Teaching at LTCi Siliguri - based upon Robert Coleman's book, The Master Plan of Evangelism

1. The Master Plan of
Evangelism
Robert E
Coleman

2. The Master Plan of
Evangelism
Robert E
Coleman

3. 7. Supervision
Do you still not see or understand?
Mark 8: I 7

4. Jesus kept check on them
After their ministry trips Jesus
listened to their reports and
shared with them his ministry in
doing the same thing.!
This teaching rotated between
instruction and assignment when with them he helped them
to understand the reason for
some previous action or getting
them ready for some new
experience.

5. Jesus kept check on them
He used questions, illustrations,
warnings, and admonitions to
bring out those things that they
needed to know in order to fulfil
His work.!
Mk 6:30 The apostles gathered
around Jesus and reported to
him all they had done and taught.

6. This regrouping also provided them
some needed rest in body and soul - the
Bible does not say how long the disciples
had been out, days or week? The
important thing is that they were
expected to share their experiences,
later, with the group.!
After the 70 went out, Jesus called them
back to report on their work, Lk 10:17!
The seventy-two returned with joy and
said, “Lord, even the demons submit to
us in your name.”!
Previously no mention is made of any
aspect of their work, but on this occasion
they had a rousing report of triumph. Had
experienced gee rated greater faith and
confidence?

7. This gave Jesus great joy and he
said: He replied, “I saw Satan fall like
lightning from heaven.” Luke 10:18!
He also said two other things,
10:21,22!
However, do not rejoice that the
spirits submit to you, but rejoice that
your names are written in heaven.”!
At that time Jesus, full of joy through
the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you,
Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
because you have hidden these
things from the wise and learned,
and revealed them to little children.
Yes, Father, for this is what you were
pleased to do.

8. This gavewhat Jesus had beenhe
This was Jesus great joy and
said: He for and now he Satan fall like
working replied, “I saw was
lightning from heaven.” Luke 10:18!
beginning to see his work show fruit.
Yet he still cautioned them against
He also said two other things,
pride in their accomplishments.
10:21,22!
However, do not rejoice that the
spirits submit to you, but rejoice that
your names are written in heaven.”!
At that time Jesus, full of joy through
the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you,
Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
because you have hidden these
things from the wise and learned,
and revealed them to little children.
Yes, Father, for this is what you were
pleased to do.

9. Jesus continually reviewed their
performance
Throughout his ministry Jesus would
review the disciples experiences
making sure they understood and
applied that knowledge.!
e.g. the way he responded to the
futile efforts of some of the disciples
to heal an afflicted boy. Jesus was
on the mount of Transfiguration, in
his absence, the other disciples had
tried to heal a demon-possessed
boy brought to them by the father.

10. Jesus continually reviewed their
performance
This case was too much for their
faith, and when Jesus returned he
found the distraught father with the
sick child having a fit before the
helpless disciples.!
Jesus took care of the boy, but also
gave the frustrated disciples a
lesson on how they, through more
prayer and fasting, should have laid
hold upon God's faithfulness, Mark
9:17-29; Matt. 17:14-20; Luke
9:37-43.

11. After the 5000 had been fed he taught
them again of his power to do all things
while also teaching them a lesson about
spiritual discernment Mark 6:30-44;
7:31-8:9; 13-21; Matt. 14:13-21; 15:29-38;
Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-13!
They were going across Galilee in a boat Jesus had denounced those seeking signs
in his day, Mark 8:10-12; Matt. 15:39-16:4!
Jesus said: "Take heed, beware of the
leaven of the Pharisees.”!
The disciples were only hungry for food,
and had only one loaf of bread with them should they have bought more, where will
they get some?!
Jesus realised they had missed the point,
Matt 16:5-12

12. When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take
bread. 6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard
against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”!
7 They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is
because we didn’t bring any bread.”!
8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why
are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do
you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for
the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10
Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many
basketfuls you gathered? 11 How is it you don’t understand that
I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard
against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then
they understood that he was not telling them to guard against
the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the
Pharisees and Sadducees.

13. Jesus taught them patience
One of Jesus’ correctional teachings
was in connection with their attitude
toward others in the work who were not
members of the apostolic company.!
At some point they found people casting
out demons in Jesus' name, but they
were not of the disciples group, so the
disciples had rebuked them!
The disciples felt they were doing the
right thing, but when it was reported to
Jesus he gave them a lecture on the
dangers of discouraging any sincere
work on His behalf, Mark 9:39-50

14. Jesus taught them patience
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no
one who does a miracle in my name
can in the next moment say anything
bad about me, 40 for whoever is not
against us is for us. 41 Truly I tell you,
anyone who gives you a cup of water
in my name because you belong to the
Messiah will certainly not lose their
reward.!
Jesus then applied this more generally
to all people, especially children, He
went on to say, Mark 9: 42-47,

15. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who
believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a
large millstone were hung around their neck and they
were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to
stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed
than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never
goes out. [44] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble,
cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to
have two feet and be thrown into hell. [46] 47 And if your
eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you
to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have
two eyes and be thrown into hell,!
Note v 44, 46 are omitted as some texts include as these
verses, where “‘the worms that eat them do not die, and
the fire is not quenched.’”

16. At another time in Samaria the
response of some of the disciples to
rejection is astonishing - Jesus
ensures they get their thinking right!
Luke 9:52ff!
“…he sent messengers on ahead, who
went into a Samaritan village to get
things ready for him; 53 but the people
there did not welcome him, because
he was heading for Jerusalem. 54
When the disciples James and John
saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you
want us to call fire down from heaven
to destroy them?” 55 But Jesus turned
and rebuked them. 56 Then he and his
disciples went to another village.”

17. The principle observed
Jesus gave constant attention to the
disciples, giving them increasingly more
attention as his ministry on earth came
to a close.!
He would not let them rest in success or
in failure - there was always more to do
and to learn. He rejoiced in their
success, but kept pointing them to His
goal / vision.!
Coleman notes that, “Jesus was careful
to teach them that the Holy Spirit would
continue to supervise their work after
He had left - you are never without
personal supervision.”

18. The principle observed
The fact the disciples failed at times,
gave them greater awareness of their
deficiencies, and hence they were
more open to his correction.!
And by dealing with real-life situations
Jesus could then pinpoint His teaching
upon specific needs and to spell out
what was required.

19. “The important thing about all this
supervisory work of Jesus was that
He kept the disciples going on toward
the goal He had set for them. He did
not expect more from His disciples
than they could do, but He did expect
their best, and this He expected
always to be improved as they grew
in knowledge and grace. His plan of
teaching, by example, assignment,
and constant check-up, was
calculated to bring out the best that
was in them.”

20. The principle today
We need this supervision today
among those who are seeking to
train others for evangelism. Just
because a worker knows how to do
it, and is sent out does not
guarantee good results. Many things
could happen to frustrate and
sidetrack the work - these matters
must be dealt with realistically by
competent and understanding
people - otherwise the worker may
become discouraged and defeated.

21. The principle today
Successes also need to be clarified
and deepened as their meaning is
interpreted in the light of the total
mission of Christ. !
“It is crucial that those engaging in
the work of evangelism have
personal supervision and guidance
until such time as they are matured
enough to carry on alone.”

22. Keep the vision clear
We must always remember that our
goal is world conquest. We dare not let
a lesser vision capture us.!
Many times in their Christian life
people are asked to serve but are
given no further training,
explanation or inspiration. The result
is excitement but no growth - potential
ability is not developed, and before
long a promising leader is spoiled for
want of supervision.!
Kingdom effort is lost and we fail
because we let our little efforts become
an excuse for not doing more.

23. Keep the vision clear
The result is that we lose by default
the advantage of years of hard work
and sacrifice. We must learn not to
be satisfied merely with the firstfruits
of those who are sent out to witness
- disciples must be brought to
maturity.!
There can be no substitute for total
victory, and our field is the world. We
have not been called to hold the fort,
but to storm the heights.

25. So this course
should go on
forever…