Spiritual multiplication is the concept that I learned as a student when I was involved in Campus Crusade for Christ. I can remember doing a bible study called "Practicing Spiritual Multiplication".

For me, spiritual multiplication is best explained in 2 Timothy 2:2. Paul is writing to Timothy, and he says: "And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."

Paul is encouraging Timothy to multiply his life. Persecution of Christians was threatening Christianity's survival. Paul is showing Timothy how to build a heritage by building into people who in turn would build into others. This verse shows 4 generations of disciples:

Paul-Timothy-faithful men-others

One of the many things that I love about ministering to college women is that while I am discipling women, God teaches me so much in the process.

Last week I was preparing to lead the same bible study on spiritual multiplication that I did as a student. I have a group of 4 women who are really catching a vision for reaching their campus for Christ.

At our bible study I shared an illustration on reaching the world using two different options: addition and multiplication. Here are the 2 options:

• If one person went out and shared with 1,000 people every day, how many years would it take to reach the world?

11,000 years!

• How long would it take to reach the world for Christ if one of us discipled 3 people and in a year they each discipled 3 and so on?

Only 17 years!

The women in the bible study were amazed by that illustration! We all came away from the time with a renewed desire to do some multiplication-spiritual multiplication, that is.

The next day 2 friends whom we knew from our time at San Jose State came to our weekly meeting. The fun thing about these 2 friends is that they are married.

Dave discipled Eric for 4 years and I discipled Suemi for 2 years as a student. I introduced Suemi to one of the women who was in my bible study, and I thought to myself: "Wow Jen! You just got a valuable lesson in spiritual multiplication!" Here are two women that God has given me the privilege of discipling!"

The awesome thing about building into faithful people is that they build into others. Eric and Suemi are now both involved in discipling others.

Eric called Dave a few weeks ago to request some follow-up materials for a new Christian whom he was going to disciple. He told Dave "always remember that the impact that you have goes way beyond college students. Because you invested in me, I am now investing in others."

Thanks for your investment in teaching math to these students-spiritual math!