Training trainers

This evening I got to visit one of my husband's trainings during their final session. The group wanted to meet Emma and to have us stay for dinner after the training. 

"You wouldn't send a newborn baby home from the hospital alone would you? No! That would be crazy!"  This was a nice quote by one of our partners on the importance of not just abandoning those who make decisions to become followers.

These trainings are aimed at helping those who are already gathered in groups to grow by each one growing, sharing and gathering. 

Our aim is in 2 Tim. 2:2 "the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."

These are four generations: 

1) ME

2) YOU

3) FAITHFUL MEN

4) OTHERS

In that verse, Paul is "me". He is passing what is in the Word to Timothy. He asks Timothy to then share what he has received with faithful men who Timothy knows will then be able to then share it with others. Taken into our context, that would mean the trainer passes it to one member who will share it with faithful people in their community that he or she knows will be able to pass it on to others. Thus, the trainees becomes trainers of trainees who will become trainers...etc. 

Another verse that shows this transmission is Matt. 28:18-20 "all authority has been given to Me in he@ven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disc!ples of all nations, b@ptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..." 

1) Je.sus

2) His disc!ples

3) the nations at that time

4) us

 

Or, making it more personal...

1) Je.sus has given us His blessing and all the authority that goes with this command to go what He is asking

2) I make and b@ptize another person and then teach her to obey everything I've been taught to obey in the Word including this command to pass it on 

3) she makes and b@ptizes another person... Teaching her to obey... Including this command

4) she (and we) continue to pass it on to others while encouraging each other in this work

In healthy groups every member is aiming for the health of that verse, edifying the body and personally growing. 

In that verse, we all should have 'sp!ritual children and grandchildren' we are encouraging and building up in love. Wouldn't that be awesome?! Is that what you see happening in your life? Do you see this happening in your community?