Even though you may not feel like a leader, Jesus definitely sees you as one… And each of us has a leadership platform, and a circle of influence. For many of us, we hesitate to lead because we don’t know exactly what that means. It feels complex and a little beyond us. But is that true?
If you are the group discussion leader, be sure to have everyone in the group open to this page on their mobile device. Take turns reading the questions, and discussing together. Be sure to remind everyone that they should subscribe to the podcast, so they can be caught up even if they miss the Sunday message. They can also always watch the 9:30 service LIVE via Periscope. Just follow @stevedusek for notifications.
Who would you say is an example of a good leader? Why?
Matthew 5:14
You are the light of the world- like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
Jesus says YOU are a leader. What do you think about that? Is it easy to see yourself as a leader?
One-word definition of leadership.. What is that?
We typically think of leaders as CEOs, Presidents, and other public figures… But if Jesus is right, and if leadership = “influence,” what does that mean for me?
Who are some people that I have influence with? How can I use that influence for the LIGHT?
On Sunday we spent a lot of time talking about the SIMPLE leadership model… Knowing the simple pattern we want to lead people into. Jesus described this process himself in these ways:
Matthew 22:37-40
“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Matthew 28:18-20
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
What are the three things Jesus has called us to do?
What are the three avenues to get there at The Orchard Church?
Why are all three important?
The typical thought about a “disciple” is someone who has studied a lot… who knows everything. Is that the Biblical picture of a disciple?
I think the best picture of what makes a disciple is what we see over and over again… These people saw Jesus do amazing things, such as telling Peter to cast out into the deep water for fish that shouldn’t have been there. Jesus, of course, miraculously provided the biggest catch ever. Once these guys witnessed the power of God at work in Jesus, they all had a similar reaction:
Luke 5:11
…they left everything and followed him.
Isn’t that really it? They accompanied Jesus on his mission. It wasn’t a series of classes, or of Bible studies… They left everything and followed him. They went where He wanted to go. They did what He wanted to do. He would send them out to DO what He had been doing.
What does this mean for us? Is this good news for me, or is it bad news?
Romans 10:13-15
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?
How can I use my influence for LIGHT during the holiday season?
How will we as a group use our influence for LIGHT? Let’s talk about our next step in preparing to meet needs at Tower Road.