Raising Up Pauls and Timothies
One of the chief components of Grace Extended Ministries is the raising up and empowering of Godly leaders. Much of our training is done through a 2 Timothy 2:2 model. In Africa, 95% of the pastors and leaders we work with have no formal biblical training. Their access to theological education is limited, and we have felt led to train and equip many using this 2 Timothy 2:2 model. We require those we work with to meet with us on each trip to Africa in small group settings of 15-20. As Paul instructed Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2 to teach and train others who will teach and train still others, we do the same. Each person we work with is required to have six to twelve Timothy’s who in turn must train at least six Timothy’s. The results have been beyond our expectations as they learn how to truly connect with God, listen to His voice, and lead in accordance with His Holy Spirit.
The Basis of our Mentorship
Our ministry is rooted in prayer and in the Great Command. Only as we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, will we be able to grasp the depth of His power and love for us. Only then can we truly love our neighbor as ourselves and go in His power and strength to make disciples. One of the key elements of mentorship is the call to make disciples. (Matt 28:19) As we will see, the making of disciples is very different from the western model of “discipleship,” a term we are familiar with in many of our churches today.
The term “discipleship” has come to mean a program of teaching in our churches or small groups. It is meant to increase biblical knowledge and is often used synonymously with “bible study.” While Bible studies are beneficial in increasing our understanding of the Bible, the biblical concept of “making disciples” is very different. A true disciple is a follower of Jesus. The process of making a disciple is to make someone more like Jesus. It involves much more than a Bible study or “discipleship” program.
Because God has made each person unique, with a unique calling, it is important we do not seek a program in mentorship. One size does not fit all. Mentors who are themselves listening to and being led by the Holy Spirit will be able to assist their Paul or Timothy in becoming all the person God intends for them to be.
Prayer and Mentorship
Over the years, one of the things we have learned from available teachings on mentorship is that prayer has at most limited acknowledgment. And yet, because of the intense spiritual warfare surrounding the command to make disciples, intercessory prayer is vital. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Eph 6:12
The greatest gift a mentor can bring his mentoree is intercessory prayer. In Exodus 17:9-13, we see Moses, the mentor, sending Joshua, the mentoree into battle. But Joshua is not sent out without the prayer support of Moses. As an intercessor, Moses has learned that his covering of Joshua in prayer is vital. So great is the spiritual warfare, that Moses has a small team (Aaron and Hur) to uphold him.
When Moses lifts his arms to intercede, Joshua succeeds. When his hands are lowered, the Amalekites prevailed. v 13 tells us that “Joshua mowed down the Amalekites and his people with the sword.”
However, the victory was not in Joshua’s strength. It came about through the power of prayer and the faithfulness of a mentor who was willing to pray hard for his mentoree.
A mentor must be an intercessor for his mentoree. The enemy is trying to discourage and stifle the work of the Lord in our younger generation. He is out to destroy them and their effectiveness to lead. Most Christian mentorees want to do great things for the Lord. But many, if not most, will incur great hardships, trials, and temptations on the road to becoming a true disciple. They need someone who is willing to stand in the gap for them in prayer. Many in the world today are under the illusion that their strength is enough to accomplish great things for God. If Moses and Joshua had taken that attitude on the day of battle against the Ameleks, the outcome would have been very different.
Many Christians today do not understand the role of an intercessor. Many do not want to take the time to earnestly pray and plead for their Timothies on their behalf. Many mentors take little time to listen to the Holy Spirit for direction in leading their Timothies.
Domestic GEM lesson groups
We have a number of people going through GEM lessons in the U.S. and Canada. Some of these groups gather at a home, some at church, and others virtually on our dedicated Zoom line. Whether here or overseas, we do not hand out lessons but teach them directly. All lessons are 100% based on the Word of God. Discipleship is not head knowledge, and we want these lessons to reside in the hearts of those hearing, and then encourage them to teach others. The GEM lessons are powerful tools that equip us to make disciples as Jesus commands in Matthew 28:19-20.
If you would like to join a group going through the GEM lessons, please let us know via the “Contact Us” tab or directly via email.
