Disciplemaking Youth Ministry Includes Equipping Workers

You may have noticed the emphasis in our youth ministry articles on following the disciplemaking ministry patterns that Jesus modeled and then commanded his disciples: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20).

What is often overlooked is the process Jesus outlined—the same process he used in his earthly ministry that culminated in commissioning the disciples to go and do likewise.

If the Gospel accounts only shared that Jesus called and commissioned his disciples, we would be left wondering how he did it. Thankfully, however, the Gospels are full of the details of Jesus’ disciplemaking ministry. Those details provide us with a rich source of direction as we seek to follow Jesus in obeying his command to make disciples.

Hallmarks of Jesus’ ministry

Hallmarks of the early years of Jesus’ ministry include the following:

• News about him spread throughout the region (Luke 4:32).

• People were amazed at his teaching and authority (John 2:23-25).

• Crowds gathered to see and listen to him (John 4:39-42).

About a year and a half into his ministry, Jesus begins to focus his attention on those who want more than to simply eat the food he miraculously provides or watch miracles. He begins to invest in a few in an intentional way. And he challenges these few to become fishers of men.

We find, for instance, that Andrew, Peter, James and John become a priority of Jesus’ ministry. He eats in their homes (Mark 1:29; 2:15). He spends additional time with them (Mark 9:2). He withdraws from the masses to spend time with just a few (Mark 7:17; 9:30-31). He is intentionally equipping those who have shown a level of interest beyond simply wanting to sit in the audience. Such equipping doesn’t happen by accident. It is a strategic component of the development of a disciplemaking ministry.

CPR

Jesus’ strategy for equipping believers to become active in his disciplemaking work can be summarized by the acronym CPR. C refers to cultivating. Jesus set an example of investing time in developing enduring relationships with the few who wanted more. While this no doubt took time away from the masses, it was Jesus’ intent to build an enduring ministry. To do so required equipping and developing a cadre of those who would enthusiastically continue a disciplemaking ministry once Jesus’ own earthly ministry was complete.

P refers to planting. Peppered throughout the Gospels are numerous accounts of Jesus sharing with his inner core of disciples the attitudes and skills necessary to become productive workers in Jesus’ harvest ministry. Jesus intentionally set up and capitalized on what we sometimes refer to as teachable moments. Such teachable moments are most productive when the teacher has cultivated an enduring relationship with the student.

Interestingly, the disciples began to seek these teachable moments with Jesus. In Matthew 17:10, they ask him questions about the teachers of the law. In verse 19, they ask why a demon could not be driven out. In 18:1, they ask about the kingdom of heaven.

R refers to reaping a life-changing harvest by holding each other accountable to walk like Jesus walked. In John 13:12-17, Jesus set an example for his disciples, but followed up with instructions that they should follow that example. Accountability was increasing as Jesus’ ministry neared an end. Expectations were on the rise that the planting and cultivating would ultimately produce a disciplemaking harvest.

Equipping those who want more

Effective youth ministry does not end with bringing students to Jesus or in building up those students in their faith. Rather, effective disciplemaking youth ministry includes following Jesus in identifying those who want more and investing in equipping them for active participation in Jesus’ work on earth. This equipping occurs through sharing teachable points of view that are biblically based, and then holding the student accountable to do something with what they are learning.

How do we identify those who want more? Those who emerge as candidates for equipping have some distinct characteristics. For starters, they make themselves available. Being a disciple who makes disciples becomes a priority. They clear time to learn more. I was once told: "You can hear what people say is a priority to them, but the best way to validate this is to check what they do with their money and their time." Those who want more demonstrate that level of commitment by freeing their calendar and other resources to engage more actively in ministry.

Eager desire

A candidate for equipping will show himself or herself to be faithful. They have track records that demonstrate an eager desire to focus on things that are important to Jesus, not just themselves. And the fruit in their lives begins to reflect Christ’s priority in their day-to-day conduct.

They are teachable. Jesus’ disciples demonstrated this characteristic as they began to ask more and more questions of him. They had a thirst for learning.

A final characteristic is that they are responsive. Jesus provided what some might see as mundane expectations associated with service, such as passing out the loaves and fishes, to observe how his disciples responded to his Lordship in their lives.

It is difficult if not impossible to pour oneself into the lives of hundreds or even dozens of people for equipping purposes. Jesus’ own example was that he invested in a small group that he fully expected would, in turn, invest themselves in equipping a small group to become disciplemakers—thus perpetuating the disciplemaking cycle.

Jesus’ method for equipping went far beyond offering a two-hour workshop. For Jesus, equipping was a life-style—a 24 hour a day, seven days a week investment in the lives of his inner circle of disciples.

Significant challenges

Following Jesus’ methodology for equipping workers presents significant challenges for us. How do we find the time and the appropriate places? The answers are not easy, but when it comes to equipping youths and the adults who serve in youth ministry, I have found that time away together for concentrated equipping is of great value.

One such place is the Summer Educational Program (SEP), which provides an immersion experience where youth leaders actively equip youths who want more. If you are a teen, older preteen or college-age young adult who is hungry to be equipped to participate in youth ministry, I encourage you to come to camp.

If you are a youth ministry worker who wants to be further equipped and to help equip our youths, I invite you to apply to work on the staff of one of our camps. Camper and staff applications are available at http://genmin.gci.org/

Another option for intensive equipping are the YouthBuilders conferences that Ted Johnston and I conduct in various locations in the United States. We also equip youth leaders and workers at our 2003 regional conferences.

While such conferences do not take the place of long-term equipping relationships, they are significant short-term and intensive equipping opportunities for those who want more. If you are interested in attending one of these conferences, check with your pastor, who can give you the details.

One final note. In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus said: "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Please join us in asking for these additional workers, and please consider whether God is answering your prayer by asking you to be one of them. If you sense God asking you to seek equipping, be sure to let your pastor or your youth ministry leader know—they will be happy to help you get the equipping you seek.