 24 hours old, we are in sin. If we are to be dis-
ciples of Christ, we must begin to actively deal with our
interpersonal relationships daily.

How To Solve Relationship Problems

The First Move Is My Responsibility

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and

there remember that your brother has something
against you, leave your gift there before the altar,
and go your way. First be reconciled to your
brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:23,24

Here Jesus commands that if I remember that a brother

has been hurt by something I have said or done, I must first
go to him and be reconciled before I continue my service to
God. It is my responsibility to take the initiative when I
have hurt someone else.

Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and

tell him his fault between you and him alone. If
he hears you, you have gained your brother.
Matthew 18:15

It is also my responsibility to take the initiative when I

have been hurt by someone else. This is often where many

155
 NOTES people begin to protest. They rationalize that if the other
person offended me, then he should make the first move.
Often the injured person sits and sulks for weeks, months, or
even years waiting for the other to initiate a reconciliation.
Meanwhile, bitterness and bad feelings continue to grow.

Looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the

grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing
up cause trouble, and by this many become
defiled.
Hebrews 12:15

Jesus’ will, therefore, is that even if my brother sins against

me, I should take the initiative and make the first move
toward reconciliation. This is often very hard on our pride.
Confrontation is not easy. But the disciple is commanded
to always make the first move.

Get The Proper Focus On Problems

People often see each other as the problem—this is wrong.
It is usually something someone has said or done or even
because of what he represents. We must learn to separate
people from the offense and deal with the offense.

Focusing on the problem and not the person is a step in

the right direction, for now we are not blaming the person,
but concentrating on the problem. However, this still is not
completely satisfactory because each person normally tries
to defend his side of the problem.

156
 NOTES

Problem

The best focus is to try to see the problem from the other
person’s point of view and solve it through apology and
forgiveness as brothers in Christ.

If there are areas of my life that have never been surren-

dered to the Lord, they will continually surface as problems
in interpersonal relationships. For example, if I have not
surrendered my time to the Lord, every interruption or

157
 NOTES demand upon my time by my boss, my wife, or my children
becomes a potential point of friction. However, if I have sur-
rendered this area to the Lord, it becomes His prerogative
to sovereignly use my time as He wills. I know He will not
allow any interruptions that are not from Him and I do not
resent people.

Have A Spirit Of Humility and Restoration

In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he admonishes them
to gently correct those who were having difficulties. We
should humbly go to our brother or sister in Christ with a
desire to restore him or her to fellowship. To belittle them
with a superior attitude won’t accomplish anything. Paul
warns us to be careful because one day we may face the
same problem.

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass,

you who are spiritual restore such a one in a
spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest
you also be tempted.
Galatians 6:1

Priority Relationships
God

And He is the head of the body, the church, who

is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that
in all things He may have the preeminence.
Colossians 1:18

But seek first the kingdom of God and His

righteousness, and all these things shall be
added to you.
Matthew 6:33

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you,

you will ask what you desire, and it shall be
done for you.
John 15:7

158
Jesus is to have pre-eminence, His kingdom is to be our NOTES
first priority, and we are to be found daily abiding in
Christ. This is the kind of relationship God wants us to
have with Him.

This is the world’s most important human relationship

because it is the building block of society and is to show
the world a picture of the relationship between Christ and
the Church. The human family is God’s plan for building
His Kingdom. The husband and father is to be the head
of the home. The wife is to be the help-meet and in sub-
mission to her husband’s authority. Together they are to
bear children and bring them up in the fear of God—thus
adding to his Kingdom.

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to

the Lord.
Ephesians 5:22

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also

loved the church and gave Himself for it.
Ephesians 5:25

For the relationship to succeed, there must be only one head—

the man. He must rule his household in love so that his wife
finds it pleasant to give herself to his authority. Problems
need to be identified and resolved—not checkmated. Next
to God, this relationship is to have top priority.

1 Timothy 3:5 says that if a man cannot rule his home, he is

not to rule the church. A Scriptural home is a prerequisite
for leadership in the Kingdom of God.

Parent/Child
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for
this is right.
Ephesians 6:1

159
 NOTES Honor your father and mother, which is the first
commandment with promise.
Ephesians 6:2

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children

to wrath, but bring them up in the training and
admonition of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4

A child’s concept of God is greatly influenced by the kind

of relationship he has with his parents since they are the
authority God has placed over them. If a child is not taught
to live under the authority of his parent’s biblical com-
mandments, it is not likely that he will live under God’s
commandments when he grows older. If a child is not loved
and cared for by his parents, he will probably have difficulty
understanding and receiving God’s love as an adult. So it
is of utmost importance that the parent/child relationship
be healthy and Scriptural.

A child is someone who is not a mature adult. God has there-

fore placed him under the protective authority of his parents
and has commanded him to obey his parents in everything
short of apostasy. When a person becomes an adult, he is
free to make his own choices, but he is still commanded to
always show respect and honor to his parents.

The parent/child relationship works best when both par-

ent and child are willing to play their Christian roles; but
even if one party is not fulfilling his role, this does not al-
leviate the responsibility of the disciple to fulfill his part
of God’s command.

Employer/Employee

Servants, be obedient to those who are your

masters according to the flesh, with fear and
trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not
with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as servants
of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
with good will doing service, as to the Lord,

160
 and not to men, knowing that whatever good NOTES
anyone does, he will receive the same from the
Lord, whether he is a slave or free. And you,
masters, do the same things to them, giving up
threatening, knowing that your own Master
also is in heaven, and there is no partiality
with Him.
Ephesians 6:5-9

God commanded man, “Six days shalt thou labor.” Work-

ing is one of God’s commands. Now He tells us the kind of
standard we are to have for our work.

Employees Employers

• Obey the boss. • Treat employees as you

would want to be treated.
• Singleness of heart—
wholeheartedness. • Remember—you have a
Master in
• Work as unto Christ, not heaven.
men-pleasers.

• God will reward you.

You should be the best employee the boss has—

or if you are an employer, you should be an example of
fairness and kindness to all under you. If Christian principles
are operating in our lives, our working testimony should
be very effective in winning others to Christ.

Remember: God has us in the business world and we are

to be as much of a testimony in the way we work as we are
in speech.

161
 NOTES Christian/Non-Christian
• A Christian should work on developing friendships with
non-Christians.
• Be interested in the whole man and not just his soul.
• Lift him up rather than let him pull you down.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the

salt loses its flavor, how shall it be
seasoned? It is then good for nothing
but to be thrown out and trampled
under foot by men. You are the light
of the world. A city that is set
on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and
put it under a basket, but on a
lampstand, and it gives light
to all who are in the house.
Let your light so shine before
men, that they may see your
good works and glorify your
Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16
Christian/Christian
See the first two points listed
above concerning relationships
within the Body of Christ.

By this all will know that you are My disciples,

if you have love for one another.
John 13:35

Male/Female

Treat the older women as mothers, the younger

as sisters, with all purity.
1 Timothy 5:2

162
This verse shows us that until God gives us a life partner, NOTES
we are to have brother-sister relationships with members of
the opposite sex—caring for them in Christ and conducting
ourselves with purity. Below are some points to remember
in boy-girl relationships.

• Treat young women (or men) as you would want someone

to treat your sister (or brother).
• Ask God for a life partner of His choice.
• Keep yourself pure for the one God has chosen for you.
• Make sure the one you marry is a believer.

Do not be unequally yoked together with

unbelievers. For what fellowship has
righteousness with lawlessness? And what
communion has light with darkness?
2 Corinthians 6:14

• Study principles on “How to determine the will of God.”

163
 NOTES

164
 Bible Study: Epistle to Thessalonica

EQUIPPING THE SAINTS

Bible Study:
Epistle to Thessalonica
Most New Testament books are letters (“epistles”) written to a person or a church. In order to
have the best understanding of an epistle, as well as its chapters and verses, you should get
the background— find out who wrote the letter, to whom it was written and its general theme.
This first study covers these points.

Begin to develop the habit of locating places mentioned in Scriptures on a map (many Bibles
have a map section at the back) or a small Bible atlas. On the map of ancient Greece, (known
then as Macedonia in the north and Achaia in the south) look for Thessalonica. Thessalonica
(now Salonika) was located on a great northern highway stretching all the way from Rome to
the eastern Mediterranean countries. It was a leading city of Macedonia in Paul’s day (Paul
lived until about 66. A.D.).

How the Church Began

Bible historians tell us that this church was founded about 50 or 51 A.D. The story of its beginning
is found in Acts 17:1-9, 13. Read this passage carefully and answer the following questions.

1. When Paul arrived in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-3):

Where did he begin to preach?

What was his message?

2. Describe the response to Paul’s preaching. (Acts 17:4)

3. What did the unbelieving Jews accuse Paul and Silas of doing? (Acts 17:5,6)

4. What did these Jews do when they heard the gospel was being preached in Berea?
(Acts 17:13)

5. In spite of this persecution, how did some of the Thessalonians respond to the message

Paul preached? (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

165
 6. How did Paul describe this church which began in the midst of persecution? (1 Thessalonians
1:6,7)

Author: The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to a new, struggling church which was suffering
much persecution. Because of deep concern for them, Paul had sent Timothy to Thessalonica
to strengthen these young Christians. Timothy brought word that the church was doing well,
but there was grief and confusion about believers who had died. Paul writes to further instruct
them on Christ’s coming, to assure them of his interest and prayers and to urge them to live
worthy lives. He probably wrote from Corinth in 51 or 52 A.D.

Theme: Live godly lives, expecting Christ’s return.

The Overall View

An understanding of the overall teaching of this letter will make each verse more meaningful
as you study. Read the entire book through once or twice—each time at one sitting. As you
read, list below the verses in each chapter which encourage godly living and those which refer
to Christ’s second coming. You may want to add the main thought of the passages you list.

Verses on the Second Coming Main Thought

Verses Encouraging Godly Living Main Thought

166
Acceptance
by

Used by Permission of
The Navigators
168
 Acceptance
Acceptance is one of today’s popular terms. dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live
But it is not a new subject. Paul’s message to unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto
the Roman church in Romans 14:1—15:1-7 the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we
deals with three relationships which involve are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died,
acceptance. These three intertwining relation- and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord
ships are as relevant today as they were when both of the dead and the living. But why dost
Romans was written. thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at
nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before
First, there is my acceptance of myself—an the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written,
extremely difficult thing. Second, there is As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow
God’s acceptance of me—an incomprehensible to me, and every tongue confess to God. So then
thing. And third, there is my acceptance of every one of us shall give account of himself to
others—a matter of the will. These three are God” (Romans 14:1-12).
inseparable.
There are two categories of things in the econ-
Paul discusses these three relationships in omy of God—essentials and nonessentials. The
terms of convictions (Romans 14:1-12), con- first are absolutes and the latter are relative.
sideration (Romans 14:13-21), and concern Absolutes are part of the moral mandate of
(Romans 15:1-7). God. The Christian can have only one response
to absolutes—conformity to the command-
CONVICTIONS ments of God. There is no question—there is
no argument—there is no debate. Obedience
“Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but has been commanded.
not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth
that he may eat all things: another, who is In the other areas, Scripture says let everybody
weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth be persuaded in his own mind. In Romans 14
despise him that eateth not; and let not him the Apostle Paul is talking about this relative
which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God category when he says, “I know, and am per-
hath received him. Who art thou that judgest suaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing
another man’s servant? to his own master he unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any
standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”
for God is able to make him stand. One man
esteemeth one day above another: another es- There is absolutely nothing wrong with having
teemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully personal convictions regarding nonessentials.
persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth I can have strong convictions in any area that
the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that is nonessential in God’s economy of things.
regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not
regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for The Apostle Paul lists some of these areas.
he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to One is eating. Some people say you can’t eat
the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. any meat, only herbs. Others say you can eat
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man anything that comes your way. Paul says it’s

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 all right to have either conviction. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why
dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall
Another example Paul cites is the observance of all stand before the judgment seat of Christ...
certain days. Some say every day is alike, while So then every one of us shall give account of
others say certain days are special. Drinking himself to God” (Romans 14:4,10,12). It is all
wine is another example. Some are convicted right to have personal convictions regarding
of the need for total abstinence. Others believe the nonessentials, but Christians must not
a little wine for medicinal purposes is good. allow them to be the criteria for accepting one
another.
Paul admonishes the Romans to let everybody
be persuaded in his own mind. CONSIDERATION

One of the fruits of acceptance is the right to “Let us not therefore judge one another any
have these convictions in the nonessentials. more: but judge this rather, that no man put
However, the Apostle Paul warns of a difficulty. a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his
Christians must be careful not to make things brother’s way. I know, and am persuaded by
that are nonessential moral mandates for oth- the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean
ers. Christians must avoid insisting that other of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing
people adhere to their convictions. to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy
brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest
This is a very real problem in the Body of Christ. thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy
It is a very real problem in my own life. I have meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your
a tendency to confuse the things which are good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God
essential with the things which are not essen- is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and
tial. For example, I don’t drink. I have certain peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that
convictions regarding drinking. But I must be in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to
careful in my convictions that I don’t bar the God, and approved of men. Let us therefore fol-
Lord Jesus Christ entrance into His own church. low after the things which make for peace, and
It was the Lord Jesus who made wine out of things wherewith one may edify another. For
water and, in all probability, He drank wine meat destroy not the work of God. All things
during His ministry here on earth. The Bible indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who
says there is nothing wrong with my having eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh,
convictions regarding drinking, but I have to nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy
be very careful not to make moral mandates brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made
out of them. weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before
God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself
Another example is baptism. I have personal in that thing which he alloweth. And he that
convictions regarding infant baptism. But I doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth
have to be careful that I don’t insist that you not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin”
have the same convictions and that I don’t (Romans 14:13-23).
make baptism an issue of fellowship. God wants
me to accept you even though we differ in the In this passage the Apostle Paul points out
nonessentials. that convictions have to be tempered by consid-
eration for others. If a brother who is weaker
The Apostle Paul asked, “Who art thou that in the faith (younger in the Lord) than I has
judgest another man’s servant? to his own genuine hang-ups regarding some things I do,
master he standeth or falleth Yea, he shall be then the Bible says that I must abstain. This
holden up: for God is able to make him stand... is his point in verse 21, “It is good neither to

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eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing the work of God for the sake of a piece of meat.
whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, Verse 15 says if a brother is grieved with your
or is made weak.” If my brother is offended by meat, then you’re not walking in love.
the fact that I eat pork, then Paul says I’ve
got to stop. Or, if he is offended by the glass of In verse 14 Paul says that there is nothing that
sherry that sits on your table, then you’ve got is wrong in itself. Inanimate objects are neither
to stop, because you have to take your brother good nor bad. A glass of alcohol is neither good
into consideration. nor bad. It’s amoral. So is a piece of meat. It
is how it is used that makes the difference. I
At the time of Paul’s letter to Rome there were am admonished to make sure I am considerate
pagan temples all over the city. Small groups of toward the other person as I deal with these
believers met together in homes. Some people things.
in these churches were monotheistic—they
had worshipped one God all their lives. In the However, the Apostle Paul goes on to say that
same church might be some people who had as a mature believer, I have no right to be of-
been polytheistic all of their lives, but now had fended when I see someone else walking out of
come into a proper relationship with the one the temple with a slab of beef under his arm.
true God. If it offends somebody else, I can’t do it. But if
I see somebody else do it, I can’t be offended.
Imagine the person who is a little more mature This is a double-edged sword of responsibility.
in the Lord and who has always viewed God as It’s a sword that cuts both ways. If I am offend-
one God going to the meat market and finding ing somebody else, I must stop. Nevertheless, I
that beef is $2 per pound. Then he sees that must not be offended by somebody else’s actions
the temple is selling the meat that had been in the nonessentials. Whichever way I look at
offered as sacrifices to its gods for only $1. So it, I am responsible according to God.
he marches over to the temple where he buys a
slab of beef at half price. As he walks out of the CONCERN
temple, a new Christian—just converted from
the temple—comes walking by. He is horrified “We then that are strong ought to bear the infir-
to see that this Christian, a member of the same mities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
church, is going to eat meat offered to idols. As Let every one of us please his neighbor for his
a result he has all kinds of problems. good to edification. For even Christ pleased not
himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of
Paul says, “Now, listen. We know that those them that reproached thee fell on me, For whatso-
gods sitting in the temple are no gods. There’s ever things were written aforetime were written
only one God—Jehovah God, the Creator of for our learning, that we through patience and
heaven and earth. It is just stone they are of- comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now
fering meat to. There is nothing wrong with the God of patience and consolation grant you
eating that meat.” to be like-minded one toward another accord-
ing to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind
However, the person who is younger in the faith and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of
doesn’t have that scoped out yet. He may not our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one
understand that there is only one God. He may another, as Christ also received us to the glory
be at a stage in his Christian life where Jesus is of God” (Romans 15:1-7).
the best God, and He is the One Who has to be
served. It would be offensive to this brother to One of the objectives of Christians is the good
eat meat sacrificed to idols. So Paul says don’t of the brethren. The Apostle Paul admonishes
do it. Don’t offend your brother. Don’t destroy the Romans to see things from the other per-

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 son’s point of view—to have his best interest granted. In the wilderness you’ll die and I’ll
at heart. He cites the Lord Jesus Christ as an take care of your children.” So for 40 years they
example. “For even Christ pleased not himself; wandered around. One by one Moses buried his
but as it is written, The reproaches of them that own generation. In Hebrews 3, Paul says that
reproached Thee fell on Me” (Psalms 69:9). I the reason they didn’t go into the Promised
was the buffer, says the Lord Jesus. I stood Land was their unbelief. Then he writes, “Let
between you and the things that came your us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of
way to make sure they didn’t hit you. Paul says entering into His rest, any of you should seem
these things were written in the Scriptures, to come short of it” (Hebrews 4:1).
for understanding. “Wherefore, receive ye one
another, even as Christ also received us to the The issue at Kadesh-barnea was not salvation.
glory of God” (verse 7). Paul is saying that there The issue was fellowship. That is what the Bible
is never any cause for not receiving a brother calls “the rest of God.” Unbroken fellowship
except when he violates the essentials. Then with God on a day-by-day basis. God says that
he should be treated as instructed in Matthew they had broken fellowship with Him for one
18. But in the nonessentials there is never any reason—they didn’t believe His words.
reason for Christians not accepting another
and receiving him as a brother in Christ. I am One of the things that really angers God in
to accept other people in my relationship with the Scriptures is a lack of faith. Unbelief. He
them just as God has accepted me in a proper can tolerate a lot, but when He comes across
relationship with Himself. boldfaced refusal to believe His word, He really
gets angry. This is evident in the ministry of
It is hard for me to comprehend how it is pos- Jesus with His disciples. “Where is your faith?”
sible for me to find acceptance in the presence of Unbelief really bothers Him. In Hebrews 4:9-11
God. I know that when I first came to the Cross Paul says that there is a rest for the people of
of Jesus Christ that was my biggest hang-up. God today. There is still a rest for twentieth-
I think I kept the fellow that led me to Christ century Christians. That’s fellowship with God
up for about four or five hours talking on that on a day-by-day basis.
one point. Charles Wesley, the hymn writer, put
it this way: “And can it be that I should gain In Hebrews 4:10,11 the writer admonishes
an interest in my Saviour’s blood? Died He for Christians to do two things. First, “For he that
me who caused His pain? For me who Him to is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased
death pursued? Amazing love. How can it be from his own works...” That’s the first thing
that Thou my God shouldst die for me?” When Christians have to do to get into the rest. They
you meditate on and ponder this fact it is re- have to cease from their own works. It seems to
ally, in the final analysis, an incomprehensible me that that’s the work of self-effort—building
thought. But notice how God treats it. my own ladder into the Kingdom of heaven. The
second thing he says seems to be antithetical to
Hebrews 4:3 refers to Moses’ wilderness expe- that, “Let us labour therefore to enter into that
rience when God took him out of the land of rest...”. In one verse he says to stop working and
Egypt and brought him to the land of prom- in the next he says to labor. I think the labor
ise. Kadesh-barnea was the first threshold of of verse 11 is the labor of belief. The labor of
entering the Promised Land. The spies went faith. It is hard for me to believe God. I don’t
out and came back with an evil report. It was know why but I have to work at faith. These
a good land but the sons of Anak were giants. are the two prerequisites for entering into His
The children of Israel complained said, “Oh, we rest. I have to stop the work of my self-effort
wish we could die in the wilderness. What will and I have to labor to walk by faith.
happen to our children?” God said, “Request

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Then he says, “For the Word of God is quick, the role of a high priest in today’s culture is
and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged that of the defense lawyer who stands selflessly
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of before the judge and pleads the cause of the
soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, defendant. That is the role that Jesus plays for
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents you in the presence of God. He is your defense
of the heart. Neither is there any creature that attorney.
is not manifest in His sight: but all things are
naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with The second reason you don’t have to feel embar-
whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:12,13). For a rassed and flee is that Jesus empathizes with
long time I couldn’t understand those verses. I you. “For we have not a high priest which cannot
wondered what they were doing in a passage be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;
pertaining to rest. but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). There has never
But then I began to understand. Suppose I were been a temptation that has entered into your
able to read every thought you have in your life that Jesus Christ hasn’t gone through. Not
mind. As I look eyeball to eyeball, you know that a one. He knows your plight.
I know exactly what you are thinking. I know
every motive, every intent and every purpose The third reason is that you are completely ac-
of your heart. How would you feel around me? cepted into the presence of God. “Let us therefore
Well, chances are excellent that you would feel come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we
around me that same way I’d feel around you may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in
if I thought you could do that with me. I’d pack time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). In the ancient
up and leave. I’d try to avoid you. courts only two people had the privilege of
entering unannounced into the presence of the
The Bible says that that’s exactly the way it is monarch—the court jester and the heir appar-
with God. “Neither is there any creature that ent to the throne. He was the firstborn son, the
is not manifest in His sight: but all things are one who was to take over when the monarch
naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with died. You are accepted into the presence of God
whom we have to do.” What the Bible is say- on the same basis as the heir apparent to the
ing is that the jig is up. God sees you the way ancient throne was accepted. You can enter
you are. You are exposed. There is no place and leave the presence of God unannounced
to hide. There is not a thought you have ever on a day-by-day basis. God completely accepts
had, there is not a motive you have ever had, you the way you are. You do not have to feel
there is nothing that goes on deep inside that embarrassed even though God sees you as
the living God doesn’t know about. Now, why you are. He understands what you are going
don’t you try to avoid God? If I were able to through. You have complete acceptance in His
have that kind of relationship with you, you presence.
would try to avoid me. Why don’t you try to
avoid God? The writer to the Hebrews says
there are three reasons.
“God accepts me the way I am.” God accepts you
The first reason why you don’t have to be em- the way you are. Do you really believe that? God
barrassed and seek to avoid the presence of God accepts you just the way you are. He doesn’t
is because you have Jesus Christ as your high accept you the way you’d like to be, or the way
priest. “Seeing then that we have a great high you feel he’d like you to be, but just the way
priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus you are. That’s a hard one to grab ahold of.
the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession”
(Hebrews 4:14). Probably the best example of “I, therefore, must accept myself the way I

173
 am.” If it’s hard for me to comprehend that God When I was in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on my first
accepts me for the way I am, then it is really Navigator assignment, I got really discouraged.
hard for me to accept myself. I don’t know if Nothing went as fast as I thought it should.
you have a problem with that but I do. I have Everything seemed to go wrong. Introspection.
a problem accepting myself, because I know Discouragement. You name it, I had it. I really
myself. I make me sick. Now, I wish it weren’t went through the valleys in those days. During
so, but that’s the way it is. I’d be lying if I told that time of deepest discouragement, there was
you otherwise. When I get a good hard look at a misunderstanding in my own mind with the
the way I am, I get sick inside. There is not a leadership. I thought I wasn’t understood. I
vile sin in the Bible that I am not capable of thought nobody would accept me. This added
committing. My heart is black. I find myself to my discouragement.
thinking some of the most horrible thoughts. I
find myself motivated toward doing some of the During this time God taught me something.
most horrible things. Things passing through He said, “Henrichsen, when I speak, obey.
my mind make me blush. How much more so When somebody else speaks, listen carefully
the Holy God! and evaluate it according to the Word of God.
When somebody speaks about you to somebody
But if God accepts me the way I am, I am forced else, forget it. Because if people can’t accept
to accept myself the way I am. How dare I set you the way you are, then it is their problem,
up a standard of excellence that is higher than not yours.”
God’s? How dare I come to the living God and
say, “Okay, God, Your standard of acceptance The load left. It really made a difference in my
can be here, but mine’s going to be here.” Who life. The reason I can be myself is because of
am I to stand before God and make a bold, this truth. Otherwise I have to wear a facade,
foolish statement such as that? If God accepts a veneer, a sham. The only reason I am afraid
me the way I am then I have to accept myself to be myself in your presence is because I fear
the way I am. Otherwise I am in essence say- if I reveal myself to you, you won’t accept me.
ing to the living God, “God, Your standards of That is a spiritual problem on my part.
acceptance are much lower than mine.” I have
no right to do that. It is necessary to differentiate between accept-
ing and condoning. You have to accept me for
“I must accept others the way they are.” I must the way I am, but you don’t have to condone
accept others the way they are because God what I do. Just as God accepts me the way I
accepts them the way they are, God accepts am but does not condone many of the things
me the way I am, and God tells me to accept I do. The two are not synonymous.
them the way they are. That’s the essence of
Romans 15:7. Let me draw three conclusions from Romans
15:7, “Wherefore receive ye one another, as
Another conclusion is that others have to accept Christ also received us to the glory of God.”
me the way I am. That is a relief. What is true
for you is also true for me. How dare you set Conclusion Number One: There is a differ-
up a standard of excellence that is higher than ence between accepting a man and training him
that of God? If God accepts me, how dare you to be a disciple. Christians who desire to make
not accept me? You have to. The whole thing disciples must be careful not to communicate
is related to your concept of who God is and rejection to those who are unwilling to meet a
what He has done. training standard or who are unqualified for
particular training as far as their gifts are con-
I have really wrestled with this in my own life. cerned. A lot of people get turned off because

174
they don’t feel they qualify. What they mean and acceptable in the Beloved by grace alone.
is they don’t feel that others are willing to When I try to add anything else, I open myself
accept them for the way they are. I think the to the onslaught of the enemy.
fault rests with those doing the training. There
are certain demands people must meet if they Let me illustrate this for you. I’m a sinful and
want training. But even if they want to forget black-hearted man. I have impure motives.
the training or if they are unqualified—every I’m an undisciplined individual. I could go on
disciplemaker still must have arms that are and list sins that would make Paul’s list of sins
long enough and a heart that is big enough to in Romans look small. I recognize that’s the
accept and receive them as they are. way I am. I wish I were some other way and
I’m working on the problem. But in the mean-
It is my firm conviction that my ability to accept time, that’s me. That’s Walter Henrichsen. I
these people and create an atmosphere whereby have to accept myself the way I am because
they feel accepted is in direct proportion to my God accepts me the way that I am, but I still
ability to accept myself. It is a horrible truth, don’t have to like what I see. Therefore, I take
but a person reproduces after his own kind. steps to check myself so that these vile, ugly,
Let me ask you—do you feel you can be your- evil, wicked things don’t come to the surface.
self? Do you feel you can let down the guards? I take whatever steps are necessary to make
Let down your hair, so to speak? Or is there a sure that I do what I know God wants me to
veneer in front of you? Can you be yourself? If do. For example, we don’t have a television
not, then the chances are that others can’t be set in our home. The reason is not that we are
themselves around you either. stronger than those who have television sets in
their home, but because we are weaker. I know
Conclusion Number Two: The objective of that if there were a television set sitting in my
training is to get a man to conform to his home, I’d watch it. I’m not that disciplined.
own standard of what he knows God wants There are some things on television I’d like to
him to be. If he is a man of God who wants see, but I know that the price of having one is
to please God and if a disciplemaker’s stan- greater than the price of not having one. So I
dards are in the essentials and not in the check myself. I wish I were stronger than that.
nonessentials, there will be no problem. The I wish I could say I could take it or leave it, but
two then are synonymous. When helping I’m not—so I leave it all together.
another person, a disciplemaker should
major on helping that person become what Bible study is another example. I’ve talked six
he knows down in his heart he should be. men into meeting with me every Sunday morn-
ing at 6 a.m. for Bible study because that’s the
If you don’t feel comfortable and others don’t only way I’ll get that Bible study done. I wish
feel comfortable around you, one of two things I could say that I am a self-motivated, self-
is wrong. Either you are asking for conformity disciplined man, but I’m not. The embarrass-
to nonessential standards—to those things ment of those men arriving Sunday morning
whereby the Scripture says everyone has the and finding me unprepared motivates me to
right to form his own conclusions, or the man’s do the study.
standard of acceptance is higher than God’s.
I take whatever steps are necessary to make sure
Conclusion Number Three: I get done what I know God wants me to do.
Acceptance is a relationship of grace. Anytime I
think I am more usable or that God is blessing Running is another example. I run now. You
me because of what I do or what I am, I take know why I run? Not because I like it. It’s not
away from the concept of grace. I am usable because I’m an athlete or a motivated, disci-

175
 plined man. I run because a doctor took me Sanny preached on cleaning garages—get the
aside and said, “Henrichsen, count on dying garage cleaned. I have all this junk. What am
before the age of 50. You are not taking care I going to do with it? I’ll put it in the closet. So
of yourself. You are beating your body and it Sanny comes over.
just won’t last. Just plan on it.”
“Let me hang up your coat.”
I said, “Well, Doc, suppose I want another op-
tion?” “Oh, I can do it.”

So now I run. Oh, no, no. Coronary.

That’s not a very noble motive for running. So, I’m out there scrubbing the windows know-
That’s not a very noble motive for meeting ing what my inner reaction is going to be,
in Bible study. Granted, I’m not a very noble “Henrichsen, you wretch.” Then I ask myself,
man. “Is it right? Should the windows be clean?”
Then clean the windows and God help me with
But I’ve discovered I’m forced with a decision, I my motive.
either have to act right with the wrong motive
or do nothing with the wrong motive. So I real- Now I don’t want to communicate that motives
ized, “At least I’m doing right. God, forgive me aren’t important. They are important. It’s nec-
for the blackness of my heart. I wish it weren’t essary to work on them. I’m working on mine.
that way, but at least doing the right thing is But when you are in the pit of discouragement
better than not doing anything at all. So, let’s and when morbid introspection begins to take
press on and get the job done.” over, that is not the time to be working on the
motives. That’s the time to say, “God, forgive
I have the same problem when it comes to giv- me” and press on.
ing. God says to me, “I want you to contribute to
the support of that man.” “Okay, Lord.” then I Then when you have gained a little altitude
have all kinds of thoughts about those passages and everything is going well, and you can face
that say you give and you get more. I think to yourself in the mirror when you shave or brush
myself how much more God is going to give me your hair, then work on motives.
because I’ve given. What a terrible reason for
giving. Maybe I shouldn’t give. It tears me up God does not accept me because my motives
inside. I wrestle with it. I have wept over it. are pure. Sanny does not accept me because
Chances are excellent you have that problem my windows are clean. God accepts me because
too. The Bible says that there hath no tempta- of grace. Sanny accepts me because God tells
tion taken me but such is common to you. So I him he has to. I accept myself because God has
decided I’ll do what is right. In 1 John 3:20 God accepted me. I find, in the final analysis, that
says if your heart condemns you, He is greater I have no right to set a standard of acceptance
than your heart because He knows all things. higher than what God has already set. So, I
That is really helpful. learn to live at peace with myself and with
others.
I wrestle with why I do what I do. Oftentimes
what I do is not born out of pure motives. For
example, Lorne Sanny, president of the Navi-
gators, is coming to my area. Oh, good grief.
Clean the windows. Have all the troops over.
Get the lawn mowed. The garage—I remember

176
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS Date/Lesson
Discipling Plan
Trainer Disciple

Lesson Objective:

Activities Tools
Review Teach

Prayer
Lesson
Bible Study
PSMA
Reading
Evangelism/Discipleship
Scripture Memory
Time Plan for Activities

Application Assignment
Lesson
Bible Study
PSMA/Reading
Ministry
Scripture Memory
177
 Discussion Questions for Readings/Instructions

Discussion Questions:

Instruction:

Evaluation:

Follow-Up Need for next week:

178
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Disciple Application Guide

Student’s Name Group Date

Subject Area Leadership
Topic Introduction to Leadership

Completed
Disciple’s Profile
Yes No
Topic Notes
Review Introduction to Leadership

Bible Study
Complete 1 Thessalonians 1 (Be Ready to Discuss)

Personal & Spiritual Management Aid

Do 5 PSMA

Outside Reading
Bible Reading Chart
Read Marks of a Disciple (Be Ready to Discuss)

Ministry: Evangelism/Follow-Up/Discipleship
Share Bridge
Complete Evangelism Report
Meet with your disciple
Update Follow-Up Guide for Convert and Disciple (located in 3/16)
Update Personal Objectives and Evaluation Planner (located in 3/16)
Complete Discipling Plan
Scripture Memory
Write in reference to first verse you memorized:
Write in reference to second verse you memorized:
Review all previous verses

179
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 Introduction to Leadership

NOTES

Introduction to
Leadership
The Strong Natural Leader
When you think about the subject of leadership, you usually
picture in your mind some individual you know who has
strong leadership qualities. He or she probably is aggressive,
dynamic, poised, and knows what to do in almost any given
situation. Such an individual is called a Strong Natural
Leader or a S.N.L. The S.N.L. has a God-given ability to
lead others and tends to take charge of a task or a group
if no one else has been designated as leader. The group
naturally looks to the S.N.L. for direction since he always
can come up with some sort of plan for any occasion.

Leading by Intuition
In spite of the strong leadership attributes which the S.N.L.
has, he can often outlive his usefulness very quickly. Be-
cause he is naturally gifted, he tends to know what to do
intuitively and can operate by his instincts rather than by
well-thought-out procedures. For a limited time when the
enterprise is small, this works very well. But under strong
leadership, most things grow and before long the enterprise
is too big for the S.N.L. to handle by intuition alone. Then,
because he has never had any formal leadership training,
he is unable to handle an increased load and soon the proj-
ect stagnates.

Leading by Principle
It has been said that true leadership is an art as well as a
science. It is a science because it has basic principles which
can be learned and applied by anyone who is charged with
leadership responsibilities. It is an art because it requires

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 NOTES great skill to apply the principles in such a way that the
objective can be accomplished.

It is important to realize that anyone can learn the principles

of leadership and apply them. Some can do it more skill-
fully and with less effort, but anyone can do it. If you are
not an S.N.L. it means that you must learn the principles
of leadership to get started. If you are an S.N.L., you must
still discipline yourself to learn the principles of leadership
so that you can increase your capacity. If you are willing to
learn and apply these principles, and if you ask God for an
opportunity to use your skills, He will help you to develop
in the area of leadership.

Definition of Leadership
Webster defines a leader simply as “someone who leads.”
Someone else put it this way:

Getting things done through the efforts of other people.

While both of these are good definitions, we will choose an-

other to use in this course which will better identify what
we are discussing.

Leadership is organizing and activating manpower and

resources into the most optimum relationship so as to ac-
complish the objective.

By the above definition, we see that a leader has at least

three things which he must keep in balance:

If he is successful, he will be able to translate the goal into

reality by utilizing his manpower and his resources.

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Responsibilities of a Leader NOTES

Accomplishment of the Objective

A leader is charged with the responsibility of accomplish-
ing the objective of the group. If he does not do that, he has
failed as a leader. He may be a wonderful person, have a
tremendous personality, and be well-liked, but if the objective
is not accomplished, he has failed his job. The accomplish-
ment of the objective is the top priority of the leader.

Of equal importance to the accomplishment of the objective

is the satisfaction and morale of the group. If the leader ac-
complishes the objective, but causes great stress to those who
are working with him, he has still failed to be the leader God
intended. This is where the real art of leadership enters in.
The leader must work to keep his followers contented and
satisfied as they continue to work toward the objective.

One of the best ways to do this is to create the concept of

“group ownership of the goal.” The followers must feel that
the objective is not only the leader’s, but theirs as well.

A leader realizes that no decision will fully suit every per-

son on his team. Somewhere a member of the group will
feel the pinch of a decision the leader makes. Therefore,
the leader must be sensitive to the members of the group
and work to assure them that he is taking their feelings
and opinions into consideration as he makes his decisions.
Usually, if the team members are assured of the leader’s
love and sensitivity to them, they will be able to endure the
conflicts that arise along the way. However, if the leader
views his followers simply as boxes on an organizational
chart and treats them insensitively, he will soon find himself
engulfed with personnel problems which will strangle the
accomplishment of the objective.

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 NOTES
A leader must always aim to produce the maximum in
whatever area he is working. In the secular realm, this may
mean the maximum production of a certain product. In the
church, the leader may be aiming for a certain amount of
money to be raised for missions, a certain number of Sun-
day School teachers to be recruited, or a certain number of
people to attend for an evangelistic outreach. In all of these
goals, the leader must be careful to aim for maximum quality
production and not just activity. Too often the church’s best
efforts are disappointed because people become involved in
excessive activity without productivity.

A leader must always be looking for better and cheaper ways

to do the job. This is what is referred to in business as the
cost/result ratio. Church leaders often discover that they
are spending great amounts of money on evangelistic activi-
ties, youth programs, etc., with very few visible results in
terms of converts or disciples being produced. With a little
creativity, the leader may be able to achieve the same or
better results without an extravagant budget.

Reproduction of Leadership
It is the responsibility of the leader to be on the lookout for
people with leadership capacity who can be recruited and
trained for future leadership positions. This does not mean
that the potential leader must be an S.N.L.—although an
S.N.L. is usually easy to pick out in a group. A future leader
must simply have a heart to learn and to apply leadership
skills. Under a more experienced leader, a younger person
is able to develop, applying his skills as he goes along. It
is very important that the older leader allow the younger
one to have the opportunity to lead in increasing spheres
of responsibility as he learns. If the older one feels threat-
ened or intimidated by the growing skills of the younger,
he may stifle his development. However, if the leader can
successfully train his own replacement, he will ensure the
progress of the enterprise for many years to come.

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Qualities Essential for Leadership NOTES

Vision
This means that the leader sees what needs to be done and
has the heart or the vision to accomplish it. Far too often
people are voted into offices who have no vision or heart for
the job. They are forced into a leadership position and try
to get by with doing the very minimum. Under such leader-
ship, it is not long before the followers lose heart and the
enterprise also fails.

Where there is no revelation, the people cast off

restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law.
Proverbs 29:18

Courage
It often takes a great deal of courage to make the ultimate
decisions which belong to the leader alone. Some decisions
may affect a great many others; some decisions may involve
a great deal of risk both to the leader and his team. But
when all the facts have been considered and all the fol-
lowers have been heard, the leader must make the crucial
decisions. Some leaders simply cannot cope with such great
responsibility. Their courage fails and they fear the displea-
sure of others or the possible consequences. If no one makes
the hard decisions, the objective is sure to be thwarted. Of
course, courage is ultimately linked to faith in God. Without
a close walk with Him and a sense of His leading, few of us
would have the courage to make the difficult decisions of
leadership. But when we do walk with Him, He commands
us to have courage, just as he commanded Joshua.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of

good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed,
for the LORD your God is with you wherever
you go.
Joshua 1:9

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 NOTES Decisiveness
Closely related to the quality of courage is that of deci-
siveness. Decisiveness is necessary in the small decisions
as well as the big ones. Some leaders are hesitant rather
than decisive. They procrastinate rather than decide and
get moving. Their followers are forced to wait for them to
make up their minds and often when the decision is finally
made, it is too late to be effective.

And Elijah came to all the people, and said,

“How long will you falter between two opinions?
If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal,
then follow him.” But the people answered him
not a word.”
1 Kings 18:21

Discipline
A leader must be willing to discipline himself to see that the
objective is reached and that decisions which are made are
carried out. This often requires a great deal of self-control
and self-sacrifice for there are many small and sometimes
very mechanical chores which must be done or delegated to
ensure that the goal is accomplished. If a leader cannot disci-
pline himself, he cannot help to discipline others working for
him. Consequently, no one in the group meets the short-term
goals, and the long-term goal is eventually sacrificed.

Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty.

Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I
discipline my body and bring it into subjection,
lest, when I have preached to others, I myself
should become disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:26,27

Wisdom is a combination of knowledge and skill. A leader

must have both information and experience in applying the
information to accomplish the job. Many times in business
as well as Christian organizations a person who is good in
one job is promoted to a higher ranking job for which he is

186
not qualified. The person who was very qualified and acted NOTES
in wisdom in the previous job is now incompetent because
he has neither the information nor the skill for the new
job. We as leaders must make sure that both we and the
junior leaders under us are equal to the responsibilities we
are given.

A young man asked a wise and wealthy elder the secret

to his success to which the man replied: “The secret of my
success is making wise decisions.” The young man then
asked, “But how do you learn to make wise decisions?” “Very
simple, son. You learn to make wise decisions by making
unwise ones and learning from them.”

Of course, no leader can be completely qualified in every

field. But he must be wise enough to tap the resources of
those around him who have the knowledge he needs. One
who does will both lead others wisely and grow personally
in the process.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God,

who gives to all liberally and without reproach,
and it will be given to him.
James 1:5

Motivation
An effective leader is one who can inspire or stimulate other
people to action so that all are moving toward the objective.
Motivating others involves enthusiasm about the project and
the ability to communicate that enthusiasm to others. This
is perhaps the most difficult part of leadership. An entire
lesson will be devoted to this later in the course.

And let us consider one another in order to stir

up love and good works,
Hebrews 10:24

Every leader should try to personally develop his executive

abilities. If he does not have them, he can acquire them

187
 NOTES through reading or even through courses on the subject.
We owe it to God, to our teams, and to ourselves to develop
executive skills which can maximize our time and minimize
the frustrations we encounter as we progress toward the
objective.

Grace Factors for the Spiritual Leader

There are several characteristics which Christian leaders
ought to have. It is possible to function without them, but
the leader who possesses them will become far more profi-
cient than one who does not.

Patience
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but
be gentle to all, able to teach, patient.
2 Timothy 2:24

People who are in places of leadership are usually the most

capable in their job. Those who work under them are often
less skilled and require more time to complete a task. If the
leader grows impatient with their slower pace, he will not
help the job get done sooner. If anything, his irritation may
upset the worker and cause the task to slow down.

Humility

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves

to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to
one another, and be clothed with humility, for
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the
humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under
the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you
in due time.
1 Peter 5:5,6

Many leaders in the world tend to be proud or even prima

donnas in their attitude toward their followers. Such pride

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and arrogance is unbecoming and detracts from anyone, but NOTES
most of all to a servant of Christ. Jesus said:
But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You
know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over
them, and those who are great exercise authority
over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but
whoever desires to become great among you, let
him be your servant. And whoever desires to be
first among you, let him be your slave— ”
Matthew 20:25-27

Tactfulness and Diplomacy

As a leader or boss, you can demand your rights and speak
without thinking carefully to those on your team. However,
kindness and love are simple, uncostly lubricants which will
make the wheels of your task move ever so smoothly and
effectively. Each of us in leadership positions must develop
a style of leadership; tactfulness should be woven into the
very fabric of that style.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in

settings of silver.
Proverbs 25:11

Styles of Leadership
There are basically three kinds of leadership in the world
today. They are called by many names but are basically the
same three groups in function. Each style of leadership is
different than the others and each has its own strengths and
weaknesses. One is not necessarily better than another; they
are different and apply effectively in different situations.

Autocratic
Autocratic leadership is centered around the leader. He
normally makes all the decisions and passes them down to
his subordinates to be carried out. Sometimes such a leader
is referred to as a dictator. Autocratic leadership produces
obedience on the part of the followers but often at the ex-

189
 NOTES pense of initiative. Autocratic leadership functions best in
a crisis situation or where there is insecurity in the group.
In such cases the dictator who takes charge and gets things
straightened out is greatly appreciated.

Democratic
This leader is group-centered and looks to the members
the group for the decision that is to be made. Democratic
leadership produces cooperation but may cause wasted time
or stagnation in reaching objectives. Democracy functions
best in accomplishing objectives which need to be achieved
through group effort.

Free Rein
This leader is also called the “laissez-faire” leader. In this
system, decisions are made by each individual in the very
loosely-knit group. Each decides for himself the best way
to handle problems and proceeds individually. Free rein
leadership produces initiative, but often at the expense of
coordination. It functions best when working with highly
skilled individuals or very creative people who need liberty
to seek out solutions to things they are working on. Free
rein leadership is also very effective in training individuals
who may later be leading others because it forces them to
make decisions and live by them.

Again, please note that no one style of leadership is superior

to any other. A good leader may tend toward one of these
styles of leadership, but he must also understand the others
and employ them as the situation demands.

Principles of Leadership
There are two basic sets of principles which every leader
must master to be effective. These are stated in the two
acrostics OATS and POLE.
OATS — We have already learned one of the acrostics
in our Personal and Spiritual Management. The letters
stand for:

190
 Objectives —The intent NOTES

Activities —What needs to be done

Timetable —Evaluating the time we have available
Schedule —Writing the activities into the time
available

POLE —The second acrostic is POLE. It stands for:

Planning
Organizing
Leading
Evaluating

These principles must be mastered in leading others. Dur-

ing this semester, we will be examining each component of
POLE and the various sub-components under each.

Evaluation of Leadership
To evaluate a person’s effectiveness as a leader, refer to the
five points under “Responsibilities of a Leader” above. Use
these as a basis for evaluation of leadership.

191
 NOTES

192
 Bible Study: 1 Thessalonians 1

EQUIPPING THE SAINTS

Bible Study:
1 Thessalonians 1
Preliminary Study
You’re now ready to dig into the first chapter of this personal letter from Paul. First, read it
through. Then read it again. Imagine yourself in the Thessalonian church...the letter has just
been received from Paul and is addressed to you, your family and your friends. Read the Chap-
ter 3 to 5 times, until you have its contents well in mind.
You may find it helpful to read it once or twice in another translation. Reading another transla-
tion often increases your grasp of the ideas the Holy Spirit is teaching. Some of the translations
you could use are:

The Authorized Version 16th & 17th Century English

(King James Version—1611)

The American Standard Bible, Accurate Modern English

New Testament (1963)
The Berkeley Version in Modern English Whole Bible in Reliable Modern English
(1945-59) Zondervan Publishing House

The Revised Standard Version Smooth Modern English

(1946-52)

(These are available at Bible bookstores, or can be ordered by any bookstore.)

Number of times chapter read.

Definitions
Knowing the meanings of the words listed below (from the King James Version) will help you
understand the chapter. Sometimes another translation will clear up the meanings of words
that are new to you. An ordinary dictionary is also helpful, or a Bible dictionary. Here are some
definitions of words in 1 Thessalonians 1:

Verse Definition

Verse 1 Grace God’s favor and blessings given freely to those

who don’t deserve them.
Verse 4 Election Choosing by God.

Verse 6 Affliction Suffering (in this case inflicted by Jews antago-

nistic to the Gospel).

Verse 7 Ensamples Examples

193
 Be sure to look on the map for Macedonia and Achaia.

Before deciding what a passage of Scripture means, you must know and understand what it
says. One way to grasp what it says is simply to paraphrase the passage (to restate it in your
own words). In paraphrasing be careful not to change the meaning of a passage, but merely to
rephrase it in new words.

Example: John 3:16. God so greatly loved the people of the world, that He sent and sacrificed
His only specially-born Son, so that anyone who trusts Him as his Savior will not be doomed to
eternal separation from God, but instead will have eternal life.
Compare the following paraphrase of 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5 with your Bible.

Verse 1 I Paul, with Silvanus and Timothy, am writing to you believers in Thessalonica.
You have your spiritual standard in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, and we are
praying that Their grace and peace may be yours.
Verse 2 We continually thank God for all of you as we pray for you and your patient,
confident expectation in Christ—as you live your lives in God’s sight.
Verse 3 We constantly remember the practical outworking of your faith, your loving service.

Verse 4 We’re assured, dearly loved fellow-believers, that God has chosen you.

Verse 5 For we remember that as we preached the good news to you, it wasn’t preached
with mere words, but the message was preached and received in the Holy Spirit’s
power and with great certainty. Also remember what kind of lives we lived among
you in order to be of the greatest help to you.

Now paraphrase the rest of the chapter in the same way. With a little practice you can do it,
though it may seem difficult at first. Use a dictionary to find definitions and synonyms when
you can’t think how to say it.

Verse 6

Verse 7

Verse 8

Verse 9

194
Verse 10

Read over each of your paraphrases and compare them with your Bible. Have you included the
complete thought?

What truths in Verse 10 do you also see in Titus 2:13,14?

Read over the paraphrase or the chapter, pray about it, and write a sentence on what proved
to be the greatest blessing or challenge to you as you studied the chapter.

“Let us live as though Christ was crucified yesterday, risen today, and
coming tomorrow.”
—MARTIN LUTHER

195
196
Marks of a Disciple
by
Lorne C. Sanny

Used by Permission of
The Navigators
198
 Marks of a Disciple
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, Columnist Walter Lippmann once said, “There
“All power is given unto Me in heaven and in are only two kinds of people in the world that
earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, really count today, and they are the dedicated
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and Christians and the dedicated communists.”
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching And Time magazine reported that the French
them to observe all things whatsoever I have communist Roger Garaudy feels that there
commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, are only two major forces in the world today—
even unto the end of the world.” communism and Christianity.
Matthew 28: 18-20
And I know that among the Christians, the ones
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,” or as who really count are the disciples. As a friend
another translation puts it, “Go therefore and of mine, a Christian leader, said, “Lorne, you
make disciples of all nations.” don’t find many disciples. But when you find
one, there’s almost no limit to what God can
Jesus came to this earth to be an example. He do through him.”
came here to show us the Father. He came here
to take our sins in His own body on the cross How do you recognize a disciple? What does he
and He came to destroy the works of the devil. look like? What are his characteristics? Are you
And while He went about His ministry, along a disciple? Am I a disciple?
the way He also gathered up people to follow
Him—called disciples. I have studied seven or eight passages in the
Scripture having to do with the characteristics
Jesus was popular. “And there went great mul- of a disciple. They can conveniently be boiled
titudes with Him” (Luke 14:25). Yet He told down to three marks of discipleship. When you
them, “If any man come to Me, and hate not see these three, you have a disciple.
his father, and mother, and wife, and children,
and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life
also, he cannot be My disciple. And whosoever
doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, The first mark of a disciple is that he is some-
cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26,27). He one who is identified with the person of Jesus
also said, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you Christ—someone who will openly admit that he
that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot belongs to Christ. Now whatever else you may
be My disciple” (Luke 24:33). think about baptism, it is a public identification
with Jesus Christ. When you are baptized, you
He turned to the crowds that were following are saying I take my stand with, I am on the
Him and three times He said to them, “…can- side of, I belong to Jesus Christ.
not be My disciple,” “…cannot be My disciple,”
“…cannot be My disciple.” It’s as if He said, A friend of mine told me of a Jewish man he led
“I am not looking for crowds; I’m looking for to Christ in Dallas. A few weeks later my friend
disciples.” told another Jewish man, a non-Christian,

199
 about the first one. Immediately the second man holy angels” (Mark 8:34;38).
asked, “Has he been baptized yet?” When my
friend said, “No he hasn’t,” he replied, “Well, Some years ago when I was with the Billy Gra-
he’ll never last.” It was later, when the first ham team in a crusade, a business man came
Jew was baptized, that his family cut him off. forward one night and received Christ. The
He had made open identification with Jesus following Sunday night he went to a church
Christ. that he sometimes attended. After the service
he walked up to one of the leading elders in
“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord this church and told him, “I was at the Billy
Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God Graham meeting last week out at the ballpark.
hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be I went forward and received Christ.”
saved. For with the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession “I heard about it and I am delighted,” the elder
is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9,10). An replied.
open identification with Jesus Christ. Jesus
promised, “Whosoever therefore shall confess Then the businessman asked the elder, “How
Me before men, him will I confess also before My long have you and I been associated in busi-
Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). ness?”

A friend told me that when he went with Billy “About 23 years, I think.”
Graham, who was to speak to 500 men at the
Jewish Rotary Club of New York City, he won- “Have you known Christ as your Saviour all
dered what in the world Mr. Graham would those years?” the man asked the elder.
speak on to a Jewish Club. When the time
came, Billy stood up and spoke on “Christ, the “Yes, I have,” he answered.
Fulfillment of the Old Testament Prophecies.”
At the close they gave him a standing ovation. “Well, I don’t remember your ever speaking
He had identified himself unashamedly with to me about Christ during those years,” the
Jesus Christ. man said. The elder hung his head, and the
man continued, “I have thought highly of you.
On one occasion Jesus asked the disciples, “Who In fact, I thought so highly of you that I felt
do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are if anyone could be as fine a man as you and
the Christ” (Mark 8:29). It seems everything not be a Christian, then I didn’t have to be a
in His ministry led up to this. Christian either.”

But the thing that strikes me is that then “He The elder had lived a good life before his friend,
began to teach them that the Son of man must but he had not taken the added step of openly
suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, identifying with the One who enabled him to
and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be live that kind of life. Here was a fine man, but
killed, and after three days rise again” (Mark he did not have this first mark of a disciple of
8:31). A little later He called the multitude and Jesus Christ.
His disciples to Him and said, “Whosoever will
come after Me, let him deny himself, and take When Jesus asks you to deny yourself, take
up his cross, and follow Me…Whosoever there- up your cross daily and follow Him, what do
fore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words you think it means? Whatever else it means, I
in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him think it means to be identified with Christ, not
also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when only when it’s popular but when it’s unpopular.
He cometh in the glory of His Father with the Not only when it’s the thing to do but when it

200
seems as if it’s not the thing to do. I like the them. After he’d preached to them for a little
way the New English Bible puts Revelation 1:9. while, one of the conductors pointed to another
John writes, “I was on the island called Patmos conductor at the other end of the car and said,
because I had preached God’s Word and borne “Now, he’s one of yours. That conductor, he’s
my testimony to Jesus.” one of your kind.”

I once talked to the Chief of Police of Stock- Later Jack talked to this conductor. Sure
holm, who was a Christian, and discovered he enough, he was a born-again Christian. They
had been a delegate to Panmunjom back when asked him if he had a Bible. He replied, “No, the
the Korean truce was first signed. He had in- last Bible in our town was owned by my grand-
terviewed some of the Chinese soldiers as to mother. She tore it up into small segments and
whether or not they wanted to be repatriated. distributed it to Christians around the town so
He told me about a soldier who came through it couldn’t be confiscated all at once.”
one day and gave his testimony to the interroga-
tors concerning his faith in Jesus Christ. There They asked if he’d like a Bible. (The colonel had
in the Red Chinese Army was a disciple. confiscated only two of the suitcases of Bibles
they had with them.) When they handed him a
A friend of mine traveling by train from Finland Bible, he wept and kissed it. Then he wrapped
to Moscow tried to smuggle in three suitcases it in newspaper to take if off the train so it
full of Bibles. But the Russian colonel at the wouldn’t be taken away from him.
border took rather unkindly to this idea. In
fact, he was a little upset. My friend Jack asked I believe the striking thing about this story is
him, “Well, what are you so worried about? Why that not only was there a Christian conductor
do you get so upset about someone bringing a on that train, but the other conductors knew he
Bible into your country?” was Christian. There was a disciple, identifying
himself with the person of Jesus Christ.
“It’s a fairy story, nothing but fairy tales,” the
colonel replied. Do you take an opportunity to admit that you
are a follower of Jesus Christ? Why not deter-
“Don’t you have fairy story books in Russia?” mine that at the first opportunity this week
Jack asked. you will quietly, graciously, but openly identify
yourself with Jesus Christ? I believe this is a
“Oh, yes.” mark of a disciple.

“Well, what’s the matter with another one?” One morning I spoke to the SWAP (Salesmen
With A Purpose) Club in Colorado Springs.
“Ay,” said the colonel, “if they believe that Bible,
They call in various speakers to tell how sell-
then they won’t believe in communism.” ing applies to their business. I spoke on how it
applies to the Gospel. In the process I explained
So after warning him not to preach and scar- the Gospel. After I had spoken, they introduced
ing him a little bit, Jack says they let him go the guests. One of them was a friend of mine,
on his way. Will Perkins, a Plymouth dealer. It was his first
time there. When he was introduced he stood
A few hours later a couple of conductors came and said, “Gentlemen, two years ago I heard a
by and began to engage Jack and his friends in presentation similar to the one you heard this
conversation and to sell them on the merits of noon. I bought it, and it has changed my life.”
communism. It wasn’t long before Jack couldn’t Then he sat down. I thought to myself, how
stand it any longer. He began to preach back to many Christians would have taken that little

201
 opportunity to identify themselves with the greatest sermon ever preached was the Sermon
person of Jesus Christ? on the Mount. And notice how Jesus concluded
it. He said, “Therefore whosoever heareth these
sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken
him unto a wise man, which built his house
A disciple is not only a believer who is visibly upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the
identified with the person of Christ, he is also floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon
obedient to the Word of Christ—to the Scrip- that house; and it fell not: for it was founded
tures. “Go therefore and make disciples of all upon a rock. And everyone that heareth these
nations… teaching them to observe all that I sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be
have commanded you.” likened unto a foolish man, which built his
house upon the sand: and the rain descended,
“Teaching them to observe all that I have com- and the floods came, and the winds blew, and
manded you.” Jesus said, “If ye continue in My beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was
Word, then are ye My disciples indeed” (John the fall of it” (Matthew 7:24-27).
8:31). If you observe it and apply it to your life,
then you are My disciple. What made the difference between the wise
man and the foolish one? It wasn’t knowledge,
Luke records what happened one day when because they both heard the same sermon. They
a crowd of people listened to the Lord Jesus went to the same conference; they had the same
preach. One woman in the crowd was probably knowledge. They both heard the Word. Not
middle-aged or a little beyond (I’m interpret- only that, they had the same circumstances. It
ing a little bit here.) As she listened to Jesus, says that the rain descended, the floods came,
something welled up within her. Perhaps she the winds blew and beat upon the house of
had a son who was wayward, and as she looked the wise man. The rain descended, the floods
at the Lord Jesus, she wished her son were came, the winds blew and beat upon the house
like Him. Or maybe she had never had a son of the foolish man. The circumstances were the
and had always wanted to have one. Anyway same. One couldn’t say, “Well, you don’t know
she spoke up—she sort of burst out—and said, how tough it is where I come from.” “Well, you
“Happy is the woman who was Your mother” don’t know what kind of a family life I’ve got.”
(Luke 11:27). “You don’t know how I suffer down at work.” It
wasn’t their circumstances that made the dif-
Jesus’ answer to her was significant. He said, ference. One thing made the difference between
“Yea rather, blessed are they, [or happy are wisdom and foolishness. One obeyed the Word;
they] that hear the word of God, and keep it the other one did not.
(Luke 11:28). That’s real happiness. That’s real
blessedness—to hear what God has to say and Jesus said, “He that hath My commandments,
to do it. and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and
he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father,
I enjoyed reading a book by the late Sam and I will love him, and will manifest Myself
Shoemaker, Extraordinary Living for Ordi- to him” (John 14:21). What does that mean?
nary Men. In it he says that Christians who It means Jesus will make Himself real to him.
are half-committed are half-happy. But to be To whom? To the one who has His Word and
really happy you need to go all the way in com- keeps it.
mitment. And this means to be obedient to the
Word of Christ. So a disciple does more than attend meetings.
He does more than take notes. (He does that,
Obedience is necessary also for stability. The incidentally, in my opinion, though I don’t have

202
any Scripture to prove that.) But he finds out offense toward God and man.
what the Bible says and does it. Suppose he’s
going through Proverbs in his morning quiet Let’s go back to “Go therefore and make disciples
time, and he comes to Proverbs 3:9,10, “Honor of all nations.” I don’t know why it is that some
the Lord with thy substance, and with the first- people think the day of missions is over. In one
fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be
recent year, independent missions in America,
filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst not denominational, just independent missions,
out with new wine.” needed 4,000 missionary candidates that they
didn’t get. Have you ever considered the pos-
Early in my marriage, a Christian doctor in sibility that obedience to the Word of Christ
Seattle said, “Now let me make a suggestion might mean leaving your business?
about handling your family finances. Honor the
Lord with your substance, and with the first- Bob Potter owned a supermarket down in
fruits of all your increase. Set aside money for Oklahoma City. If he and his wife hadn’t sold
the Lord before you pay the rent. Before you it and gone into the Lord’s work, maybe God
buy the food. Even when you think you don’t would have used someone else. But many people
have enough money left to pay the rent and to have been blessed through the ministry of Bob
buy the food. You watch. God will see to it that Potter through The Navigators.
you have money for the rent and for the food.
The Navigators could use double our number
Now will He or won’t He? Well, the Word prom- of representatives right now. But don’t apply.
ised that He would, and He did. We don’t take applications. Many times as
I’ve gone around with the Billy Graham Cru-
A friend of mine was looking over the family sades, young fellows have come up and said,
bills and they looked pretty big. He and his wife “Mr. Sanny, do you know of any openings in
prayed and decided that the first thing they Christian work?”
ought to do to get out of debt was to increase
their giving. And they are out of debt. They “Yep, I do.”
proved that God can fulfill His Word.
They’d ask, “Where?”
Another illustration of the truth that a disciple
must be obedient to the Word of Christ is in And I’d say, “Right where you live. Your neigh-
these words of Jesus, “Therefore if thou bring borhood. Where you go to school.” I find that
thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest God usually leads you to the next step after you
that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave take this one. That’s where you start.”
there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way;
first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come I’m not speaking of going to the mission field
and offer thy gift” (Matthew 5:23,24). because you’re so sick and tired of the office you
can’t stand it, or because the boss has bugged
When was the last time you went and made you for two years and any change would be
something right with someone else? When did an improvement. I’m speaking of obedience to
you admit to your wife or your children that the Word of Christ, wherever it may lead and
that fit of temper was sin? It’s amazing to me when the going is tough. That’s a mark of a
when couples say that neither one has ever disciple.
asked forgiveness of the other. If you don’t
find some time when you’ve got to make some After Moses died, Joshua had the job of taking
things right, you’re about ready for heaven three million people into the Promised Land.
right now. A disciple has a conscience void of That included women, children and livestock.

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 God gave him some instructions. You’d think and ordained you, that ye should go and bring
the Lord would say, “Now, look, here’s how forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain”
you’d handle this problem, here’s how you do (John 15:16).
this, here’s how you do that.” But, no. He said,
“Joshua, one thing above all else is going to I really threw a curve ball to my Sunday
take a lot of courage—and it’s not leading all School class one Sunday morning. I intended
these people and facing all the enemies that to. We were talking about Jesus sending out
are in the land. That isn’t what’s going to take the twelve two by two. He gave them author-
courage.” But, “Only be thou strong and very ity over unclean spirits. They went out and
courageous, that thou mayest observe to do preached that men should repent. They cast
according to all the law” (Joshua 1:7). out demons and anointed with oil many that
were sick and healed them. Then I asked, “Do
You may think it doesn’t take courage to be you think Judas did this? Do you think Judas
obedient to the Word of God. But I wonder how went out and preached to people to repent? Do
obedient we really are to the Word. We live in a you think Judas cast out demons and healed
Christ-rejecting world, and anyone who is going the sick?”
to live in obedience to this Book is going to come
into conflict with it. That’s how you recognize Some feel they can prove that Judas was never
a disciple. He does more than hear the Word. saved. Let’s assume they’re right. Did Judas
He puts into practice what he’s heard. then preach that people should repent? Did he
cast out demons? Did he heal the sick? Could
The Navigators are kind of rabid on this subject. he have?
Year after year you will hear us beat certain
drums all the time. One is that we need to come Look at Jesus’ words: “On that day many will
to know the Bible and apply it. That’s why say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in
we publish Bible study courses and Scripture Your name, and cast out demons in Your name,
memory programs. We need to make up our and do many mighty works in Your name?’
minds that God helping us with the power of the And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew
Holy Spirit, we are going to be obedient to the you; depart from Me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew
Word of Christ. That’s a mark of a disciple. He 7:22,23).
seeks to follow the Bible and do what it says.
My point was that we get so carried away with
the spectacular that we think the spectacular is
the supreme evidence that we are real disciples
So a disciple is one who is openly identified with or Spirit-filled. But the real evidence is shown
the person of Christ. Second, he is obedient to in our character—love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
the Word of Christ. And third, he is bearing gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temper-
fruit in the work of Christ. “By this My Father ance. We’re considering here the character of
is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so a disciple.
prove to be My disciples” (John 15:8).
I’ve heard it said that the Apostle Paul before
Now it seems to me that there are two kinds of he was converted, would pray something like
fruit here. First, the fruit of character, the fruit this every day, “God, I thank You that I am not
of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, a Gentile, that I am not a slave and that I am
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temper- not a woman.” But look at how God changed
ance (Galatians 5:22,23). And second, there’s his attitude. In his first letter he wrote, “There
fruit by way of influences of others for Christ. is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond
“Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, nor free, there is neither male nor female: for

204
ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). driver. He was in his seventies at the time of
Here is evidence of the fruit of the spirit in the the interview. Apparently he lived in Baltimore.
way of character. One night he watched a panel discussion with
some of the city leaders, mayor, chief of police
This is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and others on television. They discussed the
Christ. It includes one’s whole attitude, outlook, race and juvenile delinquency problems in
character and relationship to others. By this Baltimore. As he watched, his heart was re-
shall all men know that you are My disciples, ally moved.
if you can work great miracles? No. “By this
shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if The next day he went down to the television
ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). station. He wanted to talk to somebody because
he had been so moved by their discussion. He
When Jesus talked about His ministry and said he knew the answer, but he didn’t know
what He came to do, He quoted from Isaiah whom to tell. At the station they had the good
61:1,3, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; sense not only to interview him, but also to
because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach videotape it. All you saw was this grey-haired
good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to gentleman as he answered questions coming
bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty from off camera.
to the captives, and the opening of the prison to
them that are bound…to give them beauty for He said, among other things, that when he
ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment was a young fellow growing up on the edge of
of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” Baltimore, the white boys would throw rocks at
him as he was on his way to school. He began to
Take this world in which we live with all of hate white people. As a young man he started
its glitter, its tinsel and its veneer. Strip all working as a truck driver. One morning when
of this away, and how would you characterize he saw the milk truck go by, he thought how
the world underneath? Brokenhearted, captive, nice it would be if he could just have a little
bound, anxious, sad, depressed. milk before he went to work in the morning. He
stopped the milkman, who was a white man,
A disciple is one who gets involved in that one day and asked him if he would leave him
kind of world, who is bearing fruit in the work a quart of milk. He said, “No, I don’t deliver
of Christ. He shows the fruit of the Spirit in a milk to niggers.”
Christlike character—love, joy, peace, longsuf-
fering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, “So,” Bond said, “I called up the milk company,
temperance. How we need that in the world in and I asked the man I talked with if this was
which we live! true, that they didn’t give milk to black people.
He said, ‘No, that’s not right. We do deliver milk
THE GREATEST IS LOVE to black people, and we’ll see that he delivers
the milk.’ ”
What did Jesus say was the greatest identifying
mark of all in a disciple? Love. “By this shall “So,” he said, “the milk came, a quart each
all men know that ye are My disciples.” If you morning. Several weeks went by and I realized
do what? “If ye have love one to another.” that he wasn’t leaving me a bill, and I wanted
to pay for it. So I stopped him one morning and
One of the greatest illustrations of this that I said, ‘I want you to give me a bill so I can pay for
have seen was on the television special “James this.’ And the milkman said, ‘Well, I don’t take
Emory Bond.” It was an entire one-hour inter- money from niggers.’ So I said, ‘Well, I’ve got to
view with a black man who was an ex-truck pay you, you’ve just got to let me pay you.’ ”

205
 “ ‘Well,’ the milkman said, ‘tell you what you do. Go and bring forth fruit. Paul wrote to the Ro-
You put the money on the fence post.’ ” mans of his desire, “That I might have some
fruit among you also” (Romans 1:13). I think
James Emory Bond said, “I thought I’d have a he meant lives influenced for Christ.
little fun with him, so I said, ‘Now I won’t feel
like I paid you unless I put it in your hand.’ ‘Nos- Once while I was thinking about this, two
sir,’ he said, ‘Put it on the post.’ So I said, ‘O.K.’ events took place that drove the truth home
And I put it on the post. When the milkman to me. One was something I read about Dr.
reached out to take the change, I just laid my Charles F. McKoy of Oyster Bay, Long Island.
hand on top of his. And he jerked it away.” After fifty years of fruitful ministry as a pas-
tor and evangelist, this 71-year-old bachelor
Then he said, “Later on, one of God’s servants began looking around for a retirement home. A
by the name of Billy Sunday came to our town, bishop from India came to his church to plead
and he told how Jesus Christ died on the cross for missionary help for India. Dr. McKoy prayed
to take away man’s sin and his enmity of heart earnestly that God might lay it on the heart of
toward his fellowman. As I heard that, I realized someone in the congregation to respond to this
that I needed this, and I walked the sawdust call and go to India. After the third message
trail. And you know, God took the hate out of my the bishop turned to Dr. McKoy and said, “I
heart for the white man. He put love there.” don’t think God is looking for someone in the
congregation. I think he is looking for the man
Apparently a few days later, unknown to him, in the pulpit.”
the milkman went to hear Billy Sunday. He
went forward in the meeting, received Christ, Dr. McKoy could hardly believe his ears. He
and a couple days later pulled up in front of said, “Bishop, are you losing your mind? I’m
James Emory Bond’s little place. With tears 71, I’ve never been overseas; I’ve never been on
streaming down his face, he apologized for the ocean. The thought of flying terrifies me.”
the way he had treated him. And this dear old But soon a new missionary was on his way to
black man said, “I have loved him, and he has India, green and seasick, but on his way—at
loved me ever since.” age 71. Fifteen years later Dr. McKoy died. Be-
tween the ages of 71 and 86 he had gone around
Now that’s what discipleship means. There is a the world nine or ten times winning people to
mark of a disciple. Bearing fruit in the work of Christ in India and Hong Kong, in the opium
Christ. “By this shall all men know that ye are dens and in the most difficult places. He was
My disciples, if ye have love one to another.” a real disciple in old age also. And I think one
When we begin to see more disciples sprinkled reason it struck me was that I was reading in
around America and around the world, what a Psalm 92:14, “They still bring forth fruit in old
difference it will make! Real genuine disciples age, they are ever full of sap and green.” Your
who will turn the world upside down. There life can be fruitful to the very end.
are many already, and we ought to be praying
for them. The same week, we received word from Virginia
that a young fellow named Teed Radin, 23 years
But not only is there the fruit of Christlike of age, a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Insti-
character, but also the fruit of the Spirit in the tute, who would soon be on the Navigator staff,
lives of others. Jesus said, “Ye have not chosen had been in a head-on collision. Teed was killed
Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, instantly and his fiancee died within the hour.
that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that One of the fellows wrote that while at V.P.I.
your fruit should remain” (John 15:16). Teed had led 25-30 men to Christ. Among them,
five were dedicated, trained, effective men of

206
the Cross who, according to this person, would
be willing at a moment’s notice to die for the
cause of Christ.

Dr. McKoy—an old man, a disciple to the end.

Teed Radin—a young man, a disciple early in
life. In fact, there’s no better time to become a
disciple than right now. But deep down in our
hearts—that’s where real business is done with
God—we must determine that by God’s grace
and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will
be true followers of Jesus Christ.

Let’s ask ourselves. Am I a true disciple?

Am I willing to be openly identified with the

person of Jesus Christ?

Am I seeking to be obedient to the Word of

Christ in my everyday life?

Am I bearing fruit in the work of Christ—by

way of Christlike character and by influencing
the lives of others?

I want to be a disciple. I want to have these

marks and character life. The only thing I’d like
to do beyond that is to help make disciples and
to get them to help make others. That’s what
Jesus wants done. “Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations.”

207
208
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Evangelism Report
Student’s Name Date

I Contact Name Phone

N Address
F City State Zip
O

1. Describe the person to whom you presented the Bridge:

2. Under what circumstances was the presentation made?

3. Did you use the opening questions?

❏ Set One ❏ Set Two ❏ Set Three ❏ Other

Explain:
Did the opening set up the Bridge Presentation for you?

4. Did you draw out the Bridge Presentation?

5. Did you extract the Gospel socratically?

6. Did the person receive the Lord?

7. What did you learn from the experience?

8. Did you consider it a negative or positive experience?

9. What are your plans for following through on the presentation?

209
210
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS Date/Lesson
Discipling Plan
Trainer Disciple

Lesson Objective:

Activities Tools
Review Teach

Prayer
Lesson
Bible Study
PSMA
Reading
Evangelism/Discipleship
Scripture Memory
Time Plan for Activities

Application Assignment
Lesson
Bible Study
PSMA/Reading
Ministry
Scripture Memory
211
 Discussion Questions for Readings/Instructions

Discussion Questions:

Instruction:

Evaluation:

Follow-Up Need for next week:

212
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Disciple Application Guide

Student’s Name Group Date

Subject Area Leadership
Topic Biblical Leadership

Completed
Disciple’s Profile
Yes No
Topic Notes
Review Biblical Leadership

Bible Study
Complete 1 Thessalonians 2 (Be Ready to Discuss)

Personal & Spiritual Management Aid

Do 5 PSMA

Outside Reading
Bible Reading Chart

Ministry: Evangelism/Follow-Up/Discipleship
Pray for a convert
Meet with your disciple
Hand in Follow-Up Guide for Convert and Disciple
Hand in Personal Objectives and Evaluation Planner
Complete Discipling Plan

Scripture Memory
Write in reference to first verse you memorized:
Write in reference to second verse you memorized:
Review all previous verses

213
214
 Biblical Leadership

NOTES

Biblical
Leadership

The Biblical Roles Defined

Leadership is never really defined in the Scriptures. Yet on
almost every page, we see the leadership of God demonstrated
in His creation. The Bible describes it in terms of roles and
responsibilities that God has given to various individuals.
As you study the Old and New Testaments with their teach-
ing and observations about leadership, there emerge three
distinct roles and responsibilities.

God’s leaders are to be the following:

Servants of God’s Person and

A Servant to God’s People
Stewards of God’s Resources
Shepherds of God’s People

Everyone who is placed in a position of spiritual leadership

is responsible for fulfilling these three functions. These dis-
tinct characteristics set Christian leadership in a category
of its own where fulfilling the objective is balanced with the
needs of the people.

As maturing disciples of Jesus Christ, most of us will one

day find ourselves in a role of leadership somewhere in the
body of Christ. It is therefore expedient that each one of us
understands these three functions and works to make them
a part of our lives. As these be reality, God will begin to place
us in a position of authority and give us increased respon-
sibility in the fulfilling of Christ’s Great Commission.

215
 NOTES
A Servant of God’s Person and
A Servant to God's People
Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it
robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself
of no reputation, taking the form of a servant,
and coming in the likeness of men.
Philippians 2:6,7

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of a spiritual leader.

First and foremost, He saw Himself as a servant of God.
He came into the world not to do His own will but the will
of God. Since He was totally committed to serving God, He
became a usable vessel in His hand.

Definition
The dictionary defines a servant as “one who serves others;
one who must work for and obey another.”

The Hebrew word for servant is ebed: “one who is at the

disposal of another; the worker who belongs to a master; a
slave”. Throughout the Old Testament, the leaders of God,
as well as the coming Messiah, were described as the ebeds
of God.

In the Greek, there are two words for servant: Doulos and
Diakonos.

Doulos slave or bond servant, refers to someone

who has no rights but to serve the desires
of his master

Diakonos the servant’s activity rather than his rela-

tionship to his master. It means to help,
serve, or to minister. It is from this word
we derive the New Testament word
“deacon”

216
 NOTES
Illustration
In Philippians 2, Jesus describes Himself as the doulos,
the slave of God. He saw His primary role as a leader to be
the servant of God, responsible for obeying His commands.
Jesus taught His disciples this new concept by His life as
well as His teachings.

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You

know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over
them, and those who are great exercise authority
over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but
whoever desires to become great among you, let
him be your servant. And whoever desires to be
first among you, let him be your slave— just as
the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to
serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:25-28

Application
• Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are
great exercise authority upon them.

Authority was the mark of success and greatness.

• But it shall not be so among you.

Jesus rejects and forbids this idea.

• Whosoever will be chief, let him be your doulos.

Service is God’s mark of success and greatness. These con-

cepts of leadership epitomized the life of Jesus Christ. He
said in Mark:

For even the Son of Man did not come to be

served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom
for many.
Mark 10:45

217
 NOTES Dr. V. Raymond Edmonds, the past president of Wheaton
College, once said, “It is our job to train servants. It is God’s
business to choose from among our servants His leaders.”

If being a servant and serving is offensive to you, it is not

likely you will be called to a place of spiritual leadership.

A Steward of God’s Resources

As each one has received a gift, minister it to
one another, as good stewards of the manifold
grace of God.
1 Peter 4:10

Throughout the New Testament, we are reminded that every

man has received certain gifts, talents and abilities from God.
These gifts are not self-engendered, but are gifts bestowed by
God. We are stewards of these things and will one day give
an account to God for our stewardship of these gifts.

The dictionary defines a steward as “one called to exercise

responsible care over possessions entrusted to him.”
In the Greek, two words are used:

Epitrophos guardianship of persons

Oikonomos a head servant appointed to manage

the household and resources of his
master

So a steward is one who is charged with responsibilities to

manage the affairs of another person.

Jesus is the personification of this in the New Testament.

He was the faithful steward who managed the affairs of His
Father on earth.

218
The Scriptures highlight several facets about stewardship NOTES
which we need to understand as God’s stewards.

Cares for Possessions Entrusted to Him

All that we have has been given to us and we are merely
stewards.

Or do you not know that your body is the temple

of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have
from God, and you are not your own? For you
were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in
your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Corinthians 6:19,20

This body which we call ours is God’s temple and belongs to

Him. We are only stewards. This has far-reaching implica-
tions, and we need to heed this warning of instruction such
as the case may be.

Then you say in your heart, My power and the

might of my hand have gained me this wealth.
And you shall remember the LORD your God,
for it is He who gives you power to get wealth,
that He may establish His covenant which He
swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Deuteronomy 8:17,18

Not only is your body not your own, but also whatever wealth
or possessions you have. God gave you the ability to get it.
(Read the context of this passage and study it—Deuteronomy
8:10-20). We are only stewards.

In the beginning God created the heavens and

the earth.
Genesis 1:1

Whatever we have or own was created and given to us by

God; we are only stewards.

219
 NOTES

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ

and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover
it is required in stewards that one be found
faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:1,2

Are we faithful as stewards or are we so busy with looking

after our own affairs that our stewardship of God’s resources
are neglected? “Faithful” speaks of being diligent in caring
for the things of God. It means our stewardship has a prior-
ity, and we consistently attend to the affairs of God.

Faithfulness also has a moral quality that speaks of integ-

rity as we handle the affairs of others. So faithfulness has
to do with consistency and integrity or honesty.

It would appear that we have four possibilities in our stew-

ardship as listed below.

How Would You Rate Your Stewardship?

Managed to the best of your abilities

cted
Negle Not managed

Mismanag
ed

______________________________________________

220
 And if you have not been faithful in what is NOTES
another man’s, who will give you what is your
own?
Luke 16:12

So one of God’s requirements for spiritual leadership is

faithfulness in stewardship.

I glorified thee on the earth. I have finished the

work (objective) which thou gavest me to do.
John 17:4

During Jesus’ life, not only was He aware that He was a

steward of God’s resources and that He was to be faithful
in investing His resources, He also knew that He had a
specific task that He was to accomplish. In the garden He
said that the work was finished; the objective had been
accomplished.

Jesus’ last command to His disciples was given to us in the

form of the Great Commission.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the

nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all things that I have
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age. Amen.
Matthew 28:19,20

This is to be our objective. This is the task over which we have

been made stewards. The resources of our life, possessions,
and ministry, are to be focused on accomplishing this task.

Gives Account of His Stewardship

The study of the talents is told in the parables. The master
gave his servants (stewards) certain resources and then

221
 NOTES departed into a far country, but eventually returned.

After a long time the lord of those servants came

and settled accounts with them.
Matthew 25:19

Two were faithful and were rewarded. One was slothful

and was punished.

One day Jesus is surely coming. When we answer for our

stewardship, what will the verdict be? Check one.

How are you doing as a steward of God’s resources?

Managed?

Neglected?

Mismanaged?

Not Managed?

Shepherd of God’s People

He also chose David His servant, And took him
from the sheepfolds; From following the ewes
that had young He brought him, To shepherd
Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. So
he shepherded them according to the integrity of
his heart, And guided them by the skillfulness
of his hands.
Psalm 78:70-72

The dictionary defines a figurative shepherd as “one charged

with the religious care and guidance of others.”

222
 Raah The Hebrew word for shepherd is raah: NOTES
literally, one who pastures, tends, or grazes
domestic animals; figuratively, it is one
who rules, teaches, or cares for people.

The Old Testament prophets, priests, and rulers are re-

peatedly called raah and held accountable for shepherding
responsibilities over the people.

Poimeno The Greek word for shepherd is poimeno:

literally, one who pastures, tends, or
grazes domestic animals; figuratively,
to guide, rule, protect, nurture and care
for people. This figurative reference to
human leaders is the predominant New
Testament use of poimeno and its
derivatives.

Jesus The Shepherd

Not only does the New Testament repeatedly refer to Jesus
as the Shepherd of those He leads, Jesus also referred to
Himself as a shepherd.

• The Lord knows His sheep.

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep,

and am known by My own.
John 10:14

• The shepherd is willing to protect the sheep.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd

gives His life for the sheep.
John 10:11

• The Lord provides for His own.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1

223
 NOTES • The Lord makes His followers shepherds also.

He said to him again a second time, “Simon,

son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him,
“Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said
to him, “Tend My sheep.”
John 21:16

This passage and 1 Peter 5:1-4 tell us as undershepherds

that we are to feed and nurture the flock of God.

But when He saw the multitudes, He was

moved with compassion for them, because they
were weary and scattered, like sheep having no
shepherd.
Matthew 9:36

Jesus saw the lost and knew they needed a shepherd.

The great need of the 21st century is for shepherds who will
tend the flocks of God. It is only when we have shepherds’
hearts that God will be able to meet the needs of His people.
Are you a shepherd?

Three Roles in Harmony

Not that we are adequate in ourselves to
consider anything as coming from ourselves,
but our adequacy is from God, who also made
us adequate as servants of a new covenant...
2 Corinthians 3:5,6 (NAS)

The three leadership roles overlap. All three relate to God,

His purposes, and His people. However, each highlights a
different basic responsibility.

• Servant spotlights obedience to God’s Person and

God’s People

224
• Steward emphasizes faithfulness to His purpose NOTES

• Shepherd highlights love for His people

The skilled maturing leader therefore, is one who persis-

tently obeys God, uses His resources to accomplish his
God-given task, and lovingly nurtures the people God
has provided. Thus, servant, steward, and shepherd are
three leadership roles that must function harmoniously
to provide a distinctively biblical leadership. These roles
and their corresponding responsibilities exist in dynamic—
often competitive—tension. God’s leaders are therefore
completely dependent on the Holy Spirit to guide them
through each particular leadership situation.

225
 NOTES

226
 Bible Study: 1 Thessalonians 2

EQUIPPING THE SAINTS

Bible Study:
1 Thessalonians 2
Preliminary Study
Can you remember the contents of 1 Thessalonians 1? Review your paraphrase and notice that
the beginning of 1 Thessalonians 2 continues the trends of thought started in chapter one—
Paul’s ministry among them and its results. (The original New Testament manuscripts had no
chapter or verse divisions—these were added later for convenience.)
Read the second chapter 2 to 4 times, including once or twice in another translation.

Number of times read

Definitions

Verse Word Definition

Verse 1 Entrance in Our visit to you

Verse 2 Entreated Treated

Verse 3 Guile Impure motives or trickery

Verse 5 Covetousness Greed

Verse 14 Judea Consult map

While you are learning to paraphrase verse by verse it will be helpful to notice possible para-
graph divisions in the chapter. Studying paragraphs is a step in learning to summarize or
outline a chapter.

For this study, 1 Thessalonians 2 has already been divided into paragraphs and the first verse
of each paragraph has been paraphrased. Complete the paraphrasing.

Paragraph No. 1—Verses 1-8

Verse 1 Brothers, you know personally that our visit among you was not fruitless.

Verse 2 As you well know, we were badly mistreated in Philippi before coming to you.
Nevertheless, in God’s strength we fearlessly proclaimed His good news to you in
spite of great opposition.
Verse 3

227
 Verse 4

Verse 5

Verse 6

Verse 7

Verse 8

Paragraph No. 2—Verses 9-12

Verse 9 You will recall how hard we labored. We worked day and night, so that we
wouldn’t be a financial burden to you as we proclaimed God’s good news.

Verse 10

Verse 11

Verse 12

228
Paragraph No. 3—Verses 13-16

Verse 13 We also thank God continually for the way you responded to our preaching. You
accepted it not as human teaching, but as it really is, the message of God Him
self—words that continue to produce results in the lives of you believers.
Verse 14 For you began to follow the example of the Judean groups of believers in Christ.
You were persecuted by your fellow citizens as the Judean Christians were by
their fellow Jews.

Verse 15

Verse 16

Paragraph No. 4—Verses 17-20

Verse 17 Although we have been absent from you for a little while, dear brothers, our
hearts have been with you and we have eagerly wanted to see you again.

Verse 18

Verse 19

Verse 20

Reread your paraphrase and compare it with the chapter in the Bible. Check to see if you have
covered the thoughts in your own words.

Project
Another important theme in 1 Thessalonians is follow-up. Review chapter two and list verses
that refer to helping Christians grow.

229
 Verse Key Thought

Also be on the lookout for references to follow-up principles and examples in the following
chapters.

“Decision is 5%. Following up the decision is 95%.”

—DAWSON TROTMAN

1. What was their mistreatment at Philippi, mentioned in verse 2?

See Acts 16:23,24

2. Compare Paul’s statement in verse 4 with Galatians 1:10. Why was he careful to please
God in his preaching?

3. What relationship marks Paul’s concern in verse 11 and in 1 Cor:14,15?

4. Compare verse 12 with Colossians 1:10. What accompanies a worthy life?

Prayerfully review 1 Thessalonians 2 and express in a sentence or two what fresh truth you
saw, or what responsibility you need to carry out.

230
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS Date/Lesson
Discipling Plan
Trainer Disciple

Lesson Objective:

Activities Tools
Review Teach

Prayer
Lesson
Bible Study
PSMA
Reading
Evangelism/Discipleship
Scripture Memory
Time Plan for Activities

Application Assignment
Lesson
Bible Study
PSMA/Reading
Ministry
Scripture Memory
231
 Discussion Questions for Readings/Instructions

Discussion Questions:

Instruction:

Evaluation:

Follow-Up Need for next week:

232
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Convert Follow-Up Guide

Trainer
Trainee ✓ Date Completed

1. I (the trainer) am currently praying for this convert.

2. He has assurance of salvation.

• We have gone through the Bridge Illustration together

and the convert understands the Gospel as presented
in 1/7

• He has memorized 1 John 5:11-13.

• He has done “Assurance of Salvation” Bible Study 1/4.

• I have gone through the lesson on Assurance in 1/9

to make sure my convert understands assurance of
salvation.

• He has expressed a real assurance of salvation.

3. The convert is having a Quiet Time.

• We have discussed the importance of a Quiet Time 1/10

and completed the appointment with God assignment.

• He completed all “Appointment with God” assignments

1/10-1/14

• We have had, or shared our Quiet Time together at

least twice.

4. He realizes the need for Christian fellowship.

• We have discussed the principle of fellowship from

Hebrews 10:24,25 and Matthew 18:20.

• He meets and identifies with Christians.

• He has a church home or is praying about one.

5. He has memorized all 5 of the Assurance Verses

(Outside Reading Assignments 1/4-1/8 Beginning with
Christ).

233
 Date Completed
✓
• He has read the complete series, Beginning with
Christ, 1/4-1/8, and we have discussed each verse and
its meaning.

• At one sitting, he has correctly quoted to me all five verses

with the references.

6. He has finished “Lessons on Assurance” Bible Study

1/4-1/8

• We have discussed the five lessons.

7. This person has evidenced new life in Christ and dem-

onstrates a desire to mature in Christ. This has been
demonstrated during the time I have worked with him
by his:

• Owning and reading a New Testament

• Having a Quiet Time regularly.

• Sharing his conversion with others.

8. The convert's desire to grow has been demonstrated by:

• Completion of Book 1 in ETS

activities.

Name of activity: (1)

(2)

10. My immediate leader knows this person and has gone

through this guide with me. He agrees that this person
meets the requirements of an ETS convert.

Comments:

234
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS

Trainer
Trainee
✓ Date Completed

1. I (the trainer) am currently praying daily for this

individual.

2. He has made a major Lordship of Christ decision for

his life, either in a group meeting or after discussing
appropriate Scriptures (Matthew 6:33, Luke 9:23) with
me personally.

3. He is attempting to put Christ first in the following

areas of his life:

—He has told his family he is a Christian.

—He prays before meals in public places.

—I have shared with him the Scriptural teaching of

stewardship and he is giving at least 10%.

—He makes a real effort to overcome sin and weaknesses

and is making progress.

—He has told his non-Christian friends he is a Christian

and is willing to separate from those who lead him back
into sin.

—He seeks God’s will through counsel.

—He doesn’t let studies have priority over his daily
walk with God.

—He has considered the Scriptural teaching on this

subject and sought counsel in the matter.
235
 Date Completed
✓
—He practices the Biblical standard of moral conduct
with the opposite sex.

—He is working to have a Scriptural home.

—He does not let his avocation hinder his spiritual

development or personal responsibility to fulfilling
the Great Commission.

—He knows how to set objectives and is able to plan and

schedule his priorities so he is able to meet his objective.

—He knows the value of planning leisure time and does

it with the Lord rather than without Him.

4. He has a consistent daily devotion time.

—We have discussed together the Bible concept of

Quiet Time from Lesson 1/10.

—I (the trainer) have had a minimum of two

Quiet Times with this man.

—He has not missed more than five times in thirty days.

5. He is developing his prayer life.

—We have discussed the principle of prayer from

Lesson 1/11.

—We have discussed the use of a prayer list and he has

one in use from Lesson 1/11.

—He is presently experiencing answers to prayer.

6. He has demonstrated faithfulness and desire to

Bible Study and Scripture Memory.

— He has completed lessons on Christian living.

(Bible Studies l/9-1/16)

— He has completed Bible Studies 2/1-3/13.

— He has completed memorizing the verses from

Lessons 1/9-1/13.
236
 Date Completed
✓
— He has completed memory verses from Lessons 2/1-3/14.

7. He manifests a heart for witnessing, and gives his

testimony and shares the Gospel regularly and with
increasing skill.

—I have shared with him the Biblical concept of

witnessing from Lesson 1/7.

—He has completed “How to Share Your Testimony

Effectively” (Lesson 2/4) and has shared his testimony
in my presence.

—He can present the “Bridge” illustration with skill.

—He has once in my presence presented the Gospel and

testimony to a non-Christian, and we have afterwards
evaluated the presentation.

—He has witnessed, on his own initiative, at least three

times in the last six months.

8. He has demonstrated a servant’s heart in his sincere

interest in helping others.

—He understands the Spiritual injunction of serving

and is trying to build this area into his life.

—He willingly serves as there is need.

9. He attends church regularly, displaying love and

unity.

—He attends church three-fourths of the time during the

use of this checklist.

10. I have gone through the ETS material on:

• Basic Christian Living (Lesson 1/9-1/15)

• Personal and Spiritual Management (Lesson 1/4,1/ 5, 2/1,

2/2, 2/5, 2/15, and 2/16)

• Evangelism (Lesson 1/6, 1/7, 1/8, 2/3, 2/4, 2/6, and 2/7)

11. He is a learner—open and teachable.

—He is not argumentative and defensive when corrected

by me.

—He is able to see the other man’s point of view, accepting

and appreciating valid contributions.
237
 Date Completed
✓
—He is willing to share his life with me, not living behind
a false veneer.

12. I (the trainer) am presently meeting with this

potential disciple once a month for man-to-man time
(not missing more than one month in four).

13. My immediate supervisor knows this man, has gone

through this checklist with me and agrees this man
meets the requirements of an ETS disciple.

238
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Personal Objectives
and Evaluation Planner
Name Date(s)

Objectives
Life Objective

Present Position

Obstacles

Activities to
Overcome Obstacles
Plan to Implement

Objectives
Scripture Memory

Present Position

Obstacles

Activities to
Overcome Obstacles
Plan to Implement

Objectives
Bible Reading

Present Position

Obstacles

Activities to
Overcome Obstacles
Plan to Implement

239
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Personal Objectives
and Evaluation Planner
Name Date(s)

Objectives
Bible Study

Present Position

Obstacles

Activities to
Overcome Obstacles
Plan to Implement

Objectives

Present Position
Prayer

Obstacles

Activities to
Overcome Obstacles

Plan to Implement

Objectives

Present Position

Obstacles

Activities to
Overcome Obstacles
Plan to Implement

240
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Personal Objectives
and Evaluation Planner
Name Date(s)

Objectives

Present Position

Obstacles

Activities to
Overcome Obstacles
Plan to Implement

Objectives

Present Position

Obstacles

Activities to
Overcome Obstacles
Plan to Implement

Objectives

Present Position
Family

Obstacles

Activities to
Overcome Obstacles
Plan to Implement

241
 EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Personal Objectives
and Evaluation Planner
Name Date(s)

Objectives
Career/Job

Present Position

Obstacles

Activities to
Overcome Obstacles
Plan to Implement

Objectives

Present Position
Church

Obstacles

Activities to
Overcome Obstacles

Plan to Implement

Objectives
Stewardship

Present Position

Obstacles

Activities to
Overcome Obstacles
Plan to Implement

242
 ETS Ministry Profile

EQUIPPING THE SAINTS

ETS Ministry Profile Guide

Ministry: Trainer:
Name: Phone: [H] ( ) [O] ( )
Address: Decision Date:
Date of Birth: Other Details:
Church:

ETS Convert Profile Date Started:

1. Has completed all four lessons in Studies in John. ❒

2. Has memorized five assurance verses; New Convert Profile Lessons 1/1-1/5. ❒
3. Has completed Bible Studies of assurance, New Convert Profile 1/1-1/15. ❒
4. Identifies with other Christians. ❒
Goes to Church Has been baptized Declares, “I am a Christian”

Date Completed:

ETS Disciple Profile Date Started:

1. Puts Christ first in the major areas of life, taking steps to separate from sin. ❒
Reputation Location Money/Possessions
Friends Leisure Self (Personality, Mind, Body)
Career Education

2. Has a consistent daily devotional time and is developing a prayer life. ❒

3. Demonstrates faithfulness and desire to learn and applies the Word of God through
regular Bible Study and Scripture Memory. Completed ETS Book 1 & 2. ❒
4. Manifests a heart for witnessing, gives a testimony and presents the Bridge regularly
with increasing skill. ❒
5. Demonstrates a servant heart and a sincere interest in helping others. ❒
6. Attends church and maintains close ties (where practical) with a local ETS fellowship

243
 displaying love and unity. ❒
7. Is a learner—Open and Teachable ❒
Date Completed:

ETS Disciple Maker Date Started:

1. Evidences growth in the virtues and skills under our “Profile of an ETS Disciple.” ❒
2. Has demonstrated an ability to lead people to Christ personally. ❒
3. Has been the prime influence in raising up two or more Christians who meet the
qualifications of our “Profile of a ETS Disciple.” ❒
Names of Christians who have become ETS Disciples:
a)
b)

4. Is currently engaged in the task of disciple-making. ❒

5. Has completed ETS Book 3 and is continuing in Bible Study. ❒
Date Completed:

ETS Leader of Disciplemakers Date Started:

1. Evidences growth in the virtues and skills under our “Profile of a ETS Disciplemaker.” ❒
2. Has demonstrated commitment, capacity and gifts to initiate a ministry with both individuals
and groups and is doing so. ❒
3. Believes God wants him, or her, to be a faithful, available, teachable person who gives
leadership in the ministry of disciplemaking and is doing so. ❒
4. Is a team leader who can recruit, band, develop and lead people in accomplishing
“Great Commission” objectives and is doing so. ❒
5. Has completed ETS Book 4. ❒
6. Has reproduced at least three generations deep. ❒
Date Completed:

244
Printer, Please print these cards on heavy weight cardstock, perforate the cards as indicated by the Scoring
Guide Master in the Pages file located under the Window Tab. Unclick the option to hide the master pages (pull
down arrow on right side of Pages screen) and the scoring guide will appear. There should be no drawn perfora-
tion marks on the printed cards.
ETS Book 3B Scripture Memory

A new commandment I give to you, that you My little children, let us not love in word or in
love one another; as I have loved you, that tongue, but in deed and in truth.
you also love one another. By this all will know
E that you are My disciples, if you have love for
E one another.

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition Likewise you younger people, submit your-
or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each selves to your elders. Yes, all of you be sub-
E esteem others better than himself. Let each missive to one another, and be clothed with
of you look out not only for his own interests, humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives
E but also for the interests of others. grace to the humble.” Therefore humble your-
selves under the mighty hand of God, that He
may exalt you in due time.

But fornication and all uncleanness or covet- Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims,
ousness, let it not even be named among you, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against
as is fitting for saints. the soul.
E
E

You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to This being so, I myself always strive to have a
one another. conscience without offense toward God and
men.
E
E
 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, He did not waver at the promise of God through
for he who comes to God must believe that unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving
He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who glory to God, and being fully convinced that
E diligently seek Him. what He had promised He was also able to
E perform.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, Let your light so shine before men, that they
for in due season we shall reap if we do not may see your good works and glorify your
lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, Father in heaven.
E let us do good to all, especially to those who
E are of the household of faith.

E
E

E
E
This page is intentionally left blank to indicate the inside of the back cover.
 ™
The Equipping ThE SainTS CourSE consists of Nine Books
covering Eleven Major Subject areas, designed for one-on-one
disciplemaking or small groups. If groups meet weekly, the
program is completed in under eighteen months.
• Introductory Guide Master Plan for Biblical Discipleship
• Book 1A Establishing The Vision
• Book 1B Building The Basics
• Book 2A Evangelizing As A Lifestyle
• Book 2B Conserving Evangelism’s Fruit
• Book 3A Discipling In Small Groups
• Book 3B Reproducing Laborers
• Book 4A Developing Leadership
• Book 4B Mastering The Bible
ETS has been adopted by numerous denominations, mission agencies and churches throughout
the United States and around the world. In use in over fifty countries of the world, ETS has been
translated into numerous languages, with many others in various stages of translation. Course work
includes teaching and outside assignments (reading and Bible Study) as well as scripture memory.
Classes are broken into smaller accountability groups to ensure application of truths being learned.
Covering all the major doctrines of the Bible, and practical areas such as money and time manage-
ment, as well as leadership skills, the course is aimed at training participants to help fulfill Christ’s
Great Commission to “…go and make disciples of all nations.”
For further information, please contact:

“Of all the discipleship material I have been exposed to in my teaching ministry, Equipping The Saints™ is the most
thorough, taking believers through the total spectrum of the Christian life. I highly recommend it for training disciples.
I think David Dawson is one of the most competent trainers of men available to the Church today.”
—Dr. Howard Hendricks, Chairman, Center For Christian Leadership, Dallas Theological Seminary

Equipping The Saints™,

has been involved in the training of disciples for the past fifty+ years.
As a highly-effective communicator, Dave is an experienced teacher
and conference speaker. He has taught ETS™ at Denver Conservative
Baptist Seminary, Dallas Bible College, and at Southwestern Baptist
Theological Seminary, under Dr. Roy Fish. For twelve years he conducted
a year-long internship on Equipping Church Members for the Field
Education Department of Dallas Theological Seminary. Dave was the
National Director for The Navigators for twelve years in Singapore.
It was there that Equipping The Saints™ was developed to equip
church members. Dave is the father of four grown children, and lives with his wife, Mary, in
Dallas, Texas. He travels extensively throughout North America and overseas, in cooperation
with mission agencies and other groups to develop the ETS work in national churches.

Copyright © 1996 Ephesians 4:12, Inc., Greenville, Texas U.S.A. Rev. 1/08