RAISE UP NEW LEADERS
Read II Timothy 2:1-2
“And what you have heard from me in the presence of
many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able
to teach others also.” II Timothy 2:2 (HCSB)
One of the common needs voiced by pastors and church members is the
need for more leaders. These concerned people of God are saying we
need people to lead in the children’s programs, to work with youth, to do
outreach, to give financially for the work of the church and on and on. But
where will these leaders come from unless they move into your area from
another community or transfer to your church from another congregation?
Paul gives Timothy the answer concerning the need for more leaders:
you raise them up. Christian leaders are made not born, and II Timothy
2:2 tells how to make one. Mature Christian leaders are to teach and train
faithful people who can become leaders and then teach and train others.
Are you willing to personally train another person in your church to
become a leader or would you be willing to be trained yourself to
eventually lead in some way in your church?
PRAYER:
Please pray today that God will give your congregation a
vision and a plan for developing new leaders from within
the church family.
WEEKLY CHECK-UP… INVEST IN COMMUNITY!
Ed Stetzer of LifeWay Research recently responded to research data by
stating that spiritual maturity comes through “intentionality…in a disciple’s
life.”
Investing regularly in Sunday School or a small group is an important
piece of an intentional spiritual renewal plan for a disciple. Just as an
ember pulled out of the fire goes out, so also is spiritual progress extinguished
when a disciple separates from other believers.
But spiritual renewal and progress demands more from the Sunday
School or small group experience than regular attendance. Consider the
following ten actions you can take to raise the level of your investment
through your group in your spiritual renewal and progress.
Support your spiritual growth and group by . . .
1. seeking God in Bible study in class and during your daily quiet time.
2. praying for and inviting guests to class/group sessions.
3. communicating regularly with group members.
4. fellowshipping with group members and guests both during gathering
times as well as outside of the gathering.
5. helping group members in need.
6. reading and preparing for class/group sessions.
7. participating honestly and openly in class/group sessions.
8. living out the truth learned in class/group sessions.
9. serving in some way to strengthen the group and church.
10. supporting efforts to launch new leaders and start new groups.
Rate yourself from 1 to 10 (1 is weak and 10 is strong) in each of these
areas. On which of these could you be more intentional to support your
spiritual growth and your group? Ask God to help you and ask a group
member to encourage you to take steps in the month ahead. If you are
not currently in a group, take an intentional step of spiritual renewal and
growth by joining a group this week.
