"When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick."

Luke 9:1-2 (NIV)

Jesus sent His disciples out before they graduated. We need to UNLEARN the idea that ministry requires a diploma. The twelve men who walked with Jesus for three years were still asking basic questions. They still misunderstood His teachings and argued about who was greatest among them. Yet Jesus looked at these confused, unfinished students and said, "Go heal the sick and cast out demons." No final exam, no certification ceremony, just "go."

We've created a discipleship system that Jesus never used. We need to find the right balance. We think people need to complete classes and finish programs first. We make them prove their knowledge before they can help others grow. Training and learning God's Word are important and valuable. But they shouldn't become barriers that keep us from serving.

The disciples Jesus chose weren't the religious scholars. They weren't the spiritually mature either. They were fishermen who smelled like their day job. They were tax collectors nobody trusted and ordinary people with ordinary problems.

Think about what happened when they returned from their mission trips. They came back with amazing stories. Demons fled and sick people were healed. But they also came back with questions. "Why couldn't we cast out that demon?" "Who's going to be greatest in the kingdom?" They were successful and clueless at the same time.

On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved the first powered flight in history. They had no formal training as pilots because no pilots existed yet. They had no flight school to attend and no instructor to teach them. They had no manual to follow. They learned by trying, failing, adjusting, and trying again.

The person one step behind you doesn't need you to be an expert. They need you to be available and growing. Your willingness to learn together while sharing what you know is powerful. That might be exactly what they need to take their next step forward.

Godseekers, God chose weak and foolish things like you and I. When His power shows up through people who clearly couldn't do it alone, everyone knows who gets the credit. It wasn't human wisdom or strength that made the difference. This is exactly why God's method works so perfectly.

Prayer

Dear God, help me UNLEARN the lie that I need to know everything before I can help anyone. Give me courage to step into ministry while I'm still learning. Show me someone I can walk alongside, even though I don't have all the answers. Help me rely on Your Holy Spirit to guide me as I learn and grow. Use my availability more than my ability. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Personal Reflection

• What has kept you from helping others grow spiritually while you're still growing yourself?
• Who could you start walking with in faith, even though you're both still learning?

Step of Faith

Today, I will offer to pray with or encourage someone, even though I don't feel completely qualified to do so.