Discipleship as Training

Athletes need trainers. I have experienced firsthand how the proper direction of an good teacher can enhance development. In basketball, there are several areas of emphasis: the weight room (where you develop strength needed to perform), the film room (where you assess you and your opponents), and the court (where you put it all together). The difference between an average player and a great player is often just the right trainer.

As youth leaders, it can be very difficult to maintain a healthy balance of our roles in ministry. Very often, much of our time is spent doing things beyond our calling. It is sometimes easy to forget in the shuffle of our weekly responsibilities that our primary role is to disciple students. This misunderstanding of roles has led to a generation of pseudo-shepherds, those who are youth leaders in title but not in function. If a youth leader misunderstands his or her role in ministry, that will have negative consequences for their students.

We can reclaim the role of youth leader as disciple-maker by studying 2 Timothy 4:1-8 and utilizing the analogy of a personal trainer.

Key #1: Preparation

Trainers help people achieve goals. An effective trainer prepares before engaging with the client. He is well read in their respective field, up-to-date on current trends and strategies, as well as the proper courses of action for different body types, fitness goals, handicaps, etc. Without being prepared himself, a trainer is little help to the client.

The same is true for disciple-makers. Paul calls Timothy to “be ready in season and out of season” (2 Tim. 4:2). Pastors are called to “rightly handle the Word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). This goes beyond mere lesson-prep. Before a disciple-maker is able to teach, he must first know the Word himself, and walk in it. He must be growing in his own understanding of the Scriptures, which often includes supplementary resources. He must understand the current issues in his culture in order to faithfully apply the truth of Scripture. Why should students be motivated towards spiritual growth if their youth pastor won’t?

Key #2: Instruction

Most of what the trainer does is instructing clients in what they need to do to achieve their goals. Which diets yield the best results? What do they need to avoid? What exercises should they add to strengthen certain muscles, and what is the proper way to do them? All of these questions are the task of the trainer as he helps his client achieve their desired result.

Ministers are called to “preach the Word” (2 Tim. 4:2). Although other jobs and tasks may be a part of what we do in ministry, disciple-making is the primary focus. As faithful leaders, we are not primarily called to plan fun events and design cool youth spaces. We are called to proclaim the truth of the gospel as the Holy Spirit works in and through us. On top of that, we are called to help students understand that the Holy Spirit is a necessary part of their faith journey. After all, the Spirit’s work in their life is absolutely necessary for growing in godliness. No one can grow more Christlike on their own effort. With this in mind, youth workers help students discover what spiritual disciplines to employ, practices to avoid, and plans will help them to grow. We must be prepared to instruct them - not only how to trust in Christ, but also what to believe and how to live it out.

Key# 3: Correction

What good trainers remember is that a journey is never accomplished by one session. Their job does not end once they deliver the plan. A good trainer continues to offer insight not just by reinforcing what they have already communicated, but by correcting mistakes in knowledge and execution. A trainer who avoids corrections is only half-heartedly invested in their client’s success. Yet, trainers also are meant to be guide, not a crutch. They are equipping clients to train themselves long-term.

Leaders are similarly called to “reprove, rebuke, and exhort” (2 Tim. 4:2). Their role in the life of students does not end with the initial information transfer of one lesson. Discipleship involves patiently walking with students and encouraging them as they mature. Correction is offered when necessary - not out of anger or frustration - but in a “sober-minded” way (2 Tim. 4:5) for the benefit of students. Just as trainers give their clients exercises to practice on their own, disciple-makers equip and challenge students to pursue spiritual growth privately. Otherwise, students will develop a co-dependent faith, built on their relationship with their youth leaders. We must help them understand where the true power to grow comes from: God Himself.

Key #4: Connection

A misunderstood element of an effective trainer is connection. The trainer/client relationship is established on trust: the trainer is claiming to be able to help the client, and the client is agreeing to follow the trainer’s instruction. If the trainer claims their plan works, but has never personally used it, there will be a disconnect with the client. Likewise, if the client ignores the trainer, their success will be limited. A healthy partnership is built on trust, transparency, and faithfulness to one another as they pursue their common goal.

Youth leaders often make the same mistake. Too often our definition of “teaching” is to “stand and deliver” while hoping students immediately understand, buy into, and put into practice everything we say. All relationships thrive on trust. Paul understood that modeling the Christian life before His people was a reinforcement of his teaching that could be replicated: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ,” (1 Cor. 11:1). It is one thing to tell someone what to do, but another to show them how. Disciple-makers practice what they preach so their students can see Christ in them. If we will not put the time, effort, and commitment into training ourselves or our students, we should not be surprised when they continue to remain distant.

Youth leaders have the unique opportunity to train up students in the Word so that they can, like Timothy, become leaders even in their young age. But in order to do that, we may need to embrace Paul’s words to Timothy. Our influence, however helpful, is not a “silver bullet” to shape their greatness. In this way, discipleship is actually quite simple: we prepare, instruct, correct, and connect in order to help students grow in Christ.