ENW seeks to bring to the field a biblical discipleship model of equipping versus an academic model of merely dispensing biblical information. One is geared toward a hands-on personal style of training. The other tends to limit itself to a lecture class format.
The model of effective discipleship is fleshed out in two passages each presenting an important principle established and employed by Jesus. Both passages point to a personal life touching life, truth-to-life model of training.
With Him
Mark 3:14
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.
Jesus wanted His disciples to be with Him. He wanted them to see and hear a functioning, living, breathing person who taught with His life as well as His words. He wanted them to observe, watch and listen to truth fleshed out in life’s situations. Truth is not to be held hostage in an academic classroom where little more than theory and hypotheticals can be discussed. It is to be personified in the milieu of life. It is to be taken right into the teeth of life’s scenarios. Truth is to be used and lived out in everyday circumstances.
Indeed, the disciples were with Him in all kinds of scenarios; handling ridicule, criticism, rejection, hypocrisy, sickness, death, self-righteousness, immorality, etc. Jesus’ desire to have His disciples with Him was a very calculated means to a very calculated end. That end is established in the second principle.
Like Him
Luke 6:40
The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
Jesus wanted His disciples to be like Him. He wanted them to imitate His attitude, character, reasoning process, theology, values, ambitions, motives, priorities, goals and speech. This is God’s goal for all believers (Romans 8:28-29). This was Paul’s goal for those he served (1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 4:9).
ENW seeks to follow, as much as possible in our modern culture, the legacy and pattern left for us by the two greatest teachers and disciple-makers of all—Jesus and Paul. ENW will include but go beyond a “lecture model” of training by incorporating a more personal model such as is demonstrated in the relationships of Paul and Timothy and between Jesus, James, and John. This training model provides the possibility of a “life impacting life” method of teaching. ENW embraces this biblical discipleship model as the most effective method for equipping others since it was established and employed by Jesus. Paul, a disciple of Jesus, implemented this exact discipleship model as he equipped the Ephesians elders for 3 years (Acts 20:17ff).
ENW seeks to coordinate and work with biblically sound missionaries and nationals. ENW desires to complement and support the training already offered. We desire to rub shoulders with the national pastors in their cultures, environments and churches. By doing so, ENW will be able to see firsthand the difficult situations they face, listen to their pertinent questions regarding current and ongoing situations and bring to their scenarios biblical help and hope. We have an absolutely sufficient Bible, so there is no problem beyond the scope of Scripture.