We would need to meet weekly to learn study meth- ods and teaching methods. We would learn:


1. How to study the Bible using proper herme- neutics with basic resources


2. To develop Bible knowledge to properly teach Scripture with Scripture (train men to be stu- dents of the Word)


3. Through teaching opportunities. We learn best by doing, so the best way to learn how to teach is to teach. Each member of the group would take turns teaching a lesson and receiv- ing feedback


Together with the church board we hand-picked


10 men we felt would be ready and would mesh well together. Over the next few weeks I approached each one, hoping that seven would agree to commit to this training. To my surprise all 10 signed up with no hesitation. Since then, I have found out that several of them had talked among themselves a year earlier wishing for something like this.


We began meeting weekly in September and


I intended for each study to last 45 minutes to an hour, allowing them to return home and still have something of an evening with their family. To my surprise we were together for three and a half hours! After my teaching was over they continued with questions and discussion and then visited among themselves. As of March this year I have yet to leave the church before 11:00pm.


After 10 weeks of study, we agreed it was time


for them to begin taking turns teaching. We decid- ed to go through the pastoral epistles starting with 1 Timothy. Each man was instructed to teach 20-30 minutes with time after for feedback. Following this I would teach on a different point of doctrine. With- out exception they have met or exceeded my expec- tations every time. The seriousness of their study, the depth of their understanding, the development of gifts, and the camaraderie are all beyond what I even dared to pray for.


I have come to see that the dynamics and size of


this group may well be a once in a lifetime experi- ence for me and that God was preparing this long before He gave me the idea. As pastors we need to be working ourselves out of a job; preparing the local church for the day when we are gone but also pre- paring our flock for the possibility of a day when our local church building might be gone. If your local church could not meet together publicly due to the risk of imprisonment and had to divide into groups of 10 or 20 would there be enough leaders? May God grant us the wisdom to see these days for what they are, to use our time wisely, and be good stewards of all He has entrusted to us and may we be found faithful.


Trevor has been serving as Lead Pastor at Compass Immanuel Church since 1998 and as lead pastor since 2019. He and his wife Twyilla have three children and two grandchildren.


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