Proverbs 16:23 says “the heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips…” As you grow in your love and knowledge of Jesus and His Word, your wisdom not only will transform you, but will be used by God to transform others by His grace. And it all begins with communication.
2. No matter who you are or where you’re at in life, you’re leading someone…
Even if it’s just yourself, we all need to learn how to lead. Husbands, you’re leading your wife. Fathers, you’re leading your children. Mothers, you’re leading your children. Wives, you’re helping your husband to lead (or, if he’s not doing it, you’re assuming his role too, because it needs done). We’re ALL leading someone - it’s just a matter of finding out WHO we’re leading, and WHERE we’re leading them to.
3. You don’t have it all figured out…
Someone once said, “it’s amazing how much I’ve learned since I thought I knew it all.” Many of us can say that. Growing up, we thought our parents were nearly clueless… until we became parents ourselves and realized that they MAY HAVE known what they were talking about. God sees us as His children, desiring to teach us and lead us to wisdom through humility, not through pride. The Scripture says in James 4:6 that “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Let’s humble ourselves and LEARN together.
4. There’s value in challenging yourself to grow...
When you’re green, you grow. When you’re ripe, you rot. Proverbs 11:2 says “when pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” While Titus 2 tells the older men and women to teach the younger men and women, it doesn’t absolve ANYONE from continuing to learn and grow. The author of Hebrews dealt harshly with its audience, chastising them that they SHOULD be teaching, but they haven’t continued to grow themselves, so they need to be re-taught. Some of us need taught for the first time, and some of us need re-taught.
5. Jesus’ Great Commission says to go make disciples, which requires communication and leadership.
Paul told Timothy in 1 Tim. 4:15 to “practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress…” Paul was teaching Timothy (one of his students who was a pastor himself) what leadership in Christ looked like. That’s why 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are called “pastoral letters” - we need to learn leadership in our faith, in our lives, and in our churches. If we’re not immersing ourselves in the Word, how do we expect to lead others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ?
Plan on attending the leadership classes offered at CommUNITY Church, starting THIS SUNDAY EVENING (8/14/16) at 6 pm.