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Follow Me: Learning to Lead through Following Christ
Lesson 4: We Win Together
“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
Matthew 18:20
Christ Followers Understand the Importance of Togetherness
The Western World focuses on rugged individualism. Every person for themselves. Do you! Whatever makes you happy. We are constantly bombarded with the message of individualism. Yet for the Christ follower, we understand that we were created for relationship with one another. We realize that there is great power in collaboration. Therefore, leaders after the heart of Christ (servant leaders) foster collaboration.
Why is it important to understand the importance of togetherness?
Read Matthew 18:19-20, what does this passage reveal about the importance of collaboration?
Winning is a Group Activity (Romans 12:4-8)
The life of faith is a group undertaking. In fact, if we are to conquer, we will only do so as a team. That is exactly what the Apostle Paul communicated to the saints in Rome in Romans 12:4-8. It is as each member of the body works together that spiritual victory is experienced.
What is the difference between being together and working together?
How does the way the human body functions help us understand the importance of collaboration within the body of Christ?
Two insights in Romans 12:4-8 worth noting:
· Ignoring our interdependence is foolish (vv. 4-5)
· The proper functioning of the body is dependent on us using our unique gifts (vv. 6-8)
A Picture of Collaborating to Win (Acts 6:1-3)
What does collaboration look like in the body of Christ? This is a question that is at times difficult to answer because we often have different ideas about what collaboration is. However, the Bible gives us many pictures of collaboration. One of those pictures in found in Acts 6:1-3.
What does this passage reveal about collaboration within the body of Christ?
What hinders this type of collaboration within the Church?
What picture of leadership is shown in this passage?
When leaders see the mission as more important than their agenda, collaboration occurs.
When the church collaborates God’s agenda is advanced.
When God’s agenda is carried out, people are launched into their purpose.
Collaboration is Standard Practice (1 Peter 4:7-11)
Sometimes we fall into the trap of reading the Bible as God’s suggests for how we should live. The problem with this view is that we strip the Word of God of its authority. When the authors wrote down the words of the Bible, they we convinced they were writing the very words of God. With this in mind, let us consider one last passage that presents collaboration as standard practice within the body.
Read 1 Peter 4:7-11
What lessons can we learn from this passage about collaboration as a standard practice in the church?
How do we make sure we are working together to achieve God’s agenda?