Growing into Christ (8)

Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him… Mark 3.14

The Master Plan of Evangelism
Robert E. Coleman (1928 - )
“Knowledge was not communicated by the Master in terms of laws and dogmas, but in the living personality of One who walked among them. His disciples were distinguished, not by outward conformity to certain rituals, but by being with Him, and thereby participating in His doctrine.”

We recall that Peter and John astonished the religious leaders of Jerusalem because of their boldness, forthrightness, and determination. They were unschooled men, but they had been with Jesus (Acts 4.13). Being with Jesus is the way to grow into Jesus, to become the kind of truly spiritual person Jonathan Edwards described in “A Divine and Supernatural Light.” Aelred of Rievaulx learned from Jesus that spiritual men beget spiritual men, when they nurture and sustain true soul friendships together. David Dickson called on shepherds to take the work of disciple-making into the life spaces of those entrusted to their care, and to bring those they are helping to grow into Christ into their own homes and lives. This is what Jesus did, and it’s what we must do as well, as Robert E. Coleman will explain. We cannot make disciples through programs; Jesus shows us that we must be willing to invest personally in the lives of a few, by spending time with them in a variety of personal and ministry situations.

How does spending time with men feature in your own work of disciple-making?

Mission Partners Outreach
Here is the perfect resource to help you spend time with another believer, as the two of you grow together into Jesus. Jesus trained and deployed His followers two-by-two, to learn and serve together in proclaiming His Kingdom. Are you following this pattern? Our Mission Partners Outreach provides the resources and framework for making witness-bearing disciples in your church. Want to learn how it works? I’m currently looking for three men to work with me through this six-month training effort, which includes preparing a plan to implement this free training in your own church. Watch this brief video, then contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for more information.

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations are from Robert E. Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism(Old Tappan: Revell, 1963, 1987).