Leaders should grow in the skill to facilitate Spirit-driven ministry

Good Christian leaders are skilled in discerning the leading of the Holy Spirit, helping others follow His working and creating space for them to minister in God’s power.  Life is not a one-man-show!

Scripture

1 Corinthians 14:26-33

26  …When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27  If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28  But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29  Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30  If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31  For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32  and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33  For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

 

Observation and reflection questions

Context: The Apostle Paul is addressing the issue of order and clarity in the very spiritual congregation in Corinth.

1. Paul is giving clear instructions in this letter about how to conduct yourself in a Christian assembly. Why? (verses 32-33)

• What does this suggest of the task of leadership even when the Holy Spirit prompts and empowers individuals for ministry?

2. What must remain the motive for spirit-directed ministry? (verse 26)

• What does this suggest of the task of leadership when individuals starts ministering in the group?

3. This epistle was written to a highly spiritual, disorganized congregation. Would you expect the congregation to be perfectly peaceful and ordered after these instructions was read?

• What does this suggest of the task of leadership to order ministry?

4. Note verse 26 regarding preparation for ministry. What does this suggest about the Holy Spirit’s work before the group assembles?

• What does this suggest of the task of leadership and the Holy Spirit’s prompting and empowerment of individuals for ministry?

5. In some communities there may be a hesitation to flow in the spiritual gifts as deemed normative in this portion of Scripture. Considering the portion of Scripture, what should the leader do to promote and facilitate the ministry of the Holy Spirit among gifted believers?

Personal Reflection and Application

The Lord is Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17) and ministers to people by gifting and prompting his children to speak and act in faith.  Yet leadership is still required to facilitate this working – to preserve order and ensure sincerity and accuracy, so that God’s peace may remain the seal for His work.

1. Think of your own fellowship group.

• How much freedom is there for Spirit-prompted and –directed ministry?
• How much freedom and power to you give to others to lead as the Holy Spirit prompts?
• How much order is there during Spirit-prompted and –directed ministry?
• How much security and peace do you ensure by marinating order?
• Following the pattern in this epistle, what can you do to insure more effective Spirit-directed ministry? Do this for/ at the next fellowship meeting. [hint: preparation, delegation, inspiration…?]

Prayer

Thank God His Holy Spirit’s empowerment and guidance.  Do you tend to quench and ignore His prompting? The confess and repent of this.  Do you tend to neglect leadership and maintain order and peace?  Then confess and repent of this.  Ask for inspiration and boldness to lead in the next fellowship group.

Leaders should grow in the skill to facilitate participation

Skilled leaders have grown in the art of inviting and enabling others to make valuable contributions to the task at hand.  This both gives value to the individuals and greatly enhance the realization of the goal.

Enjoy this short video of how to Cause Participation and invite the contributions of other in your small group, by Kobus Meyer.

Scripture

1 Corinthians 12:4-18

4  Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5  and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6  and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

7  To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8  For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9  to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10  to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11  All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. 12  For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ…

14  For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15  If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16  And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17  If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18  But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.

Observation and reflection questions

1. Carefully study verses 4-6. Note the emphasis on (a) different abilities (b) from the same source. In your own words rephrase four phrases from these three verses that essentially says “the same ____ gives different ______”
2. Why does Paul say the Spirit gives different gifts to people within the congregation? What does the Lord wish to accomplish in doing this? (verses 7-12)
3. Consider the body metaphor in verses 14-18. Can you suggest one phrase that summarizes what Paul is meaning to say here? (in your own words)
4. What is the resultant attitude members should have towards one another? (can you think of one word that captures this attitude best?)
5. What then is the task of the leader of facilitator, considering the diversities of gifts and abilities within a group?

Personal Reflection and Application

It is scripturally impossible for one person to fully develop and nourish a congregation, because God gifts different people to build up a congregation as he wills. No one person can do it, so a leader must grow in the skill to invite and coordinate participation according to the abilities within the group.

1. Think of your fellowship group or work group.

• What is the unique contribution that you bring to this group? What is your best strength within this group by which you can help or enhance them?
• List the strengths and abilities of two other people within this group that can bless or enhance this group’s health or purpose.
• Think of the person with whom you clash or differ with most; in which way can this person contribute which you can not?
• What can you do to (a) call out, (b) enhance and (c) facilitate these unique gifts within the group?

2. At the next meeting with this group use the opportunity to affirm and encourage these strengths and anilities of these people.

Prayer

Thank God for your unique gifts, and declare yourself available to serve people with these gifts.  Pray that God will open your eyes to see the strengths, gifts and abilities within the people around you and grant you grace to facilitate and encourage them as you work together in unity.

Leader need to grow in prophetic grace

Leaders must lead people in the will of God, inspire them with hope and encourage them to continue.  Leaders need to grow in the gift of prophecy.

In this short inspiration session André Kruger explains why leaders must grow in the prophetic anointing, and how it functions. For more on his teachings on flowing in the grace of God go to www.heavensflow.org

Scripture

1 Corinthians 14:1-4

1  Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2  For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3  But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4  He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

Observations

1. What is prophesy?
2. According to this Scripture, what is the requirement to administer the spiritual gifts? (verse 1)
3. Paul says that one should “especially desire [to] prophesy”; what does this imply about the key to function in the gift of prophesy? (verse 1)
4. Why does Paul highlight the pursuit of prophesy above the other spiritual gifts? (verses 2-4)
5. Explain in your own words what prophesy does for the hearers. (verse 3-4)

Reflection and Application

Prophecies are words from the heart of God that gives direction, correction, comfort and encouragement.  God does nothing on earth without sharing heart and plans with people who flow in this gift (Amos 3:7).  These words bring with it grace from God which gives life, hope and strength to the ones who hear.  Leaders must pursue and grow in this gift of grace.

1. What is the most inspirational, uplifting and comforting word of prophesy that you have received from the Lord? How did it affect your emotions and life as a whole?
2. How do you usually hear words of prophesy from the Lord for someone else?
3. When last did you wait on the Lord to share a word of encouragement or direction for someone else?
4. Consider this description of Judas and Silas: “And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.” (Acts 15:32)
5. At the first available fellowship gathering (either church meeting, Bible study, prayer or small group meeting) trust God to share a word of prophesy for someone present.
6. Ask the Lord to give a word of encouragement to you for someone who needs it today. Pray in the Spirit or wait on God until he puts someone in mind, then wait and pray and write down your thoughts. It sometimes helps me to start affirming the person, until I can discern what the Lord says to the person.  Work on your letter until you feel this is what God says, and it is encouraging.  Then pray and send it to the person – don’t delay.

Prayer

Consistently pray and petition God for the gift of prophesy and a heart of love.  Ask that you may increase in the gift to give direction, hope and encouragement with words of life from God.

Stewardship 9 – accountability

The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on stewardship and accountability.

Scripture

Matthew 25:13-30

13  Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour [when the Son of man returns].

14  “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15  To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

16  He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17  So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18  But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19  Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20  And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 21  His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22  And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23  His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

24  He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25  so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26  But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27  Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28  So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.

29  For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30  And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Observations and reflections

Note: The context of the parables in Matthew 25 is on the return of Jesus, and his judgment / rewards.  A talent is a weight of around 33kg – in this context it refers to the measure of either silver or gold – thus a great sum of money.

1. What was the motive of the master in giving the money to the servants? What did he wish to gain?
   1. What was expected of the servants/ stewards?
   2. Did the servants/ stewards own the money given/ entrusted to them?
2. As mentioned above the context of this parable is the return of Jesus.
   1. What was the reward for the faithful servants in the parable? And what does that point to (in light of Jesus’ return)?
   2. What was the reward for the unfaithful servant in the parable? And what does that point to (in light of Jesus’ return)?
   3. What then are the “talents” entrusted to servants / stewards in this parable? [hint: what is Jesus concerned with when he returns on Judgment Day?]

Application

1. Do you often consider yourself to be a steward that must give an account to God?
   1. What has God entrusted to you that he will expect an increase from when he returns on Judgment Day (the most important things only)?
   2. Why did God entrust YOU with these things?
   3. Do you think of yourself as being entrusted with much or with little? Why?
2. Could you relate to the unfaithful servant’s fear of messing up and therefore do nothing with your entrustment? [If so, decide to change your attitude today.]
3. If Jesus would return today, do you think he would say to you ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’? Why?

Prayer

Pray for revelation about this parable, and that the Lord will help you realize what are the things he will ask you about One Day when He returns. Ask for grace to be a faithful steward!

Holy Spirit 10

The aim of this devotional study if to review our relation to the Holy Spirit and the church with regards to spiritual gifts and ministry.

Scripture

1 Corinthians 12:1-31

1  Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.  2  You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led.  3  Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

4  Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5  and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6  and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

7  To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  8  For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit,  9  to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10  to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11  All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

12  For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13  For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–Jews or Greeks, slaves or free–and all were made to drink of one Spirit. …

29  Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30  Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31  But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

Observation

1. What does Paul try to convey to the Corinthians in this portion? (v1)
2. What main things do we learn from the Holy Spirit in the life of the congregation? (Hint: Verse 3 / Verses 4-11 / Verses 12-13)
3. Why does Paul say the gifts of the Spirit is distributed in the congregation? (v7)
4. List the gifts Paul mentions. (v7-11)
5. Related to spiritual gifts among the congregation, what is Paul’s point regarding “one body, many parts”? (v4, 11-13, 29-30)
6. What is the one key Paul gives for the manifestation of these gifts in an individual’s life? (hint: v 31)

Reflection

1. In reading this portion of the letter to the Corinthians, would you say that the operations of spiritual gifts was normal to the Corinthian church assembly? Why/ why not?
2. Look at the list of spiritual gifts Paul mentions
   1. Which of these have you practiced? How and where?
   2. Which of these have you experienced as someone ministered to you? How and where?
   3. Which of these have you witnessed in person as someone ministered to another in your presence?
3. When did you experience the operation of the Spirit most in your life? Why do you think that the Holy Spirit operated through your life the most during that time?
4. Which gifts do you desire most to minister to others? Why?

Prayer and Application

Express your earnest desire to God to bless others with ministry through the gifts of His Holy Spirit, and tell him what you felt like as you partnered with Him in serving His people.

Now pray for a word of encouragement and/or direction for someone specifically – wait on God, write it down and send it to that person as soon as you feel you have the message right.

Then thank God for the privilege of hearing his voice and working with him

Remember to expect God to speak and minister to his people though the gifts of the Spirit every time you gather.