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Aug
17
F Leader , Susan Hill , Uncategorized

How Do I Utilize the Transformational LIFE Strategy in my LIFE Group?

By Susan Hill

As a LIFE Group leader, it is not uncommon to be faced with a variety of needs and responsibilities. Leading a thriving biblical community is a privilege and honor, but there are times it can be overwhelming. That’s why utilizing the Transformational LIFE Strategy (TLS) is so beneficial. It gives group members the opportunity to invest in the group, share their gifts in biblical community, and it allows the group leader to delegate responsibility. The TLS addresses the four common functions of any LIFE Group: To Love One Another, Involve Ourselves in Community, Focus on God’s Word, and Engage the World. These four functions address a variety of needs including: pastoral care issues, group hospitality, social events, bible study, and engaging the community in service and evangelism.

So, how does a group leader implement the TLS?

  •  Enlist good leaders.  The first step of enlisting good leadership for your LIFE Group is to really know your group members. When you understand how your group members are gifted and are aware of their strengths, you are ready to enlist them in roles where they will be most effective. For instance, if you know one of your group members is outgoing and hospitable, you might consider him/her as an “I” Leader who will be responsible for greeting and following up with first-time guests and planning social events.
  • Communicate expectations. Each TLS role has a clear job description and guidelines on how to serve well. Be sure to provide your TLS team with this information and encourage them to take advantage of ongoing leadership development opportunities provided by the church discipleship team.  Keep in mind that our church staff is always available to help equip your TLS team with the resources they need to serve well.
  • Continue to lead. Even after you fill your group’s leadership roles, it’s important to stay engaged. This will mean ongoing communication with your TLS team to insure group needs are being met and your LIFE Group is accomplishing its purpose.

As a leader, there is nothing more gratifying than seeing those you lead thriving in their roles. God has equipped all of his people with unique gifts and talents to serve His church. Let’s do our best to make sure those we lead are utilizing their strengths to build Christ’s kingdom.
 
 

Jul
8
F Leader , L Leader , Susan Hill

Praying for the Spiritual Growth of Those You Lead

By Susan Hill

Experienced LIFE Group leaders know that each new week brings a variety of prayer requests vocalized by group members. All of us would agree it’s important to intercede on behalf of those we lead and many of us have seen extraordinary answers to prayer.
But how often are we praying for the spiritual growth of those God has entrusted to our leadership? Are we praying as fervently for their spiritual growth as we are their temporal circumstances? The prayers of Paul recorded in Scripture reveal how often he prayed for the spiritual growth of those he led.
Here are just a few examples of Paul’s prayer requests:

  • I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. (Ephesians 1:17)
  • And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment. (Philippians 1:9)
  • For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. (Colossians 1:9)
  • And in view of this, we always pray for you that our God will consider you worthy of His calling, and will, by His power, fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith. (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

In biblical community, it is both appropriate and necessary to pray for one another’s temporal circumstances.  However, as leaders we will be wise if we look to Paul to gain insight into how he prayed for those entrusted to his spiritual leadership. Spiritual growth is dependent on prayer. While it’s important to pray for good test results, approved mortgages, traveling mercies, and a variety of other requests, it’s crucial we pray for the spiritual growth of those we are called to serve.