Everyday you have a number of exchanges with people that range from politics to the weather. These exchanges take place sometimes as expected, and other times unexpected. Either way, they are exchanges and you shuold always be prepared.
What do your everyday exchanges look like with the people you come in contact with? As Christ followers, our conversations have to be about more than the weather, politics, and sports. They have to center around Jesus. They have to be equipping in nature, and when Christ is central, that breathes out in everyday exchanges. What are we doing to equip people when we have exchanges? There are people that I know as soon as I am in conversation with them, that they will say something I can be equipped by. There are others that I know when I am in conversation with, that I will be doing the equipping. So, either way, an equipping exchange will happen.
In scripture we see an OT personality who is a leader and nation-builder, Joshua. Joshua’s impact was so significant that the author of Judges wrote, “The people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua.” (Judges 1:7) But then comes one of the saddest commentaries in the Bible. When Joshua and his contemporaries passed away, “another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.” What a sad commentary on a group of leaders. How did this happen? A clue is found in what’s missing from the biblical record. From the beginning of the exodus, Moses came alongside of Joshua, preparing him for leadership. When Moses received the Law, “Joshua his aid” was with him (Exodus 24:13). Joshua witnessed Moses’ friendship with God (Exodus 33:11). At the end of his life, Moses laid his hands on Joshua, filling him with the spirit of wisdom (Deuteronomy 34:9). The Israelites naturally followed him because Moses’ stamp of authority was on his life (Deuteronomy 34:9). Moses came alongside of Joshua, and because of that, Joshua was hanging in the gallery of Moses.
So what’s missing in Judges? We don’t hear of Joshua mentoring another leader to take his place! It appears that he neglected this important principle of generations. There was no equipping exchanges to raise up new leadership. One of Protestantism’s greatest evangelists was the 18th century preacher, George Whitfield. Whitfield’s ministry touched thousands of people in America and in Great Britain, sparking the Great Awakening in the Colonies. He was a contemporary and friend with another great British leader, John Wesley. As Whitfield faced the cessation of his ministry, he sadly lamented: My brother Wesley acted wisely. The souls that were awakened under his ministry he joined in societies or tribes[small groups]; and thus preserved the fruit of his labor. This I neglected and my people are a rope of sand.
What a sad commentary! Without a commitment to equipping exchanges, we can leave behind a slowly dissolving legacy of a rope of sand. As a group leader it is important to be to generations; and for that to happen you have to come alongside people.
Are you a Moses or a Joshua?
Monday, April 19, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
ALONGSIDER CHALLENGE- Encouraging Encounters
The year was 1987, I was in 7th grade & I actually got the chance to be graded on my art skills. Art class was by far the best elective I had that year. Taught by Ms. Schumacher, it was an afternoon class, which made the afternoon hours fly by. It was there that I actually became inspired to do great things in the artistic world. It was there I learned about the techniques, the many forms of art, the history, and the famous artists whose works we have come to be mesmerized by. Fast forward to 1998-over 10 years later I found myself looking for a hobby to keep me busy in my “free time” as a young single pastor. So, I bought the Bob Ross painting kit, I figured if he could paint happy trees and make it look easy, so could I. In my short lived art career I painted a total of 11 paintings. The four most important ladies in my life all received them: My mother, my nana, my grandmother, and this cute little chic I was just starting to date named Jenelle. 3 of the 4 beautiful landscape pictures made there way to the walls of these ladies-One in a bedroom, one in a family room, and one in a home office. The last one, which was also the best one, found its way behind a bedroom door, of an unnamed cute little chic. Over the years the paintings grew into a collection which was moved to adorn the walls of my garage. That was until the ultimatum to get them out of our home was made. From there the paintings made there ways to white elephant giveaways, prizes for Bunko nights, and 3 found there way to the trash bin. 2 remain today in the houses of my grandmothers, because they love me.
When you hear the word MASTERPIECE, many images may come to mind. As small group leaders each of us, have a hand in establishing masterpieces. In your individual gallery each painting is surrounded by the framework you bring. I believe that the CANVAS & the FRAMEWORK is a must for every masterpiece, and every one of you are sculpting masterpieces. It just takes more time for some masterpieces.
Small GROUP LIFE is part of the strategic delivery system to model Christ’s discipleship AT ECC. Small Group Life is a foundation for growing disciples.
HOW MANY OF YOU ARE GOOD AT PUBLIC SPEAKING?
HOW MANY OF YOU COULD BEFRIEND SOMEONE, COME ALONGSIDE OF THEM AND READ SCRIPTURE WITH THEM?
Suppose we hung a new picture in the gallery of our minds? What would happen if we called disciplemakers “alongsiders”? This wonderful New Testament word is paraklesis, a calling to one’s side. Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit is the ultimate alongsider, the “counselor” or “helper,” who is with us forever (John 14:16). We partner with the Spirit when we come alongside people to counsel, encourage, or exhort (1 Thes 2:11,12). The term I want you to get in your spirit is the term “ALONGSIDER”. This is a small group leader, who comes alongside someone as they walk through the disciple making process.
Alongsiders intentionally do some simple things. They build authentic friendships, read the Bible with others, tell stories, and ask questions. Alongsiders encourage application and accountability. Finally, alongsiders invite people to live on mission with them, advancing the gospel and recruiting others to follow Jesus as His disciples. Is this a picture you would like to hang in your mind’s gallery?
This is the picture of discipleship making at ECC. The reality is often this…the pictures that we hold in our mind either motivate us in the disciple making process, or they hinder & hold us back. So what pictures are hanging in your gallery?
The Master of “ALONGSIDER MINISTRY” was Jesus. SO, using examples of Jesus from the BIBLE, I want to point out particular practices.
Encouraging Encounters- A lot of people, Christ Follower or not, have this image of Jesus as this very firm, non-smiling, pious character. I have to think that Jesus had a humorous side to him. I believe He was approachable and I know for a fact that He lived his life outside of worship and ministry. If you look through scripture you see that Jesus had ENCOURAGING ENCOUNTERS in venues like weddings, dinners, hanging out and wrestling with kids, friend’s houses, and on the lake. Jesus had to have water fights with his disciples, food fights, and had to play a few jokes on people. The throws of life and ministry were not confined to a building or prayer time. Ministry happened in the messiness of life. As a leader we have encounters that turn into place of encouragement.
For each of us we are painting our own gallery to hang. These are pictures of people that you are currently or have in the past poured life into. For you tonight, these pictures you are hanging in your gallery right now are pictures of people in your small group, that as leaders you are ALONGSIDERS too. As you paint these pictures you are helping these people move forward in life. In Romans 15:14 it says, “I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.”
There are 3 qualities of ALONGSIDERS from this passage.
Convinced
Complete
Competent
Reflect on the relationships you have where you live, work, play, or worship. Can you build an authentic friendship with someone? Can you can read the Bible with a friend? What about telling some stories or asking some questions? When you do these things, you’ve hung the picture of an alongsider in the gallery of your mind.
Are you ready to take down some old pictures and replace them with a new one? Hanging a picture of an alongsider jump-starts a lifechanging adventure with God and others.
When you hear the word MASTERPIECE, many images may come to mind. As small group leaders each of us, have a hand in establishing masterpieces. In your individual gallery each painting is surrounded by the framework you bring. I believe that the CANVAS & the FRAMEWORK is a must for every masterpiece, and every one of you are sculpting masterpieces. It just takes more time for some masterpieces.
Small GROUP LIFE is part of the strategic delivery system to model Christ’s discipleship AT ECC. Small Group Life is a foundation for growing disciples.
HOW MANY OF YOU ARE GOOD AT PUBLIC SPEAKING?
HOW MANY OF YOU COULD BEFRIEND SOMEONE, COME ALONGSIDE OF THEM AND READ SCRIPTURE WITH THEM?
Suppose we hung a new picture in the gallery of our minds? What would happen if we called disciplemakers “alongsiders”? This wonderful New Testament word is paraklesis, a calling to one’s side. Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit is the ultimate alongsider, the “counselor” or “helper,” who is with us forever (John 14:16). We partner with the Spirit when we come alongside people to counsel, encourage, or exhort (1 Thes 2:11,12). The term I want you to get in your spirit is the term “ALONGSIDER”. This is a small group leader, who comes alongside someone as they walk through the disciple making process.
Alongsiders intentionally do some simple things. They build authentic friendships, read the Bible with others, tell stories, and ask questions. Alongsiders encourage application and accountability. Finally, alongsiders invite people to live on mission with them, advancing the gospel and recruiting others to follow Jesus as His disciples. Is this a picture you would like to hang in your mind’s gallery?
This is the picture of discipleship making at ECC. The reality is often this…the pictures that we hold in our mind either motivate us in the disciple making process, or they hinder & hold us back. So what pictures are hanging in your gallery?
The Master of “ALONGSIDER MINISTRY” was Jesus. SO, using examples of Jesus from the BIBLE, I want to point out particular practices.
Encouraging Encounters- A lot of people, Christ Follower or not, have this image of Jesus as this very firm, non-smiling, pious character. I have to think that Jesus had a humorous side to him. I believe He was approachable and I know for a fact that He lived his life outside of worship and ministry. If you look through scripture you see that Jesus had ENCOURAGING ENCOUNTERS in venues like weddings, dinners, hanging out and wrestling with kids, friend’s houses, and on the lake. Jesus had to have water fights with his disciples, food fights, and had to play a few jokes on people. The throws of life and ministry were not confined to a building or prayer time. Ministry happened in the messiness of life. As a leader we have encounters that turn into place of encouragement.
For each of us we are painting our own gallery to hang. These are pictures of people that you are currently or have in the past poured life into. For you tonight, these pictures you are hanging in your gallery right now are pictures of people in your small group, that as leaders you are ALONGSIDERS too. As you paint these pictures you are helping these people move forward in life. In Romans 15:14 it says, “I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.”
There are 3 qualities of ALONGSIDERS from this passage.
Convinced
Complete
Competent
Reflect on the relationships you have where you live, work, play, or worship. Can you build an authentic friendship with someone? Can you can read the Bible with a friend? What about telling some stories or asking some questions? When you do these things, you’ve hung the picture of an alongsider in the gallery of your mind.
Are you ready to take down some old pictures and replace them with a new one? Hanging a picture of an alongsider jump-starts a lifechanging adventure with God and others.
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