Title: Who are you with?

Focus: Jesus instituted a new kingdom as can be seen in his choice of 12, and his method for building it was through being “with” them. We should therefore have strong fellowship to the same end.

Function: To motivate more people to greater fellowship for the purpose of mentoring.

Text: Mk 3:13-15

Intro:
	We have seen that Jesus is doing something new


I.  (Mk 3:14a) Jesus begins to switch his focus here
	A.  He went up on the mountain and chose 12 people
	B.  Why did he choose 12?
		1.  There is a theological significance to 12
		2.  12 stands for God’s people
			a.  12 tribes
			b.  They became a people at a mountain too (Sinai)
		3.  So Jesus is instigating a “New Israel”
	C.  However, this is going to be significantly different
		1.  God dwelt in a tabernacle before
		2.  Now God is there in person expressing himself in human form
		3.  He is doing this for a reason
	D.  So there is more to choosing 12 than a theological reason
		1.  There is a highly practical reason as well
		2.  So let’s continue to read


II.  (Mk 3:14b-15) Did Jesus have a purpose in choosing them?
	A.  Text tells us why Jesus chose the 12
	B.  To “send them out”  (apostello)
		1.  Send out is verb form of Apostle (He apostled them)
		2.  He apostled them to preach (kerusso) to proclaim, herald
		3.  Gave authority over demons
		4.  So they were to do what Jesus has been doing
	C.  How are they going to know what to do?  --  By being “with him”
	D.  This could be seen as a simplified model for teaching
		1.  Some of us would call it OJT (On the Job Training)
		2.  Jn 15:15 - Jesus speech when they about to graduate from the 
		     Jesus school of Theology  (Were “friends”)


III.  I was driving and we once got lost driving in an unfamiliar town
	A.  Stacey would say “only once?”
	B.  We had a map, but got all turned around
		1.  Stopped and asked for directions - It not help
		2.  I’m not always good with directions in unfamiliar places
	C.  That’s why I glad when we first moved here, the Sterners drove on 
	       ahead of me to our house - Best way to show where to go
	D.  That is how Jesus taught his disciples - He called them to be “with him”


IV.  In God’s Kingdom, things different that world
	A.  Jn 10 - Jesus calls himself the good shepherd
		1.  Shepherds don’t sit in classrooms and tell sheep how to 
		2.  Psalm 23 - He leads me beside quiet waters
		3.  Jesus was with his disciples, that’s why they effective
	B.  However, we have adopted lecture hall and academic class model
		1.  It is no suprise, because this is the model in preacher training
		2.  This is great for disseminating info, but not for “training”
		3.  The Jesus style of teaching was hands on
	C.  How did he teach people how to:
		1.  Pray - He demonstrated it - They observed and learned
		2.  Have mercy - He demonstrated it - Woman in adultery
		3.  To Love - Demonstrated it - Washed their feet / Cross
	D.  How effective would they have been if Jesus trained them in a 
	      University or Seminary type setting?
		1.  One thing for sure - Head would be full of knowledge
		2.  Couldn’t cope with real life situations


V.  There is a word that we sometimes pay lip service to
	A.  Mentoring - We all agree it is good, and can see it in Jesus’ method
	B.  Mentoring involves deep fellowship
		1.  Jesus had deep level of fellowship with the 12
		2.  Didn’t consist of just potlucks, picnics, and fun activities
		3.  They fellowship in ministry, in the cause of Christ - Goal
	C.  Some of the most effective ministers - Youth Ministers
		1.  Man of them use the mentoring model in their ministry
		2.  They get their faith out of the blg and onto the streets
		3.  Their goal is the imitation of Christ
	D.  Is this Biblical?
		1.  Lk 6:40 - Disciple fully trained will be like his teacher
		2.  (1 Thess 2:7-12) - See this example in Paul’s ministry


VI.  This is what leadership is all about - Teaching for the imitation of Christ
	A.  Question:  Is leadership limited to the elders or those with titles?
		1.  1 Tim 5:1-2 - Older men as fathers, women as mothers
		2.  Tit 2:3-4 - Older men teach younger
		3.  Leadership not limited to just elders
	B.  We need to change our model for leadership and teaching
	C.  Do we really need a change?  Let me ask this
		1.  Of myself - John, who are you mentoring and teaching?
		2.  To elders - Who are you mentoring?
		3.  Deacons - Are you mentoring anyone in your ministry?
		4.  Teachers - Are you academic, or do you mentor any students?
		5.  Parents - Do you just bring children here, or do you lead them to 
		      take their faith out of the building?
		6.  Teens - Are you mentoring and being encouragement?
	D.  I think the answer is self evident.  
		- If we are going to be imitators of Christ, change is needed


VII.  How?
	A.  Be “with” them
	B.  With “who?”  
		1.  Here is where I think the choice of 12 was more than theological
		2.  What if Jesus had chosen 40?  That is a theological number
		3.  Not practical.  He focused on a "few" people
	C.  This is a warrant for small groups
		1.  If groups for purpose of mentoring, no more than 12 families
		2.  When?  -  Find a time that is most beneficial.  Sunday evenings?
		3.  Meeting weekly as a minimum
			a.  In depth fellowship
			b.  Spiritual growth
			c.  Discipleship
			d.  Training
		4.  Freedom to take the time to do something to put faith in action
	D.  Regardless of what we do, we need to do something


Concl:
1.  Who are you “with”
2.  This question should be a challenge for those of us with the ability to train,
teach and be examples to others
3.  Prayer
4.  Invitation