February, 2026 Update

We are seeing great responses to a new set of verses / book study that I have titled Training Disciples to Train.  The book for this study is titled:  The Making of a Disciple written by Keith Phillips when he was the founder / president of World Impact in L.A.  The link for this study is https://biblicalmentoring.org/index.php/training-disciples-to-train-others/.

We revised our mission to Training Reproducing Disciples.  We did this because we are a 2 Timothy 2 type of ministry.  Let me explain.

I think there is a sharp distinction between a Matthew 28 understanding of “making disciples” and a 2 Timothy 2 understanding of discipleship training.  I am in the latter camp where it is no longer enough (for me) to help a student (trainee / disciple) just grow in their faith, knowledge and spiritual maturity.  There has to be self-death, i.e., becoming more like Jesus and bearing the fruit of reproduction per Keith Phillips.  What matters is that the disciple is showing more of the presence of the character of Jesus in his or her life.  The fruit of reproduction is revealed by actively training others to become like Jesus and like Paul and Timothy.  Paul tells his disciple Timothy – “You then my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”  This is what Training Reproducing Disciples looks like it seems.

I put a pause on all of my 14 trainees and switched them to this detailed study of this book that I am using as an effective discipleship training manual.  We are still seeking to memorize or review a key verse and also reading to each other 4 or so pages in each training call. (Men usually don’t read books!!)  This is surprisingly working well to teach the essentials to a 2 Timothy 2:2 discipleship training ministry.  That verse reads:  “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also“.  This was Paul’s special instructions to his disciple, Timothy.  The emphasis is obviously on training others to train others.

Our Biblical Mentoring trainees are learning key definitions of “discipleship” and “disciple”.  Section 3 of this book gives them the tools to recruit and train their own trainees from their own network.

This process will take some time but everyone is now expected to train disciple-makers (reproducing disciples) using this resource.   NOT just become a strong mature disciple but one who follows Paul’s instructions to train others.  It seems fair to assess that most discipleship programs focus on helping participants become more spiritual mature in their faith.  Not gain the knowledge and skills to TRAIN others to train others, etc. etc.   Spiritual maturity is very important but doesn’t fulfill the great commission that our Master gave to ALL believers to fulfill plans for His Kingdom. Period

They say it is what one starts (does) that really counts.  Please take the first step and contact me to learn how we can train willing participants anywhere we can get a phone connection with the same language almost anytime (this is negotiated by the trainer and trainee).

Reproduction is good! Any training system that does not reproduce is destined to fail. We need to incorporate reproduction into the system. God did this in His creation. Did you notice all the seeds in one juicy tomato? God has also intentionally woven this concept into the Gospel.

Copy of the Original! Paul emphasized that he wanted to begin with a strong image of the original—from Christ to Paul to Timothy and on to others. This standard of reproduction would be beneficial because it started with Christ. Timothy was to find and train faithful men. They might be reliable in just a few small things, like arriving on time, but they are indeed faithful.

Train to Reproduce! Timothy would instill in those with whom he shared the Gospel a need to teach others. When we make disciples, we must do so in a way that trains them to train others.

PERSONAL UPDATE:  I have been recently diagnosed with a condition macular degeneration in my left eye. My mother suffered from this condition for several years before passing on in mid-November.   Some blood vessels burst thus leaving little vision or double vision in that eye.  The reason was age related.  Seeing to read and write is a crucial part of my skills as director this ministry called Biblical Mentoring.  I need the grace and skills to adjust to this situation and prayers that my good eye doesn’t degenerate any time soon.  I am praying to find another God-appointed individual called to become the BM Director at the right time.  Thanks.  

In Christ,  Ron