1. Pastor is overworked (90 % of his time with 10% of the people).
2. Joy and energy is zapped.
3. Many salvation professions but few significant changes.
4. Pastor can’t rest, can’t find quiet time.
5. Honestly reaching very few people.
6. Most time and energy is spent on simply maintaining, and even then it may be slipping.
The Moses syndrome: Exodus 18:14-26
Jethro recognized this problem in the life of the leader.
- Some Pastor’s cry – “I’m so busy!
A) Fix the copier, meetings, sermons, weddings, funerals, visits, counseling, and after that he can relax and
spend time with his family and with God!
B) “I’m stuck in this job!”
- Church is just maintaining, not moving forward.
- Front door/ back door
- Most people aren’t involved.
A) “That’s the Pastor’s job”
B) “I’m not trained to do that.”
C) If you ask,”Who is your disciple?” or “Who is your mentor?” you’ll get a blank gaze.
Revolving Door:
- Leaders and the congregation make the same mistake Israelites made:
A) 1 Sam 8:1-5 – The recognized the problem
B) 1 Sam 9:2 – They didn’t seek God’s solution
C) “Get us a newer, more energetic pastor!”
D) “Hire a hero.”
E) Wild west- “Hire a gunslinger, a John Wayne hero type.”
F) Most pastors don’t last beyond 3 years in the same church!
G) Much like the Kings of Judah, they were cyclically good, bad, good, bad…but there was little continuity,
little father to son mentoring, and consequently each new king was an adventure.
There is a solution; it’s found in the Bible:
Biblical Discipleship
Discipleship is not a program, it’s a way of life. It’s not a program to add to the church, it’s a passion to fulfill God’s
command: multiply.
From the beginning: Genesis 1:11, 12, 21, 22, 24, 25, 28
After his kind, and multiply
Seed was in itself – Fruit vs. vegetable
Fruit has its seed in itself, it’s sweet and easily transported and transplanted;
Vegetables stick in the ground, their seed is not in their fruit. Must be pulled up and washed before used. Great
picture of today’s Christian: rooted in the world, unholy, not easy to multiply.
Built for Show, but not fruitful
Mark 11: 12-14 – nothing but leaves!
- Looks good on the outside, but not fruitful. God is not pleased.
A) Like the best dressed man at church: looks good, but no fruit, no disciples, no joy, so we compensate by
putting our energy into “leaves”- the outward appearance.
- It’s not from laziness, it’s a lack of understanding, of purpose.
Biblical Discipleship solves these problems!
What does it mean, “be fruitful”? John 15: 8 – Glorifies God
Discipleship is better than soul winning! Adding vs. multiplying
- Soul winning is part of discipleship.
- Making babies is easy (soul winning), but the training of children into maturity. (discipleship) is the parent’s
responsibility!
- A trained Christian will be a soul winner (and a disciple/ teacher).
Dollar Illustration:
What’s better? Imagine an investment account where you could either add $100 a year or simply multiply the
account starting with only one (1) dollar? Seems that adding $100 a year would be great, as after 10 years the
adding account would have $1,000 and the multiplying account would be at $256. However, after 15 years the
multiplying account would be $4,096; after 20 years it would be an incredible $131,072! The adding account would
seem anemic at $2,000 after 20 years!
We note that the early church began by adding, but once they were organized and in high gear, the were
multiplying! (Acts 6:7; 9:31)
We build People, God builds the Church
Same with people! We build people, God builds His church!
In the seed are all the instructions to reproduce. But, sadly, we rarely are fruitful!
Our energy is not in the fruit, but in the leaves!
Where do we begin?
1. First, we must recognize and admit the problem.
2. Second, we must seek God’s plan and purpose.
3. Third, we must change to conform to His pattern.
Not everyone will admit the problem.
Some will recognize the problem, but like the Israelites of 1 Sam 8, they won’t seek God’s solution.
It’s difficult for people to change. There is fear in the unknown or unfamiliar.
Some fear that the disciples will become like Absalom – sheep stealers!
Some fear their perceived loss of control- they presently rule according to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans (two tiers:
those in the know are in control; the rest are serfs). By the way, Jesus hates this doctrine (Rev 2:6,15)
- Explain this doctrine and the meaning of Nicolaitan in detail (power/ people)
There will be a Judas.
It takes time, patience, and faith (not instant results) – Jesus took 3 ½ years!
It does work! We are here, we have life, because Jesus discipled men, and they were fruitful, and they taught
others, and so on.
God puts his message in a man (Moses, Prophets, Jesus, Peter, Paul) - 2 Cor 3:2
We have the honor and duty to be both discipled and to be disciplers. We will be fruitful.
The Pattern of Jesus
Mark 1:17; Matthew 8:22; 9:9; John 21:18-22 – “Follow me”
What He did NOT say:
- Follow this program.
- Attend this university.
- Follow these rules.
He was a man and his command was to follow Him!
1 Cor. 11:1 – “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ”
Paul had his Timothy, Moses had his Joshua, Eli had his Samuel, Elijah had his Elisha
Who is your disciple? What is his/ her name? You are training them to take your place!
Tired, burned out? Share your burden- Numbers 11:14-17
70 is a start, but one is the result! Joshua! (Num 11:27 –zeal w/o knowledge)
Numbers 27:18 – Joshua 1:5-7 -Do what Moses (your personal teacher) taught you to do!
Assignment: Earnestly pray and choose a disciple. (Don’t ask for volunteers – Jesus prayed all night and then
called the twelve)
If you are not confident in sharing your life, then pray and ask to be trained – be a disciple.
Get involved in another’s life. Seek someone that you can find a good “chemistry” with and learn the ministry, on
purpose.
This is the biblical pattern:
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall
be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).
This is multiplying, this is fruitfulness.
When your disciple is multiplying, training others, then you may move on to train another. Jesus trained them, and
left them (physically). It’s not a race; it’s personal, it’s public, and it’s powerful!