31 Aug Leaving A Legacy

PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN IN MARCH 2017

2 Timothy 2:2 NLT

You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses.  Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

Paul is instructing Timothy to teach truths to other trustworthy people like himself who will be able to pass them on to others.  He is basically telling Timothy to make disciples.  The model of Christ copied by Paul is what we use in our small groups today: Invest in people, help them grow in faith and ask them to invest in others who will do the same.

Legacy is not about what you leave behind; legacy is about what you leave in people.  Get the truth and pass it on to others who will continue the chain.

Our job as Small Group Leaders is to make disciples.  Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:19 which is known as the Great Commission: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”.  Developing new leaders takes Time and Intentionality.  We, as leaders, must cast the vision early, pray, empower, identify and grow others into leadership.  Essentially we are helping others realize their passions, gifts and talents and how they can use them to benefit others.

How do we do this?  How do we intentionally identify gifts and talents in others in group?  We allow others to take on some small tasks; maybe being in charge of the snacks, journaling prayer requests, opening or closing in prayer.

Sounds easy, right? For some, it may come naturally but for others it may be more of a struggle.   If we are here for those not yet here, we need to continually cast this vision to our group members.  If we say it enough, if we model it enough, if we pray about it then we can rely on the Holy Spirit to change those hearts that are a bit reluctant.

We are opening two campuses in September and prayerfully more to follow!  We need to be ready for those souls who God is calling to Himself.  We need to be ready to train up other to pass the baton.  Let’s get excited about what God is doing and get others excited too!

Don’t keep the gift to lead others to yourself, but leave a legacy that is eternal, the rewards are endless!