Do you want to develop mature disciples who take responsibility for the next generation? The MAWL leadership tool is very famous in the movement world of Disciple Making Movements (DMM) or Church Planting Movements (CPM). This approach, rooted in Jesus‘ discipleship model, provides a simple framework for training new leaders. Let’s dive into how Model, Assist, Watch, Leave (MAWL) can help you nurture future leaders.
Model
First, we see that in the first phase where Jesus called his disciples, he simply modeled for them how to glorify our Father in heaven. He showed them how to reach people, preach the gospel of the kingdom of God, heal the sick, cast out demons and reveal the nature of God. He gave the intivation: „Come and see“ (John 1:39) or „Come, follow me“ (Mat. 4:19).
Assist
Next, Jesus let his disciples do it and helped them when they got stuck.
For example, Jesus was traveling with his disciples and challenged them after a time to actively respond to people’s needs themselves. Shortly before the feeding of the 5,000, for example, Jesus asks them to “give them something to eat!” (Luke 9:19).
When they didn’t know how to do this, as they “only” found two fish and five loaves of bread, he helped them by dividing the people into groups of 50. But then he instructs the disciples to distribute the food.
Watch
Then Jesus just watched and then gave them feedback and talked them through / corrected individual things. But only with the leaders personally. Not with those for whom they were responsible.
Jesus then sent his disciples out to go to places where he could not go alone. He authorized them to do the same thing that he exemplified to them: Casting out demons, healing the sick and preaching the kingdom of God. (Luke 10:1-12)
When these disciples came back, he corrected their hearts. They rejoiced that the demons were listening to them. But Jesus pointed to their relationship with God (Luke 10:17-24). Here Jesus had let them do it themselves and then talked about what had happened.
Leave
Finally, the disciples were mature enough to continue their journey with God themselves, to take responsibility and to continue living out Jesus‘ mission.
Jesus gave them the commission to make disciples of all nations and to continue what he had begun through the Holy Spirit themselves (Mat. 28:19-20). He then ascended into heaven.
What it means for your discipleship
Model - "I do, you watch."
You model a few times what you want to establish. In this phase you are showing them how to do it.
Assist - "You do, I assist."
Then you involve your disciples and let them do it themselves. You are with them and support them where there is still a need.
In this phase you are helping them to do it.
Watch - "You do, I watch."
When you have the feeling that what you have modeled has been understood and is being lived out more independently, you can now look at the whole thing passively and observe it. You then reflect on this together with your disciples, but do not interrupt while they are practising it.
In this phase you are watching as they are doing it.
Leave - "You do it, I continue elsewhere"
When things are running smoothly, you can pull yourself out. Your disciples have become independent. If you continue to bind them, they will not grow into the potential that God wants to lead them into.
In this phase you are entrusting them with the work and sending them out.