Successful Life - Discussion 5

Biblical Management, Focus, and Commitment
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How to Manage Your Team

Pray

Pray together for the group meeting, and any pressing needs within the group.

Review

Each week you’ll spend some time reviewing the previous week’s lesson. Did anything happen last week that brought the lesson to mind, and what did you learn from it?

Watch

Watch the following discussion-starter video. It’ll set the topic of discussion for the group.

Ephesians 6:1-9
James 3:13-18

 One person will first read the scripture selection in the King James Version. Next, another person will read the same passages in a modern language or amplified version for more clarity such as the New Living Translation (NLT), Message Bible (MSG), New English Translation (NET), Amplified Bible (AMP), etc. We recommend using the YouVersion Bible app.

Retell

  1. One person will begin retelling the scripture passage in their own words (a new person to start each week is great!) Then…
  2. As a group, work together to fill in gaps and build the story. This will help us internalize and own it. Be sure everyone participates.

Discuss

Together, share around the group how the topic and scripture setting applies to your life personally. Here are some thoughts to consider for discussion… don’t let the discussion stop here, though… what questions can you ask that will help uncover God’s message?

Scripture : 

Ephesians 6:

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 

5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

  1. What does verse 9 say to leaders that we need to know when reading the first 8 verses?
  2. What does it mean that fathers should not provoke children to wrath? How can a leader be nurturing instead of provoking?
  3. Is it possible to nurture and admonition someone in a Godly way in a secular setting without ‘preaching’ at them? How would you do this?
  4. While considering the direction to leaders in verse 9, what does it mean for a leader to lead with fear and trembling and singleness of heart?  Who are we to fear? What should be the single focus of our heart?
  5. How could a leader be a menpleaser? In verse 6 and 7: what is the antidote to being a menpleaser?
  6. Why would it be important to have Spirit filled salvation in order to do God’s will from the heart?

James 3

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

  1. How is a wise person to show their wisdom? What does it mean to have a conversation that shows meekness of wisdom?
  2. How would you define meekness of wisdom? Does real wisdom need to force others?
  3. If devilish wisdom causes confusion and every evil work  – why would a leader choose to act this way?
  4. In verse 17 the wisdom from above is first pure? What is the significance of stating that purity is first with wisdom?
  5. Next comes Peaceable and gentle and easy to be intreated: Why would a wise leader make sure that they are peaceful, gentle and easy to be intreated ( asked urgently)? How would this help them lead?
  6. What would a merciful leader gain from their team by showing mercy?
  7. If a leader is full of good fruits – what does this mean their team would see? How productive are they?
  8. What impact would an impartial leader have on their team?
  9. If a leader works to have peace in their team what fruit should they expect? How does this prosper a team?

Next Week:  The Successful Life – Commitment To God

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