Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the month “May, 2016”

30 May 2016
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Applying the Bible to Your Life

A great strength of The Navigators movement is the emphasis on the practical application of the bible to life and leadership.  As our former international director reminds us, “Lead from the bible and into the bible!”

It’s easy to get caught up in sharing our own thoughts, ideas, and experiences – thus forgetting to point those we are influencing to the Scriptures.  It is the good seed of the Word of God that will take root and bear fruit in the lives of those we serve.

HOW TO MAKE A  PERSONAL APPLICATION

Many of us are leading small group bible studies.  At the end of each bible study you will want to be sure to make a personal application.  This application must be specific, practical, and attainable.

As you do each study, mark verses that impress you or speak to your heart.  Then, when you are finished, review all the verses that you marked.  Choose the one verse that most impressed you and make your personal application from this verse.

A poor application would sound like, “I need to witness more.”  A better  application would sound like, “This week I am going to visit my neighbor and seek to share my testimony.”  Be sure that your application is specific enough to know if you have completed it or not.

Remember, we study the Word of God not only to add to our knowledge, but to become more like Jesus.  By making specific applications from each bible study, we are attempting to change our life and become transformed into the image of Christ.

Give careful consideration to your personal applications, for it is through these that you will be gaining maturity in Christ.

 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.”   (James 1:22   NIV 1984)

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , , , ,
23 May 2016

The Basics are Basic #8

LORDSHIP OF CHRIST

Memory verse:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.                                                                     Romans 12:1

Conditions for Following Christ

Luke 14:26     “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:27    And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:33     In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

What Does it Mean to Call Jesus Lord?

Joshua 24:15     But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” 

Matthew 5:11-12       “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 6:33            But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Luke 6:46                   “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

Luke 9:23                   Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Luke 9:57-62             As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

John 12:24-25            I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.  The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 

Romans 12:1              Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.

Jesus must be first in all areas of the believer’s life.  He must become all in all.  We are called to live holy, obedient lives because He is Lord, the one and only God.  Jesus has the right to control our lives because of His Lordship.

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #2 BE - Who a Leader Is and tagged , , , , , , , , ,
16 May 2016

The Basics are Basic #7

FELLOWSHIP

Memory verse:

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.                                          Hebrews 10:24-25

 Fellowship and the Body of Christ

  1. Christ is the Head of the Body of Christ

Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:22-23

  1. Every believer is a member of the Body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:22-23

  1. There are spiritual leaders in the Body of Christ

Hebrews 13:7,17; Ephesians 4:11-13

  1. All members are one in the Body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 2:11-22; Galatians 3:26-28

All those who have put their trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior are members of God’s family, the Body of Christ.  Within this Body all members have the same value before God, but they will have different functions.

Our unique function in the Body of Christ is determined by our design (spiritual gifts) given to us by the Holy Spirit.  Though we have different functions within the Body, no member is of greater importance than another;  all have the same importance and value to God.

The Goal of Fellowship

Acts 2:42        They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Romans 15:1              We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

1 Corinthians 14:26               What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.

Galatians 6:2             Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:14             And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Hebrews 10:24-25     And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

James 5:16                   Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

All believers will gather together regularly to worship the Lord.  Included in this fellowship together is prayer, teaching of the Word of God, testifying to God’s work in our lives, strengthening the weak, comforting the downcast and encouraging one another to continue to live lives pleasing to God.

Believers need each other.  There is no one who does not need the fellowship of other believers.

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , , , , ,
09 May 2016

The Basics are Basic #6

WITNESSING

 Memory verse:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”                                                 Acts 1:8

 Who Must Witness?

 John 20:21      Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

 Acts 8:4           Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

All people who have put their trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior must witness about Him to others.

What Does it Mean to Witness?

 John 4:39-42           Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”  So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days.  And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

John 9:25        He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

Acts 22:21      “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'”

Acts 8:26-40   Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

Witnessing is simply telling another person what you already know and have experienced.  All people who have trusted Jesus as their personal Savior have a testimony that they can share with others.

To Whom Must We Witness?

 Matthew 28:18-20     Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Mark 16:15          He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

Acts 1:8          But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

Believers must be led and empowered by the Holy Spirit to witness wherever they live, work and play, with the objective of reaching the whole world with the gospel of Christ.

When Must We Witness?

2 Timothy 4:2          Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.

1 Peter 3:15               But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

We must always be prepared to witness to others about Jesus, morning or evening, when the time is easy and also when it may not be so easy.

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , , , ,
02 May 2016

The Basics are Basic #5

WORD OF GOD

 Memory Verse:

 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness             2 Timothy 3:16

Characteristics of God’s Word

 Psalm 19:7-11             The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.  The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.  They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.  By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Psalm 119:160            All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

Isaiah 8:20                  To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

Isaiah 40:8                  The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.

Matthew 24:35          Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Hebrews 4:12             For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

2 Peter 1:20-21          Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.  For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The Word of God, the Bible, is eternal, true and can be trusted.

Those who wrote the bible were guided by the Holy Spirit so that what was written was according to His will.  God’s Word is important to His children because it is His living, eternal, unchanging message to them.

II.     Why is the Word of God Important?

Psalm 119:105            Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:130            The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Matthew 4:4              Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”

John 15:3                    You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

Acts 20:32      “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

2 Timothy 3:16-17     All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

God’s Word is given so that we may know our Heavenly Father in an ever deeper and intimate way and how to live a life that is pleasing to Him.  By studying and applying His Word we will grow in our relationship with Him.

The Word of God is spiritual food for the believer.  As such, we must eat from this spiritual food daily through reading, studying, memorizing and meditating so that we may grow spiritually.

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks and tagged , , , , , , ,

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