L esson
11
*March 8–14
Discipling Spiritual Leaders
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 6:12–16, John 16:7–14,
Luke 6:20–49, Jer. 50:31, Isa. 57:15, Acts 1.
Memory Text: “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out
to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from
them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles” (Luke 6:12, 13,
NKJV).
W
hile Jesus was ever active in making disciples, He recognized
that His earthly sojourn was short. Therefore He invested
Himself in the training of disciples to continue the work after
He left. He was both their Master Teacher and their Master Trainer.
While teaching and training are obviously related, teaching usually
connotes the impartation of knowledge, whereas training suggests formation or qualification through practice and discipline.
The disciples’ preparation for leadership certainly involved the
receiving of knowledge, but spiritual growth was uppermost. They
needed an experience in the things of God, of faith, of hardship, of
sanctification, and of self-sacrifice, along with an intellectual understanding of doctrine and theology. Knowledge alone was insufficient
preparation for the rigorous challenges ahead. Jesus gave them both.
* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 15.
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