The Paul Factor: Impacting the Marketplace - Week 7 Paul the Mentor

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 surroundings, as he watched his teacher/mentor at work. Christ used this method with his disciples. It would also be true that Paul probably used the same method. Wherever he traveled. Whenever he debated. In his study or in conversations his "team" was right there with him. If they too were going to be effective in the marketplace, they needed to learn from the best. They watched. Listened. And learned. In business, training others should never stop. As a business owner, manager or leader, look for the best people to work with! When you find them pour into them! In the words of Maxwell...

Believe in them - that will encourage risk
Show them - that will build respect
Love them - that will strengthen relationships
Know them - that will personalize development
Teach them - that will enhance growth
Expand them - that will provide challenges
Lift them - that will ensure results
(Developing the Leader Within You, John C Maxwell, pg 190)


Your team is watching the way you handle business. Deal with ethical issues. How you handle failure and success. They are listening to your words. All that you are and becoming is a tool to train your team to succeed!

Equip
When we "train" we are speaking to the emotion of one's soul, but when we equip another, we are unleashing one's gifts and abilities. We are helping lay a foundation for one to succeed. The word "equip" means to provide what is needed. In order for your "star" team members to succeed, what are you providing for them? Equipping is not as much releasing one as it is giving one confidence in themselves to succeed. And when they experience failure, they will have the tools (from their training) to rise up with confidence knowing that success is around the corner. It's just a season that will come and go! Paul equipped his team by giving them responsibilities. Some wrote out his letters (Tertius, Romans 16:22). Others were left behind to be an encouragement to a local church (Ephesians 6:21-22; Colossians 4:7-9). A few preached with him and saw God's mighty work (Acts 16)! Sometimes this is the hardest thing to do because it requires us to let go, but when done right the legacy one is equipped with will continue on from generation to generation...which leads us to our next point.

Send out.
The ultimate goal! This is where a business grows. A team succeeds. Through growth leaders are raised! Paul knew that! We see it through history by some of his "students". Those that were mentored by Paul were not meant to stay with him for a life time. Paul knew very well that his time could come to an end. Here was a man who was stoned. Put into prison many of times. Beaten. Whipped. He knew the dangers of his time. Yet he knew that in order for the early church to survive, it needed leaders who were trained and equipped to carry the flame, passion and anointing that he had! Take a look at some of his students and their accomplishments to the church:

Epaphras: instrumental in the Colossians coming to know Christ as their savior.
Epaphroditus: believed to have played a vital role in the church of Phillipi.
Timothy: evangelist throughout the province of Achaia.
Trophimus: tradition states, though disputed, that he may have staid in Spain
after Paul's final missionary journey.
Luke: doctor and author of Acts and the book that bares his name.
Mark: author of the book that bares his name.
Linus: tradition accounts Linus as being a founding father of the Roman
Church.

"The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership."
-John C. Maxwell

His call. His gift to you. Your purpose. Irrevocable.

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