“So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxenbefore him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.

1 Kings 19:19-21 (NKJV)

The art of discipleship is a transformative journey akin to a time-honored tradition of apprenticeship. This is not just a training system for a trade or specific job field but a path of personal growth. A disciple is an apprentice who learns from someone who has mastered their field of study. They are learners and followers, often referred to as pupils. Each of these instances makes a disciple someone endeavoring to learn something from another person. Before someone can move past being an apprentice, they must master the skill they are learning. This process is not easy and often takes years to accomplish.

What Is The Apprentice And Master Model?

Many relationships in scripture exemplify a master-apprentice relationship. One of the most notable is the relationship between Elijah and Elisha. This story begins at the end of 1 Kings 19. Elijah was used by God to be a prophet to the people and to confront the leaders of his day. At this time, he had been a prophet for a while and had seen God use him in many ways. At the end of 1 Kings 19, however, he finds himself not trusting God and hiding in the desert, asking for God to kill him. He was encouraged to get up, eat, and go here because God had more for him, and the journey was too big for him. At the end of the chapter, God gives Elijah some instructions for ministry, and one of those is to anoint Elisha in his place. Elijah obeyed God’s command, and Elisha gladly followed him and became his servant. Though short, the story of these two men shows up periodically till 2 Kings 2, and it is here that Elijah is carried off to heaven. From this point on, Elisha now resumes and picks up the responsibility of being the prophet. He moves from apprentice to master, and God uses him to perform more miracles and have a ministry double that of Elijah’s.

Elisha learned from Elijah by following him and actively participating in his ministry. This form of learning from another person is a long-standing tradition and method. It has allowed for the transfer of knowledge and expertise from one individual to the next. A successful mentor is one who, like Elijah, trains his apprentice to be better than themselves. Elisha also had an attitude and heart for learning. This is not normal; many will try to elevate themselves too quickly and fail because they are not ready for the task. Elisha willfully and with humility learned from Elijah, which made him successful.

Humility

Humility is a crucial virtue in the journey of becoming a disciple-maker. It requires a person to willingly submit to the authority of others, a task that can be challenging for those who prefer to be in control. Yet, this humility is essential for personal growth and becoming a devoted follower of Christ.

Unfortunately, pride has been the downfall of many, as seen in the story of Adam and Eve in the garden. A prideful spirit is a recipe for failure, as it hampers one’s ability to receive the necessary instructions for growth. Once a person becomes a disciple-maker and allows pride to control them, their ministry will suffer. They will be more concerned with their own interests than with preparing and building up others.

The focus of the disciple and disciple-maker should be overcoming pride. Doing so will benefit both and make them better disciple-makers in the future. Humility allows for collaboration, encouragement, and rebuke when necessary. This spirit makes the process more enjoyable because they care for one another’s interests. Disciple-makers are more open and apt to help them learn and grow when they posture themselves in humility.

Focus On Personal Development

To become a disciple-maker, one must focus on personal development. God will work in a person’s life before He works through them, which means it will not happen instantly. A person will grow into the role of disciple-maker. Developing one’s person requires them to be actively engaged in the exercise of the spiritual disciplines. Reading the scripture, praying, and sharing the Gospel is foundational. Learning to encourage and feed oneself is essential for sustained health. David is the perfect example of this in 1 Samuel 31. While he and his mighty men were gone from their city of Ziglag, the Amalekites sacked the town, taking all their possessions and families. David and his men were in great distress, and many considered stoning him. It was here that he was able to strengthen himself in the Lord. He was at a low point and could seek God’s will. The Lord allowed him to go out and recover all that he had lost.

A disciple endeavoring to be a disciple-maker should focus on strengthening themselves in God. They should also not feel guilty for focusing on personal time and growth in Jesus. Ministry is challenging, and the demands are stressful. There is always something to do; if a person is not careful, they will burn themselves out. Focusing on the devotional life is essential for longevity and health. Allowing for time with God will give endurance to withstand the pressure of ministry. The ministry rat race is the problem that most find themselves in. They push and focus on ministry instead of on Jesus. This can only be sustained briefly before spiritual depletion and a crash occur. Do not feel ashamed or guilty to prioritize a relationship with Jesus. 

Conclusion

To become a master, you must first be an apprentice. A person will always take this step. It is hard work and requires learning from others who have gone before in their spiritual walk. Focus on being humble and having a teachable heart and attitude. These attributes will be the key to longevity and success. Lastly, learning to develop the spiritual disciplines in life will be helpful. Spending time with Jesus is necessary for growth and is the primary relationship in life.

Resources

Hull, Bill. The Complete Book of Discipleship: On Being and Making Followers of Christ. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2006.

Gallaty, Robby. Rediscovering Discipleship: Making Jesus’ Final Words Our First Work. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2015.

Koessler, John. True Discipleship: A Companion Guide: The Art of Following Jesus. Chicago, Moody Publishers.

Spangler, Ann, and Lois Tverberg. Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus. Zondervan, 6 Feb. 2018.

Murray, Andrew. Humility. Minneapolis, Minn: Bethany House, 2001.