Lighthouse Baptist Church
and Christian Academy

GIVE THEM AN EXAMPLE.

[Your Objective: Learn what it means to lead by example.]

What is the example Jesus gives us in John 13:15?

• How could the principle in the above verse positively or negatively impact relationships, businesses, etc?

In what ways are we to lead according to 1 Peter 5:3 and 1 Timothy 4:12?

• Based on what you have just read, how do these verses provide evidence that leadership is a choice?
• Discuss the difference between a boss and a leader. Share real life examples of good leadership modeled to others.

Discipleship (Maturity) - One mark of spiritual maturity is in how we lead others. After what you have just learned, how would you rate yourself as a leader? How might others rate you? God has big plans to use you as a leader but the choice is yours. Consider where you are struggling. Share any area in which you need help and pray for one another throughout the next week. Maybe your commitment to pray for others is your first step toward becoming the example God wants you to be.

CHALLENGE THEM TO A GREATER PURPOSE.

[Your Objective: Help others reach beyond themselves.]

Read Mark 10:21. What did Jesus ask of the rich man and what did He promise him?

• How is this verse an example of a challenge to priorities?
• When our priorities are challenged by God, what can we do to stay focused on the greater purpose?

What instructions did Jesus give the disciples in Mark 10:7-8?

• How are these verses an example of a challenge to faith?
• Why is it important for all of us to be challenged to something beyond ourselves?

According to Matthew 28:19-20, what challenge does Jesus give His disciples?

• In what way are these verses a challenge to small thinking?

Evangelism (Mission) - Jesus is giving us the same big challenges He gave the disciples. Although it is much easier to physically reach all nations of the world today, how do we challenge others to the greatest purpose of sharing Christ? One place to begin is with ourselves and building the skill of challenging others to a greater purpose by:

1. Making a list of individuals you want to help,
2. Praying for insights into their strengths,
3. Asking God to show you their potential, and
4. Suggesting a project or challenge to develop their potential (ask them, "Have you ever thought about...?").

Commit to support one another in prayer as you work to develop this important skill. Plan to share your progress next week.

AFFIRM THEM FOR THEIR POTENTIAL.

[Your Objective: Understand how God sees us and how we should strive to see others.]

Read Mark 10:17-21. Focusing on verse 21a, what does Jesus feel for this man before He challenges him?

According to John 14:12 what is our potential if we have faith in Jesus?

• Why do you think Jesus is filled with love for the man in Mark 10?
• What is your reaction to knowing Jesus sees our potential?

What does Proverbs 12:25 say about kind words of encouragement?

• Have some group members share an experience when kind words encouraged them to grow in some way.

Fellowship (Membership) - Being part of a church family means we are responsible to other members. Helping members of our church family grow is part of that responsibility. We are to understand how Jesus sees us and how He wants us to see others: for who they can be, not just who they presently are. When we treat people with love and affirm who they can be, we are encouraging them to reach their potential. Who has God placed on your heart to affirm? Whether it's a stranger or someone you know well, make time this week to affirm them. Share your experience with your group at your next meeting.

TRUST THEM WITH RESPONSIBILITY.

[Your Objective: Recognize why it is important to trust others with responsibilities.]

What kind of responsibilities does Jesus say He is giving us in Matthew 16:19?

• When Jesus gave the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven to Peter, how big was this responsibility?
• How do you think Peter was affected by receiving this responsibility?

According to Luke 16:10, who can be trusted with much?

What does 1 Corinthians 13:7 say about love?

• Why is it sometimes difficult to delegate responsibilities to others?
• How do most people respond when trusted with responsibility?
• Why do people tend to respond positively to greater responsibility as opposed to lack of trust or nagging?

Ministry - When we lead in a church, with our children, and at work, we are to trust others with responsibilities. When we do this, people generally live up to our expectations. In this process we help people find out who God wants them to be and give them the opportunity to become that person. Who in your life do you need to trust with greater responsibility? Instead of molding them as you want them to be, help unfold the person God wants them to be.

OFFER THEM HONEST FEEDBACK.

[Your Objective: Emphasize the need to correct in love, as Jesus did.]

In Matthew 17:19-20, how did Jesus answer the disciples' question about their failure?

• Why is positive feedback more effective than negative input? Share a time when you were criticized and the negative impact it had on your life. How could that moment have had a more positive effect?

What does Ephesians 4:29 say about the words we use toward others?

• How is this advice different from the examples we hear in so many places today?
• If a child hears negative statements about his or her character often enough, what is likely to happen as they mature? How can positive feedback change the outcome?
• It's our nature to become angry on occasion when another person disappoints us. As leaders, what questions can we ask ourselves before we correct them to keep our feedback honest and yet constructive?

Discipleship (Maturity) - People grow when they are affirmed. It works every time. Coach John Wooden, the coach with the greatest win record in basketball, was known for his "correct/instruct" method. He would say, "Don’t do it that way; do it this way." Leaders affirm the person and correct the behavior. Proverbs 27:17 says "Iron sharpens iron." Who do you love enough to offer honest feedback to? Pray for the right words and that you'll be able to offer truth with love. Share at a future meeting how God led you in becoming a leader through honest feedback.

TREAT THEM AS EQUALS.

[Group Objective: Study the example of Jesus in leadership as He related to His disciples.]

In John 15:15, what did Jesus call His disciples?

• As followers of Jesus today, how does it make you feel to know He calls you this as well?
• How should Christ's example impact our leadership style?

What promise does God give us in Colossians 3:4?

• We don't deserve this honor, but God promises it to us anyway. What does this say about His nature and character?
• In what way can we imitate God's example in leadership?

Fellowship (Membership) - As Christians, we are members of God's family. No one is higher in position than any other family member; God loves us all equally. As leaders, how can we extend that sense of family to those under our authority? How do you treat others in service positions when you are in a restaurant or store? Ask God to show you someone who needs a living example of Christian friendship and make a plan to be that example. As an encouragement, let your small group know the outcome.

PRAY FOR THEM.

[Group Objective: Acknowledge the transforming power of prayer in people's lives.]

How did Jesus encourage Simon (Peter) in Luke 22:32?

• Put yourself in Simon Peter's place. How do you think he may have felt to know that Jesus prayed for him?

According to John 17:20 how Jesus words give us hope right now? As believers in Christ, what do each one of us have that we can use as a tool for evangelism?

• How does praying for those we lead support the other six skills we have discussed in this lesson?
• In what way can sharing your testimony affect someone you have been praying for? Share examples.

Worship (Magnification) - When we pray, we are acknowledging God's authority. We worship Him by submitting to His lordship over our lives. Talk about how praying for others gives us, as leaders, the opportunity to worship God by inviting Him into the lives of others.

Take a moment to review any assignments/challenges made during the personal application and commitment section of your previous meeting. Seeing God at work in the lives of those who commit to Him is essential for growth.

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:

[Your Objective: Choose to become a leader by using these seven steps to leading like Jesus.]

Leadership is a choice. We can choose to become a leader by following the seven ways to lead others as outlined in this lesson. Is there anything keeping you from becoming the leader God created you to be? If so what will it take to change that? Can you trust God with the impossible so you can model Jesus' leadership to those God placed around you? Who do you know that you can set an example for? Who can you challenge to live for a greater purpose? Who do you need to affirm for the potential you see in them? Who can you entrust with a greater responsibility so they can grow to be what God created them to be? Who can you lovingly give some honest feedback to? Who can you accept as an equal and be a friend to as you model Christ-like leadership? Who do you need to be praying for so their faith does not fail? Give some prayerful thought to these questions this week, make a decision and plan to follow through with the ones God is impressing on you. Share your progress with your group or your spiritual growth partner this week.