True selected chapters cropped - Flipbook - Page 26
Bible reading. I felt cared for.
The permission barrier
There are many reasons why a witness does not invest in new
believers. The main reason for this is they feel they are not allowed
to invest. This is the permission barrier. You do not need anyone to
give you permission to witness or disciple or train others. Christ
has given you permission (Matthew 28:16–20). You can do it, do
not tell yourself otherwise.
My colleague and I gathered six attenders at our mission school in
Ibadan, Nigeria. They welcomed the idea of them becoming trainers
and leaders. We formed a small group of eight. These attenders did
not as yet witness, start groups or train disciples. We met twice with
them and modelled the small group. We all prayed. We read a Bible
passage and shared one thing for action that very week.
They feel they are not allowed.
The instruction was for them to meet for about ten weeks, then
close the group down and all six of them to start a new group each,
either on a one-to-one basis or small group. The aim is to grow as
disciples and launch out to others. Those in their groups may be
disciples or not (yet) but all want to know and discover.
There is a move of God in the United Kingdom in many places, mostly
with individual Christians and some churches and fellowships, in
following this model. This is a new wave of God’s Spirit.
The vision barrier
There are several reasons why a starter does not work like a
trainer, but the main reason is a blind spot. The vision barrier
says, ‘God can’t do it.’ Where there is no vision or revelation,
the people perish. What are you waiting for? Enlist today. Offer
42
