6. Jesus Used The Four Fields

 

1. THE GROWTH OF JESUS’ MINISTRY IN LUKE 3-10

Field One: Entry

The vision was birthed in heaven (Daniel 2:44-45, Isaiah 9:7).

Jesus was water-baptised by John…

Filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:21-22).

Died to his human desires (Luke 4:1-13).

Strategy: Galilee was heavily populated with non-Jews (Matthew 4:24,  Mark 7:24, Mark 7:31, Mark 7:23, John 4).

It bordered the rest of the world.

 

 Field Two: Sowing

Jesus went first to his Oikos in Nazareth where he grew up (Luke 4:14-16).

He then went down to Capernaum preaching, healing and driving out demons.

He was looking for followers to make into disciples who would disciple others.

Miracles were the key (Luke 4:42).

The future disciples all started as just followers.

 
Field Four: Multiplication

Jesus now widened the training to include another 72 of his disciples (Luke 10:1-24).

Four levels of the movement:

o   Jesus

o   The 12

o   The 70

o   The multitudes.

Saturation evangelism (Luke 9:10–17).

Hundreds of trained church leaders, ready to go.

The emergence of communities of faith in many of the 200 or so Galilean villages.

Perhaps 20% of the population were followers BEFORE the cross!

It was to be copied to all the world (Matthew 28:18-19).

 Field Three: Discipling and Growth

Jesus chose 12 leaders (Luke 6:13).

Jesus was looking for obedience (Luke 5:11) not theology…

By watching him work and listening to his teaching (Luke 6:17-49, Luke 7:21-23).

Through specific leadership training lessons (Luke 8:1-18).

Through active replication and multiplication of Jesus’ own ministry (Luke 9:1-9).

By mentoring 70 others in the same process (Luke 10:1-24).

He expected even more future multiplication (Luke 8:1-16, Luke 10:1-17).

 

 

 

2. IN SUMMARY

  1. Jesus had the vision, dealt with self, submitted to God and received the Holy Spirit.
  2. Jesus scattered seed, healed the sick, drove out demons, preached the Good News and gathered followers.
  3. Jesus then chose leaders, trained them intensely and did life with them. He modelled and they copied.
  4. Jesus stepped back as the disciples then trained 70 others. Evangelism saturated the region. Home churches everywhere.
  5. He rattled the nation so they killed him (John 11:49-50).
  6. Jesus still commands and controls this global movement (Matthew 28:20, John 16:13-14).

Questions

  1. What does this tell us about Jesus?
  2. What does it tell us about what our mission should be?
  3. Do you think this process can be repeated in your community?
  4. How did he find his leaders?
  5. Why did he choose fishermen and tax collectors?
  6. Why did he train so many leaders?
  7. How did he train his leaders?
  8. What sort of mistakes did his leaders make? Are these mistakes common?
  9. What were Jesus’ expectations of his leaders?
  10. Did he train them well? Explain.
  11. How does this method of training challenge you?
  12. What can you put into practice from Jesus example?
  13. Why was finding the person of peace (Luke 10:2) so important to the movement?
  14. THE FOUR FIELDS IN ACTION: THE WOMAN AT THE WELL (JOHN 4:4-42)

3. THE FOUR FIELDS IN ACTION: THE WOMAN AT THE WELL (JOHN 4:4-42)

Field One: Entry

Jesus was travelling through Sychar, which is modern day Balata, Israel.

He just needed a drink.

His antenna was up for any opportunity, any time.

It didn’t matter what gender, ethnic group or religion.

Jesus’ attitude was all important: Ministry was everywhere and anytime.

 

 Field Two: Sowing

He knew how to turn a conversation around (V10).

He sowed the seed of the Gospel (V13).

He used a word of knowledge and discernment (V18).

The woman becomes very interested (V19).

Jesus reveals his identity (V25-26).

 
Field Four: Multiplication

Many more became believers (V41-42).

Jesus stayed 2 days training the new believers, he did not move on until they were formed into a church (V40).

A Church of up to 100-200 people was planted in two days!

The 12 disciples learnt a very big lesson in church planting!

 

 

 

 Field Three: Discipling

The woman is saved and immediately becomes an evangelist (V28-29).

Many others were intrigued by an authentic witness and changed life (V30).

There was a harvest in that place (V34).

It was early in Jesus ministry, the disciples were inexperienced.

Jesus was also training his disciples: “See! be ready for a harvest at any time” (V35-38).

 

 

Questions:

  1. What does this teach you about the heart of God?
  2. What does it teach you about people?
  3. What do you think Jesus taught in the two days?
  4. What was the impact on the disciples of these two days?
  5. Do you think this church was on strong foundations? Why?
  6. What does this teach you about how to plant a church?
  7. Why did the others suddenly listen to the woman?
  8. What do you think was the future of this church over the next 5 years?
  9. What changed inside the woman?
  10. What lessons does this teach you?
  11. How can you apply these lessons today?
  12. How is this method of church planting different to what we do today?

3. ACTIONS

  1. Teach several people what you have learned.
  2. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you something that you need to obey straight away.
  3. Start praying for and looking for a person of peace.