Jesus didn’t ask Peter to follow him sight unseen. His coaching began with trust-building. We see Jesus hanging out with Peter before he asks him to do anything else. After church, they go to Peter’s house. Jesus further earns trust by meeting Peter’s felt need – he heals his mother-in-law. (Luke 4:39)
In their next interaction, Jesus partners with Peter in ministry. He uses Peter’s boat as a floating preaching platform. Then, he again met Peter’s felt need by helping him with his business. (Luke 5:4)
By this time, Jesus has earned enough trust that he can begin to cast a vision in Peter’s life, challenging him to become His acolyte and enter a life of ministry (Luke 5:10-11). At this point, Jesus engages in the first phases of spiritual coaching: teaching and modeling with a small group (Luke 6-7). Periodically they are in a large group setting, but Jesus uses the small group to debrief His teaching (Luke 8:9).
Thus trained, Peter – along with the other disciples – gets to try out ministry for himself (Luke 9:2) before later progressing as a trainer for another acolyte (Luke 10). Subsequently, Jesus pulls Peter aside for spot coaching, encouraging him at points of breakthrough (Matt 16:18) and correcting or rebuking him when his faith faltered (Luke 22:31).
Jesus, ever the consummate spiritual coach, developed Peter over a period of three years into a spiritual leader. We can do the same for our acolytes if we’ll follow his pattern.
Hi
thank you for the insight.
I am using what you have written to share with my Bible study group. We are covering on “Masterlife” which has a short portion about the Principles of Discipling.
Thank you,
God bless
joy in the journey
florence, Singapore