Knowable Word

Helping ordinary people learn to study the Bible

Copyright © 2012–2026 DiscipleMakers, except guest articles (copyright author). Used by permission.

When to Suspend an Apprentice’s Training

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Though Canaan would later hold about 2 million Israelites, Abraham released Lot, his heir and protege, on the younger man’s excuse that “the land could not support both of them” (Gen 13:5-6).1

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

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.

————

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.

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David Murray’s Collection of Bible Study Resources

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Professor David Murray has collected a long list of resources to help people study the Bible better. He includes scholarly resources for studying Hebrew and Greek, but he also lists many resources useful to the average Christian learning to study the text.

I haven’t read everything here, but I did appreciate the articles about word study mistakes and women weeping over diagrammed sentences.

Check it out!

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Teach Your Child to Listen to the Sermon

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A trip to the beach is the high point of my family’s summer, and we think about it for weeks before and after our feet hit the waves. My children bubble with excitement when we stuff the car with kites and sand toys. Lovingly prepared lunches and snacks stay untouched in the cooler as they splash and dig and run and build. Back at home, they pore over their shell collections and the pictures we’ve taken.

Ulrike Mai (2014), public domain

Ulrike Mai (2014), public domain

Most parents naturally use these three phases mentioned above (before, during, and after) to help their children get the most out of many experiences. These categories provide a useful structure to help our children listen to the weekly sermon at church.

Before the Sermon

Start by introducing the sermon text to your child during the week. If your son has personal devotions, give him the relevant passage for a day or two and see what observations and questions he generates. For younger ones, read them the passage or play the audio version a few times during meals or at bedtime.

Family devotions are a great way to help your children learn to study the Bible. Why not take a night or two each week to prepare for the sermon? This helps both parents and children think through the passage, understand its context, and pray for Sunday morning.

During the Sermon

As with adults, the main challenge for children during the sermon is to listen.

Though children usually enjoy the singing and can hang on during prayer and the offering, the sermon can be tough. How much we should expect from our children varies with age and development. Parents can train their children to sit and listen by providing direction and materials.

When children are very young, tap into their love of crayons and markers. Provide some pictures relevant to the sermon text for them to color. If they like to draw, encourage them to create a picture inspired by the sermon. (Plant picture ideas as you discuss the Bible passage during the week!)

When my oldest could read and write but was not yet able to listen for long stretches, I made a sermon worksheet for her each week. These sheets had some short-answer questions, some blanks to fill in, and some questions requiring more thought. During the sermon I asked her to read the relevant passage and fill out her sheet. After that, she could read or color something else of her choosing.

Older children should be able to pay attention to most sermons. Taking notes usually helps them to focus. Parents can nurture this skill by providing some examples of note-taking and some simple instructions.

After the Sermon

To help your child process the sermon, talk with him about it afterward. Lunchtime on Sunday is perfect for this.

Read the passage again as a family and ask your child to explain his drawing or notes. Find out what he remembers from the sermon. Expand the conversation so that parents and siblings have a chance to share their thoughts.

Parents should lead a brief discussion here: What is the main point of the passage? How does this relate to Jesus? How can we apply the passage individually? As a family? As a church?

Be gracious and understanding as you lead your child through this process. Listening, focusing, and remembering are difficult skills that take practice and maturity to develop.

A Final Note to Preachers

Preachers, remember there are young sheep in your flock. They may wiggle and fidget more than most, but they need the Shepherd too.

I’m not advocating you turn your sermon into a ten-minute Vacation Bible School message, complete with song and costume. But keeping the whole flock of God in mind will affect your preaching.

  1. Take care in your vocabulary. Don’t use unnecessarily complicated words. Define terms that might not be familiar.
  2. Choose illustrations that will capture children’s attention. Don’t be ashamed to pull from nursery rhymes or fables. Throw in some animals, princesses, or battle scenes from time to time.
  3. Finally, remember the children in your applications. Prepare several applications and include some specifically for children. Don’t tire of repetition—children need to hear the commands to obey parents, love siblings, and tell others about Jesus over and over. And remember Jesus in all of your applications! We communicate a lot about God’s grace in the way we frame applications of the Bible.

In some churches, children make up almost half the congregation. By helping them to focus on the Bible through the sermon, we train up the next generation of Christians and add to the Bible study culture of the church.

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5 Signs They’re Ready to Lead

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As you train a new Bible study leader, how do you know when the person is ready to start leading? When should you move an apprentice from the “I do, you help” to the “You do, I help” stage of training? If we advance people too quickly, they may burn out and give up. If we move them too slowly, the training could become stagnant and lifeless. What are the signs of a good balance?

1. When they ask for more

Jim Gillooly/PEI (2008), Creative Commons

Jim Gillooly/PEI (2008), Creative Commons

I made this point when I wrote of the prior transition between stages, and I repeat it now. High commitment + low motivation = small chance of long-term perseverance. But when your apprentice is motivated to take more responsibility, it’s worth it to consider giving it.

2. When they can communicate God’s word

By “communicate,” I mean more than “teach.” Of course they should be able to study the word and teach its main points. But potential leaders should also live out the word and habitually apply it to themselves. They handle the word well and allow it to handle them. Because Jesus said those who abide in his word show themselves his true disciples (John 8:31), this expectation marks a baseline for those who also want to make disciples.

3. When they have deep compassion for the people in the group

Jesus gave more signs of true disciples, one of which is love for one another (John 13:35). Jesus spoke and served out of deep compassion (Mark 6:34, 8:2), and his undershepherds are similarly motivated (1 Thess 2:8, 2:17-3:13). Is your apprentice driven more by the flock’s needs than by personal gain? Does the apprentice want a platform from which to speak, or is there an observable propensity to listen? Do group members trust the apprentice to have their best interests at heart?

4. When they have made sacrifices for the group and its members

If discipleship is costly (Luke 14:25-33), ministry is even more so. Those who will lead people must invest themselves in those people. Your apprentice prepares for leadership by making regular sacrifices for others, such as helping you to lead, coordinating activities, or getting together with group members outside the regular meeting. If you see these sacrifices taking place, without resentment or complaining, your apprentice may be ready to lead.

5. When group members trust them enough to follow them

Jesus’ final sign of true discipleship—bearing much fruit (John 15:8)—can be controversial, because we’re not sure how to hold people accountable to something over which they have no control. Even the best leaders can face widespread rejection and seasons of wilderness; they might have no control over people’s responses to their leadership. Just think of Moses (Exodus 2:11-15, 3:1), Elijah (1 Kings 19:1-18), and Paul (2 Tim 1:15). We can even think of Jesus himself (Mark 14:50, 15:34)—the one who could have controlled responses if he wanted to.

And yet we consider each of these leaders a hero. Though they experienced seasons of anguish, loneliness, and death, those seeds eventually sprouted into abundant fruit (John 12:24-26). That’s why the New Testament expects leadership candidates to experience seasons of testing (1 Tim 3:10) and accountability to things they can’t ultimately control (1 Tim 3:4-7).

Be ready to take risks on people who aren’t yet perfect. But also maintain high standards, and look for evidence of effective leadership. Look for the fruit of trusting, eager followers.

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One Thing You Must Know About Meeting With Your Apprentice

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If you’d like to train someone to lead a Bible study, and you’re ready to take the risk, you might just be waiting for a post about what to actually do when you meet with your apprentice. This is your post. There is one thing you must know, and then I’ll share some specifics about how I do it.

First, what you must know: You don’t need to follow a curriculum. The most common question I receive is “What materials do you use in your ministry?” And I don’t want to sound rude, but, ahem, the Bible is enough. You don’t need workbooks or study guides to tell you what question to ask next. Writers of study guides have much to offer, but they will never know as much as you do about you, your apprentice, your situation, or the needs of your small group. So make clear goals and find whatever direction you need. But major on getting to know your apprentice, shepherding his/her character, and discussing what will most help your group.

Now, when I say “you don’t need to follow a curriculum,” please don’t hear me saying you shouldn’t use a curriculum. Sometimes it can help. Sometimes it scratches the right itch. Sometimes.

So here’s what I do with my current apprentice, Jon. The training with my last apprentice looked different, but Jon and I are still early in our relationship, getting to know each other and learning how to encourage each other. Jon and I meet about every 2 weeks, at 8:15 pm on a weeknight (after our children are in bed), for 60-75 minutes.

  1. “How was your week?”
  2. “How is your marriage (or parenting) going?” (Insert major life responsibility, or chief character aim here.)
  3. “How do you think our small group is going? What is good, and what should we work on?” (Questions 1-3 take 30-45 minutes)
  4. Discuss one chapter of Knowable Word for about 10 minutes. Then we spend 15-20 minutes practicing those skills on the passage we studied at our last small group meeting (making the principles explicit).
  5. Pray for the group and for each other.
Nathan Rupert (2008), Creative Commons

Nathan Rupert (2008), Creative Commons

This meeting is neither an interview nor a lecture, but a conversation. I inject it with as much of my personal life as possible so we can get to know each other. Because I’m not the holy Prophet descending the mountain to convey my wisdom before returning to my contemplation, the relationship goes in both directions.

After we finish Knowable Word, I’ll probably have Jon read Growth Groups by Colin Marshall. But again, the discussion will center on the need of the moment, not the next approved subject. The key is not to follow a plan, but to live life together and offer real-time coaching.

I’d love to hear what else you’ve found effective in training apprentices.

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The Only Way to Learn

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Last week, Tim Challies wrote a great article called “The Hidden Beauty of a Bad Sermon.” Challies describes all the poor sermons he sat through at his church, because they were training young preachers. And Challies simply knocks it out of the park when he describes the only way a young preacher can learn to preach:

A man can read a hundred books on preaching and watch a thousand sermons on YouTube, but the only way he will really learn to preach is to preach. Sooner or later he will simply need to stand behind a pulpit, open his Bible, and launch into his introduction (assuming he remembers to actually prepare one). There are not many preachers who get away without preaching a few stinkers along the way. There are not many preachers who can become skilled without first being novices, who can grow into excellence without first being mediocre or average.

In light of my recent reflections on why it’s hard to delegate responsibility and how we need to take more risks in training ministry apprentices, I found Challies’s article timely. Though Challies singles out preachers, his comments apply equally to any teacher or Bible study leader.

Young preachers, new preachers, preach bad sermons. They preach bad sermons as they learn to preach good sermons. And in some ways, those bad sermons serve as a mark of a church’s health and strength because they prove that the church is fulfilling its mandate to raise up the next generation of preachers and the one after that. They prove that the church refuses to be so driven by a desire to display excellence that they will not risk the occasional dud. They prove that the congregation is mature enough to endure and even appreciate these first, messy attempts. There is hidden beauty, hidden value, in these bad sermons.

I wish I could quote the whole article. Check it out!

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3 Stages of Listening to a Sermon

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jacinta lluch valero (2012), Creative Commons License

jacinta lluch valero (2012), Creative Commons License

Want to know which way the wind is blowing? Just look at a weather vane.

Want to know how a church approaches the Bible? Just listen to a sermon.

A sermon won’t give a complete picture. But if a church has a robust Bible study culture, the sermon is a good indicator.

Now a sermon is not like an IV drip, where you passively receive nourishment. Rather, a sermon is like a hearty meal—the cook labors in the kitchen to measure and mix and simmer. He sets down the food and urges you to eat. But you won’t enjoy or benefit from the meal unless you raise a fork and tuck in.

With a sermon, this happens in three stages.

Before the Sermon

To get the most from a sermon, consider two important activities in the preceding week: prayer and study.

Both the preacher and the hearer need God’s help. Pray for your pastor as he studies the Bible and prepares to proclaim it. And pray for yourself and your fellow listeners, that you would understand and be changed by God’s word.

During the week, there’s another way to plow up your heart to prepare for the Sunday morning planting. Find out the Bible passage for the sermon and study it on your own. (If you aren’t sure how to study the Bible, start here.) Take a stab at the author’s main point, connect that to Jesus, and write down some applications. If Sunday morning is the second time you’ve grappled with the preacher’s text, God’s word is more likely to take root and sprout up in you.

During the Sermon

Honoring God during the sermon is straightforward, if not easy: Focus and listen.

We should give our full attention to the preaching of God’s word. Grab a Bible and locate the relevant passage. Think carefully with the preacher as he talks through the text.

For some, taking notes is essential. Writing helps these people follow the main ideas of the sermon and gives them a record to consult later.

For others, note-taking is a distraction. Trying to listen and write leaves them with scattered scrawlings and murky memories. These folks should consider jotting down their thoughts after the sermon, so those God-given impressions and applications don’t flit away.

We all have difficulty listening to sermons from time to time. This may have nothing to do with the preacher! Late nights, a difficult week, restless children, illness, or a hundred other factors may make it hard to concentrate. We should do our best to pray and prepare and focus. Beyond that, remember that God knows his children. His love for us doesn’t increase or decrease based on our attentiveness during the sermon. It is full and secure because of Jesus.

After the Sermon

When the preacher finishes his post-sermon prayer, your obligations are not over. Like The Carpenters, you’ve only just begun. The best ways to promote a Bible study culture in your church after the sermon are to apply and discuss the Bible.

Assuming your preacher handled the Bible faithfully and connected his applications to Jesus, now it’s your turn. With the help of the Holy Spirit, take your pastor’s suggestions, mix in your own, and apply this passage to your head, heart, and hands.

If you question the preacher’s interpretation, study the passage again. Request a meeting later that week. God brought this passage to your attention and you should pursue understanding and joyful obedience.

In addition to applying the sermon text yourself, talk about it with others in your church. If you do so right after the worship service, you have a ready-made entrance to fruitful conversation.

Encourage others with the truths of the Bible you’ve just heard, especially the good news about Jesus Christ. Brainstorm necessary and creative applications, both for yourself and for your church. Confess the barriers to obedience in your own heart and offer help and support to your friends. We need community to apply the Bible.

Make sure your discussions about the sermon aren’t an excuse to criticize your pastor. Talk about the Bible and how best to understand and apply it, but don’t become an Olympic figure-skating judge.

Imagine the growth you would see if even half your congregation invested time before, during, and after the sermon to give attention to the Bible. It would transform your church.

So, what’s on your menu for this coming Sunday?

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Find the Courage to Let Them Try

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Two of my daughters are 18 months apart in age. And Little Sis wants to try everything Big Sis does. Big Sis reads a book; Little Sis wants to read the same book. Big Sis plays a sport; Little Sis wants to try the same sport. Papa hurls Big Sis into the air during a playful tussle; Little Sis demands fellowship in behurlment.

Little Sis spouts her “Can I try?” mantra like a doll with a pull string, and her repetitive, invasive pushiness tempts most of her siblings past the brink of annoyance. Honestly, I’m tempted to be annoyed by it…until I remember how biblical it is.

The Risk of Dumb Ideas

The second stage of training a Bible study apprentice is “I do; you help.” In this stage, you invite the apprentice not only to watch you lead but also to lead along with you. You give the apprentice real responsibility, which is hard to do.

AlmazUK (2009), Creative Commons

AlmazUK (2009), Creative Commons

But as you let that leash out, you run the risk of the apprentice coming up with ideas. And the apprentice may want to carry out some of those ideas. And some of those ideas will be dumb.

Let’s say you are God in the flesh, and you can master the elements of nature however you see fit. You are special, and there is nobody on earth like you. Though most human leaders feel indispensable, only you truly are indispensable. You can do things nobody else can do. In fact, you must do things nobody else can do.

So you go about your business, proving you are the Son of God and preparing to die for the sin of the world. And one night, during the fourth watch, you do the impossible, striding across the sea as though it were a stage for one of your grandest pronouncements: “Take heart; it is I.”

And suddenly, from the cheap seats, a pipsqueak chirps: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Yeah, he’s your top guy. Yeah, you’re training him for leadership in great things. You’ve let him begin to help with your ministry. But he’s still a pipsqueak, and it’s still a dumb idea. Shoot it down. Now.

“Come.” (Matt 14:25-33). What?!

Find a Leader’s True Courage

My point is that none of us can out-risk Jesus. Unlike us, he would have succeeded by letting the world revolve around him. Of course, he did exactly that, after a fashion (Col 1:16-17). But unlike us, he quickly drew others in and relied on them to assist in the work. He had the courage to set them loose and let them try things.

He wouldn’t let them exact vengeance (Luke 9:51-56), and he never tolerated idleness (John 4:27, 35-38). But he constantly let them try things.

  • “You give them something to eat.”
  • “How many loaves do you have?”
  • “Go into the villages.”
  • “I will make you fishers of men.”
  • “Go and make disciples of all nations.”

Jesus knew he was in control and could turn their mistakes into something beautiful. Our hope is the same: Jesus is in control and can turn mistakes into something beautiful. His resurrection guarantees his plan to make all things new, so we don’t have to fear failure on the part of immature or inexperienced apprentices. When we believe this good news, we’ll find the courage to let them try, and occasionally fail.

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