And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. - Matthew 28:18-20
This principle is called "The Training Cycle".
MAWL
1. Model - Teach them how to do it - "I do, you watch".
2. Assist - Help them as they do it - "You do, I help".
3. Watch - Watch them as they do it - "You do, I watch".
4. Leave - Entrust them with the work. - "You do and teach others how to do it ".
The following is a story about The Training Cycle:
A teacher invested deeply into twelve faithful students.
His students went everywhere and did everything with the teacher.
The teacher modeled to them how to love others.
He modeled it by showing them how to do it. As he did it, they watched him do it.
After modeling it, he assisted them in doing it themselves. As they did it, he helped them do it.
After they did it a few times with his assistance, he stepped back and allowed them to do it themselves without his assistance. As they did it, he watched them do it.
After watching them do it for a while, the teacher left and entrusted them with the work. As they did the work, they taught others how to do it also, by modeling, assisting, watching and leaving, just as the teacher had done with them.
The following is an illustration of The Training Cycle:
The training cycle is like riding a bike.
Everyone has seen someone ride a bike, but not everyone is able to ride a bike until they are taught how to ride it.
When a little boy sees his older brother riding a bike, riding a bike is being modeled to him. He watches his brother do it.
When it is time for the little boy to learn how to ride the bike, his parents help him by holding onto the bike to keep it from falling over. They help him until he has learned how to balance and pedal and stop on his own. The parents assist the child in riding a bike.
When the boy is able to ride the bike without mom or dad holding onto it, the parents watch him ride the bike to make sure he knows what he is doing and that he doesn't fall and quit because he feels as if he has failed.
If he does fall, the parent comforts him if he gets hurt and encourages him to get back on the bike and to continue riding.
When the boy has reached the point where he can ride the bike on his own without any help, and he has no further need to be watched, his parents can leave him to ride on his own. He is now capable of doing it on his own and teaching others how to do it, using the training cycle and the MAWL process.
While the boy is in the process of learning how to ride a bike, he can teach his younger siblings and his friends what he is learning. He can tell them what he learned about how to keep his balance, how to increase speed, how to turn and how to stop.
The following is how we can apply The Training Cycle to making disciples:
As we saw in the story, the teacher used The Training Cycle with his students, so we can and should apply these same principles when teaching our students.
Model to them how to produce fruit of their own who will become their students, and model to them how to teach their students. Take them and physically show them how to do it. They watch as you do the work.
Assist them as they produce fruit and teach their students. Physically be there with them to help them. You help them do the work.
Watch them produce fruit to ensure that they know how to do it and to comfort and encourage them when they fall and fail. You watch as they do the work. We do not always need to be there physically with them in this phase, but always be available to help them and to answer questions when needed. Require that they check in with you frequently to answer any of their questions, for accountability, to report their efforts, and to encourage them.
Leave when they are fully capable of making disciples on their own. Entrust them with the work. They do the work and teach others how to do it. Continue to check in with them from time to time for accountability, updates and encouragement.
As you learn new things, it is important to share them with others, even if you do not know everything.
Do not be afraid of failure when trying or doing things that may produce fruit. If you try and fail, then try again or try something else. As Wayne Gretzky, the greatest hockey player in history said, "You will miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take."
This is the principle of the Training Cycle that is used to make disciples who multiply.
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