Skip to content

Add your phone number?

Optional. Nothing is sent unless you choose it.
The Historic Faith
Sign in

Jumpstarter 9 of 10

Ideas to help restart your discussion
Will the Theologians Please Sit Down  /  Chapter 4: How Jesus Overturned the Theologians  /  Discussion Questions
All Questions
Question 9
The chapter emphasizes Jesus chose “ordinary, unlettered men,” trained them hands-on, and created no seminaries; if your church removed formal credentialing as the main filter for leadership, what kinds of people might rise, what risks would increase, and what kinds of faithfulness or fruit might become more visible?
Another way to ask: If your church stopped using degrees or formal credentials as the main test for leaders, who might become leaders, what new risks might come up, and what good fruit might show more clearly?

Direct Answer Bercot suggests that ordinary believers with hands-on discipleship could rise into leadership, showing bold faith and practical obedience; the risk is not spelled out in the transcript, but a reasonable inference is that churches would need discernment to ensure fruit and humility—not mere confidence—guide leadership.

Support from Transcript:

  • Jesus chose apostles with “no theological training… little schooling… ordinary, unlettered men.”
  • His method was “hands-on experience,” not academic institutions.
  • He “didn’t set up any seminaries, theological schools, or academies.”
  • He trained by participation: disciples “accompany him on his preaching missions” and were “sent… out on missions… to obtain experience.”
  • The early church continued this: apostles “neither set up any seminaries nor provided any other theological schooling for the next generation.”
  • Ordinary leaders proved capable: “People flocked into the kingdom,” and shepherds gave “good teaching and care.”
Discussion Follow-ups What concrete markers of “fruit” would your church use to recognize leaders if degrees and credentials were no longer primary?

Jumpstarter 9 of 10
Back Questions Next