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Imitating Bible Models
for Establishing New Congregations
A1 Jesus, Supreme Commander. He orders his disciples all authority in heaven and earth
to obey his commands, in Matthew 28:18-20. Let us also make
disciples who show their love for Christ by obeying His commands before all
else. More detail if you need it. List of Jesus' Basic Commands. To Top of Page and List of Bible Model Categories B1 Jesus, the Good Shepherd who Uses God's
Word to Lead His Sheep. He used the Bible
to direct all activities, and not simply as a source of teaching content. He
did this often, as when He drove moneychangers from God’s house of prayer in
Luke 19:46. Let us also use God’s Word to develop our ministries in
God's way, not man's, to organize, evangelize, make
disciples and worship. God's Word requires believers to do several
ministries--not isolated programs but activities harmonized in small groups. More detail if you need it. List of Required Ministries. B2 Barnabas, Leader in a ‘ More detail if you need it. The B3 King
Josiah, Renewal Leader. He defeated
satanic powers by helping his people to shun idols, in 2 Chronicles
34. Let us also free people be from idols, including modern
materialism, and demonic oppression. More detail if you need it. To drive off demonic forces, use the
armor God provides for this spiritual warfare, listed in Ephesians 6:10-18.
James 4:7 also assures us, "Resist the devil and he will flee from
you." Jesus tells us to cast out demons, as He did in Mark 1: 21-27 B4 Ezra, Praying Reformer. He led his people to confess their sins and embrace God’s
commands, in Ezra chapters 9 – 10. Let us also make sure that our
people lead holy lives. The apostle John tells us why we must confess out
sins to God, in 1 John 1:7-10. To Top of Page and List of Bible Model Categories C1 Jesus, Master Teacher. He did two things to communicate spiritual truths: 1) Let us also enable our people to pass God’s Word on easily as stories
to their friends: List of
Bible stories that deal with major doctrines. 2) Let us also talk first with those we are training to be leaders. Jesus
listened to them and the people before He taught, to teach them exactly what
they and the people needed at the time. To mentor leaders, do the following
five things with each trainee during each session: C2 Moses, God’s Spokesman. He provide curriculum that fitted current needs, as when
he gave new elders the Ten Commandments and other laws for their new nation
in Exodus chapters 19 – 40. Let us also apply God’s Word at
once with authority rather than merely voice it as abstract theory for some
vague future application. More detail if you need it. Jesus said that a good teacher in the C3 Jehosaphat, Sponsor of Education by
Extension. He formed traveling teams to
take God’s Word to the towns that lacked it, in 2 Chronicles 17:3-10. Let
us also educate the people and their shepherds where they live. More detail if you need it. To keep churches or cell groups
reproducing, we balance mentoring new leaders, like Jesus and the apostles
did, with classroom lectures. The newer leaders always need mentoring, for
best results. They can imitate their mentors and mentor newer leaders, for a
chain reaction, as in 2 Timothy 2:2. For a list of comparisons between these
two methods of educating, that helps us discern the difference and maintain
the balance, open http://www.homestead.com/mentorandmultiply/files/Comparisons_for_Table.htm. C4 Priscilla and More detail if you need it. Christian Mentoring Explained To Top of Page and List of Bible Model Categories D. MODELS FOR
EVANGELISTS AND APOSTLES ("SENT ONES") D1 Jesus, Redeemer. He died for your sins and rose from the dead to give us
holy and eternal life, and commanded His disciples to be witnesses of these
historical events. Let us give testimony of what Jesus has done for
us, and proclaim his sacrificial death and life-giving resurrection. Jesus
tells us to be witnesses to all peoples of three specific things. These are
His sacrificial death, life-giving resurrection and forgiveness
for all who repent: Luke 24:46-48 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-26. For where
we witness for Christ, see Acts 1:8. D2 Peter, Evangelist. He called people to repent and affirm their faith without
delay by baptism, in Acts 2:22-41. Let us also call all people to
repent, receive Christ’s forgiveness and confirm the newborn babes' death to
sin and new life in the risen Christ with baptism. More detail if you need it. We proclaim the gospel of Christ and
confirm the faith and repentance of those who receive it the same way Peter
and the other apostles did. They never delayed baptism to force a new
believer to prove that he was worthy of it or to learn a lot of doctrine. It
was always the very first step of obedience. It discourages newborn babes in
Christ to delay their ceremonial acceptance into God's kingdom while they
meet man-made requirements for baptism. We should require only what Scripture
requires for baptism--that sinners confess their sins and agree to follow
Christ (Acts D3 The Wasteful Son. He repented from his sins and returned to his father,
trusting in his father’s gracious forgiveness, in Luke 15:10-32. Let
us also let God change our hearts and turn from our sins to serve Him
eternally. More detail if you need it. God transforms us so we can live good
lives. Jesus told Nicodemus that he had to be born again, in John 3:1-16.
Galatians chapter 5:13-25 describes the new life that we let the Holy Spirit
produce in us. D4 John the Baptist. He called the people urgently to repent and presented
Christ to them, as in Matthew 3. Let us also urge all men to turn
from their sins to follow Christ. More detail if you need it. Read the dramatic conversion of the
cruel persecutor Saul of Tarsus in Acts 9. Repentance begins the process of
transformation described in Romans 12. For more explanation read the entire
book of Romans. D5 Paul, Traveling Church Planter. He gave full responsibility of leadership without delay
to the new elders that he instructed everywhere he went, as in Acts 14:21-23.
Let us also install new leaders who meet New Testament requirements
and prepare them on the job, as we phase out our control of new churches, to
be free to work in new areas. More detail if you need it. To learn how to give authority and
responsibilities to new church planters, read Jethro's advice Exodus 18:3-27,
and Paul's advice in Titus 1:5-9 and 2 Timothy 2.2. These passages all show
the need for someone to serve as a regional coordinator, to keep the pastoral
training and church planting continuing. To Top of Page and List of Bible Model Categories E. MODELS FOR
PASTORAL STUDENTS E1 Jesus, Obedient Son. He passed on immediately to His disciples what he learned
from His Father, as He revealed in John 15:15. Let new trainees also begin at
once to shepherd new churches, imitating the more mature pastors who mentor
them, starting with their own family and friends. More detail if you need it. Students put into practice at once what
their mentors have taught them, and have commissioned them to do (Acts E2 Timothy, Pastoral Apprentice. He trained newer pastors while being trained, as 2
Timothy 2:2 required. Let new trainees also pass on what they learn
without delay to newer shepherding elders, for rapid church multiplication. Students
begin as soon as possible to mentor newer pastoral trainees, to keep the
churches and cells reproducing, as seen also in Titus 1:5. To Top of Page and List of Bible Model Categories F. MODELS FOR
REGIONAL COORDINATORS F1 Jesus, King of Kings. He coordinated a training operation that prepared workers
to start church planting movements throughout the More detail if you need it. A good coordinator uses maps of the area
or other means to enable all the trainers to see their areas of
responsibility and where they need to start new churches. When new churches
are born, this is marked on the map, with the names of the trainers and new
pastoral students. Coordinators should not be officials who are elected for a
specific term, because the training often stops when the term ends.
Participants should name a caring person who is capable of leading the rest
with strong discipline. F2 Titus, Regional Coordinator. He established elders in the new churches of F3 Jethro, Organizer. He advised Moses to delegate pastoral responsibilities to
new leaders and hold them accountable to shepherd small groups, in Exodus
18:13-27. Let us also make sure that all believers have a shepherd who
listens to their needs, and that a caring coordinator holds these shepherds
accountable for this. Plan and do this with prayer. Prayerfully commission
new trainers. F4 Nehemiah, Project Manager. He planned and defined specific tasks to the various
clans to rebuild the walls of F5 Silas, Messenger Between Congregations. He often traveled from one church to another with
messages and gifts, and to serve the new churches, as in Acts 15:27. Let
us also communicate with sister churches of our area, to offer, or ask
for, help when needed. Keep new churches in contact with each other. Have
united meetings to give reports about their work. When churches need help,
arrange with workers from other churches to give it. F6 Gideon, Daring Planner. He trusted God to do what men thought impossible,
leading 300 soldiers against a huge army, in Judges chapters 6 - 8. Let us
also share with our people a vision that inspires them to valor and
willing service. A good coordinator continually challenges his people to
conquer more territory, freeing Satan's slaves, to start more churches and
cell groups, and to keep training new leaders. To Top of Page and List of Bible Model Categories G1 Jesus, Sacrificial Lamb of God. He offered His own flesh and blood as a covering for the
sins of the world, as in John More detail if you need it. To use Psalms in worship, select Psalms
that contain praise and thanksgiving for God. Read through the Psalms and you
will find ones that fit the occasion. Psalm 150 shows how we should praise
Him with music. In worship services we should: G2 Abel, Worshipper. He respected the blood sacrifice as the central element
of worship, in Genesis 4. Let us also regularly break bread and drink
the cup of the New Covenant in His blood, to participate in the body and
blood of Christ as He commands and Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 10:16-17. More detail if you need it. 1 Corinthians 11: 20-34 gives us
directions for celebrating the Lord's Supper with proper respect for His body
and blood. Exodus 12 recounts the original Passover Feast, by which the
Almighty provided freedom from slavery in G3 David, Singing Poet. He worshipped the Lord fervently with praise and loving
obedience to His commands, and inspired others to do so, as we see in Psalms
4 and 23. Let us also use creative, artistic ways to help our people
fervently praise God. More detail if you need it, about worship services. We make sure
that all who want to participate in some way--besides merely listening and
singing--can do so, as in 1 Corinthians 14:26. They may: To Top of Page and List of Bible Model Categories H. MODELS FOR
SERVANTS OF THE ILL AND NEEDY H1 Jesus, Compassionate Healer. He often used God’s power in response to men’s faith to
heal the sick and free the demonized, as in Mark 3. Let us also pray
for those who need physical, mental or spiritual healing. More detail if you need it. Acts 6:1-6 explains how a church is to
organize to deal with pressing needs in the community. Galatians H2 The Loving Samaritan. He did works of mercy for a Jew, even though the
Samaritans despised Jews, in Luke 10:25-37. Let us also serve Jesus by
caring for the poor and those who are suffering, as Matthew 25:31-46 reveals.
More detail if you need it. Acts 9:36-42 shows how Dorcas also
served the needy. Acts 4:32-37 shows how Barnabas and others gave
sacrificially to help others in need. To Top of Page and List of Bible Model Categories I. MODELS FOR
ALL OBEDIENT DISCIPLES I1 Jesus, Eternal High Priest He prayed for our salvation and protection from the evil
one in John 17:9-21, and intercedes for us now at the Father’s right hand, as
Romans 8:34 reveals. Let us also pray for those who are lost without
Christ, and for each other. More detail if you need it. Jesus told us how to pray, and gave a
model prayer--commonly called The Lord's Prayer--not necessarily to memorize
and repeat over and over, but as an example for praying--in Matthew 6:5-15.
It recognizes God as our Father and exalts Him, pleads for His will to be
done, begs for our needs to be filled and for forgiveness, and to be freed
from temptation and the evil one. Jesus also tells us in John 16:24 to pray
in His name. I2 Abraham, Man of Faith. When God promised to multiply his descendants, as many as
the stars in the sky, Abraham believed Him and God counted his faith for
righteousness, in Genesis 15:1-6. Let us also believe God’s promises
and prayerfully plan for a church planting movement in which thousands become
spiritual sons of Abraham by believing as he did. More detail if you need it. We become Abraham's spiritual children
when we believe as he did; we inherit the blessing for all nations that God
promised to him (Galatians 3:6-29). Abraham interceded with God to spare his
nephew I3 John, Apostle of Compassion. He taught believers to cultivate loving fellowship and
serve the needy, in 1 John 3:14-18. Let us love and serve one another,
obeying the New Testament "one another" commands and serving the
needy in practical ways. More detail if you need it. The New Testament has many "one another" commands such as forgive one another, admonish one another, confess your faults to one another, teach one another, bear one another's burdens, etc. Complete chart of 'one anothers.' I4 Cornelius, Generous Giver. He gave generously to people in need, in Acts 10:1-2. Let
us also give to the needy and support God’s work. More detail if you need it. To help your people give generously, let
them know the needs of different people in the church and the community.
Teach Christian stewardship. We are stewards of God's property. He created
the earth and owns everything in it (Psalm 50:10). When we give, it is an
investment for our future in heaven (Matt. I5 Daniel, Man of Constant Prayer. He prayed three times daily, even when the king forbade
it, and trusted in God’s salvation, in Daniel 6. Let us also pray
constantly, trusting in God’s power to overcome Satan and the world, as we
extend Christ’s kingdom. More detail if you need it. We pray daily for our 'daily bread'
(Matthew I6 Job, Patient Sufferer. He kept trusting God and praised Him even though God
tested his faith and let Satan cause terrible suffering, as in Job chapters
1 – 3, and 42. Let us also persevere even through the world
hates us and we suffer much, because our reward will be great in heaven. If we who are believers suffer
in this life, we will share Christ's glory (Romans |