1. Having a Personal Ministry

I love Challenge, and I love Mission Trails, but…

There is a dream I have that is bigger than both of these.

It is a dream to see each of you develop your own personal ministry.

Example of Paul

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV

and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

Example of Jesus

Robert Coleman wrote one of the most famous books on the ministry principles of Jesus after careful study of the life of Jesus. Here are the 8 principles that characterized how Jesus made Disciples.

He selected Lk. 6:12-16

Luke 6:12–16 ESV

In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

2. He Associated with them Mk. 3:14

Mark 3:14 ESV

And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach

3. He Consecrated them Lk. 16:13

Luke 16:13 ESV

No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

4. He Imparted his wisdom and life into them.

5. He Demonstrated the lifestyle Jn. 13:15

John 13:15 ESV

For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

6. He Delegated ministry to them Mk. 3:14-15

Mark 3:14–15 ESV

And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.

7. He Supervised Mk. 8:17

Mark 8:17 ESV

And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened?

8. He Reproduced Mt. 28:18-20

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Thoughts on Jesus’ Ministry

It wasn’t glamerous.

It wasn’t a quick process. He spent lots of time with them.

It was probably not easy.

But it was worth it.

Power of Compount interest

If a person saves $100/mo in their bank from age 18 - 72, they would have saved $64,800.

Thats the power of consistancy in one direction.

If that same person invested that $100/month in a mutual fund that made 12%/year, they would have $6.2 million at age 72.

Thats the power of consistancy plus compount interest.

What if you spent your life investing in personally making Disciples? If you made one Disciple/year who went on to make one disciple/year, the impact would be astounding.

Year 1: 1

Year 2: 2

Year 3: 4

Year 4: 8

By year 10 - Just over 1,000

By year 20 - Just over 1 Million

By year 30 - Just over 1 Billion

By year 33 - Over 8 Billion

Just for fun:) Age 72 - About 18 Quadrillion

The world would have been reach in its entirety over 2.25 million times.

Every person on earth could have been disciples again and again over 2 million times.

Do you see why I am so much more excited about training you to have a personal ministry than I am about growing Challenge or growing Mission Trails?

I believe that Jesus’ plan and strategy for making Disciples was brilliant!