Equip and Release by Coaching

Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters. 

Jesus modeled the way for us by spending time with his disciples.  Of course, he enjoyed their company.  And they helped him accomplish his ministry in both practical and spiritual ways.  But Jesus’ disciples were more than simply friends and co-workers.  They were men who were learning to take on great responsibility.  So when Jesus spent time with his disciples, he intentionally worked to develop in them the qualities necessary to fulfill the Great Commission and make disciples of all nations. As a church planter, you too spend time with your disciples to help them become all Jesus wants them to be. Thank you for engaging in this very important work. Thank you for following Jesus’ example. You are appreciated!

Sometimes Jesus taught his disciples directly. He developed his disciples through teaching when he explained the parables and when he gave the Sermon on the Mount. Sometimes Jesus mentored them. He mentored his disciples when he gently guided them and corrected them. An example of Jesus mentoring his disciples occurred when the disciples asked him, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”  He took the opportunity to help them understand the virtue of humility in the God’s Kingdom by taking the lowly position of a child.

But sometimes Jesus directed open questions to his disciples.   Jesus knew the answers. But he was asking open questions to help his disciples think more deeply and make wise decisions.  A great example is the questions Jesus asked his disciples when they were in the villages around Caesarea Philippi. Jesus asked a series of open questions:

• Who do people say that I am?

• But what about you?

• Who do you say I am?

Jesus asked these open questions to help his disciples access the wisdom that God had put within them so that they could make a good decision.  Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”  Peter’s recognition of that truth helped him go with Jesus all the way to Jerusalem.  Peter’s answer to Jesus’ question helped him repent when he betrayed Jesus.  Peter’s answer helped prepare him to preach on Pentecost and lead the church at Jerusalem.  All of this grew out of Peter’s answer to an open question Jesus asked the disciples.

That’s what coaching is. In its simplest form, coaching means using open questions to help others make wise decisions. Since you are a church planter, it is very likely that you like to preach and teach.  Preaching and teaching is good, but it is not enough. It is wonderful when you mentor a disciple by giving good advice. But mentoring is not enough. If we are to prepare leaders to take responsibility for fulfilling the Great Commission, we must add coaching to our leadership toolbox. 

Coaching allows our disciples to think for themselves now, just as they will have to in the future when we are no longer around. Coaching calls forth new insights and practical solutions.  My encouragement for you today is to use open questions frequently in your conversations with your disciples. Then, wait for them to respond. As you do so, you will develop leaders for times and places where you will not be present. As you coach others, you will be following the example of Jesus.

This has been “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #Coaching #OpenQuestions