Lesson Five • Grow
Pastor Jayson Combs
In this series, we have already talked about Reach and the importance of answering the question, “What is important?” After studying the response of Martha and Mary to Jesus coming to the house, we learned that everything is second to getting to the feet of Jesus. Then we went to 2 Timothy 3:14-16 and saw the amazing value of the church (Gather) and we are reminded that we can not be all that we were meant to be without each other. This lesson is about Grow.
1. What is spiritual growth?
A beautiful passage on growth comes from Colossians 3:9-10, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
Basically, growing is when we look more like Jesus (“the image of its creator”), but what does that involve?
Renewal Involves Stopping the Old by Being Broken
Paul tells us to “put off the old self.” This is part of the growing process. It involves breaking ourselves.
Psalm chapter 51 records David’s conversation with God after he accepts the full weight of his sins of adultery and murder. In verses 15-17, he says, “O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
David was struggling. His joy was gone. He used to dance, sing, and play music before the Lord, but sin stole his gladness. It is not about salvation, but about joy. David realized that God would not be impressed with offerings, but wanted “a broken and contrite heart.” As one pastor put it, “David was experiencing personal collapse under guilt.”
2. Have you seen or experienced the depth of this despair?
David does not plead innocence nor shift the blame to someone else. He owns it and it breaks him. He was wealthy and could bring many sacrifices, but he knew that was not enough. Rituals are not going to get you back to God. Growth can only come by being broken. It is seeing sin the way God does. David knew it was time for confession and repentance. He needed to yield to the Lord.
David chose to humble himself before the Lord. This is brokenness. This is part of the renewal process. Warren Wiersbe has written, “We must also let him renew us within so that we will conquer sin and not succumb to temptation.”
It is funny to think of things that are designed to be broken. For an egg to have any value it must be broken. Pinatas are made to be broken. Without breaking it, the children watch in anticipation and frustration. Water balloons are made to be broken (and it can be a lot of fun). If a paintball does not break, it is not counted in the competition.
3. Can you think of anything else that is made to be broken?
When we do not break from our sin we lose the joy of our salvation. We lose our song. Matthew Henry wrote, “It is a sharp work wrought there - no less than the breaking of the heart; not in despair but in necessary humiliation and sorrow for sin. It is a heart pliable to the Word of God, a heart subdued and brought into obedience; it is a heart that is tender.”
Also, in Psalm chapter 51, David says in verse 10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” This lines up with our passage in Colossians 3:9-10, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” This concept is both an Old Testament and New Testament concept.
Paul also refers to renewing in 2 Corinthians 4:16, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” Ephesians 4:22-24 seems to echo our Colossians passage, “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
4. How do we use the word “renewed” today?
The word “renew” in Greek means to “renovate.”
5. How do we use the word “renovate” today?
I am working on a renovation project at home due to another leak. I want to ignore it, put out a bucket, turn on a fan, and go play some golf. However, the carpet was starting to smell, and cleaning it was not enough. I had to deconstruct and then reconstruct the roof to solve the problem.
I liked how the commentary by Huges describes it. He talks about the process of deconstruction and reconstruction is taking place right now as our new self is being renewed in the knowledge after the image of its creator. The old nature was deconstructing and he was being reconstructed in the image of Christ. The deconstruction is typically messy, but the daily transformation is beautiful.
That is why David could do the rituals and make like it is all good, but not until he was willing to be broken could he truly be renewed into the likeness of God.
After the deconstruction comes the construction.
6. Is there something you need to take care of now?
Renewal Means Starting the New by Learning More about God
Looking at Colossians 3:9-10 again, we see, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
Putting on the new self is about renewal and learning about the knowledge of God. We learn about God through His Word. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we read, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
God’s Word is part of the reconstruction process that helps make us complete and equipped. It is crucial to have the right equipment for the job at hand. The Lord’s Word is what equips us to grow. The Lord’s Word equips us to break those things that need to be broken. His Word equips us to break down those walls, to break down those strongholds and to break down the foothold of Satan. This is so that we may have the breakthrough of renewal in our lives.
7. When is a time you had the right equipment and it made the job go so much smoother and better or when is a time you did not have the best scenario?
In 1 Peter 2:2, we read, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.” We need to desire the Word of God as our lifeline. It is as crucial to our lives as milk is to a newborn baby.
The Word helps us put off sexual sin of all natures, anger, wrath, slander, obscene talk, and deception. It then helps us put on the new self. It has brought people to see how these Christians love one another.
The Word of God works on our lives by changing our thinking. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” A renewed mind thinks more like the Father and begins living correctly.
We do not live with a broken heart. We let the peace of God comfort us so we can grow more like His Son. Colossians 3:15-16, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
8. What does the peace of God mean to you?
We need to let the sweet Spirit of the Lord mend our broken heart so that the peace of God may rule in our hearts.
Squeezed but not squashed.
Bewildered but not befuddled.
Pursued but not abandoned.
Knocked down but not knocked out.
1. What is spiritual growth?
A beautiful passage on growth comes from Colossians 3:9-10, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
Basically, growing is when we look more like Jesus (“the image of its creator”), but what does that involve?
Renewal Involves Stopping the Old by Being Broken
Paul tells us to “put off the old self.” This is part of the growing process. It involves breaking ourselves.
Psalm chapter 51 records David’s conversation with God after he accepts the full weight of his sins of adultery and murder. In verses 15-17, he says, “O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
David was struggling. His joy was gone. He used to dance, sing, and play music before the Lord, but sin stole his gladness. It is not about salvation, but about joy. David realized that God would not be impressed with offerings, but wanted “a broken and contrite heart.” As one pastor put it, “David was experiencing personal collapse under guilt.”
2. Have you seen or experienced the depth of this despair?
David does not plead innocence nor shift the blame to someone else. He owns it and it breaks him. He was wealthy and could bring many sacrifices, but he knew that was not enough. Rituals are not going to get you back to God. Growth can only come by being broken. It is seeing sin the way God does. David knew it was time for confession and repentance. He needed to yield to the Lord.
David chose to humble himself before the Lord. This is brokenness. This is part of the renewal process. Warren Wiersbe has written, “We must also let him renew us within so that we will conquer sin and not succumb to temptation.”
It is funny to think of things that are designed to be broken. For an egg to have any value it must be broken. Pinatas are made to be broken. Without breaking it, the children watch in anticipation and frustration. Water balloons are made to be broken (and it can be a lot of fun). If a paintball does not break, it is not counted in the competition.
3. Can you think of anything else that is made to be broken?
When we do not break from our sin we lose the joy of our salvation. We lose our song. Matthew Henry wrote, “It is a sharp work wrought there - no less than the breaking of the heart; not in despair but in necessary humiliation and sorrow for sin. It is a heart pliable to the Word of God, a heart subdued and brought into obedience; it is a heart that is tender.”
Also, in Psalm chapter 51, David says in verse 10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” This lines up with our passage in Colossians 3:9-10, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” This concept is both an Old Testament and New Testament concept.
Paul also refers to renewing in 2 Corinthians 4:16, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” Ephesians 4:22-24 seems to echo our Colossians passage, “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
4. How do we use the word “renewed” today?
The word “renew” in Greek means to “renovate.”
5. How do we use the word “renovate” today?
I am working on a renovation project at home due to another leak. I want to ignore it, put out a bucket, turn on a fan, and go play some golf. However, the carpet was starting to smell, and cleaning it was not enough. I had to deconstruct and then reconstruct the roof to solve the problem.
I liked how the commentary by Huges describes it. He talks about the process of deconstruction and reconstruction is taking place right now as our new self is being renewed in the knowledge after the image of its creator. The old nature was deconstructing and he was being reconstructed in the image of Christ. The deconstruction is typically messy, but the daily transformation is beautiful.
That is why David could do the rituals and make like it is all good, but not until he was willing to be broken could he truly be renewed into the likeness of God.
After the deconstruction comes the construction.
6. Is there something you need to take care of now?
Renewal Means Starting the New by Learning More about God
Looking at Colossians 3:9-10 again, we see, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
Putting on the new self is about renewal and learning about the knowledge of God. We learn about God through His Word. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we read, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
God’s Word is part of the reconstruction process that helps make us complete and equipped. It is crucial to have the right equipment for the job at hand. The Lord’s Word is what equips us to grow. The Lord’s Word equips us to break those things that need to be broken. His Word equips us to break down those walls, to break down those strongholds and to break down the foothold of Satan. This is so that we may have the breakthrough of renewal in our lives.
7. When is a time you had the right equipment and it made the job go so much smoother and better or when is a time you did not have the best scenario?
In 1 Peter 2:2, we read, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.” We need to desire the Word of God as our lifeline. It is as crucial to our lives as milk is to a newborn baby.
The Word helps us put off sexual sin of all natures, anger, wrath, slander, obscene talk, and deception. It then helps us put on the new self. It has brought people to see how these Christians love one another.
The Word of God works on our lives by changing our thinking. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” A renewed mind thinks more like the Father and begins living correctly.
We do not live with a broken heart. We let the peace of God comfort us so we can grow more like His Son. Colossians 3:15-16, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
8. What does the peace of God mean to you?
We need to let the sweet Spirit of the Lord mend our broken heart so that the peace of God may rule in our hearts.
Squeezed but not squashed.
Bewildered but not befuddled.
Pursued but not abandoned.
Knocked down but not knocked out.
Lesson Five • Grow
Pastor Jayson Combs
In this series, we have already talked about Reach and the importance of answering the question, “What is important?” After studying the response of Martha and Mary to Jesus coming to the house, we learned that everything is second to getting to the feet of Jesus. Then we went to 2 Timothy 3:14-16 and saw the amazing value of the church (Gather) and we are reminded that we can not be all that we were meant to be without each other. This lesson is about Grow.
1. What is spiritual growth?
A beautiful passage on growth comes from Colossians 3:9-10, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
Basically, growing is when we look more like Jesus (“the image of its creator”), but what does that involve?
Renewal Involves Stopping the Old by Being Broken
Paul tells us to “put off the old self.” This is part of the growing process. It involves breaking ourselves.
Psalm chapter 51 records David’s conversation with God after he accepts the full weight of his sins of adultery and murder. In verses 15-17, he says, “O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
David was struggling. His joy was gone. He used to dance, sing, and play music before the Lord, but sin stole his gladness. It is not about salvation, but about joy. David realized that God would not be impressed with offerings, but wanted “a broken and contrite heart.” As one pastor put it, “David was experiencing personal collapse under guilt.”
2. Have you seen or experienced the depth of this despair?
David does not plead innocence nor shift the blame to someone else. He owns it and it breaks him. He was wealthy and could bring many sacrifices, but he knew that was not enough. Rituals are not going to get you back to God. Growth can only come by being broken. It is seeing sin the way God does. David knew it was time for confession and repentance. He needed to yield to the Lord.
David chose to humble himself before the Lord. This is brokenness. This is part of the renewal process. Warren Wiersbe has written, “We must also let him renew us within so that we will conquer sin and not succumb to temptation.”
It is funny to think of things that are designed to be broken. For an egg to have any value it must be broken. Pinatas are made to be broken. Without breaking it, the children watch in anticipation and frustration. Water balloons are made to be broken (and it can be a lot of fun). If a paintball does not break, it is not counted in the competition.
3. Can you think of anything else that is made to be broken?
When we do not break from our sin we lose the joy of our salvation. We lose our song. Matthew Henry wrote, “It is a sharp work wrought there - no less than the breaking of the heart; not in despair but in necessary humiliation and sorrow for sin. It is a heart pliable to the Word of God, a heart subdued and brought into obedience; it is a heart that is tender.”
Also, in Psalm chapter 51, David says in verse 10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” This lines up with our passage in Colossians 3:9-10, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” This concept is both an Old Testament and New Testament concept.
Paul also refers to renewing in 2 Corinthians 4:16, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” Ephesians 4:22-24 seems to echo our Colossians passage, “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
4. How do we use the word “renewed” today?
The word “renew” in Greek means to “renovate.”
5. How do we use the word “renovate” today?
I am working on a renovation project at home due to another leak. I want to ignore it, put out a bucket, turn on a fan, and go play some golf. However, the carpet was starting to smell, and cleaning it was not enough. I had to deconstruct and then reconstruct the roof to solve the problem.
I liked how the commentary by Huges describes it. He talks about the process of deconstruction and reconstruction is taking place right now as our new self is being renewed in the knowledge after the image of its creator. The old nature was deconstructing and he was being reconstructed in the image of Christ. The deconstruction is typically messy, but the daily transformation is beautiful.
That is why David could do the rituals and make like it is all good, but not until he was willing to be broken could he truly be renewed into the likeness of God.
After the deconstruction comes the construction.
6. Is there something you need to take care of now?
Renewal Means Starting the New by Learning More about God
Looking at Colossians 3:9-10 again, we see, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
Putting on the new self is about renewal and learning about the knowledge of God. We learn about God through His Word. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we read, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
God’s Word is part of the reconstruction process that helps make us complete and equipped. It is crucial to have the right equipment for the job at hand. The Lord’s Word is what equips us to grow. The Lord’s Word equips us to break those things that need to be broken. His Word equips us to break down those walls, to break down those strongholds and to break down the foothold of Satan. This is so that we may have the breakthrough of renewal in our lives.
7. When is a time you had the right equipment and it made the job go so much smoother and better or when is a time you did not have the best scenario?
In 1 Peter 2:2, we read, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.” We need to desire the Word of God as our lifeline. It is as crucial to our lives as milk is to a newborn baby.
The Word helps us put off sexual sin of all natures, anger, wrath, slander, obscene talk, and deception. It then helps us put on the new self. It has brought people to see how these Christians love one another.
The Word of God works on our lives by changing our thinking. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” A renewed mind thinks more like the Father and begins living correctly.
We do not live with a broken heart. We let the peace of God comfort us so we can grow more like His Son. Colossians 3:15-16, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
8. What does the peace of God mean to you?
We need to let the sweet Spirit of the Lord mend our broken heart so that the peace of God may rule in our hearts.
Squeezed but not squashed.
Bewildered but not befuddled.
Pursued but not abandoned.
Knocked down but not knocked out.
1. What is spiritual growth?
A beautiful passage on growth comes from Colossians 3:9-10, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
Basically, growing is when we look more like Jesus (“the image of its creator”), but what does that involve?
Renewal Involves Stopping the Old by Being Broken
Paul tells us to “put off the old self.” This is part of the growing process. It involves breaking ourselves.
Psalm chapter 51 records David’s conversation with God after he accepts the full weight of his sins of adultery and murder. In verses 15-17, he says, “O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
David was struggling. His joy was gone. He used to dance, sing, and play music before the Lord, but sin stole his gladness. It is not about salvation, but about joy. David realized that God would not be impressed with offerings, but wanted “a broken and contrite heart.” As one pastor put it, “David was experiencing personal collapse under guilt.”
2. Have you seen or experienced the depth of this despair?
David does not plead innocence nor shift the blame to someone else. He owns it and it breaks him. He was wealthy and could bring many sacrifices, but he knew that was not enough. Rituals are not going to get you back to God. Growth can only come by being broken. It is seeing sin the way God does. David knew it was time for confession and repentance. He needed to yield to the Lord.
David chose to humble himself before the Lord. This is brokenness. This is part of the renewal process. Warren Wiersbe has written, “We must also let him renew us within so that we will conquer sin and not succumb to temptation.”
It is funny to think of things that are designed to be broken. For an egg to have any value it must be broken. Pinatas are made to be broken. Without breaking it, the children watch in anticipation and frustration. Water balloons are made to be broken (and it can be a lot of fun). If a paintball does not break, it is not counted in the competition.
3. Can you think of anything else that is made to be broken?
When we do not break from our sin we lose the joy of our salvation. We lose our song. Matthew Henry wrote, “It is a sharp work wrought there - no less than the breaking of the heart; not in despair but in necessary humiliation and sorrow for sin. It is a heart pliable to the Word of God, a heart subdued and brought into obedience; it is a heart that is tender.”
Also, in Psalm chapter 51, David says in verse 10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” This lines up with our passage in Colossians 3:9-10, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” This concept is both an Old Testament and New Testament concept.
Paul also refers to renewing in 2 Corinthians 4:16, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” Ephesians 4:22-24 seems to echo our Colossians passage, “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
4. How do we use the word “renewed” today?
The word “renew” in Greek means to “renovate.”
5. How do we use the word “renovate” today?
I am working on a renovation project at home due to another leak. I want to ignore it, put out a bucket, turn on a fan, and go play some golf. However, the carpet was starting to smell, and cleaning it was not enough. I had to deconstruct and then reconstruct the roof to solve the problem.
I liked how the commentary by Huges describes it. He talks about the process of deconstruction and reconstruction is taking place right now as our new self is being renewed in the knowledge after the image of its creator. The old nature was deconstructing and he was being reconstructed in the image of Christ. The deconstruction is typically messy, but the daily transformation is beautiful.
That is why David could do the rituals and make like it is all good, but not until he was willing to be broken could he truly be renewed into the likeness of God.
After the deconstruction comes the construction.
6. Is there something you need to take care of now?
Renewal Means Starting the New by Learning More about God
Looking at Colossians 3:9-10 again, we see, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
Putting on the new self is about renewal and learning about the knowledge of God. We learn about God through His Word. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we read, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
God’s Word is part of the reconstruction process that helps make us complete and equipped. It is crucial to have the right equipment for the job at hand. The Lord’s Word is what equips us to grow. The Lord’s Word equips us to break those things that need to be broken. His Word equips us to break down those walls, to break down those strongholds and to break down the foothold of Satan. This is so that we may have the breakthrough of renewal in our lives.
7. When is a time you had the right equipment and it made the job go so much smoother and better or when is a time you did not have the best scenario?
In 1 Peter 2:2, we read, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.” We need to desire the Word of God as our lifeline. It is as crucial to our lives as milk is to a newborn baby.
The Word helps us put off sexual sin of all natures, anger, wrath, slander, obscene talk, and deception. It then helps us put on the new self. It has brought people to see how these Christians love one another.
The Word of God works on our lives by changing our thinking. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” A renewed mind thinks more like the Father and begins living correctly.
We do not live with a broken heart. We let the peace of God comfort us so we can grow more like His Son. Colossians 3:15-16, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
8. What does the peace of God mean to you?
We need to let the sweet Spirit of the Lord mend our broken heart so that the peace of God may rule in our hearts.
Squeezed but not squashed.
Bewildered but not befuddled.
Pursued but not abandoned.
Knocked down but not knocked out.
Audience of One
Dr. Randy T. Johnson
Join The Team (JTT) is the opportunity of being part of something bigger than yourself. It is the calling of God to be involved with other believers in serving the Lord. Although it is a high calling, it is still a calling to all believers.
The coach is a vital part of every team. An effective coach places his players in the right position giving them needed instructions.
1. Who was your least favorite coach, director, or teacher?
2. What was it that made them (or any “poor” coach) ineffective?
3. Who was your favorite coach, director, or teacher?
4. What was it that made them (or other great coaches) influential?
Two of the biggest challenges for a coach are for the players to “buy into the system” and for them to listen to the coach above all other voices.
BUYING INTO THE SYSTEM
In football, “buying into the system” could mean that the wide receivers still perform strong routes even though they know the team is going to run the ball. Recently, Mac Jones of the New England Patriots only threw three passes on a windy Monday night game in Buffalo. It was the fewest pass attempts in an NFL game in nearly a half-century. They ended up winning the game. The “system” worked.
As a church, we believe the system is the Great Commission as found in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
As believers, we glorify God by reaching the world with the Gospel, gathering together as saints, and growing in the Word.
5.What are some ways one could Join the Team in regards to glorifying God by reaching the world with the Gospel? What roles need to be filled during outreach events or even weekly?
6. What are some ways one could Join the Team in regards to glorifying God by gathering with the saints? What roles need to be filled during a gathering?
7. What are some ways one could Join the Team in regards to glorifying God by growing in the Word? What roles need to be filled concerning Growth Communities?
LISTENING TO ONLY THE COACH
Two of the biggest challenges for a coach are for the players to “buy into the system” and for them to listen to the coach above all other voices.
Parents seem to know more than every coach (and definitely the officials). It can be difficult as their parent yells for them to do something different than what the coach instructed. Often there are not enough balls on the field or court for every child to please their parents.
Friends can be another distracting voice. Players may want to prove the naysayers wrong. They get teased for not scoring and begin to focus on the wrong things during the game. Sometimes they listen to friends with their flattery and start to believe they deserve something different.
8. What kind of spectators were your parents? What kind of spectator are you?
In our daily walk, Scripture talks about the importance of listening to “the Coach:”
• “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10
• “But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4
• “For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” John 12:43
• “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23
• “But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” Acts 5:29
9. What verses stand out to you? Why?
10. What principles can be learned from these verses?
There may be times when what you are doing goes unnoticed. You may feel unappreciated. You might feel taken for granted. You might not get the best roles. When others say this (including the devil or yourself), remember that you only listen to the Coach. You have an audience of One!
The coach is a vital part of every team. An effective coach places his players in the right position giving them needed instructions.
1. Who was your least favorite coach, director, or teacher?
2. What was it that made them (or any “poor” coach) ineffective?
3. Who was your favorite coach, director, or teacher?
4. What was it that made them (or other great coaches) influential?
Two of the biggest challenges for a coach are for the players to “buy into the system” and for them to listen to the coach above all other voices.
BUYING INTO THE SYSTEM
In football, “buying into the system” could mean that the wide receivers still perform strong routes even though they know the team is going to run the ball. Recently, Mac Jones of the New England Patriots only threw three passes on a windy Monday night game in Buffalo. It was the fewest pass attempts in an NFL game in nearly a half-century. They ended up winning the game. The “system” worked.
As a church, we believe the system is the Great Commission as found in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
As believers, we glorify God by reaching the world with the Gospel, gathering together as saints, and growing in the Word.
5.What are some ways one could Join the Team in regards to glorifying God by reaching the world with the Gospel? What roles need to be filled during outreach events or even weekly?
6. What are some ways one could Join the Team in regards to glorifying God by gathering with the saints? What roles need to be filled during a gathering?
7. What are some ways one could Join the Team in regards to glorifying God by growing in the Word? What roles need to be filled concerning Growth Communities?
LISTENING TO ONLY THE COACH
Two of the biggest challenges for a coach are for the players to “buy into the system” and for them to listen to the coach above all other voices.
Parents seem to know more than every coach (and definitely the officials). It can be difficult as their parent yells for them to do something different than what the coach instructed. Often there are not enough balls on the field or court for every child to please their parents.
Friends can be another distracting voice. Players may want to prove the naysayers wrong. They get teased for not scoring and begin to focus on the wrong things during the game. Sometimes they listen to friends with their flattery and start to believe they deserve something different.
8. What kind of spectators were your parents? What kind of spectator are you?
In our daily walk, Scripture talks about the importance of listening to “the Coach:”
• “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10
• “But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4
• “For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” John 12:43
• “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23
• “But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” Acts 5:29
9. What verses stand out to you? Why?
10. What principles can be learned from these verses?
There may be times when what you are doing goes unnoticed. You may feel unappreciated. You might feel taken for granted. You might not get the best roles. When others say this (including the devil or yourself), remember that you only listen to the Coach. You have an audience of One!