Evangelism 16, Working with Teams
Jesus for the most part worked with a small team, preparing them to evangelize the world. He discipled them at times in a very personal and one-on-one learning experience. At times he taught them as a group.
Even with his small team, he had something like an inner circle. There were some learning experiences that not all of his team of twelve participated in, do you recall?
Mt 17:1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.
3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
This is but one example. Only three of the twelve were allowed to witness the transfiguration. Another time it was these three that were invited to see a special miracle, bringing Jairus's daughter back from death.
Mk 5:38 When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly.
39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.”
40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was.
41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”).
42 Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.
There is reference to occasional tension between disciples, sometimes as they jockeyed for preference due to their lack of spiritual maturity and understanding. But we never read of tension due to the fact that Jesus sometimes went to his inner circle. He must have handled or facilitated that special attention masterfully in order not to create a resulting tension or jealousy.
Even in focusing so much attention on the team of twelve, He never neglected the others who followed. We never read about them feeling excluded or less valued. Some of them in fact very effective and important contributors to the church.
For us, in working with small groups in preparation for evangelism, we can concentrate at times on an inner circle of those that have special potential or giftedness, or perhaps special need for help and attention. In so doing, we must strive prayerfully and artfully to prevent that from creating any problems.
Blessings,
Larry
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