Keeping a Step Ahead

Church leaders must not only know how to teach but to equip others by training others to do what they can do. Many ministerial schools neglect this kind of training, therefore very few leaders actually have the vision or confidence to equip others to train.

The hope of the next generation depends upon our effective training!

Keeping a Step Ahead: Training Trainees

Where in the Bible does it tell us to train others? It is implied and taught all over the Scriptures. God trains His people. He even gave us the scriptures to train us in righteousness (2 Timothy 2:16-17). Fathers are to train (Deuteronomy 6). Church leaders are to train.

In order to keep pace with the Lord, we must do more than just train others. While training others, we must train them how to train. This is the only way to keep up with the multiplication of disciples that God wants to bring into being.

One friend was answering the question, "Where does it tell us that everyone needs to be trained to train others?" After referring to a number of key passages such as Ephesians 4:11-13 and 1 Peter 2:9-10, he said a powerful but simple statement. "Matthew 28:19-20 charges all of His people to make disciples of all. If this is the case, then we need to train His disciples to make disciples too."

Note below the way Jesus trained His disciples, and they in turn trained others. This is the sense of 'equipping' in Ephesians 4:11-13. The pastor/teachers are to prepare others to do ministry.

Everyone has part in helping others. Fathers are to train their children. Older women are to train younger women. Elders/pastors are to train their sheep.

Only if a good job is done in training others to train others, can we have great hopes for the next generation.

Let's look at a picture of the whole discipling process!      Next