Early in Jesus’ ministry, He chose His twelve disciples so that He might be with them. Mark 3:14. He wanted the disciples around Him. They were to listen, but also to watch. Being around Jesus molded these men.

Seeing Peter and John’s boldness, the spiritual leaders of Israel realized that being with Jesus had made them who they were. They had been with Jesus, and He had sent them forth to preach. The educated elite knew these fishers were uneducated, everyday people. Spending time with Jesus gave us wisdom and boldness. Acts 4:13.

Robert Coleman writes in “The Master Plan of Discipleship.” “The way these aspiring leaders will develop is through association. If they are to learn the meaning of the Christ life, we must be together enough for them to see it lived out. This is the essence of the plan followed by Jesus with His disciples and continued in His church. The principle was woven into their whole structure of corporate meetings for fellowship, teaching, and worship, as well as their system of on-the-job training. Truth was not taught in abstract doctrines or regulations; it was caught in the experience of their shared life.”

Paul’s ministry worked much the same way. He used a powerful word for what he expected from Timothy and others in his ministry. They were to follow him. The root word for follow means to imitate, to mimic him. In Philippians 3:17, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he says follow me and follow those that are following me and my example.

Paul sent Timothy to the Corinthian church, highly recommending Timothy. Timothy had followed or imitated well. He acted like Paul. Timothy reminded people of Paul when Paul taught and preached. He told them that Timothy would cause them to remember and remind them of Paul’s ways and teaching.

The twelve spent time with Jesus, which affected them so that even after the death, burial, and resurrection, the lost religious crowd recognized they had been with Jesus. Paul sent Timothy to a church and unashamedly told them that his son, in the faith, would remind them of the way he did ministry and the way he taught.

Actions speak louder than words. It is not your teaching or what you are saying, but what you are doing and how you act that affect those you teach.

Even unconsciously, we pick up habits, speech patterns, etc., from the people we are around. Paul wanted it to be conscious. He said watch me, imitate me, follow me.

To indeed train men and women for ministry, you can’t descend from the heavens, deliver a message, and ascend back up. They need time with you. They need to see how you live out what you teach.

They need to know the real you. Seeing you at your worst, when you are physically sick, unhappy, and stressed, and how you deal with what you go through will show them how the Word of God works in a human heart and life.

We must be open, vulnerable, and accessible. Listen. Love your students like they are where they are. Do not make their behavior decide your love level. Let your love master their behavior.



Now you know they are watching how you deal with your wife, children, finances, and others. Calling on them to imitate you is risky business. Your disciples will know too much. Hurting you will be easily within their grasp.

The most exciting ministry in the world is where you risk everything for Jesus. Let come what may do what you know God would have you do. Let others learn from you. Make disciples. Bring forth fruit a hundredfold for the honor and glory of Jesus.