Local Institute Handbook

The church must teach. Jesus told the church to go everywhere teaching his commands (Matthew 28:19-20). Paul said that a pastor must be able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2). This teaching is part of the work of discipleship. The church teaches people how to live as believers, living for the glory of God. This teaching should occur everywhere that believers exist. Strong churches are equipped with biblical truth and practical methods to purposefully teach their people.

The church must train.

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2).

The necessity of teaching creates the necessity of ministry training. Paul told Timothy to train men who could teach others (2 Timothy 2:2). Training is not just the teaching of information. Training is not just teaching believers for their own benefit. Training equips believers to help others.

Jesus demonstrated the priority of ministry training. At the beginning of his ministry, he chose a few men who would guide and extend the church. He did not spend all his time preaching to crowds of people; instead, he often took time to train twelve leaders. He extended his ministry through those that he trained.

Acts 8:26-31 tells the story of Philip being called by God to leave Samaria and travel along a certain road near Gaza. There, he met a man from Ethiopia sitting in his chariot and reading from the prophesies of Isaiah. “Do you understand what you’re reading?” Philip asked. The African responded, “How can I, unless someone guides me?”

How can I, unless someone guides me? This sentence shows us that people need human teachers sent by God to explain biblical truth. The Holy Spirit had been doing many supernatural things, yet God was still using human teachers. This is God’s normal response to the need for training. Shepherds Global Classroom puts curriculum in the hands of trainers who can guide men and women into the truth of God’s Word.

Shepherds Global Classroom provides a transferable training program to be operated by local ministries.