Leaders must grow in the skill to care for the weak

Leaders lead people, and people go through tough times at some point or another.  During those times the task of the leader is to “strengthen the weak hands, make firm the feeble knees [and] encourage those who are fearful-hearted” (Isaiah 35:3-4)

In this short video Danelle Esterhuizen shares why and how leaders can care for the weak.

Scripture

Galatians 6:1-3, 10

1  Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3  For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself… 10  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Observation questions

1. Let’s ask some interrogative questions to understand these instructions well:
2. What does he mean with the phrase “overtaken in any trespass”?
3. Who does he mean to identify with the phrase “you who are spiritual”?
4. What should be the attitude of one’s disposition (or attitude) in assisting those who fell into temptation? (consider verses 1, 2, and 3)
5. What does he mean with the phrase “bear one another’s burdens” in this context?
6. What is “the law of Christ” Paul refers to?
7. Considering the context, rephrase verse 10 in your own words.

Personal reflection

Personal reflections and applications

1. Consider the following scenario: a friend of yours is a young pastor on a medical campus. He tells you that one of the young doctors has had some marital problems for some months, partially because of the long hours during his community service. This young doctor confesses to your pastor-friend that because of the trouble at home and the long hours of work at night he has built up an emotional relationship with one of his female co-workers, and over the weekend it escalated into a sexual affair. Your pastor friend is shocked and angry, because this young doctor is one of his worship leaders – he just wants to chase this doctor out of his church.  The next morning your read Galatians 6:1-10; how will you advise your young pastor-friend to handle this situation?

Prayer

Pray that God will give you compassion, gentleness, patience and wisdom to lead people in the grace which he shows you.

Healing the Brokenhearted 5 – a God of compassion

The aim of this devotional study of to reflect on God’s attitude to our brokenness and failures.

This 2min Sermon Jam of Matt Chandler will greatly enhance this study today.

Scripture

Isaiah 49:13-17

13  Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.

14  But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.”

15  “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. 16  Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. 17  Your builders make haste; your destroyers and those who laid you waste go out from you.

Observations

God’s afflicted people are personified in this chapter by the broken state of the destroyed city of Jerusalem.

1. What do you learn about God’s character and attitude towards his broken people from this Text?
2. The Lord likens his comfort, compassion and attentiveness of his people to a nursing mother. Why can a nursing mother not forget her own baby?  What do does the Lord wish to convey about his relationship to his people?

Personal Reflection

Oftentimes we get frustrated by our own brokenness and weaknesses, and therefore think that God is impatient and frustrated with us because of these imperfections.

1. Jot down your own most prominent habitual flaws and brokenness. In simple words describe that to yourself.
2. Reflecting on this Text, how do you expect God to relate to your brokenness and flaws?
3. Would the God described in this Text give up on you and walk away from you because of your imperfections? What would God rather do?

Application and Prayer

Hebrews 4:15-16

15  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  16  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

1. Follow the counsel of this portion to the broken, fickle congregation of Hebrews
   1. Approach God with confidence, with shame and no fear of rejection, and state your brokenness to him.
   2. Ask for mercy for your (habitual) imperfections and shortcomings, because Jesus knows what you are going through.
   3. Ask for grace (help) to restore ad heal your brokenness.
2. Consider someone you know whose brokenness manifests in some destructive pattern.
   1. Approach God on his/her behalf and appeal for mercy (forgiveness) and grace (help), because Jesus knows what he/she is going through.

Biblical Interpretation – Exercise

The Aim of this short exercise is to practice systematic Biblical Interpretation and application.

Scripture

Psalms 93:1-5

The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. 2  Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.

The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. 4  Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty!

5  Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore.

Observation

1. Take a moment and identify the various nouns in this short text; how do they relate to one another?

2. What is the setting of this Psalm?  What picture does it sketch?  (Hint: in these type of Psalms you look at the middle thought / verse).

3. There are three parts to this short Psalm; what is the main theme of each and how do they relate to each other.

Part 1: The pronouncement of the Lord’s reign if followed by a description of how he reigns. In your own words explain what the Psalmist meant with each of the following phrases by unpacking the imagery

• Robed in majesty
• Belt of strength (hint Eph 613-14)
• The world / Your throne established
• Everlasting

Part 2: Then follows the announcement that the Floods have lifted up… their voice …their roaring

• What feelings does the Psalmist try to convey by these phrases?  (Image a raging flood).
• List a few things what these floods could represent to a community or individual.
• What comforts the Psalmist during this raging flood?

Part 3: With what two tangible things of God does the Psalmist comfort himself in God’s eternal reign over the flood?

4. Now in one sentence, summarize the message of the Psalm.

Psalm 93:4 Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty!

Application

1. The Psalmist wrote this song to pronounce over his / her flood “The Lord reigns! The Lord is Mightier than this storm!”  List a few situations over which you have no control – personal or national – and then take you time to declare loudly over it: “The Lord reigns! He is mightier than this storm!” (learn to do this habitually)

2. The Psalmist takes comfort during the metaphorical flood in God’s testimonies (Scripture). Think of a friend going through some storm, pray and ask God for a Scripture to send to him/ her now.

3. The Psalmist also finds comfort during the metaphorical flood in God’s house. We are God’s house.  Who needs comfort and strength from God that you can spend face time with to encourage in the next week?  Send someone a message right now to meet and comfort them – then invite that person with you to church or small group, trusting for a meeting with God.

Prayer

Look at the Psalm, think of a personal storm (or that of a friend), and pray to God in line of the Psalm over the situation.