The Way of the Amateur

Ministry Amateurs

amateur - comes from the Latin word meaning “lover.”

Amateurs are not necessarily people lacking skill or training; they can often be highly skilled. They do what they do not for pay but out of sheer love and joy of it.

The first Ministry Amateurs - The Apostles

What We Picture in Our Imaginations Can Impact Our Behavior

“How many of you feel that you have the gift of teaching and could do what I am doing?”

“Now, How many of you could could come alongside someone to befriend them, read the Bible, ask some questions, tell some stories, and and encourage application?”

We think (imagine) I could never...

because I’m not a teacher

I’m not good enough or qualified

Reimagine (hang a new picture) an Alongsider

Jesus invites us to be ministry amateurs that come alongside others in their journey to Jesus and life lived in faith.

Alongsiders...

Use the Language of The Holy Spirit

Change the “How”

Change the “When”

Change the “Where”

Change the “What”

Describe your current picture of disciple making.

2. Here’s the description of an alongsider. Underline the words and phrases that stand out to you.

When we minister as alongsiders, we earn the right to intentionally become involved in people’s loves. Alongsiders partner with the Holy Spirit, helping pthers wholeheartedly follow Jesus in all of life. We purposefully do this in simple, life-to-life ways: loving one another, reading the Bible, telling stories, asking questions, encouraging application, and living on mission.

3. The apostle Paul practiced a relational approach to ministry. Even though his mission as an apostle typically meant launching a church and then moving on, he demonstrated a relational approach to ministry. From his example in the Thessalonian church, what can you observe about his relational approach?

1 Thessalonians 2:7 “But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.”

1 Thessalonians 2:8 “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.”

1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 “For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”

4. What do you think it meant for Paul to be like a mother or father to this new group of believers?

5. Describe Paul’s intentionality in growing in faith the faith of these new believers.