Key: Model

MODEL everything you teach

Stephanas modeled the Christian walk as well as ministry skills as he mobilized the local people.^[1]

Discipleship typically begins before conversion and continues indefinitely.

Stephanas once read a copy of a letter Paul wrote to the Thessalonian believers: “You know how we lived among you for your sake, you became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.” Stephanas’ team planned for their example to be imitated by the new believers and they in turn would become models for others.

The team knew they must be willing to face persecution as people responded to the Gospel.^[2] They would prepare the new believers for what might come. Church Planting Movements often emerge in difficult settings where conversion is not popular or socially advantageous – in fact it often leads to severe persecution or even martyrdom.^[3]

^[2] Acts 4:13-20

^[3] Matt. 10:17-25