WHEN YOU CROSS CULTURES - World Evangelical Alliance

DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING ESSENTIALS
With the changing face of missions, there should also be a growing
number of bi-vocational workers or “tentmakers”. My local church has “released”
several gifted men, including medical doctors, for strategic overseas ministries.
The church continues to provide prayer support for these workers.
7 Relationships
Interpersonal relationships taught and cultivated early during a disciple’s
training will stand him in good stead in later years. Such lessons are also
important for missionary preparation. “One another” exhortations in the
Scriptures need to be taught and applied especially in small group relationships
and witness. For example, in what practical ways can we serve one another, or
show kindness or bear each other’s burdens? When conflicts arise, how do we
resolve them biblically? Learning in the context of one's culture is also helpful.
There are also specific relationships that are taught, such as relationships
between
• Husbands and wives
• Parents and children
• Employers and employees
• Church Leaders and members
In discipleship training, it would be wise for the disciple to search the
Scriptures first rather than read books on the subject of relationships.
Discussions of biblical principles can then be done with an emphasis on the
practical.
Young disciples can often learn from role models. The discipler or trainer
can often be the model. “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ”
is what Paul said to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11:1). Examples of godly
Christians (in the family, at work, in the church, on the mission field) are indeed
powerful in influencing younger disciples.
In Navigator student ministries, special sessions are sometimes arranged
for growing disciples to meet godly couples for discussions on marriage
relationships. Before students graduate, they are also exposed to Christian
businessmen or professionals who would teach practical relationships between
employers and employees, and how Christians maintain a testimony in their
work. Pastors from Christ-centred and growing churches provide instruction
on relationships and service in the church.
After searching the Scriptures, disciples can also avail themselves to
reading books, listening to tapes or attending special seminars on relationships.
It is essential for those preparing for the mission field not only to have
learned about specific relationships but also to have demonstrated that they
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