Have you ever seen a Mormon Missionary alone? Maybe the LDS Church has something on us evangelicals.?
Throughout Scripture, we see God using teams of men to provide support, compensate for weaknesses, and guarantee the success of the mission through multiple generations. And yet today, men – and especially pastors, – often walk alone in their spiritual lives.
Maybe it’s time we did something about it. Below are some examples of great teams in the Bible.
Moses and Aaron
Exodus 4:10-17 -? Then Moses said to the Lord, ?O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.?
So the Lord said to him, ?Who has made man?s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord??Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.?
But he said, ?O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.?
So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and He said: ?Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.?Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do.?So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God.?And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.?
He replied, ?I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.?
The Lord said to him, ?Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel?all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.?
Jesus and his disciples
Luke 10:1 – The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit.
Paul and Timothy
2 Timothy 2:1-3 – 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. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
My Observations
- In what ways did these teams serve different purposes in different circumstances?
- Which teams were formed primarily for encouragement and support during a time of discouragement?
- What team emphasizes the different abilities of the team members?
- Why do you thing Jesus sent the disciples out two by two?
- Which teams emphasize the transmission of a calling from one generation to another?
My Application
- What kind of teams have you participated on in your spiritual life?
- How has participating on a team strengthened you in your spiritual walk?
- Are you on a team right now and, if so, what do you like best about it?
- What can you do to encourage the use of teams in your church?
- Do you find it easier to relate to other men when you serve on a team?