I continue to reflect on Jesus’ training of the 12 disciples. It has several facets – two of which I have mentioned previously but will touch on again.
1. He taught them ministry skills – the how to stuff – healing the sick, blessing children, making weddings special, associating with tax collectors and sinners in general.
2. He taught them what to believe – correcting false teaching with words like, “you have heard that it was said, but I say to you…” He helped them see the connection between the words of the prophets and what was happening in their own world.
3. There was another part of the training that was so critical. I think it is a bit more complicated. He built into them character – He changed their hearts. He confronted Peter’s pride at not wanting his feet washed. He took three of them to a mountain where he was “transfigured” before them.
He gave them the Holy Spirit to equip and empower them for ministry and to guide them as they did ministry.
I fear, we have spent far more time on the first two arms of Jesus’ methodology. We developed classes so people can identify their gifts; then we train them to use the gifts. We have developed Bible classes to be certain that our people have sound doctrine. We have even divided the Church in our attempts to be right in doctrine.
I fear we have spent too little time teaching people to walk in the Spirit – to listen for and hear His voice. We have spent more time training people than praying they would be filled with God’s Spirit who would equip them for ministry.
It seems we have moved away from Jesus’ instructions when He sent His disciples out. He told them to take nothing for the journey and not to worry about what they were going to say.
Have we transferred our confidence from the Holy Spirit to our training seminars and Bible classes?
Is the North American church weak because we have neglected the work of the Holy Spirit in favor of things we have more control over?
