"Therefore, go and make people from all nations into Talmidim, immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the Ruach HaKodesh, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I will be with you always, yes, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20, Complete Jewish Bible, David H. Stern

The implications of the Jewish model of education (Rabbi/Talmidim) for Chirstian education are significant, if not staggering. The implications both for the way we lead and the way education is done could be revolutionary.

A rabbi is one who leads by example. When Jesus commanded us to go and make Tamlmidim, He was saying to make others to be like we are. In most Western schools and traditions, my own included, lists of what to do, when to do it, and how to evaluate its success are very common. Learning about the rabbinical technique shows me that these lists are not essential and may not have existed. A Talmid learned form example more than by lectures, by following more than by listening.

When RVL told us to go home with a "to be" list, rather than a "to do" list, at first I wondered what hea meant. As the trip progressed it became abundantly clear that we needed "to be" like Jesus- to be a role model for a few Talmidim who would then be able to model themselves after our leadership, rather than coming home with a list of things that we needed to accomplish, changes in our schools or changes in our leadership. The emphasis would switch to who we are as we live, as we become men and women who are more fully devoted to the text and more fully devoted to obedience to God, then to loving our neighbor. It became clear that others would see our example. But what does all that mean for leadership?

It seems to me that as I model a more completely Jesus-led life, I will model what I hope will infuse every person in the school. It means that people will begin to see me as a person who was giving "Maim Chaim" by being an encourager with my words and actions. I will be a refreshment, a shade, a rock in the wilderness of their lives. In as much as I am connected with the Living Water of Jesus I will be able to dispense and give that Living Water to others. As they drink from the streams of Living Water, that by the grace of God I am able to dispense, they would in turn become springs of living water for others. As they drink from the streams of Living Water, that by the grace of God I am able to dispense, they would in turn become springs of living water for others. We, as believers, will be like the Sea of Galilee, giving and recieving thereby staying clean and fresh.

As I lead by serving, others will also beome more who Jesus wants us all to be.

Mor importantly, as I become a person of the text, reading, uttering, memorizing, being immersed with the reality of the Father and the Son, that becoming will be infectious. As I draw near to my Father, as I come into fuller fellowship with His Son through the power of His Spirit, it will naturally attract others to do the same. As others become more infused, the power, the glory, the awesomeness of the Father will begin to radiate throghout the community I have been called to lead.

Leadership in the Rabbinical model means the words of Hebrews 12:1-2 "And keep running with endurance the contest set before us, looking away to the initiator and completer of that trusting, Yeshua- who, in exchange for obtaining the joy set before Him..." become more significant. We need to fix our eyes on Him who is the author and perfector of faith, who is the initiator and completer of our trust in God. We need to fix our eyes on Jesus as others fix their eyes on us, our Talmidim become more like Jesus.

It is a startling thought to me that because of the blessings the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, this s'mikeh has been given to us to enable us to say, "I will make Talmidim." It goes against the most of our upbringing to say, "Look at me and do as I do." Yet that's what Jesus said, "Go, therefore, make Talmidim."

This thought it to me completely overwhelming, significantly humbling, and overwhelmingly inconsistent with most of my former training. As I have read Scripture in the light of the teachings of RVL, it has become clear that this is what must be accomplished. What does it mean for a leader? Complete devotion, complete dependence, and compete submission to the will of our Father. It also means a significantly better understanding of the Text, obedience to the commands, decrees, laws and the ordinances that He has given to us and more time spent with him, praying for ourselves and those we lead.

Leading as the Rabbi is a significant challenge for all of us. To truly be a role model, to absolutely be the link for all those behind us, is a challenge that with His help we can accomplish.