Building a Team Jesus' Way by John Holloway

8/8/2019 Building a Team Jesus' Way by John Holloway

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BUILDING A TEAM JESUS WAY

JESUS FORMED HIS TEAM THROUGH PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

THE VISION

1. EVERYTHING IN LIFE IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS

(a) The Pharisees asked Jesus for the greatest commandment.He answered

You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all

your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second isequally important. Love your neighbour as yourself. All the othercommandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on thesetwo commandments. Matt. 22. 37-40

(b) The chief commandments are about relationships to God and toothers.

Jesus said everything hinged on these two things - these two relationships.

The relationships built in this life are the only things that last into eternity.

All my possessions will one day be consumed.

There is only one thing I can give that will increase the Kingdom.

That is the soul of another human being.

When we consolidate a soul into the Kingdom of God

We add something of eternal worth.

The most effective way to secure a soul to the Lord is through an enduringrelationship.

How did Jesus change the world?

He entered a deep relationship with His Team which few understand or

practise.

His commitment to his disciples was astounding and so were the results.

(c) Jesus took His disciples through a definite progression of teaching.

This matured along with their relationship.

The closer they became the more intense were their personal interactions.

In the early days he focused on issues that built trust.

Many of these lessons took place in the context of socialising and

fellowship.He defined relationship values and built trust through social interaction.


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After His influence was established he progressed to a student/teacherrelationship

Here He concentrated on issues of leadership, faith and the supernatural.

Then He began to deal with personal issues entering into seasons of

conflict

Challenging their commitment and helping them examine their hearts.

As they matured he taught them ministry relationships and trained them forleadership.

He progressed to deep relationship issues.

These dealt with Kingdom values, honesty, openness and serving.

Finally He spoke to them about issues of failure, correction, fathering anddestiny.

(d) The progressive teaching approach can be a pattern for developingyour leaders.

It can help you be more effective in patiently establishing their ministries.

Sustainable church growth takes place when members assume the skillsof leaders

Then leaders learn the skills of Pastors.

Pastor/leaders fail disciples when they dont help them progress fromdisciples to leaders.

Not all leaders are called to be Pastors but every leader must learn topastor others.

Pastoring skills are not easily taught but must be modelled.

Jesus modelled ministry to His disciples through effective relationships.

He taught them the skills of leadership by example.

2. JESUS BUILT STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS

Jesus looked around and saw them following. What do you want? He askedthem. They replied, Rabbi, where are you staying? Come and see, He said.It was about 4.00 oclock in the afternoon when they went with Him to the placeand they stayed there the rest of the day. Andrew, Simon Peters brother, wasone of these men who had heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Thefirst thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, We havefound the Messiah. Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus.John 1. 38-42.

(a) Jesus first priority was to establish a Leadership Team

The Gospels describe the development of a powerful team of 12.Their ministries would begin to take the Gospel to the known world.

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Jesus made His team His number one focus and prioritised leaders overmultitudes.

(b) Jesus chose a diverse team

Many leaders make a mistake in choosing a leadership team

Choosing one that reflects their personality, preferences and personalvalues.

None of Jesus team were really like Him

They came from a wide variety of walks of life

Relationships follow streams of attachment based on :-

Family, common interest, occupation, geography, language, culture.

Dont select all your team from the same background

Otherwise the resulting stream of relationships will be limited

Because like attracts like

Jesus chose men of different vocations and skills

Fishermen, Tax Collectors, political activists, ordinary men

Rich, poor, common, uncommon, educated, uneducated.

They came from a wide variety of experience, education, social status,upbringing

Their diversity increased their potential for outreach through many streams

of relationshipsThe greater the diversity within the team, the greater ability to reach everysocial level

(c) Jesus followed lines of relationships

The Gospel often moves in families.

The goal of the church in Acts was that entire households would be saved.

The spread of the Kingdom is through relationships in families,

communities, cities, nations.Jesus chose disciples along natural lines of relationships :-

Andrew, disciple of John the Baptist, witnessed Jesus baptism.

He moved along family lines and found his brother Peter

Peter moved along vocational lines and brought fishing brothers,James and John

Andrew and Peter moved along community lines, finding Phillip fromtheir hometown.

The development of the 12 reflects the development of the kingdom.

Healthy, steady growth is through relationships.

Streams of relationships will issue out of the ministry of every leader

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These will tend to follow his personal interests and are natural and healthy.

But at the top level of the structure (Jesus and His disciples)

There needs to be diversity to broaden the influence of the ministry

(eg springs on a mountain peak, if spread out, will flow in every

direction).

Therefore selection of leadership must be spiritual, emotional, strategic.

They must have spiritual potential and depth, emotional attachment to youand variety of background.

(d) Jesus had a strategic relationship plan

His goal from the beginning was to train successful leaders.

Everything He did was designed to turn them into the influential leaders He

envisionedHe did not major on reaching the multitudes until beginning to building Hisinner circle

The real issue though is not how the relationship begins but how it isdeveloped

Any relationship can be improved if you understand :-

The delicate strategy of first discerning the relationship

Then strategically building the relationship towards a goal.

Jesus entered into relationship with His disciples at a very elementary level

Then developed the relationship to more challenging levels as their bondmatured.

Effective relationships do not just happen but are built with strategicpurpose.

The disciples were probably very young when called to follow the Lord

Some may have been teenagers or at the latest, in their early twenties.

Jesus chose them strategically when they were teachable

Then potentially developed them with a methodical, purposeful design.

(e) The four levels of relationship

Jesus ministered in four levels of relationships :-

The crowd The followers The disciples Three close friends

At each relationship level His commitment to transparency and expectationof their responsibility increased

In His relationship to the Crowd Jesus asked little of them.

They were takers and He served them tirelessly, healing, feeding andteaching them.

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The Followers lived at a greater commitment level to Jesus and Hehad greater expectations of them.

These were the 70 others in Luke and the 120 at the Day ofPentecost.

They did not enjoy the same privilege of close interaction with Jesusas the disciples

But they were still very much a part of the Leadership team and givenresponsibility in ministry.

They represent second tier leadership.

The third level Jesus ministered to was the 12 Disciples.

They were taught on a higher level of understanding and leadershiplevel.

They had opportunity to interact with Jesus in His teachingConstantly asking for clarification of His teachings and often correctedpersonally.

The fourth level was Jesus relationship to His inner circle disciples Peter, James and John.

They witnessed his greatest triumphs and challenges

The Transfiguration and the agony in the garden.

They received some of His strongest and most direct rebukes.

In every leadership group there should be close friends who reallyknow you.

They are the foundation and training ground for all relationships.

Their ministries set the standard for others to follow.

(f) Jesus used relationship to train His leaders

You can only change people through the power of prayer, persuasion,example, instruction.

These need to be poured into someone in a long-term relationship.People develop habits, likes, interests over years, and dont change easily.

It takes a long time then to change these things.

God does supernaturally change many things in a persons life

But leaves much to the power of consistent teaching and the ministry ofinfluence.

Jesus relationships with his disciples were methodical, calculated and longterm.

He developed them through stages which built on the trust and respect Heestablished.

Building leaders through relationship ensured they received His instruction

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And that His character fundamentally changed them.

They interacted with Him on a deep personal level and became like Him

So when the time came, they were able to duplicate His work.

3. JESUS DISCERNED THEIR HEARTS

(a) To say Jesus knew His disciples is an understatement!

With some He shared the secrets of their lives the moment they met.

There is a powerful intimacy that takes place when God gives insight intosomeones heart.

You help them by speaking prophetically into their lives, which changesthem.

You also establish a bond with them that is not easily broken.

In John 1.40Andrew heard John the Baptist endorse Jesus and went andfound Simon his brother.

He brought him to Jesus whose first words to him were prophetic ..

You are Simon son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas a stone John 1.42b

We will probably never move prophetically to the level Jesus did

But to truly influence and intimately bond with our leaders we must ministerprophetically to them.

If someone discovers the secrets of your heart through the Word ofKnowledge

They discover a place of intimacy and thats what makes the prophetic sopowerful.

The following day Phillip introduced his brother Nathaniel to Jesus.

Jesus said .. Behold an Israelite indeed in whom there is no deceitJohn 1.47.

Nathaniel was surprised that Jesus referred to his character before hisintroduction.

He asked Jesus how it was that he knew him.Jesus said .. Before Phillip called you, when you were under the fig tree, Isay you John 1.48b.

This supernatural word convinced Nathaniel Jesus was the Christ and hecommitted to Jesus.

Their bond was permanent from their first meeting.

Peter was constantly under the scrutiny of Jesus prophetic word.

The words Jesus spoke over him helped to build his ministry.

(b) Jesus spoke into Peters ability

In Matt 4.18Jesus told Peter he would become a fisher of men.

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He spoke prophetically into his life and encouraged him in his potential forleadership.

He was speaking to his ability.

Jesus built up the disciples esteem by teaching and modelling ministry

And by the power of the Spirit He spoke positively into their lives.

This strengthened their resolve, challenged their faith, raised the standardof their expectation.

Make a point of speaking positively into your leaders.

Help them recognise by faith their leadership potential.

When theyre struggling they need encouragement

And a realistic faith appraisal of their potential.

This way you can bring them to a place where they have the bestopportunity to succeed.

(c) Jesus spoke into Peters character

In Matt 16.18Jesus told Peter he was a Rock.

That on the strength of his confession Jesus would build His church.

Peters confession was a reflection of his inward character and faith.

Jesus encouraged him in the strength of his character.

He built an expectation in Peter for the future.

Peter was not yet a rock but Jesus knew he would become one.

(d) Jesus spoke into Peters personal life

In Luke 5.4Jesus told Peter prophetically that he would find a huge catchof fish.

Peter had caught nothing all night, but he obeyed.

The large catch stunned Peter into repentance.

Also it convinced him of the validity of Jesus ministry.

Fishing was Peters way of life and so it was deeply personal.

Though Jesus prospered his business, he left fishing to others.

He gave up the financial windfall to follow the Lord.

Jesus got Peters attention by blessing his business.

Peter in his gratitude gave Jesus his loyalty and allegiance.

Steer your leaders into a position where they can receive increase inministry or personal life.

You will gain their confidence, win their respect, capture their hearts.

(e) Jesus spoke into Peters spiritual life

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Understand their past

Failures in the past limit and hinder the minds of many leaders.

Jesus told Peter to fear not when He called him to be a fisher of men.

In saying this, Jesus was freeing Peer from bondage to his past.

He no longer was a fisherman but as entering into a new life position.

The call to leadership must be birthed in the death of past failures andaccomplishments.

Evaluate their present

Leaders need an honest appraisal of their work and a clear understandingof who they are.

Constructive criticism is just as important as positive encouragement.Handicaps are not necessarily a hindrance.

With proper training and direction they can become strengths

Dont ignore their weaknesses or try and change them into something theyare not

Acknowledge their weaknesses and focus on their strengths

Help them to develop the areas where they can be successful.

Often leaders struggle, wondering if they are succeeding or failing.

Regular evaluation of their job and goals is powerful motivation for them.It is also a time when you can speak into their lives.

Accountability to goals and authority will keep them fruitful

Meditate on their future

Goals must be by faith but must also be realistic.

The delicate balance is to discover that place of faith outside whatshumanly possible

But within the realm of growth God is giving a leader.

Nothing is more important in developing a leaders faith thanunderstanding what goals God would have them pursue.

When you mediate on a leaders future you enter into a faith partnership.

The vision the becomes a shared responsibility.

Revelation and faith is confirmed as you come to agreement on what Godis saying.

Through the power of mutual faith we enter into the power of agreement.

Pray for them

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Jesus told Peter He had prayed for him that his faith would not fail Luke 22.32.

If you meditate on your leaders God will :-

Show you his past

Help you understand his present

Enable you to anticipate his future.

Then from the perspective of revelation you can pray for him according tohis need.

Jesus devoted considerable time to understanding His disciples.

Dont see your leaders as nothing more than a resource

Or you may try to develop their skills without understanding the why oftheir behaviour.

Understanding why someone is motivated in a certain wayTakes a lot more involvement in their lives than understanding theirstrengths and weaknesses.

Understand their past, present and future and pray over them faithfully.

Then the Lord will give you deep insight into their lives.

This will hep you launch them to even greater accomplishments.

The priestly ministry of prayer will establish a wall of protection aroundyour leaders,

Also equipping them with the supernatural resources necessary for their

success.

5. JESUS BUILT A CULTURE OF SUCCESS

(a) Jesus said .. You are Simon but you will be called Cephas AStone John 1.42

Jesus called Peter a Stone, changing Peters value system

Also pronouncing His definition of Peters new characteristics.

Peter was not a stone in the first chapter of John

He was a young inexperienced hothead.

But Jesus ignored a true evaluation of his present character

He spoke prophetically of his future strength.

Peter believed in Jesus and was certain He had the Words of Life.

He was quick to confess Him as Lord.

What Peter did not have was confidence.

Jesus began building confidence, praising Peters strengths andencouraging him in his destiny.

He began speaking the language of success through strength of characterinto Peters life.

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(b) Jesus established positive values

Successful leaders must learn to coach.

They will convince the team to follow their system.

Also establish authority and respect and persuade them they are capableof winning.

Peter was uneducated and must have struggled with his leadershippotential.

Imagine the awkwardness he felt as he began to accept his ministrycalling.

He realised Jesus was expecting him to speak to multitudes

To reason with well educated religious leaders and disciple new followers.

Before Peter could be trained Jesus had to change his mental evaluation

of himselfAnd create in him an expectation of success.

Some people dont want to succeed!

Strong emotions rooted ion unworthiness demand failure.

Many capable leaders never develop a winning culture because they feelunworthy.

Emotions of shame must be conquered before a winning attitude can bedeveloped.

To establish a winning culture on your team you must become a coach to

your leaders.

A team will follow the values of their coach.

A good coach will build up his teams expectation for success.

6. JESUS SOCIALISED TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

The next day Jesus mother was a guest at a wedding celebration in thevillage of Cana in Galilee. Jesus and His disciples were also invited to the

celebration John 2. 1-2

(a) Jesus first assembled His team then attended a socialevent with them.

Jesus made a clear point to invest social interaction into beginning newrelationships.

Jesus was just hanging out with His disciples.

Socialising is a powerful way to build relationships and Jesus understoodthis.

He devoted time and effort to spending time socially with His futureleaders.

In Luke 5.29 Matthew the Tax Collector was converted.

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Next Jesus visits him in his house and socialises with his sinner friends.

Jesus had two purposes for visiting Matthew in his home immediately afterconversion.

One was to establish a relationship with Matthew.

Two was to evangelise his circle of friends.

Jesus sent His leaders out on their first ministry journey Luke ch. 9.

He instructed them to follow this pattern and visit in the homes theyevangelised.

He told the 70 to stay in the homes of those they converted, eating anddrinking.

Zacchaeus, a rich and notorious sinner, was converted.

Jesus told him He needed to visit his house that very day Luke 19.5.

He recognised the importance of seizing the window of opportunity into apersons heart

So as to establish a relationship in the critical time while that person isopen to new friendships.

Jesus spent time socialising with His leaders and new Christians toestablish strong bonds

Drawing from the strengths of emotion and power of persuasion throughHis teachings.

If a day passes without the opportunity to bond, new believers may

develop independence.

They will then either raise themselves or return to a more familiar life.

If they raise themselves they will always be a problem in the church

Become loners, will be easily misled by wrong doctrine and will not befruitful in winning souls.

7. JESUS HELPED THEM SEE THE HARVEST

John 4. 33-35 . The disciples said to one another Has anyone brought him

anything to eat? Jesus said to them, my food is to do the will of Him who sentme, and to finish His work. Do not say there are still four months and thencomes the harvest. Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields,for they are already white for harvest.

Jesus challenged His leaders to work.

1. At the very beginning of their relationship together Jesus challengedHis disciples.

It was over the necessity and urgency of the harvest.

The work of the harvest is not reserved for the mature and polishedbeliever

Actually, new believers can be more successful in winning souls

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This is because of their network of unbelieving friends.

Jesus understood this and did not shy away from introducing Hisdisciples

To the work of the harvest while they were still new followers.

2. Jesus didnt hide from His team that their relationship would involvework and responsibility.

Our tendency is to protect new believers from ministry work

So they dont become discouraged or overburdened.

Jesus didnt do this, introducing them immediately to the vision

But, He helped them to enter the work in stages.

Jesus was not distracted in the harvest.

He prophesied how things would be in the End Times Wars, earthquakes, violence, ethnic hatred, famines, plagues, persecution.

In the same passage He said the gospel of the Kingdom would bepreached in all the world

Witnessing to all nations and then the end would come Matt 24. 5-14.

Revival and resistance go hand in hand and Jesus warned us this wouldbe so.

The greater the pressure the greater the potential for harvest.

Peoples hearts begin to fail them for fear

Then they reach out in desperation for spiritual help eg :-

Yongi Chos church under the threat of North Korea

Cesar Castellanos church during endemic corruption and murder inColombia.

Family of God Church Solo, under dramatic persecution, ethnicattacks, political violence.

Our greatest challenge is not to lose faith in season of severe difficulty.

The manifestation of wickedness can distract us and hinder the work of the

harvest.

Fear can paralyse us into inactivity!

Jesus understood the multitudes of distractions that could divert Hisleaders.

He helped them keep focused on the one thing that mattered, the harvest.

Jesus helped His leaders anticipate resistance.

1. Remember the word I said to you, a servant is not greater than hismaster. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you -- John15.20.

Help your leaders anticipate opposition!

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That helps them deal with the emotional pressures of being resisted orridiculed.

Leaders prepared for opposition remain strong when spiritual attacksoccur.

2. Opposition can create a mindset that hinders your effectiveness inconnection to people.

People respond to criticism in one of two ways

They become aggressive and hostile or passive and ineffective.

Leaders must be taught how to respond to criticism, persecution andresistance.

They must understand it is impossible to avoid confrontation in ministry.

How they react to confrontation shows underlying motives of characterand heart.

Leaders must learn to be Christ-like in the face of opposition

Only then will they remain effective and fruitful.

Jesus taught His leaders how to respond to persecution

Turn the other cheek - Matt. 5.39

Pray for those who persecute and despitefully use you Matt 5.44

If they ask for your cloak give them your coat also Matt 5.40

Jesus would not allow delay in the harvest.

Do not say there are still four months and then comes the harvest.Behold I say to you, up your eyes and look at the fields, for they arealready white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages and gathersfruit for eternal life. That both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoicetogether. For in this the saying is true : one sows and another reaps. Isent you to reap that for which you have not laboured, others have

laboured and you have entered into their labours. - John 4. 35-38Even Jesus faced the attitude of procrastination regarding the harvest.

He couldnt allow His leaders to think the harvest was in the future.

He taught them the harvest was now!

Jesus taught the reward of harvest.

And he who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit for eternal life.

Jesus used eternal reward to motivate His disciples to get involved in thework of the harvest.

People respond to rewards and positive motivation

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But when you use rewards and recognition for work that is eternal theyseem hollow.

Leaders should be rewarded and encouraged when they enter into thevision.

It is natural and healthy for people to be rewarded.Praise, recognition and positive encouragement help build relationships

But be careful that reinforcement of a worker does not become anunhealthy motivation.

People may work sacrificially because there is an emotional deficiency intheir lives.

They can have low self-worth and long for recognition.

This may push them to extreme levels of sacrifice to please their leader.

People serving a vision because of emotional need will eventually falter.

Jesus taught clearly that the harvest was work.

He told His leaders He had been sent to finish the Fathers work.

He made it clear they were called to work.

There are four types of Christians in the Body of Christ :-

1. Lazy Believers love God but do nothing to help develop theKingdom.

Theyre laid back, peaceful, relaxed but they just dont work.2. Critic Christians judge, analyse, examine, hypothesise

But seldom work themselves.

3. Merry Christians Full of joy, love to worship and fellowship.

They are a blessing to the church but they do little work.

4. Workers calculators, planners not afraid to work.

When you look for leaders, you need to look for workers.

Jesus asked His leaders to look on the harvest.

. Lift up your eyes and look at the fields.

Leaders must meditate on the harvest, dreaming of multitudes.

Unless we see multitudes in the spirit we will never see them in the natural.

We need to believe God, that we will pastor multitudes.

In this generation the goal is to pastor multitudes.

The challenge is to move the multitudes from the nets to consolidation.

8. JESUS ESTABLISHED HIS CORE LEADERS

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And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simons calledPeter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they werefishermen. Then He said to them Follow me, and I will make you fishers ofmen. They immediately left their nets and followed him. Going on from there,He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in

the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, andimmediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him - Matt 4. 18-22

(a) Ricky Zachary

Moved to Colombo in 2001 and spent three months laying a foundation fora new church plant.

In one year it grew from three couples to over 150 adults,

He had 16 cell groups with 75% of the congregation attending cells.

They were meeting in a rented house, severely limiting seating.

They did no evangelistic meetings, door to door visits, no printed material,no advertising.

They had a narrow lane for access with no sign on the building.

This could have been a stressful high pressure effort,

But was a personally rewarding experience and a restful approach.

(b) Narrow your focus expand your vision.

Ricks strategy was simply to focus on one young emerging leader

To help coach him to success.

Rock offered encouragement, example, correction and advice.

They met daily with the young Colombo couple and prayed for hours.

They would then sit for more hours discussing vision, strategy, personallives, marriages, dreams.

It was enjoyable and sometimes they felt guilty they werent working hardenough.

They became dear friends and entered into a deep gratifying relationship.

He discovered a powerful principle of success through focus.

(c) Build your team one by one.

1. Jesus built His team selecting them one by one and built His corefirst.

Peter, James and John were three of His first four disciples.

They became the foundation of His team and the inner circle within thetwelve.

Only they witnessed raising Jairus daughter, the Transfiguration andthe Gethsemane experience.

They became Jesus closest friends and His inner circle of leadership.

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2. Your inner core become the pattern of success for the other teammembers.

When you focus exclusively on them you establish a pattern for thosethat follow.

You build in them the culture of success you want to establish in theteam.

They become the Big Brothers of the team members who follow.

They will help you build and look after your team.

It may seem to be a step back to focus on one team member,

But it is more effective in the long run.

It is the same philosophy as the process of consolidation.

Once members are consolidated they are team players for life.

(d) Get involved in your leaders family.

Now when Jesus had come into Peters house He saw his wifes motherlying sick with a fever. So He touched her hand and the fever left her.She arose and served them Matt. 8. 14-15.

1. Jesus went to Peters House.

After selecting these four men Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount.

He then descended the mountain and travelled directly to Petershouse.

Significantly, Jesus went straight to Peters house after He had invitedhim into the team.

Jesus focused on Peters family and helped to get them in order.

He ministered directly to them, touching their lives the same way Hehad touched Peters.

Your leaders family and their life together are extremely important tothe team,

Just as much as the individual life of the leader.

If a leaders family is in need he is distracted from the work and losesefficiency.

When his family is out of order he loses effectiveness as an example toothers.

2. Jesus understood the need to get the family in order.

This was so He could free His leaders from the distraction of concernfor their own needs.

Jesus healed Peters mother-in-law and she immediately became partof the team.

She began to serve the needs of the team.

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The families of your leaders are as much a part of the team as theleader himself.

(e) Use your leaders family as a gateway.

When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demonpossessed and He cast out the spirits with a Word and healed all whowere sick Matt. 8.16

1. Though Peter was a fisherman, he had resources.

He owned a large home in Capernaum containing his family plusrelatives.

It fitted Jesus and the growing team as well.

Jesus first brought ministry to Peter then his family,

Then to Peters city from the base of ministry at Peters house.

2. Families are the fountainhead of relationships reaching into everyarea of the community.

When families are part of the vision the leaders life is streamlined.

The example of order multiplies his effectiveness many times over.

(f) Build a foundation that will last a lifetime.

Leaders often make the mistake of diluting their focus by trying to build a

team all at once.

This should be a long term goal and long term commitment.

They must be built one at a time.

When you add a member to your team, focus on him.

Do this exclusively for a season to consolidate him into the vision.

Bring ministry to his personal life and establish order in his family.

This frees him to focus on the work of the vision.

The benefit of focus is a friendship that will last a lifetime.

9. JESUS ESTABLISHED TRUST

Then He said to them follow me and I will make you fishers of men. Matt. 4.19

(a) In the world leaders may be born but in Gods Kingdomthey are made.

People are born with natural abilities and their talents open doors for them

But their talents do not guarantee their success.

Leaders are made in two ways by experience and by example.

Acquiring the skill of leadership is a process of learning.

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The most memorable lessons are the lessons gained through experience.

Gaining experience you will endure hardship and setbacks throughblunders.

It is better to learn by example than by experience.

Jesus did give His leaders opportunity to learn by experience and evenmistakes

But He didnt leave them to the whim of trial and error learning.

He served them by giving them a clear example of the successful lifestyleof leadership.

Jesus made leaders.

1. Jesus told His leaders He would make them fishers of men.

He was saying He would develop their characters to the point wherethey could successfully lead others.

Leading others begins in personal success.

Unless a leader has something I dont have, Ive no interest in followinghim.

I will only study those who can take me somewhere.

My willingness to follow them begins in my esteem for them.

I would be foolish to follow someone who needs my instructions to besuccessful.

Jesus was saying that He would develop His leaders to where theywould be attractive to others.

They would become such examples of success people would want tofollow them.

2. The only thing we have in the Kingdom of God is the power ofpersuasion.

It comes through the anointing and the supernatural.

Catching men requires the capacity within us to captivate their

imagination.No-one will follow you unless you have something they want.

You can enjoy almost anyone for a short time

But only a person of depth can hold your interest over decades.

This is the mark of true mentoring and of a fisher of men.

Jess understood the power of legacy.

He knew that through His legacy He could accomplish more thanthrough His ministry.

A legacy is a living treasure that reaches into the next generation.If it is truly successful it spans many generations.

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This doubt becomes a nagging question that hinders the leaders trustin his team.

It also hinders his confidence in delegating tasks to them.

3. Jesus defended His disciples by using King David as an example.He ate the showbread when He and His men were hungry

Then told the Pharisees he was Lord of the Sabbath

The equivalent of saying the buck stops here!.

He deflected the focus away from His disciples and onto Himself.

He assumed the entire responsibility for His leaders actions.

A powerful key of leading is to accept responsibility for the actions ofthe team.

4. The Pharisees attacked again in Mark 7.5

Accusing the team of eating without washing their hands.

Jesus went after them with a vengeance and called them hypocrites.

He was ruthless when defending the purity of His disciples.

If your leaders are criticised you must be ready to defend them.

5. In John 12.4 Judas Iscariot attacked Mary for anointing Jesus withcostly oil.

He didnt care for the poor but wanted the money from the sale of theoil

Jesus defended her, sternly, saying Let her alone.

Every time His followers were attacked Jesus came to their defence

But He also defended the helpless within their ranks.

6. Once His leaders wouldnt allow the little children to come to Jesus.

He put them in their place and told them not to hinder the children.

The defence of the weak is one of the tests of secure leadership.

7. Even when one of His leaders was wrong, Jesus covered the situation Luke ch. 22.

Jesus was betrayed and arrested in the Garden.

Peter cut off the High Priests servants ear.

Jesus calmed the situation by repairing the mans ear on the spot.

If Jesus hadnt done this Peter would have been arrested.

Now there was no crime and Peter escaped into the night with the otherleaders.

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Jesus corrected His leaders for drawing the sword

But also drew them out of controversy and shifted attention to Himself.

There is a time for correction.

All your leaders will make a mistake, disappoint, or make things

difficult.

Their actions reflect on your ministry

But you must be quick to defend and able to correct.

8. Many leaders will defend a disciple publicly

But not take the next step and correct him privately.

Defence without correction leaves the blame on the leader if theincident happens again.

When you dont correct you have no right to be upset if the action isrepeated.

Be bold enough to stand in your leaders defence

But be bold enough to correct them in love and hold them accountablefor their mistakes.

Effective and secure leaders require accountability

While assuming full responsibility for those they are training.

Jesus dealt with emotions.

James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom Hegave the name Boanerges, that is Sons of Thunder. Mark 3.17

Passion is both the strength and the challenge of every relationship.

Relationships without passion are unfulfilling

But passion without restraint is intolerable.

No relationship can endure without emotion

But emotional people can be a real challenge.

John was one of Jesus closest leaders and one of His most challenging.

Like many men he was driven by passion that often got out of hand.

He was emotional, unpredictable and subject to his anger.

Jesus called John and James Sons of Thunder, signifying theirimpetuous natures.

Jesus did not disqualify John from leadership because of his emotions

But confronted and dealt head on with his emotional and irrational flareups.

Jesus challenged emotional outbursts

When James and John saw this, they said Lord do you want us tocommand fire to come down from Heaven and consume them, just as

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Elijah did? But He turned and rebuked them and said You do not knowwhat manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come todestroy mens lives but to save them. Luke 9.54

Jesus sternly and openly rebuked John s passion for supernatural

judgment.He as unafraid to correct a man who was emotional.

His strong authority put an end to rising emotion.

Emotions in relationships can be controlled through strong, quiet authority

John had a thunderous personality and the capacity for deep passionatelove

He became the disciple whom Jesus loved.

His Gospel and letters are filled with love, compassion, and a Pastorsheart.

Jesus didnt cast him aside because of his uncontrollable passion.

He channelled Johns passion into deep compassionate love.

Leaders who have strong passion can have an equal compassionate carefor others

But they must be challenged and their passions must be channelled.

11.JESUS BUILT TRUST THROUGH FOCUS

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was

seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taughtthem. Matt. 5.1

Jesus deepened His relationship with His leaders.

1. He accomplished this by deliberately focusing on them as a unit ofspecialists.

He began to establish ministry habits.

This forced His leaders more and more into leadership roles.

Isolating them from the multitude He obliged them accept amanagement mentality.

The more He focused on His leaders the more vested interest He hadin them

And the more they began to realise the gravity and responsibility oftheir position.

2. Now your leaders begin to move from friendship to partnership

And the weight of their leaders expectations begin to dawn on them.

They enter into a crucial time when trust becomes a key issue.

Will they continue on to the more demanding levels of ministryrelationship?

What began as friendship must progress to serious partnership.

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It will be founded in mutual trust, commitment and sacrifice.

He accepted those who pursued Him

1. There is a clear order evident as Jesus prepared to give His first public

message

That was the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus didnt go to the multitudes but they came to Him.

Also he now didnt seek out His disciples but the disciples came toHim.

Jesus reached out to people in His ministry

But He also went to great lengths to draw people to press in to Him.

There is Kingdom principle that he hungry are fed.

2. When building your team look for leaders who seek you out,Who respect you enough to press in to you and your circle ofrelationships.

These are the leaders God is giving you.

They are identified by the fact that they give their hearts to you.

A leader who seeks after you, respects you.

His respect will help Him to accept correction, direction, leadership.

3. The more that is invested in a relationship the harder it becomes todiscard it.

John 6.68 shows Peter had reached a deep level of relationalinvestment.

He literally had nowhere else to go.

Jesus said Will you also go away?. He replied -

Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life

Jesus taught them separately.

Now it came to pass when Jesus finished commanding His twelvedisciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities Matt. 11.1.

1. Jesus took personal time with His leaders and taught them apart fromthe multitude.

Jesus commandedHis disciples.

One meaning ofcommandis .. to arrange in an orderly manner.

Jesus not only taught His team separately but organised and worked

with them.This was on a management level

To bring them to an understanding of their place on the team.

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He was sometimes exasperated with their lack of understanding andunbelief.

But still He remained with them and gave them His patient attention.

A good person will tolerate the weakness of others

But a great leader will transform their weaknesses into strength by thepower of his influence.

2. Individual instruction is wearisome and personally challenging.

It is very difficult to prepare yourself to teach a lesson to one person.

But to arrange a team in an orderly manner requires hours of individualinstruction.

3. A good tutor wont hesitate to teach an individual in front of the team.

He knows that the entire team will learn when an individual isinstructed.

They all hear the same lesson.

Teach your team separately from the multitude.

This creates an environment where individual instruction can takeplace.

You would never single out an individual in a congregational meetingfor instructions.

In a team meeting it is acceptable and helpful for the entire team.Jesus taught His team separately and placed them in order in His teammeetings.

Jesus used the disciples connections.

After commanding His disciples Matt. 11.1 says .. Jesus departed fromthere to teach and to preach in their cities.

1. Jesus ministered in the cities His leaders came from.

This helped establish credibility for their future ministries.

Through their association with Jesus they would later gain respect fortheir own ministries.

2. Able leaders lend credibility by association to their team.

So team leaders need to minister to their circle of relationships andrefer ministry to them.

Publicly state you believe in them and recommend their ministries.

This encourages others to follow their example and trust in them.

Great leaders lend their influence to the team and promote theirministries.

Their success is his success.

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They became family.

12.JESUS TAUGHT THEM ON A LEADERSHIP LEVEL

But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him aboutthe parable, and He said to them to you it has been given to know the mysteryof the Kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, all things come inparables. - Mark 4. 10-11

Jesus taught His disciples on a higher level than the multitude.

1. He shared with them the secrets of the parables and the Kingdom.

Their commitment was rewarded with the privilege of a higher level ofunderstanding.

Anything of value in life is worth pursuing.

The level of appreciation is directly related to the scarcity of what ispursued.

2. Jesus often taught His disciples in the privacy of a home.

Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. Hisdisciples came to Him saying Explain to us the parable of the tares ofthe field. He answered them and said Matt. 13. 36-37.

Here He taught them with interaction, discussion, explanation.

Jesus treated His leaders like precious commodities.

He gave them instruction that was personalised, unique and special.He lavished His time on them and patiently crafted them as leaders.

To Him they were the timeless, undiscovered treasures of His lifepurpose.

Jesus taught His team mysteries hidden from the multitudes.

He developed them on a leadership level that rewarded them

For their pressing in to Him for His time and attention.

Jesus taught His leaders through interaction.

1. Two different teaching styles are clear in Jesus ministry.

Firstly to the multitude Greek lecture style used today bywesterners.

It doesnt allow much interaction between teacher and student.

Secondly to His team oriental master, disciple model.

This allowed for interaction, questions and demonstration.

The higher the level of leadership the greater opportunity forinteraction.

2. Jesus explained the parable of the sower to His team in Matt 13.

He gave them far more detail than He gave the public.

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He said It has been given to you to know the mysteries of theKingdom.

The disciples had the honour of knowing secrets to success andteaching.

Those were not given to the multitude.Jesus reserved them for those who had earned the privilege ofunderstanding

Gained by their commitment to a relationship with Him.

3. A commitment to relationship demonstrates leaders worthiness toreceive higher teaching.

Jesus rewarded those who pursued Him

He taught them at a leadership level and interacted with them.

Jesus taught His leaders to teach.

Then He said to them, therefore every scribe instructed concerning theKingdom of Heaven is like a householder who brings out of His treasurethings new and old. - Matt. 13.52

1. Jesus taught His team real teaching is based on communicating

Not on making an impression.

A gifted teacher understands success is based on simplicity.

Jesus taught His team how to teach.

2. Young leaders often try and come up with something new wheneverthey speak.

Jesus understood that effective teaching was not only fresh revelation,

It is also instruction built on past understanding.

Gifted teachers bring treasures to their teams

New and old, fresh and familiar, known and discovered.

3. Leaders need to hear team members speak and teach others.This way you effectively evaluate their ministry.

Evaluation and constructive criticism helps develop their ministryeffectiveness.

4. Jesus did more than teach, duplicating himself in the lives of His team.

Successful teachers impart information and the office of teaching toothers.

Teams must become able teachers to rise to the level of leadership youneed.

Your top leaders must be able to teach.

13.JESUS TAUGHT THEM TO HAVE FAITH FOR LEADERS

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But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them,because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. ThenHe said to His disciples the harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few.Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest. Matt. 9.36-38

(a) Faith for followers and faith for leaders are two differentlevels of faith.

Its easy to believe that you can bring new converts to a relationship withthe Lord

But a lot harder to believe you can mould the character of a leader.

Assuming the responsibility for a leader is a much greater challenge

But it carries the potential of much greater reward.

(b) Faith for leaders requires preparedness.

Personal growth is the necessity of leading leaders.

Without personal growth your vision and your team will stagnate.

Responsibility for a leadership team assumes an awesome and fearfulmandate.

You must ensure your leaders are constantly moving forward in their faith.

Faith for leaders requires you to rise to a higher level of preparedness in

your life.You cannot lead others where you have not been.

(c) Faith for leaders requires confidence.

You certainly dont want to fake your level of faith,But in directing leaders you must communicate confidence and courage.

No-one will follow a fearful tentative leader.

(d) Faith for leaders requires vision.

The greatest need of a real leader is to be challenged.

Leaders are motivated by challenges, goals and opportunities.

Every leaders meeting (other than social times) should include reflectionon the vision and a new challenge.

Bonnke says .. The problem in ministry is lack of vision, and vision bringsprovision (finances).

You can have unlimited resources but without leaders, accomplish nothing.

Real leaders will gravitate to vision-casting guidance and contribute to thevision.

(e) Faith for leaders requires patience.

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1. Vision must be given out in bite-sized pieces,

Otherwise inexperienced leaders will be overwhelmed.

The greater the capacity of a leaders heart the greater his ability toassimilate the vision.

Team leaders must discern those ready for bite-sized pieces and thosefor more.

2. It takes genuine patience to nurture leaders in the vision.

Some will be slow to take the vision,

But when understood, they will work tirelessly to see it through.

Others catch it from the beginning and take off.

They figure out the details as they go along.

Neither is necessarily more effective than the other.

People are wired differently and work differently.Discern their level of preparedness and keep them moving along in thevision.

(f) Faith for leaders requires free enterprise.

1. Real leaders resent being micromanaged.

The more a person rises to success in leadership the more freedomthey should be given to pursue the vision.

The character of a leader must first be developed.

Then he is given freedom to pursue his own faith goals,

But within the protective framework of the team.

2. One of the elements of faith is trust, and trust works both ways.

You must trust the Lord!

But He trusts you with His anointing and responsibility of the Gospelmessage.

It works the same way with your leaders.

They prove themselves worthy of leadership.

You release them to the creative enterprise within them.

Your leaders are most successful when they can develop their ownleadership style,

But within the framework and protection of the team.

It takes faith to release a leader to pursue the vision through his owninitiative and creative design.

Real leaders need a flexible framework that gives them the liberty toproduce fruit after their own kind.

To develop leaders like themselves they need the freedom to bethemselves.

(g) Faith for leaders requires willingness to question.

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Jesus said to Phillip .. Where shall we buy bread that these (themultitude) may eat? But this he said to test him, for He Himself knewwhat He would do John 6. 5-6

1. Jesus was not afraid to put His leaders to the test.He knew Phillip would answer out of his unbelief

But tested him to help Phillip discover what was within him.

A leader cannot be afraid to ask questions.

Most of the questions Jesus asked were confrontational.

They were directed at the Scribes and Pharisees.

But He did ask His team questions.

Many times His questions put them on the spot,

Also challenged their belief system and revealed their hearts.Why are you fearful, O you of little faith? Matt. 8.26

Have you understood all these things? Matt. 13.51

O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves becauseyou have brought no bread? Matt. 16.8

What do you think Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth takecustoms or taxes, from their sons or from strangers? Matt. 17.25

2. Jesus asked His team questions.

These were troubling, thought provoking, faith challenging.Their hearts exposed, they were forced to examine their motives.

Leaders must be willing to ask the tough questions.

3. Jesus challenged the team but didnt demean them or question theirloyalty.

To constantly challenge your teams commitment is a sign of yourimmaturity.

Life itself will ensure tests of loyalty occur naturally.

Team leaders must be prepared to :- Hold firm in crisis

Set the course of the vision

Ask questions causing the team to carefully examinethemselves.

14.JESUS TAUGHT THEM DELEGATION

Jesus said, make the people sit down He took the loaves, and when He

had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to thosesitting down, and likewise the fish, as much as they wanted. So when theywere filled, He said to His disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, so

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Jesus sent His team out on small ministry trips.

This was to prepare them for the coming of the Great Commission.

But delegation without oversight is useless.

Most leaders understand delegation but not all understand oversight

and accountability.

A pastor said .. I dont have much to do now Ive learned to delegate.

He had missed the whole point.

Delegation doesnt reduce responsibility or give you nothing to do.

It organises the work in a manageable way and distributesresponsibility.

Not to work less, but to work more efficiently.

3. Jesus didnt just release the team, but gave them authority.

They were released in an anointing to do the work.

Send out your team only after the laying on of hands

With prayer for an anointing in ministry and prophetic encouragement.

The difference between sending and going, is authority.

Leaders going in their own initiative go in their own limited anointing.

Leaders that are sentgo in the anointing of the team.

Jesus released them for supernatural ministry.

He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sickLuke 9.2.

Jesus sent His disciples to do a specific work in ministry that wassupernatural.

Not only to preach but to do the work of healing the sick.

If we dont expect the supernatural, we wont see the supernatural.

In addition to authority there must be an expectation.

Expectation comes from leaders through releasing hope for signs and

wonders.Also through communicating confidence in the ability of the team.

Jesus gave them specific instructions.

Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, bag, bread or money; and donot have two tunics apiece Luke 9.36.

1. Jesus told His team exactly what to do, sending them out to work byfaith.

The significance is not what Jesus instructed His leaders to do

But that He instructed them specifically.

Each outreach has a different purpose.

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Its easy to succumb to discouragement when we meet opposition.

Jesus taught His team to move on when they encountered resistance

To find the places where there was receptiveness to their word.

Jesus made them accountable.

And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they haddone Luke 9.10.

Jesus allowed His team to give Him reports on the work they had done.

Accountability holds leaders responsible and gives time forencouragement.

Team members need positive response from their leaders.

They need encouragement as well as correction in their work.

Its time consuming to hear reports from your leaders,But necessary in building their lives and ministries.

Sit with your leaders and listen to their reports.

Ask the Lord to give you insight into their work.

Find a positive word to encourage them and help make them even morefruitful.

Jesus allowed them to rest.

Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place

belonging to the city called Bethsaida Luke 9.10

1. Jesus understood the need to rest after extended ministry.

In delegating its easy not to realise the load a person is carrying.

In ministry many workers are volunteering their time,

So it is necessary to be extremely sensitive to the workload they arecarrying.

2. Some leaders work extremely hard to a fault.

It is a constant challenge to get them to relax and pull back.

They are full of passion and you want to work with them for life,So its important that they dont burn out.

Its much easier to learn to apply the brakes with people

Than having to constantly push, cajole, motivate someone.

15.JESUS DID THE IMPOSSIBLE

So when they had rowed about three or four miles they saw Jesus walking onthe sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid John 6.19

When Jesus walked on water He rocked His team to the core.

I dont imagine many of us will ever walk on water.

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But leaders must set the standard of the miraculous for His team.

The miraculous does not always have to be signs, wonders and miracles.

Many times it can be as simple as supernatural provision and goalsachieved.

The key is to anticipate where God is taking the team.

Announce that direction prophetically to your leaders.

Then allow God to confirm Hes with you by helping accomplish your goals.

When your team is convinced God is with you they will follow.

Then faith is built through success.

(b) You must be convinced in your spirit your team is called to succeed.

That you have the faith to lead them and they will bear much fruit.

That the vision will prosper through them.When you are convinced of success you will prophesy it.

When small battles are won the team is secured.

Your faith victories will establish their trust and respect

And they will do what they see you do.

16.JESUS MODELED LONG TERM RELATIONSHIPS

From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

Then Jesus said to the twelve Do you also want to go away? John 6. 66-67

(a) The greatest weakness in western Christian culture isthe lack of commitment in relationships.

We live in a disposable culture that is reflected in our relationships.

We move from job to job, city to city, relationship to relationship.

We have disposable friends, marriages and even children.

Long term relationships and lifetime friends are few.

But leadership in Gods church was not intended to be that way.

(b) Jesus taught the power of long term relationships.

1. Jesus committed an eternal relationship to His leaders.

There are 12 thrones in Heaven reserved for the 12 apostles.

Those 12 seats of honour are the exclusive rights of His leaders.

When Jesus chose His team He reserved their place at His side foreternity.

It was not just the beginning of a long term relationship,

It was the beginning of an eternal relationship.

2. True discipleship begins in long term relationships.

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Cell Group systems should foster long term relationships.

Otherwise they ignore their most powerful feature, true discipleship.

Dont develop leadership strategies based on corporate culture andvalues.

Leadership strategies need always to be based on Kingdom culture.

(c) Long term relationships develop character.

1. Even strong committed relationships can reach a place of boredom.

It usually takes five to seven years.

By then we have learned everything we feel there is to know about aperson.

So we get bored in the relationship and feel unchallenged.

We then do whats called moving on.

2. But we discard relationships too early.

Before we have gone through the inevitable challenges that surface

We must remain in relationships through the conflict stage.

Otherwise we never come to a place of strength.

Its like a marriage thats never progressed beyond the honeymoon.

What brings about change in a person?

Conflict, the process of compromise and mutual respect.

Relationships have a way of changing us like nothing else.

Relationships are the schoolyard of the class room

The place of real learning.

(d) Long term relationships provide accountability.

1. In a disposable relationship there is no accountability for emotionaloutbursts.

If we get angry and embarrass ourselves we simply move on.

The issue that brought about the emotion is never dealt with.

When building a long term leadership team emotions are part of theprocess.

2. Leadership demands that a person be strong.

Its that strength that will bring about conflict.

No relationship between leaders will last indefinitely without conflict.

It happened amongst Jesus team between one another.

It happened in Jesus relationships with team members.

With no conflict Jesus wouldnt have had to correct His team.

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He corrected them because they were wrong but they endured thecorrection.

They refused to discard their relationship with Him.

They respected who He was and were willing to be held accountable to

Him.

(e) Long term relationships challenge leaders to grow.

Constant growth is the key to deepening team relationships.

Every leader can lead someone to His level of understanding.

Then he must grow himself in order for His disciples to grow.

The challenge of constant personal growth causes fear in many leaders.

They fear they wont be able to stay ahead of their team.

Nothing could be more selfish, faithless and self-limiting.

(f) Long term relationships promote families.

1. The strength of families is that theyre life long commitments.

The Church is referred to as a family Eph. 2.19and1 Tim. 3.15.

Relationships in the church mimic the relationships in a family.

When a marriage fails the lessons of long term success are lost.

The children lose the example of commitment.

The parents lose the lessons of healthy relationships with their children.Every failure can be healed.

Failed marriages leave hurt, disappointment, setbacks of discardedrelationships.

2. A leadership team is like a family.

The leader serves as a father to the team and sets an example.

The goal is to develop every team member to the place of successfulfatherhood.

The father fosters healthy growth, peace, stability and confidence.Only long tem relationships can provide that environment.

(g) Long term relationships develop a sense of team.

By this all will know that you are my disciples if you have love for oneanother John 13.35.

1. The longer a team stays together the more cohesive it becomes

And the better it performs.

Through long term relationships we learn the strengths andweaknesses of team members.

This establishes their position and contribution to the team.

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Individual accomplishments become less important as team goals arerealised.

Every member buys into the overall vision of the team.

2. Jesus taught His team about their love within the team

Saying this was the key to their influence in the world.

The relationships of the team demonstrate the effectiveness of yourleadership.

If there is dissention on the team your message is not getting through.

Your team are a barometer of the effectiveness of your ministry

And examples of your strengths and weaknesses.

You may not be able to spot your own weaknessesBut you can probably spot them on your team.

Sometimes a weakness is consistent in the majority of a team.

That weakness may be more in you than it is in them.

3. Even Jesus had dissention on His team.

Disagreements are not a sign of failure.

Failure is not addressing the disagreements and correcting therelationships.

(h) Long term relationships provide security.

Children from stable homes have the best chance of success in life.

The most important thing for a child is a sense of security.

A secure home environment gives children many things

Emotional well-being, confidence, creativity and success.

Leaders must promote a stable consistent vision

One that provides a secure stable platform for ministry.

Your leaders need to know the vision will not change from week to week.

They need to know the plan is simple, reachable, and measurable.

That your expectations are clear.

In the environment of stability they will produce fruit.

17.JESUS CHALLENGED THEIR COMMITMENT

Therefore many of His disciples when they heard this said This is a hardsaying; who can understand it? John 6.60

Misunderstandings take place because of wrong perception.

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Jesus spoke on one level but Hs team understood Him on another level.

Their faith and understanding were below His.

This will always take place in leadership.

Jesus demanded trust.

A leader is moving at one level of faith and his team is following him.

Inevitably sometimes the team wont understand all his actions anddecisions.

There is a period of time between hearing new vision and understanding it.

The leader has had the time to meditate on and digest the vision.

When you share the vision your leaders understanding may be limited.

They will need time to process the vision in their own hearts

But must trust your leadership while they cant see the vision clearly.

Leaders need to establish a strong system of authority.

There are times leaders must make difficult decisions.

In these times followers may abandon the vision.

Even Jesus faced this.

Jesus released those who abandoned the vision.

From that time many of his disciples went back and walked with Him no

more John 6.66.

1. Jesus understood the difficult lessons His leaders would learn when Hisability to lead was challenged.

Some followers left Jesus as, through misunderstanding, they lostconfident in His vision.

They didnt feel He was worthy of their allegiance.

If it happened to Jesus it will happen to every leader.

2. Jesus made no move to bring back those who abandoned the vision,

but let them go.He even challenged His team, giving them every opportunity to leave.

He asked them Do you want to go away? John 6.67

He was testing their resolve and their ownership of the vision.

They passed the test by committing to Him

Even though they didnt fully understand all He way doing or saying.

3. Believers will come and go in churches and leaders move on fromteams.

It hurts pastors to see people leave over misunderstandings oroffences,

But its not good trying to reason people into following your leadership.

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If they abandon the vision, release them with your blessing.

Sometimes they return after bitter experiences.

Welcome them back but dont quickly give them any ministry orauthority.

Wait until they have proven themselves worthy.

Dont run after offended church members.

People set out their position and refuse to give ground.

It is then senseless to run after them.

Either people follow the vision voluntarily or not.

The challenge of leadership is not to convince people to follow

But to articulate a clear, anointed and God ordained vision.

Not everyone will follow that vision.

Jesus required personal investment.

Simon Peter said to Him, Lord to whom shall we go? You have thewords of eternal life. John 6.68

Jesus taught a vision that the multitudes could not follow.

The team could because of their level of commitment and trust.

They had given up everything for the vision and had no other alternative.

Look for leaders who have invested heavily into the vision.

Those who will defend you without question.On the team there is room for discussion and questions.

That is the function of close discipleship.

But in the present of the multitude there must be unquestioning loyalty.

A time comes when every follower must demonstrate loyalty andcommitment

To the vision of his leader.

So look for that time and watch the response of your leaders in crisis.

Those who are loyal and defend you, earn the right to be on the team.

18.JESUS HELPED THEM IDENTIFY HYPROCRISY

In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gatheredtogether so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciplesfirst of all Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Forthere is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not beknown. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in thelight, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed onthe housetops. Luke 12. 1-3

Jesus exposed hypocrisy.

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1. Hypocrisy may be the greatest sin of leadership.

Jesus had a zero tolerance of hypocrisy.

In Luke 12He begins to teach His team all about hypocrisy.

He wanted them to understand the gravity of this sin of leadership.

He said everything they did as a leader would one day be exposed toall.

He spoke more sternly about hypocrisy than any other subject.

His remarks to the Pharisees were so inflammatory they plotted to killHim.

We cannot gloss over that He brought them to absolute rage.

He called them serpents, vipers, blind guides, hypocrites, evil andadulterous,

Fools, unclean, lawless, whitewashed tombs, foolish, sons of the devil,murderers.

2. Jesus ruthlessness regarding hypocrisy was for a good reason.

Leadership hypocrisy causes others to stumble more than any othertransgression.

It gives unbelievers excuse to blaspheme and rail against the Lord.

It means to wear a mask or act upon a stage.

Insincere leaders or those hiding behind a faade are moving inhypocrisy.

Judas was so good an actor none of the team knew he was thebetrayer.

The problem with hypocrisy is that it is difficult to detect.

3. Insincerity cannot be tolerated in leadership.

It is silent leaven that will permeate and hinder an entire team.

Often it cannot be exposed without supernatural revelation.

Leaders must aggressively root out every hint of hypocrisy in their ownlives,

Praying that any insincerity will be exposed from within your team.

Jesus used His strongest language to attack and expose hypocrisy.

Sincerity was the one element consistent among Jesus team(excluding Judas).

Their skills and abilities differed and were sometimes questionable

Their backgrounds lacking and their emotional stability suspect.

They came to Him with open childlike questions.

They didnt hide their feelings or defiantly challenge or question Him.

Sincere leaders may not be the most gift leaders

They are the most effective and fruitful leaders.

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The curse of his sin, unfruitfulness, will also affect his children (team).

Hypocrisy is the most grievous sin of leadership

Because it brings the judgment of unfruitfulness on the innocent.

But God exposes leaders sin so the innocent team may be free and

fruitful.

Deal with hypocrisy through the humility of confessed sin.

Pray regularly that God will expose any hypocrisy in your ministry toyou

Before it is publicly exposed, which brings embarrassment and hurt.

19.JESUS TAUGHT THEM THE MINISTRY

Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of him and the child as cured from

that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said Why couldwe not cast it out? So Jesus said to them Because of your unbelief, forassuredly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to thismountain move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will beimpossible for you. However this kind does not go out except by prayer andfasting. Matt 17. 18-21

Jesus raised His expectations

Jesus relationship with His team matured to the level of trust.

He raised the bar of His expectations and placed increasing demands onthem.

His requirement of faith was substantially increased.

He challenged their unbelief and lack of partnership with Him in theministry.

It takes real discernment to evaluate a leaders level of potential

Then challenge his faith according to his present capability.

Jesus was careful to keep His team on the edge of their faith.

He constantly helped them look forward to the tasks ahead,

Not back to the things already accomplished.

Jesus taught the ministry of deliverance.

And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneelingdown and saying Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic andsuffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and the water. So I broughthim to your disciples, but they could not cure him. Matt 17. 15-16

1. Deliverance is an important key to the vision.

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By Matthew 10, Jesus had already encouraged his team to cast outdemons.

He demonstrated to them the ministry of deliverance.

At this point the team had progressed enough in their ministries to

move in authority.They caste out demons and they assumed this task on their owninitiative.

2. Faith is all about results.

Jesus made it clear that no results meant there was no faith.

The team failed in their attempt to cast the demon out.

Jesus rebuked their unbelief in a strong way

You stubborn, faithless people! How long must I be with you until you

believe? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me. Matt. 17.17.

3. It would be easy to focus on the teams failed deliverance.

What is more important is their willingness to attempt the deliveranceministry.

They had progressed enough in their relationship with Jesus to attemptmiracle ministryWithout his supervision or request.

It showed advance in their maturity and in Jesus trust in them.

You can surmise from the passage the team was screening thosecoming to Jesus,

Ministering to them before they sent the person to the Lord.

It seems Jesus was allowing His team to take on ministry,

Passing on to Him the cases they could not handle.

Maybe they were embarrassed because they couldnt deliver thisyoung man

Because it was the father who told Jesus of the failed attempt, not theteam.

Dont give up ministering deliverance through faith failure or lack ofmaturity.

Continue until you discover how to move in deliverance.

4. Jesus rebuked the team strongly over their lack of faith in this situation.

They were not humiliated to where they wouldnt return to Him after theincident

And ask why they were unable to cast the spirit out.

As leader, Jesus walked the balance between strong correction and

approachability.

After correction they still felt comfortable asking for teaching on whythey failed.

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5. Encounter retreats bring new believers into confrontation with thecross, forgiveness and deliverance.

Unless there is strong deliverance in a persons life they will never

move into leadership.Unless leaders have confidence to move in deliverance encounters willbe ineffective.

As His team matured, Jesus allowed them to step into deliverance.

Jesus first demonstrated the miraculous allowing His team to observeand assist.

Later He allowed them to attempt the miraculous but was there as asafety net to assist.

Jesus helped the team anticipate surprises.

Now while they were staying in Galilee Jesus said to them, The Son ofMan is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him,and on the third day He will be raised up. And they were exceedinglysorrowful. Matt. 17. 22-23.

1. The crucifixion was the last thing on the teams mind when they agreedto follow Jesus.

Who could have dreamed where their obedience would take them?

We all have to learn the life of obedience.

So every leaders life will be something entirely different from what wasexpected.

2. No leader has the foreknowledge that Jesus had.

But all of us have the potential to receive prophetic warning regardingour ministries.

When leaders are prepared for surprises the unexpected is lessdevastating.

Jesus protected His team from entanglement.

When they had come to Capernaum those that received the temple taxcame to Peter and said Does your teacher not pay the temple tax? Hesaid Yes. When he had come into the house Jesus anticipated Him,saying What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earthtake customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers? Peter saidFrom strangers. Jesus said to Him, Then the sons are free.Nevertheless, lest we offend them go to the sea cast in a hook, and takethe fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you willfind a piece of money, take that and give it to them for me and you. Matt 17.24.

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1. The religious leaders knew they would have difficulty trapping Jesuswith questions.

They focused on what they saw as His weakness - a team member.

The enemy will first try and conquer the leaders faith.

Unsuccessful, he will move to attack the team, causing doubt,confusion or controversy.

Peter knew Jesus lived a submitted life.

Hed never dreamed Jesus would not consider Himself subject to thetax.

If the enemy couldnt trap Jesus hed try and cause doubt and divisionon the team.

Isolated from Jesus, Peter had to address an issue in which he had noexperience.

2. Jesus never encouraged His team to rebel against authority.

He didnt feel obligated to pay religious taxes

But didnt want to put a leader in an embarrassing or confrontationalsituation.

Peter had already committed them to pay the tax.

Jesus did not ask Peter to go back on his word.

He supported Peter supernaturally providing the funds for the tax.

Jesus supported His teams decisions.

1. Sometimes your team will obligate you to things you dont want or couldrefuse.

If you are confrontational over petty issues you lose influence with yourteam.

Jesus could have scolded Peter but chose not to make the matter anissue.

Sufficient that He taught Peter the powerful truth of freedom fromReligion.

2. Why did Jesus get money from the fish and not out of the teamsmoneybag?

The moneybag was for freewill offerings and Jesus considered thesesacred.

He wouldnt allow even the smallest amount of this to go to religiousexploitation.

3. Jesus could have insisted He was not subject to a forced taxation,

But knew it was not an issue worthy of confrontation, so let it go.

At times leaders may feel right or have certain rights.

But for the vision and harvest they must learn to lay some issues aside.

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Standing against social iniquity and being a voice of righteousness isdifferent.

Leaders must choose their battles, focusing on issues that count.

Jesus protected Peter from being drawn into this issue.

It would only have distracted him from the work of the ministry.

Jesus challenged disputes.

And when He was in the house He asked them What was it you disputedamong yourselves on the road? But they kept silent, for on the road theyhad disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.

Mark 9. 33-34.

Jesus would not allow dissention on His team.

He challenged His leaders when they fell into dispute.

He confronted them quickly and straightforwardly.No-one enjoys confrontation or correction.

Leaders often ignore team conflict hoping it will go away.

It may, but the root of the problem remains under the surface.

He didnt do this publicly, but waited until they were in the house.

This was team business and should be kept in the house.

He waited until the right time and they were resting in the house,

Then He challenged their immaturity.

He used this teaching moment to expose the childish division creeping intothe team.

He corrected it aggressively with the message of humility.

Jesus countered ambition with humility.

Jesus called the twelve and said to them If anyone desires to be first, heshall be last of all and servant of all. Then He took a little child and sethim in the midst of them. When He had taken him in His arms, He said tothem, Whoever receives one of these little children in my Name receivesme; and whoever receives me, receives not me, but Him who sent me. Mark 9.35-37

Ambition and ego greatly challenge the camaraderie of a team.

Leading a team requires walking a fine line.

Trying to commend success without elevating one member above oneanother.

How did Jesus deal with this issue?

By constantly challenging His team to serve each other and walk inhumility.

How do you combat ambition in

Building a Team Jesus' Way by John Holloway

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