PART 2 of 3
THE BT/CHURCH-PLANTING TEAM
Bible translators in training with ABT spend a lot of time developing language skills, learning the biblical languages, and studying things like linguistics. However, if Bible translation is not merely an academic project, but a part of the church planting process, what additional skills do Bible translators and their teammates need?
Church planters need to understand people, cultures, and worldviews. But most of all, they need to develop character traits and lifestyle habits like those of Jesus. Nobody has discipled others more successfully than Jesus. How did He do it?
Jesus Discipled by Relationship
Jesus loved His disciples. (“He loved them to the end.”)
He encouraged them (“Fear not!”). He rebuked them (“You do not know what manner of spirit you are of!”)
In return, Jesus’ disciples loved Him. They spent time with Him. They knew Him.
And Jesus led them to know and love the Father.
Jesus Discipled by Example
-Noticing needs and taking opportunities.
-Responding to both the proud and the lowly
-Operating by faith, not fear
-Obeying the Father and depending on Him
Jesus Discipled by Teaching
Through Jesus’ teaching, the disciples learned. . .
. . .what God is like.
. . .what pleases God.
. . .to value the Scriptures.
. . .the nature of their calling and how to pursue it.
Jesus’ Discipleship was Effective
Jesus’ disciples passed on His teaching.
They propagated the faith across generations and cultures.
They valued the Scriptures, studied them purposefully, and used them with skill and spiritual power.
They passed on the work of overseeing and teaching to qualified men in each new location.
Bible translators, and all church-planting team members, must be first discipled by Jesus. As His devoted disciples, they can help others learn to follow Jesus too. Gathered around Jesus and His Word, the new disciples form a faith community, a maturing church prepared to carry forward Jesus’ great commission.
