When Jesus began His public ministry, he handpicked a group of men to follow Him. While most people are familiar with the Twelve Disciples, in actuality, Jesus had many more followers than that, including a number of women. The Twelve were later pulled from this much larger group to be the key leaders in carrying Jesus’ message to the world after he was gone.
Jesus trained his followers in three ways. First of all, he allowed them to observe him at work. They were with him as he taught and performed miracles. There were occasions after Jesus had taught that his disciples would come to him seeking clarification. He would often break down and dissect what he had just taught the crowd to make sure that his closest followers understood the parable or teaching.
Because Jesus’ followers would be expected to perform the same type of works that he had performed, he let them observe him performing many types of miracles, including healings and even raising the dead. On almost every occasion, Jesus had his followers with him when he performed these supernatural signs. In some instances, he even allowed his disciples to participate in the miracle. This was the case in the two miraculous feedings. In one case he fed over 5000 people and another time he fed 4000 people. In Mark 6:41, for example, the food was multiplied as Jesus gave it to the disciples and they distributed it to the crowd.
The second way that Jesus trained his followers was that he after they had been with him for awhile watching him work, he sent them out on short ministry trips. These trips were great opportunities for the disciples to get real ministry experience while spreading the Gospel message. After these trips, the disciples reported back to Jesus about all they did. They would then spend time discussing their results and receiving further training from Jesus.
On one occasion, Jesus sent out a large group of seventy-two of his followers on a ministry trip. They were paired up and sent to some of the villages and cities that Jesus was planning on visiting. When they returned from their preaching tour, they proudly reported that they had been able to cast out evil spirits, just like Jesus. Jesus used this as a teaching point to stress what was really important. “But don’t rejoice just because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered as citizens of heaven.”
The last way that Jesus trained his followers was that he sent his Holy Spirit to live inside of them. When Jesus left the earth he sent the Holy Spirit to indwell his people. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would lead his followers into all truth and continue to teach them. This began to take place in the early Church as Christ’s followers continued to do the same kinds of things that they had seen Jesus do. There was, of course, some trial and error but as the early Christians prayed for guidance and then stepped out in faith, the Holy Spirit directed their steps.
One example of this was in Acts 15. The Church was faced with a major decision. It was a decision that would affect every succeeding generation of Christians. It involved the question of whether or not non-Jews should be circumcised and required to obey the Jewish law in order to be considered Christians. After some spirited debate, it was decided not to make it difficult on the non-Jews turning to Christ. Salvation by faith, through grace, was the message that the early Christians proclaimed and has been passed down through the centuries.
James, one of the primary leaders in the early Church wrote a letter to non-Jews explaining this decision. The non-Jews were asked to avoid sexual immorality, idolatry, and asked to observe a few minor dietary restrictions so they could maintain fellowship with the Jews. James said in the letter, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and us not to place an unnecessary burden on those who are turning to Christ.” There was a conscious sense that the leaders of the Church were being led by the Spirit and acting in concert with God’s plan.
Thankfully, those who follow Christ still have access to the Holy Spirit. The Church, however, is led by people. The pattern that Jesus left was a Spirit-filled, Spirit-equipped, group of people who continue to learn from their leaders, each other, and the Holy Spirit.
How can we utilize these three methods in training leaders today?
Would you consider helping Annie and I as we train and develop leaders throughout the world? The fields are ripe for a harvest and we are seeing God do some incredible things. Just click here to get involved. Thanks so much!
