Wait to start your Bible College 4

Jesus enjoyed His relationship with the twelve. He treated the disciples very kindly, like family. The word disciple is found 225 times in the gospels, referring to the followers of Jesus. Jesus even used the term two times when referring to them.

John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Jesus preferred to call the disciples, His brothers, His family!

Matthew 12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

Matthew 28:10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Jesus called them His children and friends! Jesus preferred using words that indicated an intimacy with the disciples. They were not just His students, nor project. They were family.

Mark 10:24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

John 13:33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

John 21:5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

Jesus was very close to His disciples. Jesus wasn’t starting a Bible College but a fellowship. His goal was to make friends that would do His work.

Would it be better to develop this friendship, live together, with-ness than the academic, project-based relationship? Don’t start the Bible College till you have to do so!

I challenge you to change your relationship with those that you are training. Wait on starting that Bible College till you are forced to start.