III. Working with God
Working with God
When you know that God has initiated a relationship, you can also expect His help. You do not have to make the disciple over-dependent on you. You become a fellow labourer with God in producing another disciple of the Lord Jesus.
‘Who do people say the Son of man is?’ Jesus asked His disciples (Matthew 16:13). Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’ (Matthew 16:16). On hearing this, Jesus said to Peter, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven’ (Matthew 16:17). Jesus was the discipler, but Peter found out something that Jesus had never told him. He received a revelation from God. Similarly, when your disciple finds out things you did not tell him, don’t become offended but rejoice that God is working alongside you. Ultimately your goal is to help the new believer hear and obey God for himself. You want to present him as one who has become mature, no longer dependent on you.
‘Who do people say the Son of man is?’ Jesus asked His disciples (Matthew 16:13). Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’ (Matthew 16:16). On hearing this, Jesus said to Peter, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven’ (Matthew 16:17). Jesus was the discipler, but Peter found out something that Jesus had never told him. He received a revelation from God. Similarly, when your disciple finds out things you did not tell him, don’t become offended but rejoice that God is working alongside you. Ultimately your goal is to help the new believer hear and obey God for himself. You want to present him as one who has become mature, no longer dependent on you.
What’s the goal?
God told Elijah that Elisha would succeed him as prophet (1 Kings 19:16). To Elijah, this was not just a nice idea. It was his commission. Right from the word go, he knew exactly what he had to produce, and that goal would set the pattern for the training. After three years, Elijah could review his disciple’s progress and ask himself, ‘Is Elisha more like a prophet now than when I found him?’
Elijah knew exactly what he was trying to make: a prophet to take his place. That knowledge gave both him and Elisha a frm foundation for the time they spent together. God told Moses, ‘Commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land’ (Deuteronomy 3:28).
‘I charge you,’ said David to Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:8). He then gave his sons the plans for the work on the temple, and continued, ‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work’ (1 Chronicles 28:20). David left Solomon with no doubts about what he was meant to accomplish. Then he encouraged him to do it.
Paul said to Timothy, ‘I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction ... discharge all the duties of your ministry’ (2 Timothy 4:1—2, 5). Timothy knew what he was meant to be doing before he received the encouragement, “The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you’ (2 Timothy 4:22).
Then, having given them a definite goal, He continued, ‘Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows’ (Matthew 10:29–31). First Jesus commissioned His disciples, then He offered words to encourage them.
Elijah knew exactly what he was trying to make: a prophet to take his place. That knowledge gave both him and Elisha a frm foundation for the time they spent together. God told Moses, ‘Commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land’ (Deuteronomy 3:28).
‘I charge you,’ said David to Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:8). He then gave his sons the plans for the work on the temple, and continued, ‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work’ (1 Chronicles 28:20). David left Solomon with no doubts about what he was meant to accomplish. Then he encouraged him to do it.
Paul said to Timothy, ‘I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction ... discharge all the duties of your ministry’ (2 Timothy 4:1—2, 5). Timothy knew what he was meant to be doing before he received the encouragement, “The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you’ (2 Timothy 4:22).
Then, having given them a definite goal, He continued, ‘Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows’ (Matthew 10:29–31). First Jesus commissioned His disciples, then He offered words to encourage them.
