Created for Community - Part 4

What! Me, a Leader!! 

Generally speaking most people are reluctant to get involved in leadership for various reasons.

This could be because of:

• a sense of inadequacy (lack of knowledge in the Bible/skills) 
  
• the commitment is too high (expectations) 
  
• negative experience in the past or ‘been there, done that’ attitude.
  

In this church we believe that everyone of you can be a leader.

What is Leadership? 

The word leader means different things to different people. Usually our experience of leadership is formed on the basis of our experience and observations of leaders that we have known. You may even feel that leadership is not for you because you don’t think you have what it takes to be a leader.

Luke 22:25-26 
Jesus said to the disciples, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves benefactors. BUT YOU ARE NOT TO BE LIKE THAT. Instead the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.”

Jeremiah 45:5 
“Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it!” (New Living Translation)

But, Christian leadership is far more than influence.

There is another ingredient that should be in our definition. This has to be with the DIRECTION/DESTINATION that a leader is taking the people to. The destination of leadership is even more important than the effective functioning of leadership. As a leader I am responsible for where I am taking the people.

Definition of Christian Leadership 

“Christian leadership is helping people fulfil God’s purpose for their lives”

A leader HELPS people find their God-given purpose and function. I am to be a helper. Leaders are God’s representatives; to help people find their place and fulfil the call of God on their lives.

Luke 11:46 
“Jesus replies, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens that they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to HELP them”

Help is NOT the opposite of leadership. Leaders are God’s representatives to help people.

Misconceptions 

There are some misconceptions or wrong views of leadership which can cause us to avoid considering leadership.

• The more the followers the greater is the leader. 
  
• A leader is a person who is able to persuade others to follow. 
  
• A leader is a person who should be all-knowing . 
  
• A leader should have it all together and be perfect . 
  

Why is there such a great need for leaders today? 

The need for leaders is so great but the candidates seem so few.

Isaiah 59:16 
“He saw that there was no one, he was amazed that no one intervened to help the oppressed”

Isaiah 63: 5 
“I looked but no one came to help my people, I was amazed and appalled at what I saw”

• Because human nature necessitates leadership.
  The Bible uses the analogy of people as sheep to illustrate the model we should follow. God created us with an innate tendency to follow.
• Without leadership there will be disorder/chaos/anarchy
  
• Because God wants his people to be cared & fed.
  Paul said to the church leaders in Acts 20:28 “And now beware! Be sure that you feed and shepherd God’s flock - his church, purchased with his blood – over whom the Holy Spirit has appointed you as Overseers.” 
• Because God wants his people to be discipled. (Mt.28:18).
  

What Makes a Great Life Group Leader? 

A survey was carried out with 700 small group leaders in over 8 countries by Joel Comiskey (book “Home Cell Explosion” ) to establish what contributes to the success of an effective Life Group leader.

The success has nothing to do with:

• Age – it does not mean that the older you are the more success you will become. 
  
• Educational background – seems to be irrelevant. 
  
• Gender – doesn’t make a difference to a leader’s success. 
  
• Personality – extrovert or introvert makes no difference to the success. 
  
• Spiritual Gifts – whether you are an evangelist or teacher, does little to the success of the group. 
  

So, there is no perfect profile of a great leader.

A leader is one who... 

1. loves God and loves people. Matt 22: 35-40 
   
2. is willing to listen
   James 1:19 “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” 
3. is kind & compassionate.
   Ephesians 4:32 ‘Be kind & compassionate to one another…” 
4. is passionate - zeal, fervency, alive in spirit. 
   
5. is prayerful. i.e., your own personal prayer life. 
   
6. sets goals. Gives purpose, direction and focus to the group 
   

The key is to be yourself

Some keys on how you can overcome those challenges towards leadership 

1. Look Up
   The 1st thing is to look up & find a model; somebody who’s doing a better job than you are, someone who is stronger than you and more spiritual than you, Such people will stretch you. Find somebody who runs faster, thinks faster, aims higher than you. These are the people who will lift you up.
2. Give Up
   To reach your potential, you must give up all that you are in order to receive what you can become. You can’t hang on to what you have and yet want more. You have to let go! Nothing comes free.
3. Fire Up
   This involves stirring up yourself, stirring the gifts that are within you, being zealous for God, being passionate and fervent. Watch-out against complacency/lukewarmness. David encouraged himself. Hezekiah served wholeheartedly (2 Chron. 31:21).
4. Show Up
   Nothing will happen if you don’t take up/face the challenge of your life. Some people will never become all they can be because when they see a challenge coming they fail to show up. Never fail to show up. Intimidation will rob you and you will never feel ready for anything in life. Step out in faith! Satan is an accuser who will want to stop you.
5. Go Up
   Finally, if you do this you will see your potential being released.
   
   Philippians 4:13  “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
   Matthew 25:21  “Well done! You good and faithful servant.” 

If you wait for perfect conditions you will never get anything done

Ecclesiastes 11:4  “Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.”

Sample Discussion Questions 

Ice Breaker: When did you last feel the joy of serving someone? and/or What is the most fulfilling work you have ever done?

Life Group leader or discussion facilitator to briefly give a 5 minute overview of the sermon lesson.

1. What do you think of this message by Daljit Gill and how did it speak to you personally? (Get each person to say a few words). 
   
2. What does leadership now means to you? 
   
3. What are the things that have worked against you being a leader (or wanting to step towards becoming a Life Group Intern or Leader)? 
   
4. Is God preparing you for or asking you to take on a servanthood position as a leader and do you see yourself as a future Life Group Leader? 
   
5. How can I help you towards fulfilling this dream or goal?