July 3rd - Ch 6 (Delegation) and Ch 7 (Supervision)
Intro
During the first year of Jesus' ministry, the disciples did little more than watch Jesus work. Though they were assigned responsibilities from the beginning, their initial involvement was with tasks was quite menial. But this was a part of the Master's method. First, he led them into a vital relationship with God; then he showed them how he worked and only then did he share with them the extent of their responsibilities. But he was always working with them with an eye toward the time they would take over his ministry.
Finally after more than a year of training, Jesus realized they were read for the evangelistic work of their own. But Jesus was careful to thoroughly instruct them before he sent them out. The instructions are of great significance, since in them Jesus outlined explicitly what he had been implicitly teaching from the start It is of special importance to notice that promising individuals who could carry on the work after they had gone. Giving assignments of practical nature is imperative, since we are leading them to the direct involvement in the redemptive ministry of our Lord.
Although he had entrusted the Twelve with some evangelistic responsibility, Jesus did not look on them as finished products who were ready to graduate. Even in the limited amount of redemptive work in which they had engaged, they needed supervision. Thus, Jesus got with them following their tours of service to hear their reports and to share with them his knowledge about difficulties they might have encountered or victories they might have won. And indeed, this is no isolated incident. Through constant fellowship with them, Jesus was perpetually keeping check on the Twelve. Throughout his ministry with them, the experiences of the disciples, whether they represented success or failure, were raw materials for Jesus to use in teaching and making application. He was ever alert to their actions and reactions, keeping in mind that his supervision was one more step in equipping them for ministry. When he finally did leave them to go back to the Father, he promised the Holy Spirit to them to continue to supervise their work. Until disciples are brought to a place of maturity, supervision is still a necessity.
Finally after more than a year of training, Jesus realized they were read for the evangelistic work of their own. But Jesus was careful to thoroughly instruct them before he sent them out. The instructions are of great significance, since in them Jesus outlined explicitly what he had been implicitly teaching from the start It is of special importance to notice that promising individuals who could carry on the work after they had gone. Giving assignments of practical nature is imperative, since we are leading them to the direct involvement in the redemptive ministry of our Lord.
Although he had entrusted the Twelve with some evangelistic responsibility, Jesus did not look on them as finished products who were ready to graduate. Even in the limited amount of redemptive work in which they had engaged, they needed supervision. Thus, Jesus got with them following their tours of service to hear their reports and to share with them his knowledge about difficulties they might have encountered or victories they might have won. And indeed, this is no isolated incident. Through constant fellowship with them, Jesus was perpetually keeping check on the Twelve. Throughout his ministry with them, the experiences of the disciples, whether they represented success or failure, were raw materials for Jesus to use in teaching and making application. He was ever alert to their actions and reactions, keeping in mind that his supervision was one more step in equipping them for ministry. When he finally did leave them to go back to the Father, he promised the Holy Spirit to them to continue to supervise their work. Until disciples are brought to a place of maturity, supervision is still a necessity.
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Supplemental Resources
Chapter 6 Delegation (16:04)
Chapter 7 Supervision (19:14)