Ministry Demands Proximity!

How did Jesus set out to accomplish his ministerial purpose? First, He chose twelve men. Many will say He chose them to preach. But, an examination of Mark 3:14 will demonstrate that the work of proclamation was his long-range plan for these students. Also embedded in this passage is His short-range plan, except the words are so simple that one may miss their implication. His short-range plan was simply, “that they should be with Him” (Mark 3:14). It is easy to ignore these key words “with Him” because they are so common.

In terms of the western model of transmissive education, “with Him” would not be a significant issue. Modern people only want to hear Him and read Him. But in terms of the Biblical model it becomes crucial. The heart of the ministerial approach of Jesus is found in the teaching relationship. It was all important to be with Him and to absorb His values system as a child absorbs the values of a Parent. Robert Coleman, in his book The Master Plan of Evangelism, has pointed out the importance of this factor of association as a critical aspect in Jesus’ training method.

Consequently, if Jesus deemed proximity critical and employed it so religiously, than disciple-makers aught to have no other view. Ministry demands proximity!

The Purpose of CHRISTIAN EDUCATION!

Although Jesus clearly stated his discipleship purpose, the modern American mind usually misses the point. Americans have so thoroughly tuned out the educational approach found in both the Old Testament and the New Testament and used by Jesus, and have so tuned our thinking to the educational mode of the west, that they fail to see His point.

In Matthew 10:25, Jesus said "It is sufficient when the student has become just like his teacher." A paraphrase reads, "Graduation time has arrived when the student is mistaken for his teacher."

But Americans do not send their children to school to become like the teacher; rather they expect them to reap the teacher's head full of facts and handful of skills. Jesus did not promote that kind of education.

In Luke 6:40, Jesus stated that the student/apprentice "is fully trained, [he] will be like his teacher." Does the typical American Sunday school teacher work so diligently at becoming so much like Jesus that he/she would feel comfortable about challenging the students to become just like him/herself? And would the teacher assert self as a major tool for changing lives and characters?

That is precisely Paul's approach! See 1 Cor 4:16 and 11:1.

In secular education the purpose of the teacher is to help the student KNOW what the teacher KNOWS. In Christian education the purpose is to help the student BECOME what the teacher IS.

The purpose of CE (Christian Education) is CL (a Christ Likened Changed Life).

1 Cor 4:16 - "Therefore I urge you to imitate me."
1 Cor. 11:1 - "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”