6 Wins of the Christian Life and Bible Study Leader
A Practical Guide for Evaluating Yourself and Measuring Success
Following is a simple but powerful framework for how to keep score as a small group leader. These are six key areas that we can use to evaluate ourselves and our small groups. It should be noted that these wins are not my brainchild and have been adapted from Chi Alpha USA.
Notice that each of these wins focuses on our actions. It’s not about how the people’s response. Sometimes you can do everything right and still “lose.” I believe that if we crush these six things, we will bear fruit.
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Win #1 // Abide Daily with Jesus
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing…If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:5,7–8, ESV)
Jesus teaches a simple truth. If we abide in Him, we will bear fruit. If we do not abide in Him, we will not bear fruit.
God wants to do great things through you this semester, but even more than that, God wants you. Before we give ourselves to ministry, let us give ourselves to Jesus.
If you’re not spending time daily with Jesus, you’re not making disciples of Jesus. You’re making disciples of yourself. As great as you are, the world does not need you. The world needs Jesus.
Let’s live with real devotion. Let’s abide daily with Jesus and lead our small groups to do the same.
Next Level Win: Small group members start to abide daily with Jesus.
Win #2 // Bring Jesus Into Every Relationship
Oftentimes, when we think of evangelism, we think of finding new people to tell about Jesus. But what about the people we already know?
What about our classmates that we’re working with? What about the people we live with? What about our friends and family?
It’s easier to introduce Jesus to people we just met. It’s less risky. There is less to lose, but if evangelism works best within relationships, we should start with the people we already know. It’s not about preaching. It’s about being honest with them about who you are and what’s important to you. Jesus will come up.
When you do meet new people, introduce Jesus as early as possible. You cannot form a genuine friendship with someone if you’re hiding Jesus. He is a huge part of your life, and He should be part of your friendships, even with non-Christians. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes.
So who are three people that you see often and know well but have never introduced to Jesus? Write their names down. Pray for them. What can you do to bring Jesus into those relationships this week, this month, and this semester?
“For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’” (Romans 10:13–15, NLT)
You are sent by God.
Next Level Win: Small group members start to initiate conversations about Jesus with you and their friends.
Win #3 // Hangout Outside of the Meeting
What is small group all about? It’s not a bible study. It’s not a weekly meeting.
Small group is a brotherhood or a sisterhood. The weekly meeting for bible study and prayer is important. It serves as an anchor each week to remain focused on God, but if your small group is just a weekly meeting, it won’t be fulfilling. You will struggle to inspire commitment and attract new people.
People are not drawn to programs and meetings. People are drawn to people. People want to belong somewhere. They want to know that they’re not alone — that they have friends to hang out with on Saturday night.
When we hang out with our small groups outside of the meeting, it shows them that we care and, more importantly, that we actually like them.
The more we hang out, the more powerful our weekly meeting becomes.
The more we hang out, the more our small group becomes a vehicle for evangelism.
Small group is more than a meeting.
“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals, and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders…And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:42–43,47, NLT)
Next Level Win: Small group members start hanging out without you.
Win #4 // Honor People Publicly
Have you ever been publicly complemented or affirmed by somebody that you look up to and respect? Or maybe you weren’t there, but later somebody came up to you and said something like, “Hey! Alex told me great things about you…”
How did that make you feel? It felt good, didn’t it?
A small group leader honors people publicly, which often carries more weight than private honor.
When we honor people in public, it communicates sincerity. It builds confidence in people. It welcomes people into the community. Nothing makes you feel like you belong more than being honored by the community.
So what does it look like to honor people publicly? Praise in public; criticize in private; celebrate them when they enter the room; introduce them to your friends; invite them to hang out; make them feel important.
Honor is not flattery. It’s not about saying nice things to make people feel good. To honor someone is about recognizing the image of God that is within a person and revealing it to others.
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10, ESV)
Next Level Win: Small group members begin to honor others publicly.
Win #5 // Delegate Responsibility
In Luke 10, Jesus sends out the seventy-two as “lambs among wolves”. He sent them to preach the Gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons.
That was only two years after Jesus called His first disciples. Among the seventy-two must have been some young, inexperienced followers.
Jesus saw past their immaturity and inexperience. He did not accept them for who they were. He saw their potential, and He challenged them to become greater.
Jesus did not just teach His disciples. He did not give them meaningless tasks to keep them busy. He sent them out to do the real, meaningful work of the ministry.
Jesus delegated responsibility.
Without delegation, there is no propagation. If we do not call others to join us in carrying the responsibility of the ministry, the Gospel will not spread.
When we fail to delegate, people get stuck where they are. They stop growing. They leave.
When we delegate well, we empower people to become who God created them to be.
Our goal as leaders is to empower people to pursue their God-given purpose in God’s global plan.
Next Level Win: Small group members begin to train and disciple others.
Win #6 // Devotion Above Emotion
The first five wins focus on things that we do to honor God, lead small group, and make disciples. Win #6 is the call to persevere.
Anybody can lead when it’s fun; anybody can lead when it’s easy; anybody can lead when everything is going great and motivation is high. What about when your schedule gets busy and people are unresponsive?
Win #6 is about persevering; it’s about having the grit to keep going, even when you want to quit.
Win #6 is seeking the presence of God alone in your room, even though you would rather scroll Instagram.
Win #6 is telling your friend about Jesus, even though it might hurt your friendship.
Win #6 is hanging out with your small group on Saturday night, even though you would rather be with your best friends.
Win #6 is choosing to honor and affirm people, even though everyone around you is gossiping.
Win #6 is helping people grow into a new responsibility, even though it’s frustrating and easier to do it yourself.
Win #6 is devotion above emotion. Recognize your emotions, but do not be controlled by them. Recognize your challenges, but do not be a victim of them.
We cannot quit. We must hold fast to the call of God. If we do that, we will reap a harvest.
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6:9, NLT)
Next Level Win: Small group members hold fast to the other five wins, even as obstacles arise.
