The phrase, “Who’s your daddy?” was made popular several years ago in a sports movie that involved a high school football team. In the film, a young, prideful athlete could no longer count on the influence of his father to play football. He was forced to grow up. The coach made it clear that he was now the authority figure. The athlete would have to submit to his rules.

When you accept Jesus as Savior, your spiritual birth certificate changes. The Holy Spirit seals this divine certificate. You are now a child of the Eternal King. You belong to God, and He is now your Heavenly Father. Direct access to God was made available through your faith in Jesus Christ. You now have the privilege to live for a higher purpose: God’s Kingdom.

Since you were born of God, it only makes sense to live for God. Every spiritual birth has a divine purpose. God is now the one who governs your life. When you get up in the morning, ask your King these simple questions: “Lord, what do You want me to do today? What do I need to adjust on my schedule? Who should I speak with today about Jesus?”

In every kingdom, the will of the king must prevail for the kingdom to prosper. For this to happen, everyone under the rule of the king must submit to his leadership. Since you were born of God it only makes sense to submit every part of your life to God. This includes personal dreams, family planning, career aspirations, personal finances, planned activities, etc.

Here is what most people forget: Completely submitting your life to God is the best move you can make. You will find your greatest fulfillment in life as you live purposefully through Jesus Christ. Your total surrender will lead to your total satisfaction, because in God’s Kingdom, submission brings freedom.

You are now free to live as God designed you to live. Start living! Since you were born of God it only makes sense to live for God’s purposes. Align your life with God’s perfect will. You were born of God.

Read:  Open your Bible and read Romans 12:1-2.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: What part of my life do I need to submit to God’s rule? Why have I delayed this submission?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

There is nothing better than having the right light in a dark place. When the need arises to find a small object in your dark attic, and the flashlight is running out of power, you’re in big trouble. But when a friend extends a large electric lamp connected to an unlimited power source, you’re in great shape to find even the smallest of objects. When the right kind of light arrives on the scene, even the darkest corners of life are fully exposed.

The darkness cannot escape the power of the light. The power of the light reveals what is obscure and hidden from the naked eye. It clarifies, and unfolds what is difficult for most of us to see. Light provides many good things. Light brings order to disorder. It gives shape to the shapeless, and fills what is empty. Light will always overpower and eliminate the darkness.

From the time the Earth was created, utter chaos and darkness were transformed into great beauty through the power of God’s light. Envision the original power of God’s light as we look back to creation. Picture yourself sitting in a chair watching these events unfold before your eyes:

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day” (Genesis 1:1-5).

Light is one of God’s characteristics. The distinctiveness of light reflects the very nature of Almighty God. The Psalmist declares, “He wraps himself in light as with a garment” (Psalm 104:2). And Isaiah tells us, “The light of Israel will become a fire, and his Holy One a flame” (Isaiah 10:17). God wants to reveal Himself to mankind. He wants people to understand who He is, and who they become when He enters into their life. God is light.

Read:  Open your Bible and read John 3:19-21.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: What has God changed from disorder to order in my life recently? Did I freely cooperate with God to make this change, or did I put up a fight to try and stop the change? Why?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

A lamp fulfills its purpose when it provides light. It doesn’t do anyone any good to have a five foot lamp in the middle of a crowded dark room and not turn it on. Leaving it off can pose a serious risk to those who are in the room. Lamps are designed to shine light. This is their purpose for existing. They expose the darkness while illuminating their surroundings.

Jesus came to expose and destroy the works of darkness. He was intentional about bringing the works of Satan out in the open. Those men and women who were in need of physical healing, Jesus restored. Those who were imprisoned by sin, Jesus released from their bondage. To those who were without hope, Jesus provided hope. And to those who needed salvation, Jesus offered His life. Jesus conquered the works of darkness.

Regarding the promised Messiah, the prophet Isaiah writes, “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6, NIV). God wanted the darkness exposed and destroyed within every people group through Jesus’ mission.

You have an important role to play in the success of this mission. From the start, God’s plan was to redeem the nations (Genesis 12:1-3). Think of the great bondage, pain, and suffering people find themselves in as a result of sin: spiritual darkness. Sometimes, it is the sin of others that places them in this world of self-destruction. This is very painful to watch.

Jesus came to destroy the power of sin. He came to infuse the light of life into the darkness of your life. God does not want you to live in oppression. He does not want you to be a prisoner to sin. God wants you to be free. He wants you to find true freedom. God reveals the darkness in your life to bring you to the Light of Life, Jesus Christ.

Read:  Open your Bible and read John 5:31-32, 35.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: Am I focused on helping others escape the darkness? How can I shine better for Jesus?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

Have you ever experienced a dramatic encounter that radically changed your life? The Apostle Paul experienced a dramatic encounter with our Lord. In the prime of Paul’s life, he was recognized as a top religious, educational, political, and social leader (Philippians 3:1-9). He was well respected, but spiritually bankrupt.

Paul was known for hunting down and persecuting Christians. He did not understand the Christian faith. Paul was determined to overcome this new teaching by eliminating their growing influence. His actions seemed rational, patriotic, and righteous. He was determined to destroy the Christian faith, regardless of the cost.

When Paul was speaking to a large crowd in Acts 22:6-11, he explained how God’s light shined into his life, “Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him” (Acts 9:3). He asked the Lord, “What shall I do?” God told him to “get up” and “go to Damascus.” God removes us from the darkness to lead us further into the light.

God had a plan for Paul’s life. Paul was ready to pursue God’s plan. Light is designed to reveal. When God’s light shines in our hearts, it reveals the truth about our spiritual condition, the reality of our sin. We forget sometimes that God’s light is always shining though us. We don’t always respond in the Spirit, but the light continues to shine and expose the true condition of our heart. If we allow God’s light to eliminate all sin, our willingness to go and serve Him can increase.

As you look inside your heart today, what darkness is God trying to remove? What areas of the flesh constantly pull you back into the darkness? As you pray for your friends who don’t know Christ, what areas of darkness are holding them back? What is the enemy using to keep them from the light? Take additional time to pray through these things. Remember, you were designed to live in the light.

Paul wrote, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). Know Christ, then get up and go serve Him.

Read:  Open your Bible and read Acts 22:6-11.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: When was the last time I asked God, “What do you want me to do to advance your kingdom?”

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

Without a doubt, you have been here on more than one occasion. You begin sharing what God has done in your life with an unbeliever. You tell them about Jesus. You explain their inability to reach God on their own merit, and how Jesus died on the cross for their sins. You plead with them about the importance of turning away from their life of sin and surrendering their life to Jesus. Your effort, however, seems totally useless.

Jesus said, “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil” (John 3:19).

No matter what you tell them, they are simply not interested. They really don’t care about spiritual things. They believe everything will work out just fine in the end. Before God brought you into His family by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, you were spiritually blind. Because of your sin nature, you were born this way. Not only did you live in darkness, you were darkness. You were alive to sin, and dead to God. Regardless of your educational background, you did not have the spiritual capacity to understand the things of God. Why? These realities are spiritual in nature.

Spiritual realities are understood and applied as God awakens our spirit when He shines His light of life in our hearts. For this reason, God is the One who receives all of the credit for our spiritual understanding. God is the one who receives all honor and glory for our salvation.

Paul wrote, “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:13-14).

If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you are no longer spiritually blind. Don’t get discouraged when you share God’s love with others and they laugh in your face. Don’t get upset when people reject Jesus. Refuse to argue with those who are spiritually antagonistic. Remember, these individuals are spiritually blind. They can’t see spiritual realities as you do. Why? They are unable to see God’s ways because they are spiritually blind.

Read:  Open your Bible and read 2 Corinthians 4:4-6.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: Who is the one responsible for spiritual blindness? What specifically can’t they see and why?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

Imagine living a life without hope, without peace, and without God. Now imagine knowing someone living with the power of God inside them. We were all once without God’s perfect presence living within us. But what if you are the one who has the life of God in you? Don’t you think now is the best time to start shining your light and telling others about the gift of life in Jesus?

Paul wrote, “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far-gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:11-12).

When you connect with others in conversation, don’t just talk about baseball, the new cable show or the latest news flash. Plead with them to embrace the life. Plead with them to consider God’s mercy, forgiveness and unchanging love. When you connect with people, make sure you intentionally connect them to the light of life. God not only wants us to trust Him for our salvation, but also to live for Him through our daily sanctification.

You don’t have time to continue flirting with sin. You don’t have time to invest in the things that have no eternal value. You only have time to shine! Your old life has been replaced to shine. God’s counting on you to shine the life of His Son through your life. He’s counting on you to replace your old desires with His desires. He’s counting on you to shine.

Your real life, your total fulfillment and satisfaction, is found in Jesus (John 15:1). His life in you is the light of this world. His life in you is the hope for those who live in spiritual bondage. Jesus is the power of God for salvation to those who are eternally lost. This is the message that must visibly shine through our lives every day. Others can embrace the power of life as you allow God’s light to shine through your life. People desperately need to see the light of life.

You have the light of life permanently living within you. “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3, NIV). Your life has been replaced with Christ’s life. Why? So you can freely live for God and express His love to others.

Read: Open your Bible and read Matthew 5:14-16.

Reflect: Prayerfully consider the following: Where can my light begin to shine brighter? What old patterns of ungodly behavior need replacing?

Respond: As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

2) What are you going to do in a Life Group?
I’ve observed, since 1993 when we first began having Care Groups (then Cells groups, then Small Groups, now Life Groups) that one of people’s greatest fears of being involved as a leader is the question: “What am I going to do?” which is usually followed up with “I’m not a preacher or a teacher!”

Let me calm your fears in this area: you don’t need to be a preacher or teacher, in fact, it’s probably best if you’re neither of these! Here is the passage of Scripture that clarified for me the main job of a Life Group leader:

Matthew 28:19-20 NLT
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.”

You are going to teach them to “obey” all things that Jesus has commanded us.

As pastors, it is our responsibility to “equip the saints” and “preach the whole counsel of God.” It is our job to seek God’s direction concerning the teaching that our Body needs and then present it in the best way possible to our congregation. BUT, that is not where the responsibility ends; it’s not simply a matter of “teaching them all things” (that would be easy) it’s a matter of “teaching them to OBEY all things” and that’s where we need two things:

• First, a smaller environment where questions, applications, doubts and real life scenarios can be fleshed.
• Second, a facilitator that is willing to be used by God to help people learn and walk in the ways of the Lord.

1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

You are going to show them “the Way” to live the life of Jesus in every circumstance and situation.

3) How are you going to accomplish these objectives?

• By sharing YOUR walk and story with them
• By modeling a growing walk with Jesus
• By helping them understand and apply the Sunday messages OR the subject matter being dealt with in the Life Group
• By teaching them to use and follow the One Anothers in every relationship in their life
• By teaching them to Abide in Christ – living a moment by moment relationship with Jesus
• By helping them change the destructive patterns and habits in their life through their abiding relationship with Jesus
• By helping them learn how to share their faith with others and begin taking steps in feeding others what they have learned (Discipleship & Multiplication)

Keep it Simple – As Small Group Leaders we need to create discussion questions that will touch their Head, Heart and Hands. By doing this we give them something to Know, Feel and Do.

1) HEAD: Closed-Ended Questions – To get facts straight, understand concept biblical story, etc.

2) Heart: Open-ended questions that lead to greater discussion. This is where the Truth becomes personal and applies to everyday life. Personal transparency, testimonies, etc.

3) Hands: Open & Closed Ended Questions – What do we do with what we’ve learned? Closed-ended for specific steps that apply to everyone. Open-ended to figure out how it applies to individuals.

1 Thessalonians 2:8-13 NLT
8 We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. 9 Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you. 10 You yourselves are our witnesses—and so is God— that we were devout and honest and faultless toward all of you believers. 11 And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. 12 We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory. 13 Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.

Suggested Reading & Viewing:

• Soul Revolution – John Burke
• The Way of the Shepherd – Kevin Leman & William Pentak
• Life in the Vineyard – Marcel Sanchez
• Making Small Groups Work – Henry Cloud & John Townsend

By Russell Johnson

1) Why are you going to help lead a Life Group?
Becoming part of a leadership team of a Life Group is a big step. It moves you up the ladder of involvement in the greatest task on earth – helping people grow in their spiritual walk. That is “bearing fruit” and it helps others grow to bear fruit also!

WHY?
There comes a time in the cycle of life of every Life Group that a leader asks him or herself: “Why am I doing this?” It’s important that we settle that question at the beginning, rather than search for an answer in the midst of our exhaustion, frustration or disappointments with people.

The secret is found in John 21:15-17 15:

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. 17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” New Living Translation

There comes a time in our spiritual growth where we only move forward by taking responsibility for others’ spiritual growth!

As we study the life of Peter, we discover four different stages in his growth and maturity. The first stage was in response to Jesus’ call when He said: “Follow me.” When Peter left everything to follow Jesus he began, what we have called, the stage of New Relationships. In this stage he began to relate to Jesus, and the others who were following Jesus, in a brand new way. He did a lot of observing, evaluating and adjusting his life to the life he saw in Jesus.

• This stage is equivalent to those who are beginning their walk with Jesus and the church family.
• They are observing, evaluating, adjusting their lives to His ways.

At a certain point, Jesus asked Peter a very direct question: “Who do you say that I am?” As we know, Peter responded: “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” This began the stage we call a New Identity. He made a public confession of his belief and faith in Christ. It was a stage of many ups and downs, of trying new things, of several successes and more than a few failures.

• This stage is equivalent to those who decide to make their decision a public decision through baptism and church membership.
• They take a step forward and let everyone know their intention to follow Christ.
• It’s not always perfection, but they are taking the steps in the right direction.

One of Peter’s lowest points came when he denied Christ, right before the crucifixion. After His resurrection, Jesus requested, by name, that Peter meet with him: Peter found acceptance in Jesus, even in the midst of his imperfections.

Shortly after this is where the next stage appears in Peter’s life, in response to Jesus’ question: “Do you love me?” Peter’s answer was: “Yes,” but Jesus’ response was basically “Prove it by being responsible for younger sheep.” This began the stage of a New Purpose. Peter was to prove his love for Jesus by looking out for someone other than himself. He had to grow up; he had to not be so selfish; he had to become a shepherd for others.

When Paul was writing to the Philippians he addressed this issue with these words: 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. (2:3-5 NLT)

This is where every Life Group leader needs to firmly anchor him/herself! I am doing what I am doing because I want Jesus to know that I love Him! Yes, He knows all things, but He instructs us to live out our love for Him by taking responsibility for the spiritual growth and well being of others.

Unfortunately, a great majority of Christians never take this step. That is why so many flounder in their Christian walk; never seem to get beyond their own interests. The Church, consequently, both local and world wide, continually struggles with a lack of laborers for the harvest God wants to give.

Thank you for taking this next step in your Christian growth. Thank you for loving Jesus enough to invest yourself in the lives of others.

Leadership is Influence A Radical Minimum Standard
“Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and been scripturally baptized, and being in agreement with IBB’s purpose, values, goals and strategy, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the IBB Church Family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members of IBB to protect the unity of my church, to share in the responsibility of my church, to serve in the ministry of my church, to support the testimony of my church and to strive to fulfill the mission of my church.”

Life Group leaders @ IBB carry out the function of “Deacons” (caring for the needs of people)

1 Timothy 3:8-13 NLT
8 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. 9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. 10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons. 11 In the same way, their wives[a] must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do. 12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. 13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Anyone who is willing can serve someone else. Ministry, on the other hand, is when we take the Word of God and help others come to Know God; help them Grow in the will and ways of our Lord; help them exchange the lies they have believed about themselves and the life around them for the Truth that is found in Jesus and His Word. Life Groups are the very center of ministry at IBB and we want every member to understand the purpose and potential of these groups, as well as the people that it takes to make them possible. Every Life Group leadership team is made up of three people or couples:

1) A Host: Someone who offers their home OR prepares the physical space for the Group to meet in.

2) A Trainer or facilitator: Someone who will help guide the discussion and provide the spiritual direction for the group.

3) An Apprentice: Someone who comes along side the facilitator to have on-the-jobtraining to possible lead a Life Group of their own in the future. We believe this is the most effective way for us, as pastors and leaders of the Church, to fulfill what Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:11-16:

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (NLT)

Equip people to minister Let them be involved in REAL ministry and enjoy the fruit (and challenges) of spiritual development Together build up a church of mature believers in a healthy and growing environment, full of love.

By Russell Johnson