When to Suspend an Apprentice’s Training

The prophet Elisha sent his servant Gehazi out of his presence (2 Kings 5:27). Paul chose rather to split from his partner Barnabas than continue training John Mark (Acts 15:37-40). And though Jesus trained many disciples, there were also many he could not or would not train (Luke 9:57-62, Mark 5:18-20, 10:21-22, John 6:66).

I confess it’s not a pleasant topic, but it’s one we must grapple with. Not all apprentices will complete their training and lead their own Bible studies. Some will pull themselves out of the training, and others will need to be pulled out. How do leaders make such decisions?

John Douglas (2008), Creative Commons

Clear Guidance from Jesus

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke to his disciples—within earshot of the crowds (Matt 5:1-2)—about what sort of people make up the citizenry of the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:3, 10, 20, etc.). After explaining how such citizens can perfectly fulfill the law (Matt 5:17-48), find reward from their Father in heaven (Matt 6:1-18), and treasure this kingdom above all else (Matt 6:19-34), Jesus ends on a sober note.

Not content merely to define the kingdom’s citizens, he wants those citizens to be able to identify those who look like kingdom citizens but truly are not (Matt 7:1-6). Brothers and dogs are not the same species, and they require different tactics. In fact, Jesus urges his disciples to ask for discernment to see the difference between the two (Matt 7:7-12).

Then, assuming they do in fact want this discernment, Jesus concludes his sermon with a series of contrasts meant to sharpen the distinction (Matt 7:13-27). These contrasts will help us decide when to suspend an apprentice’s training.

Please note: I am not suggesting that every apprentice who drops out—or must be kicked out—of Bible study training is necessarily a dog, an outsider to Christ’s kingdom. For example, John Mark eventually turned around and became useful to Paul for ministry (2 Tim 4:11). And some who rejected Jesus later believed (John 7:5, 1 Cor 9:5, James 1:1, Jude 1:1).

I am merely suggesting that if someone currently shows the signs that one outside the kingdom would show, you may want to reconsider whether further leadership training is a good investment. You may honor the Lord by giving this person time to grow, and by finding someone else heading in the same direction you are.

What to Expect

Jesus’ first contrast has mostly to do with expectations (Matt 7:13-14):

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

As you train new leaders, remember that few find the way to life. Many—even among those who confess Jesus as Lord (Matt 7:21)—keep themselves on the wide, easy way, the one with destruction, not life, at its end.

So set your expectations appropriately. Many people you meet will not be interested in Jesus. Many people interested in Jesus will not be interested in Bible study. Many people interested in Bible study will not make good leadership candidates. And not many leadership candidates will become good leaders.

It’s a sad fact of life on a fallen planet. But knowing this fact, you’ll be more effective as a trainer. When you find the right people, you will go farther faster than if you keep dragging the wrong people along with you.

Test #1: Bearing Fruit

Jesus’ second contrast tells us what to look for (Matt 7:15-23):

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits…Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…

When training your apprentices, look for fruit. And in particular, the fruit you’re looking for is not merely a confession of Christ (Matt 7:21). False prophets will look just like sheep: attending, serving, listening, learning, engaging with the community. The fruit is also not ministry success.  Some false prophets will claim to speak in God’s name. Some will cast out demons and truly help people. Others will do many mighty works in Jesus’ name (Matt 7:22).

But the only fruit that matters is the fruit of doing the Father’s will (Matt 7:21). And Jesus already made clear: The Father’s will has to do with character: spiritual poverty, mourning, meekness, thirsting for righteousness, mercy, purity, peacemaking, endurance (Matt 5:3-12).

Test #2: Hearing and Doing

Jesus’ final contrast has to do with openness to instruction (Matt 7:24-27):

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock…And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand…

As you train your apprentices, you will instruct them. And I hope you instruct them with Jesus’ words from Scripture. As you do, pay attention to how the apprentices respond.

If they regularly argue with you or fight the instruction, watch out. If they blame people in the group for their mistakes, watch out. If they make excuses for everything you bring up, watch out. If they withdraw, get touchy, or are difficult to approach—watch out. If they point out everything you’ve done wrong, listen and learn. And then watch out.

But if they take the instruction to heart and do it—you’ve found something rare and precious.

Two gates, two fruit trees, and two builders. These three contrasts will help you know whether to suspend an apprentice’s training or continue moving forward.

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¹ Some may object that I’m quoting the narrator and not Lot. Yet I would argue from the flow of the story that, on this point, the narrator tells the tale from Lot’s perspective and not as an objective observer.