The Leader’s Inner Circle (Lesson 2)

Million Leaders Mandate Notebook Three

The Leader’s Inner Circle

Building a Healthy Network of Relationships

“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Leaders Who FailedLeaders Who Failed…

Three Consistent Observations

Stopped spending time alone with GodGod each day

No accountability to peoplepeople in my life

Never thought this kind of failurefailure could happen

to me

What we all needWhat we all need……

Establish and enjoy relationships with:

• God• Family

• A Paul (a mentor)

• A Barnabas (an accountability partner)

• A Timothy (an apprentice or disciple who follows you)

Why are these relationships crucial?Why are these relationships crucial?

1. Every leader has weaknesses.weaknesses.

2. Leaders are on the front line and are vulnerable to attack.

3. Leaders are to set a higher standardstandard for themselves and followers.

4. Leaders can be “starving bakers” who are busy servingserving bread to others, but never eating it for themselves.

5. Leaders can be blindedblinded to the temptations of power and popularity.

6. Leaders can get so busybusy that their spiritual life suffers more than anything else.

7. Leaders often reactreact to needs and forget to train others for the future.

Suggestions to practice the spiritual Suggestions to practice the spiritual discipline of time alone with Goddiscipline of time alone with God

1. Make an appointmentappointment with God daily.

2. Begin by becoming quietquiet. Then ask God to speak to you.

3. Bring your Bible, pen, and paper and be prepared to interactinteract with God.

4. Develop a planplan for study. Read Scripture you can digest in one sitting.

5. Determine to read until you receive a principleprinciple or truth to practice.

6. WriteWrite out what God is saying through His Word.

7. Learn to meditatemeditate on the specific word God has for you.

Suggestions (continued)Suggestions (continued) ….

a. One Time

b. All Time

c. Now Time

8. PrayPray through the passage of Scripture, asking God to build truth in you.

9. Internalize the word through obedienceobedience.

Characteristics of Strong Families

1.They express appreciationappreciation for each other on a regular basis.

3.They deal with problems in a positivepositive way.

4.They demonstrate a strong commitmentcommitment to each other.

5.They continually communicatecommunicate with one another.

6.They share the same valuevalue system.

7.The parents modelmodel what it means to bless other members.

2.They structure their lives so they can spend timetime together.

Steps to Find a Mentor

1. Pray that God will open your eyes to mentors nearby.

2. Set a realistic standard.

3. Look for strengths in a potential mentor that you want to develop in yourself.

4. Be open to multiple mentors.

5. Recognize that mentors may be distant. (phone/email)

What to Look for in a Mentor

1. Godly: Should demonstrate godly character worth imitating.

2. Objective: Must be able to see your strengths/weaknesses.

3. Authentic: Must be real.

4. Loyal: Must be loyal to relationships.

5. Serving: Should be willing to give generously of their time and resources.

What to Look for in an Accountability Partner

Probing: Ask probing questions.

Authentic: Honest and genuine about their own weaknesses.

Challenging: Help you press on to a new level of leadership and obedience.

Trustworthy: Value honesty and can handle anything you share with them.

What to Look for in a MenteeFaithful: Faithful to commitments they have already made.

Available: Have the time to commit to learning from you.

Initiative: Show initiative in their obedience to God and desire to serve.

Teachable: Willing to learn for you.

Hungry: Have a passion and eagerness to grow as a leader.

Alarm Bells for LeadersAlarm Bells for Leaders1. Is my personal walk with GodGod up to date?

2. Am I keeping my prioritiespriorities straight?

4. Am I accountableaccountable to someone in authority?

3. Am I asking myself the hard questionsquestions?

8. Am I a “lonerloner” in my ministry?

5. Am I listening to what God is saying to the wholewhole Body

of Christ? 6. Am I over-concerned with building my imageimage?

7. Am I overly impressed by either criticismcriticism or flatteryflattery?

9. Am I aware of my weaknessesweaknesses?

10. Is my callingcalling constantly before me?