Big Idea

The Leader Within - Heart of A Leader (week 1 Group Discussion Guide)

Series Introduction

We are all leaders in some capacity and we can all lead people in taking next steps in their relationship with God.  This series will walk through 4 key parts of leadership with Biblical examples that show how we all can lead and ultimately live with a greater purpose.

 

 

Series Big Idea

Leadership is influence.  As Christ-followers we are called to be people of influence as we share our journey and help people take next steps in their relationship with God.

 

	Session 1 The Heart of a Leader

 

 

 

 

Big Idea

The process of leading begins when our heart breaks for people to take next steps in their relationship with God.

 

Icebreaker

If your house was burning and you could save one thing, what would it be?

 

Introduction

The city of Jerusalem is the very center of God’s covenant with His people.  Unfortunately, the city became a very broken place.  Nehemiah was aware of the plight of the city and it wasn’t anything new, but at some point his heart was changed and he could not ignore the situation any longer.  He weeps, fasts, and mourns for days.  What broke within him was the heart of a leader.

 

As Christ followers, our hearts will tend to break for the same things that break God’s heart.  67 percent of the world is struggling to find their way back to God.  Nehemiah is a great example of someone who’s heart broke for those who didn’t know God.  Nehemiah set out to restore God’s city using his influence and wealth from his respected and lucrative job as cupbearer to the king.  Nehemiah was going to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem which were essential to it being the city that God intended it to be.

 

It is often difficult for us to feel like leaders, like we could make any difference at all.  We may not have the same influence that Nehemiah had due to his financial and social status but we all have the opportunity to influence those around us. 

 

1. What is most important to you right now? 

 

2. What would you think or how would you feel if the most important thing in your life became lost, stolen or broken?

 

3. Is there anything in the world or in your direct sphere of influence that you would like to see change?

 

Read Luke 15:1-7 (The Message)

 By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, "He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends." Their grumbling triggered this story.

 "Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' Count on it—there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.

 

 

 

It’s true there are many sheep in God’s flock, there are a ton of people who are following Christ and even more who are not.  It often feels inconsequential to make a difference in one person’s life.  But God views people – individuals – as very valuable.

 

4. In Jesus’ story the shepherd leaves the 99 to find one lost sheep.  Do you find this to be “the right choice”?  Is it a choice most people would make, or does it seem more radical?

5. Is it fair to rejoice over the sinner who repents more than the ones who are in right-relationship with God?  Why or why not?

6. Why do you think Jesus told this parable to the tax collectors specifically?

 

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7. Do you feel like your heart is aligned with this mission of following Jesus when it comes to helping people take next steps in their relationship with God?  On a scale of 1 – 5, where would you place yourself?

 

 

 

 

 

 

1                                                       3                                                                        5

 

Caring for self                    plan to seek others                            actively helping others

 

 

Read Nehemiah 1:3-4 (The Message)

The exile survivors who are left there in the province are in bad shape. Conditions are appalling. The wall of Jerusalem is still rubble; the city gates are still cinders.

When I [Nehemiah] heard this, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God-of-Heaven.

Nehemiah had the heart of God.  He understood that if even one person was apart from God there was work to be done.  Nehemiah’s heart breaks for the same things that break God’s heart.

 

8. When Nehemiah realized that Jerusalem was no longer a place that represented God’s covenant with His people, Nehemiah responded with mourning for days; fasting and praying to God.  Have you or anyone you know ever experienced this type of connection with God when it comes to helping people take next steps in their relationship with God?

 

 

Read Matthew 28:19-20 (The Message)

God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.

 

 

What’s Next?

Our goal is to invite people into our lives and by doing so invite them to take a look at their relationship with God.  Take the time to write down a friend, a family, or an acquaintance that you will make an intentional effort to pray for and invite to join you on your journey so that by doing so you are inviting them to take next steps in their relationship with Christ.

 

 

The Leader Within - Heart of A Leader (week 1 team/individual tool)

The Leader Within: The Heart of a Leader

 

Big Idea: The process of leading begins when our heart breaks for people to take next steps in their relationship with God.

Key Verse: Nehemiah 1:3-4 (The Message)

The exile survivors who are left there in the province are in bad shape. Conditions are appalling. The wall of Jerusalem is still rubble; the city gates are still cinders. When I [Nehemiah] heard this, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God-of-Heaven.

The Scoop:

The city of Jerusalem is the very center of God’s covenant with His people.  Unfortunately, the city became a very lost and broken place.  Nehemiah was aware of the plight of the city but at some point his heart was changed and he could not ignore the situation any longer.  He weeps, fasts, and mourns for days.  What broke within him was the heart of a leader.

As Christ followers, our hearts will tend to break for the same things that break God’s heart. 67 percent of the world is lost spiritually, they have no place to call Home.  They are without a Father and a leader’s heart breaks for those who are lost – the people that are broken down and need repair, people who need to be brought back to God. 

It is often difficult for us to feel like leaders, like we could make any difference at all.  We may not have the same influence that Nehemiah had due to his financial and social status but we all have the opportunity to influence those around us. 

1.     What thing is most important to you right now? 

2.     Is there anything in the world or in your direct sphere of influence that you have a burning desire to change?

3.     When Nehemiah realized that Jerusalem was no longer a place that represented God’s covenant with His people, Nehemiah mourned for days; fasting and praying to God. Have you or anyone you know ever experienced this type of connection with God when it comes to those who are lost?

What’s Next? 

When we talk about caring for the lost, we look at the lost as someone who hasn’t yet found their way back to God.  We do not criticize or condemn.  Our goal is to invite them into our lives and by doing so invite them to take a look at their relationship with God.  Take the time to write down a friend, a family member, an entire family, or an acquaintance that you will make an intentional effort to pray for and invite to join you on your journey so that by doing so you are inviting them to take next steps in their relationship with Christ.

The Real OT - Joseph in Eqypt Team/Individual Guide

The Real OT

Joseph & His Brothers in Egypt

 

The BIG Idea Team, Individual and Family Study Guide

Please take time to run through this study guide with your team, on your own, or with your family so that you can further apply and process the BIG Idea.

 

Big Idea:

We can find peace and joy in knowing God is working for good in our lives no matter what happens.

 

Key Verse:

Read Genesis 50:19 – 21 (The Message)

Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I'll take care of you and your children." He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.

 

The Scoop:

Most of the time we don’t like rules and we for sure never understood why our parents set some of the boundaries they did at the time.  On the outside looking in, we can usually see the reasons for certain rules unless they are being applied to us.  As a parent, we wouldn’t watch our kid playing in the street and not do something about it.  No matter how bad the child wants to play in the street, we have information that the child does not have, and it would actually be neglect if we didn’t do something about it.  You can be sure that God is not neglecting you.

 

Yet, the story of Joseph turns logic and traditional cause and effect on its head.  Through the story of Joseph, we learn how God can take even the most painful situations and use them for His glory.  Ultimately, what God did for Joseph and his family is what God is continuing to do through us today.

 

It seems Joseph was able to look over his life with the humble reality that he never would have the position and power and favor with God had he not been separated from his father, sold into slavery, falsely accused by Potphar’s wife, and forgotten in prison.  We can trust from this story that when we live our lives by submitting to the will of God, no circumstance we face in life will be exempt from bringing God glory.

 

1.     What are some examples of things that you respond differently today than you would have as a child?

 

2.     What does Joseph's reply in the verse above reveal about his relationship with God?

 

3.     James refers to trials as a gift. What does it look like to view the trials in your life as a gift?

 

What’s Next? (take home/further processing/application)

Take time to encourage others with how you see God at work in their lives.

·      This week spend some time with the story of Joseph.  Try to identify with the difficulties he faced.

·      Set some time aside this week to search your heart and allow God to reveal any grudges you might be holding against someone.  Ask God to give you the freedom to respond as Joseph did with kindness and compassion.

·      Share with one other person a trial in your life.  Ask them to pray for you this week to be able to find joy as you see how God can redeem the situation.

 

The Real OT - Joseph in Slavery Team/Individual Guide

Big Idea:
As a Christ-follower we have to be faithful for the long haul, regardless of the results or obstacles.

Key Verse:
Read Genesis 39:20-23
But there in jail God was still with Joseph: He reached out in kindness to him; he put him on good terms with the head jailer. The head jailer put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners—he ended up managing the whole operation. The head jailer gave Joseph free rein, never even checked on him, because God was with him; whatever he did God made sure it worked out for the best.

The Scoop:
Many people who are admired or respected have earned that admiration through difficult choices they have made despite opposition.  You’d be hard pressed to find an honorable historical figure who did not suffer greatly for the exact thing for which made them famous or well respected.

There is no guarantee that obeying God will keep us out of trouble.  This goes against most of what we were taught as children, but as Joseph’s story illustrates, sometimes we have to suffer the consequences and endure hardship.

Every day we are faced with decisions.  If we make our decisions based upon the initial response of those around us without taking into account our own moral values, we may fall short.  Joseph knew God’s law.  He knew what it meant to be an honorable man and he chose to keep himself pure and honest before God and Potiphar.  The consequences of this choice were dire.  Joseph was in prison for years, forgotten and alone.  He paid a high price for obeying God, but the God didn’t forget him.

1.    Have you ever done everything in your power to remain innocent in a situation only to have to suffer the consequences of someone else’s deception?

2.    What are some areas that you feel blessed because of your sacrifice and obedience to God?

3.    Is there an area in your life where you are missing out because you are choosing to take the easy way out?

What’s Next? (take home/further processing/application)
As you go through your day tomorrow, be aware of who you are living to please.
•    Is it others or God?
•    Identify the places you have avoided doing the right thing for fear of what others might think.
•    Ask someone in the group to hold you accountable to taking an action step you are convicted you need to take to become a person of obedience.

The Real OT - Jacob to Joseph Team/Individual Guide

THE REAL OT
JACOB TO JOSEPH

The BIG Idea Team, Individual and Family Study Guide
Please take time to run through this study guide with your team, on your own, or with your family so that you can further apply and process the BIG Idea.

Big Idea:
Despite our shortcoming God loves us and works through us.

Key Verse:
Read James 5:16 (The Message)
Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.

The Scoop:
Throughout history, it seems as though there is a defining moment in people's lives that causes them to make a significant life change.  Some people may change the way they look, act, carry themselves, and for others it may even mean a name change.  These are life changes that affect the core being of who we are.  For some people it happens in an instant, for others it happens over a period of time. Theodore Roosevelt lost his wife and child and spent time in The Badlands of South Dakota before moving to New York,  becoming a commissioner and going on to become President of the United States.  Gandhi was on a train in South Africa when he was kicked off for being a minority which was the defining moment in his life to stand up for those who are oppressed. Each of these men had to wrestle with something in order to be changed. Neither of these men was perfect and both had their flaws and brokenness.  In comparison, Jacob had his struggles and his experience wrestling with God was life altering.

No one can dispute that Jacob was a sinful man. He was a liar and a cheater, but God still used him to bring His grace to the world. Regardless of Jacob’s serious mistakes in his past and the wrongs God knew he would do in the future, God still desired for him to be used. Because all of us have shortcomings, we encounter God in different ways and at different times and we still fail.  It is a relief that we have a God who desires to work through us despite our shortcomings.

1.    What keeps us from following God to where He might be calling us to go or to what He might be calling us to do?

2.    In your own life, what are things that you have seen happen in your family or friends that have led to broken relationships?

3.    What makes it difficult to live out the advice that James gives us in this verse?

What’s Next? (take home/further processing/application)
Examine your life and see which of the following three steps fit your situation.
•    For the next week think of all the experiences you have had from broken relationships, and think about how God can work through them for his glory.
•    Think about your things in your life that you aren't proud of and the things you are scared to share with others, and think of the people who you can share those things with so that you can find healing.
•    Think about what God is asking you to do next in your walk with him. Where is He leading you and what it will take to accept that you can be used by God?

Group Discussion Guide for Weeks 5-7: Download RealOTPART 2