“I don’t feel qualified to train others in Disciple Making Movements,” she said, eyes downcast. “I haven’t started a movement yet.” This field practitioner felt unworthy because she hadn’t yet seen the multiplication she hoped for.
On the other hand, some speak with dogmatic certainty, declaring, “This is the only way to do it.” Yet when asked about their fruit, it’s clear they are theorists, not practitioners. It’s hard to learn from someone who teaches but doesn’t do.
Our Authority is God’s Word, Not Our Experience
In DMMs or CPMs, trainers must speak from experience. But, we also must remember that our authority doesn’t come from our fruitfulness alone—it comes from the biblical foundation of the principles we teach. The worthiness is in the content, not just the results. Still, we must remain personally engaged in disciple-making, not just teaching about it.
YWAM, my parent organization, has a value that says “Do first, then teach.” For disciple multiplication, I’d say: “Do first, do now, and keep doing…as you teach.”
“All” Mindset
You don’t need a seminary degree or a movement of 10,000 believers to train others. You just need to be one step ahead of those you train. Be committed to both doing and teaching. Some are gifted evangelists, others excel as trainers, but effective trainers always model what they teach.
Our mindset must be one of ALL (see my book The Multiplier’s Mindset for more on this). Every disciple is a disciple-maker. Every trainee is also a trainer. This is foundational.
Action Steps Are for Everyone
In disciple-maker’s meetings, we ask accountability questions: “Did you share the story this week?” “Did you pray for someone?” Those facilitating the groups must also be actively engaging with the lost. When we get too busy training and forget to make disciples ourselves, something is off.
This can be a real struggle for me at times. Teaching is easier and less messy than doing. Talking about disciple-making is not the same as making disciples.
Jesus Lived What He Taught
Jesus didn’t just teach—He demonstrated. His life was the lesson. Our Lord’s methods were more caught than taught. He warned against hearing the Word but not practicing it (Matt 7:26). Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for knowing the law but not living it (Matt 23).
Don’t wait until you’ve seen massive results to begin training others. Teach what you’re practicing. Be honest about your journey and invite others to learn with you. Let Scripture be your authority.
Humbly teach biblical truth and let it speak for itself. Then join the trainees in putting it into practice.
Live as a Practitioner
As you train and mobilize others, make time to reach the lost yourself. Be willing to start a group if people respond to your gospel sharing. This heart attitude and lifestyle qualify you to train others.
One way we can offer friendly accountability is through our Dare to Multiply Community. Join the free community today or sign up for one of our private channels to explore further or dive deeper into great content.
What’s your biggest struggle in actively making disciples while training others? Share your story or challenge below or on the community.
