Timothy. Silas. Tertius. Lucius. Jason. Sosipater. Tychicus. Epaphras. Luke. Erastus. Onesimus. Epaphroditus. Mark. Trophimus. Linus. Eubulus. Pudens. Just a few of the men mentioned who worked with Paul. These men were Paul's companions. They were his students and he was their mentor. Paul knew that the success of the Gospel of Christ impacting the marketplace was going to happen by equipping others to do the work. In John C Maxwell's book, "Developing the Leader Within You" pg 180, he writes... A great leader develops a team of people who increase production. The result? The leader's influence and effectiveness begin to multiply (working through others) instead of adding (working by oneself). A mentor trains, equips and then sends out. Train. One of the greatest learning tools of learning is observing others. In the Jewish culture of the New Testament, a disciple of a rabbi would spend nearly 24/7 with his teacher. Listening. Observing. Taking in all of his surr

Take a minute and write down one word character qualities of a leader. As we look at Paul's ministry in the marketplace, he loved what he did. He went on three mission trips and his trip to Rome, which lasted years at times. He was stoned, put into prison, beaten, rejected, yet he continued on! We see him talking to people in the marketplace, dialogue with others with confidence in his faith. We see him as a man with a vision and passion to share this hope that he received through Christ. He planted churches and trained others to lead them. His leadership qualities help spread the Gospel through out the Roman Empire. Why was Paul successful? He took what he knew and applied it to the church. What do I mean...remember in "Paul the Business Owner", the tradition of the Jewish culture was to learn the Scriptures through a Rabbi. Once their education was over around 12-13 years of age, they learned a trade from their father. That meant being with him and learning the b

It is possible to fail in many ways...while to succeed is possible only in one way. - Aristotle Ahhhhh, philosophy. Do remember sitting in class with a glaze look as the professor taught the process of reason? Usually when anyone hears this word its an automatic turn off. It makes us think! Sometimes that hurts! Yet this one word has shaped mankind's thinking and ideas for centuries! The word means... the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct. Whenever I begin my apologetics class with my seniors, this is one area that I begin with. It lays down the foundation and challenges my students to be thinkers in this age of information. We have heard all our lives that God exist...yet what makes us so sure? We have grown up believing the Bible to be God's Word to man...yet how can we be confident in such a statement? What is my purpose in life? Why do I exist? Questions that have plagued mankind throughout time! So lets take a look at philo