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It didn’t take long. Jesus knew He had a brief 36 months to train a band of men who would be used to change the world. An inner core of three (Peter, James, and John) and then another nine men comprised the twelve disciples. Notice carefully what He did.

1. PRAYERFUL, DELIBERATE SELECTION

And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. (Mk. 3:13)

These were not random men, but His choices came out of a full night of communion with His Father. These were God-picked men, even Judas who would serve a Divine purpose. And his personal preferences in the selection played a part—these were men whom “He Himself wanted.”

2. TIME IN HIS PRESENCE

And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him (Mk. 3:14)

His plan was not a book study merely (although they would be with Him in formal times of teaching), or an experience (of which they had many with Him). It was all of that and more because His key in discipling them was PRESENCE. They were to be with the Son of God IN HIS PRESENCE, observing how He lived and prayed and ministered and loved and even suffered and died and rose again.

His training plan was immersive. It was in His presence, and only there, they would receive the preparation and power they needed.

We must spend time simply walking and living with those we’re training. And, even more important, we must walk with them into the very presence of God and teach them how to abide there, for everything flows from God’s presence.

3. INTENTIONAL MINISTRY TRAINING

… that He could send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons. (Mk 3:14-15)

Jesus was not merely gaining a few friends or spending time with no intentionality. He knew from the beginning that He was getting them ready to GO, to be SENT OUT on a mission. That mission was two-fold: to PROCLAIM A MESSAGE OF REPENTANCE and DO MINISTRY that would bring deliverance and healing to those they encountered. He had to get them ready to do those things.

We see this further in Mark 6:7. His training was all geared to this end result and, ultimately, the end result of Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8.

And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs (Mk 6:7)

4. TEACH JOINT MINISTRY

Jesus never sent them out alone, for obvious reasons. Ministry is best done with others. Never let them do silo ministry.

And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs (Mk 6:7)

5. EMPOWER THEM WITH GOD-GIVEN AUTHORITY

His disciples knew that He had authority over the enemy (for they had observed it in His presence). Now, He deliberately gave them that delegated authority and helped them know they had it. Although we do not give this authority like Jesus (only He can do that), we must help those we disciple know that they have that authority through Christ and how to use it.

and gave them authority over the unclean spirits (Mk. 6:7)

6. BUILD A FAITH OPERATING SYSTEM THROUGH FAITH TESTS

… and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt—but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics. (Mk. 6:8-9)

God has one operating system with men—faith. We must learn how to depend upon Him and not ourselves. Every experience in life is about this. It is always the “purpose of the exercise.”

Jesus put them in positions where they had to operate this way to train them. We should relate every experience of life for our disciples to faith, helping them to live by faith and minister by faith.

7. SENT THEM OUT ON THEIR OWN IN FOCUSED MINISTRY

They went out and preached that men should repent. And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them. (Mk. 6:12-13)

They must have been fearful at this prospect, but Jesus sent them right out into the battle, with instructions, authority, and empowerment to do what they would soon do in every moment of their lives.

8. DEBRIEF AND EVALUATE EVERYTHING

The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.” (Lk. 10:17-19)

He talked with them about what had just happened and what that meant and how it was to be used in the future.

9. KEEP THEM FOCUSED ON THE MAIN THINGS

They went out and preached that men should repent. And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them. (Mk. 6:12-13)

Jesus trained them in two things: proclaiming the message of the gospel and taking authority over the enemy to deliver and heal people. Then He sent them out to do these two simple things: nothing more, nothing less. Wise is the trainer who keeps it simple. If our training doesn’t equip people for this, we have missed the mark.

10. HELP THEM STAY HUMBLE

“Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” (Lk. 10:20)

Turning to the disciples, He said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them.” (Lk. 10:23-24)

He reminded them that ministry was a privilege and honor. That they should always be humble and grateful. It helped them understand that what they were doing was not of their own ability, but was a gift from a gracious God, and that their greatest joy should be that God had saved sinners like themselves.

11. HELP THEM STAY BALANCED AND RESTED

And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves. (Mk. 6:31-32)

Jesus taught them to work hard and rest well. Both are essential for extended, fruitful ministry.

12. PRAY FERVENTLY WITH JOY AND THANKSGIVING FOR THOSE YOU LEAD!

At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” (Lk. 10:21-22)

Jesus prayed before they were selected, prayed as they trained together, and prayed after they went out. His whole method of discipling was to bring the Father into the equation through prayer.

If we want to raise disciples like Jesus, we must pray. With prayer, we get God’s results in their lives. Without prayer, we are discipling them alone.

Copyright © 2025 by Bill Elliff @ billelliff.org. No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org