2nd Sunday of Advent: LEAD! LifeShape #4 Square: Leaders and Learners

Today we celebrate the second week of Advent. It is exciting to continue to build up in our preparation for the Lord's Birthday. On Wednesday we did UP of the Triangle by Decorating the Lord's House. This Sunday we learn about the Square which teaches us how to Lead and Learn Christ's way. This Wednesday we will do the IN of celebrating the family Christmas meal together! What a wonderful time of the year! OUTLINE of Sermon:

Leaders and Learners:

The square lays out the stages every disciple or learner experiences and gives you the corresponding style of leadership.

You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. –Mark 10:42-43

The leadership of Jesus provides us with powerful tools for leading the church through the challenges of cultural change. Leadership style is not about position, but about how we relate to one another.

We are in a management-oriented society that is in need of leaders. We can manage growth, productivity and human resources, but in times of crises people do not look to managers, but to leaders.

A true leader looks like a _sheep_____ from the front and a __shepherd_ from behind.

“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men. –Mark 1:15-20

Stage one: (Jesus does not really choose these guys based on their resumes or spiritual gift inventories, but they join up ready to take on the world). When we start out on a new trail, we need a strong confident leader to show us the way.

Disciple Style D1 = Confident / Incompetent	Leadership Style L1 = Directive / Set Example
High enthusiasm High confidence Low experience Low competence	High direction High example Low consensus Low explanation

 ^29-32"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.  ^33-34"Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can't go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. Luke 12

Stage Two: (Reality sets in when they discover they have no idea what they are doing, and they hit rock bottom. They are not having fun anymore). When a person is in a time of discouragement and despair, vision is critical. “The valley of the shadow of death”

Disciple Style D2 = Unenthusiastic / Incompetent	Leadership Style L2 = Visionary / Coach
Low enthusiasm Low confidence Low experience Low competence	High direction High discussion High example High accessibility

^11-15"I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father.  ¹⁶"You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.  ¹⁷"But remember the root command: Love one another.  John 15:12-17

Stage Three: (Jesus turns away from the crowds to spend more time with His disciples, to boost confidence based on experience). Friends have common objectives and share their lives together.

Disciple Style D3 = Growing Confidence	Leadership Style L3 = Pastoral / Consensus
Increasing enthusiasm Growing experience Intermittent confidence Growing competence	Lower direction Higher consensus High discussion High accessibility

 ^18-20Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 (The Message)

Stage Four: (Jesus is taken away and He has prepared them to carry on the ministry without Him, confident in partnership with them in reaching the world). Good leaders always get people to the stage where they are ready to accept delegated responsibility. “Equipping the saints for ministry”

Disciple Style D4 = The end is in sight	Leadership Style L4 = Delegation / Partnership
High enthusiasm High confidence High experience High competence	Low direction High consensus Low example High explanation

Summary of the Four Stages:

1. I do, you watch
2. I do, you help
3. You do, I help
4. You do, I watch

The commitment to Learn and Lead is essential for a healthy church on this Second Sunday of Advent, can we do this by committing to “one reaching one” and “one leading one” this year?

Words we will hear: “Mentor,” “community,”

“Accountability and growth”

“Low control, high accountability”

“Directive, Coach, Friend and Delegate”

D1, D2, D3, D4 and L1, L2, L3, L4

To read more check out Passionate Life by Mike Breen and Walt Kalstad. (Thanks to Pastors like Scott Chafee and Dr. Kent Hunter who share with us this material.)