Reflections for Life Group Leaders
Sharing Life—Connecting journeys—Following Christ
Where is your victory won?
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:11-12
Like many American men (for that matter almost all men) I have a passion for sports, especially football. I loved to play it growing up and enjoy watching it even today. I remember so well the two-a-days practices of August when high school football teams would gather together for intense practice times of contact and conditioning. I remember waking up every morning with pretty much every muscle in my body telling me I should not be doing this and painfully reminding me of my need for conditioning. It was a time when coaches would use words like commitment, desire, intensity and teamwork. Outstanding athletes who were in poor condition would find themselves being out--competed by nominal athletes who were in good condition. Preparation and conditioning, or lack of preparation and conditioning were both very obvious in my team mates and myself. I remember the football coach of my senior year Kevin Thomas instilling in us that the victories of September, October and November were really won in June, July and August. The hours in the weight room working out, the time spent studying last year’s game films and the repetitive drills and time spent practicing with teammates really made possible the success to come.
As the great Abraham Lincoln shared during his trials while enduring the criticism of the press for not being active enough in engaging the enemy during the Civil War, “if I had 8 hours to chop down a tree I would spend 6 hours sharpening my ax”. Deliberation and preparation were important parts of his battle plan.
As we anticipate an exciting new season of ministry, a time of transition and opportunity before us…..how do we prepare. As a life group leader are you praying for your “team”? Are you considering how to best disciple the disciples God has brought into your personal ministry. What does your group do well….what do they need to grow in. Does your group need a greater sense of purpose and mission, or do they need a season of rest and reflection?
Resources are being networked, identified and developed that will be available to assist you as a leader. Margo will be asking your help in facilitating a resource catalog including general information about your group. The catalog will also include a list of multiple media resources, books in our library, DVD programs topically indexed, studies specific to developing “life” in life groups. The information about your group will be made available to other leaders so they can network with you and perhaps even utilize your knowledge and experience. We are all part of the same team and this will allow all of us to be “stronger, faster and better support for each other”. Where is our victory won? It is won on our knees and in our total dependence on the God of the universe who calls each of us to be part of His team. October will be a special time of emphasis for our Life groups to encourage participation by our members and invitation to pre-members to “try out” life group communities. There are exciting opportunities and you need to know about them.