Why OT?

The process of Operation Timothy is something big--larger than you. It allows you to leverage your impact in this world as you are used by God to make disciples of people in all nations. God has chosen you to be His light in the world. It is not an option.

The Lord “desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of Him” (1 Timothy 2:4). God did not choose angels or His creation to articulate this good news of Jesus Christ, and God did not choose a few gifted individuals to be His messengers. He chose every believer to be a witness of His glory in their words, in their conduct, and in their attitudes (Matthew 5:16).

But believers may not know how to communicate the hope within them. That’s why they must be discipled. Discipleship is God’s means of maturing new Christians in intimacy with Him so that they will be witnesses of Christ in everything they do.

Operation Timothy is a great way to disciple. It is an opportunity for you to build a relationship with another believer or seeker, either one-on-one or in a small group. It doesn’t set you up as a teacher or someone with all the answers. It allows you to be a follower of Christ on the same journey toward intimacy with God the Father as your disciple or small group. Through prayer and God’s grace, both of you will grow in faith and catch a vision for making disciples. In this way, God will reach the next generation through you.

Thousands have worked through Operation Timothy and have had their lives and their vision changed. Don't hesitate to enter as a disciple or as a discipler. God will touch you, mold you, and use you for His kingdom purpose.

CBMC and the Relational Approach

Calvin Coolidge said, “The business of America is business.” CBMC has recognized this truth for decades, and we have sought to reach the business community with the gospel of Jesus Christ. By making disciples of business leaders, we intend to multiply our impact throughout the country.

We don’t use formulas or classes, but present the gospel through relationships. Paul tells the church in 1 Thessalonians 2:8, “We were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”

Just as Paul shared his life with Timothy for the sake of the gospel, we believe in building relationships in order to share our lives with those in need, caring for them and being committed to them over time for the sake of the gospel.

That’s why Operation Timothy is so relational. It teaches practical truths about God and our life in Christ which can be used daily.

"The glory of God, and, as our only means to glorify Him, the salvation of human souls, is the real business of life.” - C.S. Lewis

Principles of Effective Discipleship

1. The Principle of the Spiritual Growth Process

As believers, we are called to make disciples. If we examine Christ's command in Matthew 28:19-20, we see that evangelism and discipleship are one process. The Bible uses the metaphors of farming and parenting to describe it. When the Scriptures speak of evangelism, they often use a farming metaphor, a picture of a farmer tilling the soil, planting seed, and harvesting the produce (e.g. Matthew 13). As farmers, we cultivate relationships with non-believers, allowing them to witness firsthand the power of a changed life.

Once that person is born again, our role changes from farmer to spiritual parent (Galatians 4:19, 1 Thessalonians 2, Hebrews 5:11-14). Just as with any newborn, spiritual babes are fragile and require a lot of time and energy. But by modeling the way and helping the young believer grow into adulthood, our initiative becomes less as we allow him to flourish and eventually make disciples himself. This is not a program. It's a long process.

2. The Principle of Spiritual Farming

Spiritual farming consists of three phases: cultivating, sowing and harvesting.

Cultivating: We must break up the hard ground, removing rocks, roots and other debris. If the soil is the human heart, God must remove obstacles and prepare it to receive the Word. Cultivation begins with relationships formed on common ground. Activities, sports, computers, cooking, music—all mutual interests can become common ground of new relationships. In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Paul tell how he related to different kinds of people in order to lead them to Christ.

Sowing: We must talk about and live in light of Scriptural truths before lost men. The goal of sowing is to bring unbelievers to a place where they ask, “Who is Jesus?” It may take weeks; could be years. When an unbelieving friend is comfortable enough with us, and they like what they see, we can sow the Word. Remember, we are to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-14). Salt causes thirst. Light illuminates. Operation Timothy is designed to sow the Word.

Harvesting: Salvation, the gift of God. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.” We can cultivate and sow for years and never see a harvest. We must leave that to God. And as we walk in obedience to Him, we can share in the joy of a person coming into the kingdom of God.

3. The Principle of Spiritual Parenting (Life on Life)

In Lifestyle Discipleship (pg 43), Jim Petersen describes this metaphor as “the attitude a person should have toward the people he or she is helping walk with Christ.”

As spiritual parents, we should keep in mind the stages of spiritual growth in our disciple. Infants, children, and adolescent children of God require flexibility with schedules and materials. If you have children of your own, you will see the parallels. As you deal with a disciple, begin with the patience required of a parent with a new-born and adjust your expectations as growth occurs.

“New Christians need a meaningful relationship with spiritual parents. It's a primary spiritual need, along with their need for Scripture,” Petersen writes.

4. The Principle of Reproduction and Multiplication (The New Math)

Isaiah 60:22 says, “The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation.” In CBMC, we apply this verse to the spiritual descendants of the faithful discipler or Paul. If a man reaches two new believers in two years and those men reach two more while he is reaching two more, then in 25 years over 1000 new disciples will have come into the kingdom of God. That’s spiritual multiplication.

In John 15:16, Jesus tells His followers to “go and bear fruit.” Fruit comes from scattered seeds. A fully loaded apple tree is the result of one small seed. Who knows how many new trees will grow as a result of some seemingly insignificant seeds?

We will never see all of the fruits of our labors in our life time. Yes, we will enjoy the fellowship and companionship of the first seeds, and first fruit, but long after we are gone, countless others will follow.

5. The Principle of Being an Insider

The decision to follow Christ seriously carries is a watershed in one’s life. The difference between the church and the world can be so extreme that a Christian will want to bail out of society completely, seeking refuge in isolated Christian fellowship. In 1 Corinthians 7, the Apostle Paul states three times that believers should remain where God has called them. We are meant to make a difference where we are.

• If married to an unsaved spouse, remain in the marriage.
• If working in the midst of a pagan culture or a spiritually hostile work environment, stay there and make a difference.

God has planted us where we are to reach out to those around us. A new Christian, with a fresh commitment and reckless enthusiasm, can shine a bright light to those around him, those who knew him as an unbeliever. Believers are to serve inside our respective cultures as spiritual change agents.

6. The Principle of Being a Laborer

Start reading with Matthew 9:35 and keep going for a few paragraphs. Jesus sends out his disciples beginning with the words, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Eight Qualities of an Effective Discipler

Some doubt they have the skills or time to become a discipler. Ultimately, it is a matter of obedience. Just as few of us feel ready to become biological parents, few feel ready to take on the nurture and care of a spiritual infant. The following qualities are the ingredients of an effective disciple maker:

Love of God: The quality of an infectious love of God
Love of People: The ability to help Timothy learn to love others as God does
Vision: The ability to see Timothy as he can be, while accepting him where he is
Faithfulness: The ability to depend on God to be consistent
Dependability: The availability that causes Timothy to see you as someone to be trusted
Heart of a Teacher: The ability to look for a teachable moment
Servanthood: The quality of a humble heart, the willingness to sacrifice for Timothy's needs
Durability: A heart that will do whatever it takes

7. The Principle of Spiritual Transformation

Authentic Christian growth comes from the inside and works its way to the surface—just the opposite of the manner we so often seek to impose. When we measure a new Christian's progress based on the trappings of spirituality (the right words, our list of dos and don'ts), we settle for the good over the best, placating over transforming. It is the heart motivation that must change.

That revolutionary kind of transformation starts deep with a worldview, works itself into values, and comes to light in behavior. Discipleship focuses worldview, answering the big questions of purpose and origin. Those answers influence our values (what’s important to me?), which of course can be seen in our behavior. Cleaning people up on the outside doesn’t transform their hearts, and that inner transformation is our goal. We want lives yielded to the Spirit of God within us. We rely on God to grow us and Timothy to maturity; our role as a spiritual parent is to guide, counsel, and care for him along the way.

8. The Principle of the Three C's: Competence, Character, and Community

The journey brings the maturity. There are no shortcuts, no substitutes, and no way to buy or earn a better position along the path. Maturity takes time, commitment, and sacrifice. Jim Petersen, in his book Lifestyle Discipleship, discusses three central issues around which spiritual maturity is manifest: competence, character, and community.

Competence: the basics of living as a Christian. God’s word is unfathomably deep. No one can understand it completely, but we can know it thoroughly enough to handle it correctly (2 Timothy 2:15). Also, we should have basic skills—how to counsel and listen, how to articulate the gospel and basic Christian truth, how to function in a small group setting, etc.

Character: your essence, your “moral strength or constitution. It is the fortitude one has in the face of contrary influences” (Lifestyle Discipleship, p165). Our character is meant to reflect Jesus Christ, so that when we speak of Him and His gospel, those who know us will see the evidence of our words in our lives.

Community: In a culture characterized by the rugged individualist, we are duped to believe that we can do this alone, just me and God in divine fellowship. The truth is that God designed a better way. We are to do it together, exercising our gifts with and for each other, finding affirmation and encouragement and accountability.

9. The Principle of "The Balanced Life"— The Three Connections

God has created man with three overarching needs: a need for God, a need to be involved in a cause bigger than himself, and a need for one another. For men to be at peace and be fruitful here on earth, these needs must be met and balanced.

In CBMC, we believe the secret lies in connection::

1. Connected to Christ (Matthew 22:37-38)
2. Connected to one another (Matthew 22:39)
3. Connected to the gospel (Matthew 28:19,20)

We should keep these needs in balance to be fruitful in the long run. Our connection to Christ will keep us walking in His Spirit. Our connection to each other will guard us against misusing people, slandering them, or ignoring them. Our connection to the gospel will provoke us to speak the truth in love and keep us from self-absorption.