At the Your Next Step Institute right now we are reading the book The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman. It is a quick, easy read, and is a simple direct book on studying Jesus' methods for evangelism and discipleship. Each of us has been given 10 minutes to present one chapter of the book to the class. Below are the notes from my presentation on Chapter 2- Assocaition from Wednesday.
Association
What is it?
Jesus spent time WITH them… (p. 48 top) primary task was to be with and build up leaders who can give personal attention to others… (just as we talked about last semester, as one person we can’t minister in quality to the masses, but if we select a few, who are faithful, then we can build them up as leaders and they can then in turn build up other leaders, so it starts with association… being with them… and quality, not quantity.
How did He do it?
He didn’t use a school, study guide or formal training program, he was with them, he taught through demonstration, he taught them along the way as they went, he spent time praying with them, talking with them, eating with them and the teaching just happened
He didn’t teach laws, he taught principles… his followers weren’t known by conforming to rituals, they were known by being wtih him, they were known for following him
Jesus’ time paid “double dividends (p. 45 bottom). Without neglecting his ministry to those in need he maintained a constant ministry to his disciples by bringing them with him. Then they were able to get more in depth teaching after the group teaching was over.
Who are examples from Scripture?
Abraham had Lot Genesis 12:4 So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran., Genesis 13:1 So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, he and his wife and all that belonged to him, and Lot with him.
Moses had 12 with him Numbers 1:4 "With you, moreover, there shall be a man of each tribe, each one head of his father's household. Moses also had Joshua with him in Exodus when he went up on Mount Sinai.
Naomi had Ruth with her Ruth 1:22 So Naomi returned, and with her Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, who returned from the land of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
Jesus had 12 with Him Mark 3:13-15 And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons.
None of these leaders used formal training programs, they all developed and built into others simply by being with them, teaching as they went, and sharing their lives together, through this they were able to bear fruit.
Why spend time with others:
Preaching to the masses will never suffice in equipping leaders
Young (in faith) followers usually get a new believers class or something once a week for a month or so but then are left to themselves the rest of the time to flounder around. No wonder about half of those who make professions eventually fall away, and even fewer are growing in their relationship with God. There simply is no substitute for getting WITH people.
Solution in paragraph on page 50.
How do we apply that?
2 Timothy 2:2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Don’t wait for free time in your schedule to open up to be with people, sweep them into whatever you are already doing.
If you are going to the grocery store, for a walk, playing sports, taking a ride somewhere, picking up kids from school, doing home repairs, yard work etc, invite someone along the way.
Ex/ When we would be at the Dorman’s Doug used to invite Jeremy to go along for the ride to pick up the kids from school, youth group or sports practice.
Ex/ When we were doing premarital on Tuesday nights and a child had a birthday that Tuesday they wouldn’t cancel on us, they would invite us to take part in the festivities, we got to see the whole family interact and learn about marriage, parenting and keeping all of that at the feet of Jesus just by being with them… we learned not by reading a book, or being told a theory, we observed and saw them doing it.
Spend time with people until it communicates your faith
What are you currently doing to be with people?
What could you do be doing better to spend time with people?
Shannon
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