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2. The Dreaded L.D.

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How many times have you thought:

  • “I don’t have what it takes…”
  • “There is someone else better for the job…”
  • “If they really knew how scared I was…”

How many times has God asked you to do a task, a mission, or a job that pushes you outside of your expertise, confidence, or desire?

If this has happened to you, then you are in good company.

God’s l

How many times have you thought:

  • “I don’t have what it takes…”
  • “There is someone else better for the job…”
  • “If they really knew how scared I was…”

How many times has God asked you to do a task, a mission, or a job that pushes you outside of your expertise, confidence, or desire?

If this has happened to you, then you are in good company.

God’s leaders are not so much defined by their strengths as by their weaknesses. He picks the feeble to battle the formidable.

Jesus is calling empty-handed men and women
to feed five thousand. This is what His
kind of leadership is all about

He taps the woefully inadequate to lead incredibly significant ventures. Would you pick a murdering insecure stutterer to take on the ruling empire? Would you pick a fearful farm boy who needs multiple miracles to lead an outgunned and outnumbered army? Would you roll the dice with a shepherd boy and a sling? Before they became enduring leadership masterpieces, God chipped away at the hearts of flawed marble in Moses, Gideon, and David.

Biblical leadership must start with an admission – “I don’t have what it takes.” We are going to go on a journey through the middle part of Mark as we look at the only miracle recorded in all four gospels. Through this paradigm miracle as well as four other message miracles, you will discover why God calls us as leaders to step out when we want to shrink back. In addition, listen for the struggle that threatens to deafen, cripple, blind, and paralyze you as a leader.

Video– Paradigm Miracle (Mark 6:33-44)

Video Notes – Message Miracles:

    Mark 7:24-30 – The Syrophoenician Woman:
    Mark 7:31-37 – The Deaf Man:
    Mark 8:1-11 – The Four Thousand:
    Mark 8:22-25 – The Blind Man:

Key Points:

A hardened heart deafens the ears, cripples the tongue,
blinds the eyes, and paralyzes the hands.

  • As a leader, you must do what you cannot do with what you do not have for the rest of your life.
  • Corollary: Jesus says, “I will do what and paralyzes the hands. I can do with what you do have through you for the rest of your life.”
  • Leadership – over the sides of the boat and into the waves.

Probing Deeper:

    1. Jesus expected Peter to get out of the boat. Is there a specific action Jesus is expecting you to do that will get your feet wet? Are you actively putting yourself in a position of dependence so you can do things you could never do otherwise? If not, why not?

    2. Think about the opportunities the disciples missed because they didn’t hear Jesus with an open heart. Have you missed chances to step out of the boat? What kept you from trusting Jesus?

    3. How have you seen the principle that “knowledge can easily get in the way of trust” operate in your life? How does it affect your leadership?

    4. Where do you hope (and fear) God takes you in the future? What causes you to have this fear? How would your movement into that feared place benefit the body of Christ?

    5. What do you think the Dreaded L.D. might be?

Transforming the Heart:

Where are you in your leader formation process? Do you find that far too often you are shrinking in the storm rather than stepping out on the waves? Take a few moments to look down at the words listed below. Select the terms that most accurately describe your feelings about God and your current leadership pilgrimage.

Peaceful

Angry

Close

Hopeful

Afraid

Impatient

Hurt

Trapped

Stressed

Uncertain

Let down

Resentful

Joyous

Distant

Tired

Longing

Loved

Confused

Released

Disappointed

Summarize each feeling you chose with a short statement – one or two sentences – explaining why you feel the way you do.

Based on these responses, how healthy would you say your current relationship with God is? What steps must you take to move your relationship with Him to a place of greater trust and health?

Where do you hope (and fear) God takes you in the future? What contribution would this new direction make to your formation? How would these hopes and fears benefit the body of Christ?

What might cause you not to trust God for His next step for you in your leader formation process? How must you respond to trust God for this next step? What if His next step is just another step on the same treadmill you are on now? How will you respond?

Remember, God’s primary concern for you is your growth, not your success. As a leader, you must remember His goal is to see Christ formed in you, regardless of the cost.

Renewing the Mind:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
– Isaiah 43:2-3

 

Related Topics: Discipleship, Issues in Church Leadership/Ministry, Leadership

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