Skip to main content

Small Group Leadership Lessons from Proverbs


A while back I was reading Proverbs 18, and I came away from it thinking, "This is really good advice for anyone who is trying to lead or influence people." Of course, everything in the Bible is really good advice for anyone trying to do anything. So, whether you are a leader or just someone who wants to be more wise (particularly in relationships), here are a few "leadership thoughts" from Proverbs 18 (I think these are also really good for small group leaders). I've included some of the specific proverbs so you can munch on them today:

Everything doesn't rise and fall on you; you are a part of a bigger whole.
  • Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
  • A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
  • A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
The most inspiring speeches are meaningless if they aren't preceded by big ears.
  • A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion
  • If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
  • The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
Constantly attempting to attract influential people is a quick fix with devastating results
  • It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.
  • The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

Having said all that, let me close with these three thoughts for small group leaders:
1 -- Don't build your group around yourself. If it can't function in your absence, it isn't healthy!
2 -- Listen more than you speak. You'll build credibility, and your words will carry more weight. More importantly; as you listen, you'll know better what you should say!
3 -- Don't make your group into a country club. Seek the kinds of people Jesus would have sought out. Don't be influenced by the impressive and the flatterers. (Read James 2 if you need more help with this!)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Discussion Questions for Easter

Have several people ask the question, “What’s the most important thing you’ve ever done?” Ask other people, “What do you hope to accomplish in the next several years of your life?” Tell your class that today you’ll be talking about “life mission” or the one most important thing you do that drives everything else. Tell them that Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is the defining moment in history, so it should be the defining moment in our lives. Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. How does the resurrection impact some of the crucial beliefs of Christianity?  How would Christianity be different if there was no resurrection? How would you be different without the resurrection? Read 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. What are some specific ways that the resurrection gives us hope? If you had been a friend of Jesus when he was on earth, how would the resurrection have impacted your life?  How do you think his followers then were effected by the resurrection? Read 1 Corinthian...
3 comments
Read more

Community Killers: Crisis

Here is Part Two in my series on dealing with "Community Killers". Today the topic is "Crisis". Every group experiences crisis at some point. Death, illness, divorce, and financial ruin are just some of the issues that can threaten to destroy a group. These crisis, however, are not to be feared. Rather, they should be embraced as an opportunity for the group to care for one another in unique and deeply meaningful ways. The following are five suggestions (certainly not an exhaustive list) which can help a group handle crisis successfully: Openness. The first step in a group’s efforts to deal with crisis is simply knowing about and understanding the crisis. If a member does not feel comfortable sharing the crisis issues in their life, the group cannot come to their aid. A willingness to share not only the crisis situation, but also the details can significantly impact the degree to which the group can offer assistance. The role of the leader sometimes requires a per...
Post a Comment
Read more

Humility: It's Not All About You

Without naming names, when have you observed a person who seems to be only interested in “moving up the ladder”? What are some of the character traits of a person like this? • Read Genesis 11:1-9. • Generally speaking, who were these people focusing on, themselves or God? Why was this a problem? John Calvin thought that verse 6 was God ironically saying, “This people have conspired against me, and since they can speak to one another in the same language, how can their plan be defeated?” In other words, God wasn’t concerned, he found it humorous that the people thought so highly of themselves. • Read verse 4. What do you think it means that they wanted to “make a name” for themselves? • What things do we (you) often do try to make a name for ourselves? Why is it important to us that people think highly of us? • Read Romans 12:3. What do you think it means to think of yourself with “sober judgment”? Why are we sometimes slow to “judge” ourselves? How can we judge ourselves in a heal...
Post a Comment
Read more