When most of us started out in the ministry, we wanted to just go and start doing the ministry and making disciples. The problem with the ministry we did and the disciples we made was, it all looked just like us. We didn’t look like Jesus. That meant our ministry and the disciples we trained didn’t look like Jesus either.

We thought we were ready. Others ordained us and said we were ready. The question was, did Jesus think we were ready? “Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Wow, that definitely wasn’t us or anyone around us.

“Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” You know what most of us think when we read something like this, don’t you? Some, like us, think we are ready to go. Others know they aren’t ready; but, they think they can get ready on the fly. We all look at Scriptures like Luke 10:2 (NIV) He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” Then we say to ourselves: “We need to get out there and get this job done.” And it is true, we do need to get the job done.

How many churches are closing around the world? How many ministers are failing and losing their faith in Christ? What is wrong with them? What is taking so long to get the gospel message out to the whole world? What did Jesus’ disciples have that we don’t seem to have?

The KEY is found in how important Jesus’ relationship was with the Father; and, the direct correlation it had on the fulfillment of His commission. For many of us, we fall woefully short in understanding how this relationship is going to impact the success of our commission.

Another KEY is found in the salvation message. It is about redemption for ONE. You, me, our neighbor, or a family member as individuals. It isn’t about faceless masses. It is all about caring and loving individuals. Somehow we have lost sight of these two keys to God’s plan. The word that sums it all up is: “Relationships.”