leading god’s people god’s way lesson 22 – the law of explosive growth

Leading God’s People Leading God’s People God’s WayGod’s Way

Lesson 22 – The Law of Explosive GrowthLesson 22 – The Law of Explosive Growth

The Law of Explosive GrowthThe Law of Explosive Growth

To add growth, lead followers; to multiply, To add growth, lead followers; to multiply, lead leaderslead leaders

Mark 3:13-15Mark 3:13-151313Jesus went up on a mountainside and Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. came to him. 1414He appointed twelve that He appointed twelve that

they might be with him and that he they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach might send them out to preach 1515and to and to

have authority to drive out demons. have authority to drive out demons.

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)

a)a) Leading followers is like addition. Leading followers is like addition. Leading leaders is like multiplication. In Leading leaders is like multiplication. In your leadership are you leading your leadership are you leading followers, or are you leading leaders?followers, or are you leading leaders?

b)b) Jesus was not influenced by the large Jesus was not influenced by the large crowds that followed him. He chose to crowds that followed him. He chose to focus on training leaders to continue his focus on training leaders to continue his work after he left. Are you more work after he left. Are you more focused on the crowds, or on a few focused on the crowds, or on a few leaders you can invest your life in?leaders you can invest your life in?

Our Story in HistoryOur Story in History

AD 45 AD 70

First missionary journey in Galatia (Acts 13 & 14) c. 47 AD

Jesus Church Age

c. = circa (about)

Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15, Galatians 2) c. AD 50

Beheaded in Rome by Emperor Nero persecution c. AD 68

Jerusalem, including Temple, destroyed by Roman Emperor Titus c. AD 70

Paul

Arrested in Jerusalem. Appeals to Caesar. Imprisoned in Caesarea for 2 years on way to Rome c. AD 58

Second missionary journey to Asia, Macedonia, Achaia & Greece (Acts 15 - 18) c. AD 50

Third missionary journey to Asia, Macedonia, Achaia & Greece (Acts 18 - 21) c. AD 53

Scriptures to ReadScriptures to Read

Acts 15:36 to 16:5Acts 15:36 to 16:5 Acts 18:1-11Acts 18:1-11 Acts 19:8-10Acts 19:8-10 1 Timothy 4:12-161 Timothy 4:12-16 2 Timothy 2:1-262 Timothy 2:1-26

Paul and Barnabas Return to AntiochPaul and Barnabas Return to Antioch

Jerusalem

Antioch

Damascus

Rome

TarsusPaul and Barnabas carried the letter from the leaders in Jerusalem to the church in Antioch. Judas and Silas came with them. After a while Judas returned to Jerusalem but Paul, Silas, and Barnabas stayed in Antioch.

Paul and Barnabas SeparatePaul and Barnabas Separate

Antioch

Damascus

TarsusAttalia Perga

Seleucia

Salamis

Paphos

Ephesus

MYSIA

GALATIA

CAPPADOCIA

SYRIA

CYPRUS

LYCIA

CILICIA

PHRYGIA

Pisidian Antioch

Iconium

LystraDerbe

Paul and Barnabas had such a strong disagreement over John Mark that they went their separate ways. Barnabas took John Mark and went to Cyprus. Paul took Silas and went through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches

Issus

Barnabas and John Mark

Paul and Silas

Paul Meets TimothyPaul Meets Timothy

Antioch

Damascus

TarsusAttalia Perga

Seleucia

Salamis

Paphos

Ephesus

MYSIA

GALATIA

CAPPADOCIA

SYRIA

CYPRUS

LYCIA

CILICIA

PHRYGIA

Pisidian Antioch

Iconium

LystraDerbe

Paul and Silas went to Derbe and then on to Lystra where they met Timothy.

Issus

Paul, Silas and Timothy Travel TogetherPaul, Silas and Timothy Travel Together

Jerusalem

Antioch

Damascus

Rome

TarsusIssus

Pisidian Antioch

Iconium

Lystra

Derbe

Troas

ASIA

GALATIA

SYRIA

CYPRUS

LYCIACILICIA

PHRYGIA

MACEDONIA

ACHAIA (GREECE)

Philippi

Thessalonica

Berea

AthensCorinth

CRETE

SICILY

ITALY

Paul, Silas and Timothy travelled through the region of Phrygia and came to the city of Troas. There Paul had a vision of a Macedonian man calling to them to come over and help them…

Ephesus


Jerusalem

Antioch

Damascus

Rome

TarsusIssus

Pisidian Antioch

Iconium

Lystra

Derbe

Troas

ASIA

GALATIA

SYRIA

CYPRUS

LYCIACILICIA

PHRYGIA

MACEDONIA

ACHAIA (GREECE)

Philippi

Thessalonica

Berea

AthensCorinth

CRETE

SICILY

ITALY

So, Paul and his friends went to Philippi where the led Lydia to the Lord. Paul and Silas were thrown in jail after casting a demon out of a slave girl. God miraculously released them by an earthquake. The jailer and his household became believers in jesus that night.

Ephesus


Jerusalem

Antioch

Damascus

Rome

TarsusIssus

Pisidian Antioch

Iconium

Lystra

Derbe

Troas

ASIA

GALATIA

SYRIA

CYPRUS

LYCIACILICIA

PHRYGIA

MACEDONIA

ACHAIA (GREECE)

Philippi

Thessalonica

Berea

AthensCorinth

CRETE

SICILY

ITALY

Paul and his friends went to Thessalonica where they led many to the Lord. But, some Jews stirred up trouble for them so they left and went to Berea. The Bereans received them more openly and examined the scriptures every day to see in what Paul said was true.

Ephesus


Jerusalem

Antioch

Damascus

Rome

TarsusIssus

Pisidian Antioch

Iconium

Lystra

Derbe

Troas

ASIA

GALATIA

SYRIA

CYPRUS

LYCIACILICIA

PHRYGIA

MACEDONIA

ACHAIA (GREECE)

Philippi

Thessalonica

Berea

AthensCorinth

CRETE

SICILY

ITALY

Ephesus

Some Berean brothers brought Paul to Athens. Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea. In Athens Paul went to the Areopagus and talked to them about the “Unknown God” to whom they had built an altar. Some of them believed in Jesus.


Jerusalem

Antioch

Damascus

Rome

TarsusIssus

Pisidian Antioch

Iconium

Lystra

Derbe

Troas

ASIA

GALATIA

SYRIA

CYPRUS

LYCIACILICIA

PHRYGIA

MACEDONIA

ACHAIA (GREECE)

Philippi

Thessalonica

Berea

AthensCorinth

CRETE

SICILY

ITALY

Ephesus

Paul left Athens and went to Corinth where he met Aquila and Pricilla. Silas and Timothy caught up with him in Corinth. They stayed in Corinth for a year and a half teaching the believers there.

Paul Returns to AntiochPaul Returns to Antioch

Jerusalem

Antioch

Damascus

Rome

TarsusIssus

Pisidian Antioch

Iconium

Lystra

Derbe

Troas

ASIA

GALATIA

SYRIA

CYPRUS

LYCIACILICIA

PHRYGIA

MACEDONIA

ACHAIA (GREECE)

Philippi

Thessalonica

Berea

AthensCorinth

CRETE

SICILY

ITALY

Ephesus

Paul left Silas and Timothy in Corinth and returned to Antioch. He had brief stops in Ephesus and Jerusalem on the way.

Paul Begins His Third Missionary JourneyPaul Begins His Third Missionary Journey

Jerusalem

Antioch

Damascus

Rome

TarsusIssus

Pisidian Antioch

Iconium

Lystra

Derbe

Troas

ASIA

GALATIA

SYRIA

CYPRUS

LYCIACILICIA

PHRYGIA

MACEDONIA

ACHAIA (GREECE)

Philippi

Thessalonica

Berea

AthensCorinth

CRETE

SICILY

ITALY

Ephesus

After spending some time in Antioch, Paul again travelled through the regions of Cilicia, Galatia, and Phrygia to strengthen the churched he had planted. Then he went to Ephesus where he preached the gospel in the synagogues. When they Jews rejected his message, he left and went to the Gentiles. He stayed for two years and all the Jews and Greeks in the province of Asia heard the gospel of Jesus.


a)a) Wherever Paul went he preached the Wherever Paul went he preached the gospel, planted churches and trained gospel, planted churches and trained leaders to lead those churches. Are you leaders to lead those churches. Are you just doing the work of the ministry, or just doing the work of the ministry, or are you also training and developing are you also training and developing others to do the ministry?others to do the ministry?

b)b) Paul personally mentored key leaders Paul personally mentored key leaders such as Timothy, Silas, Aquila and such as Timothy, Silas, Aquila and Pricilla. What are you doing to invest Pricilla. What are you doing to invest you life into others who have leadership you life into others who have leadership potential?potential?

What Do We Learn From Paul?What Do We Learn From Paul?

1.1. When leaders develop leaders When leaders develop leaders explosive growth occurs.explosive growth occurs.

2.2. Leaders commit to people and activities Leaders commit to people and activities that provide explosive growth.that provide explosive growth.

3.3. Leaders recognize the qualities needed Leaders recognize the qualities needed for explosive growthfor explosive growth..

4.4. Leaders who gather followers are very Leaders who gather followers are very different to leaders who develop different to leaders who develop leaders . leaders .

When leaders develop leaders When leaders develop leaders explosive growth occursexplosive growth occurs

Becoming a leader who leads other Becoming a leader who leads other leaders requires a whole new way of leaders requires a whole new way of thinking. You must… thinking. You must…

1.1. Not just do things right, but also do the Not just do things right, but also do the right thingsright things

2.2. Not just prioritize your schedule, but Not just prioritize your schedule, but also schedule your prioritiesalso schedule your priorities

3.3. Not just seek fulfillment, but also fulfill Not just seek fulfillment, but also fulfill your destinyyour destiny

When leaders develop leaders When leaders develop leaders explosive growth occursexplosive growth occurs

Becoming a leader who leads other Becoming a leader who leads other leaders requires a whole new way of leaders requires a whole new way of thinking. You must… thinking. You must…

4.4. Not lead with power, but empower Not lead with power, but empower leaders leaders

Leaders commit to people and activities Leaders commit to people and activities that provide explosive growth that provide explosive growth

Paul’s strategy is as effective today as it Paul’s strategy is as effective today as it was in his day. He focused on four was in his day. He focused on four things to create explosive growth: things to create explosive growth:

1.1. He attracted and equipped people He attracted and equipped people

2.2. He found and mentored emerging He found and mentored emerging leaders leaders

3.3. He created new organizations He created new organizations

4.4. He engaged in the ongoing He engaged in the ongoing development of leaders development of leaders


a)a) We have learned that leading followers We have learned that leading followers is like addition but leading leaders is like addition but leading leaders causes multiplication. As a leader, are causes multiplication. As a leader, are you adding or multiplying?you adding or multiplying?

b)b) To create explosive growth, you must To create explosive growth, you must first be committed to doing the things, first be committed to doing the things, and developing the people, that will and developing the people, that will bring the growth you desire. Have you bring the growth you desire. Have you identified the people and activities that identified the people and activities that will provide explosive growth in your will provide explosive growth in your team or organization?team or organization?

Leaders recognize the qualities Leaders recognize the qualities needed for explosive growth needed for explosive growth

Paul used four images to describe what a Paul used four images to describe what a good leader looks like. A good leader good leader looks like. A good leader needs to be…needs to be…

1.1. A Teacher A Teacher

2.2. A Soldier A Soldier

3.3. An Athlete An Athlete

4.4. A Farmer A Farmer

Leaders who gather followers are Leaders who gather followers are different to leaders who develop leaders different to leaders who develop leaders

Gather Followers… Gather Followers…

1.1. need to be need to be neededneeded

2.2. focus on people’s focus on people’s weaknessesweaknesses

3.3. focus on the focus on the bottom 20%bottom 20%

Develop Leaders…Develop Leaders…

1.1. want to be want to be succeededsucceeded

2.2. focus on people’s focus on people’s strengths strengths

3.3. focus on the top focus on the top 20%20%

There are seven differences between There are seven differences between leaders who gather follower and leaders leaders who gather follower and leaders who develop leaders…who develop leaders…



4.4. treat everyone treat everyone the samethe same

5.5. spend their timespend their time

6.6. ask for little ask for little commitmentcommitment


4.4. treat people as treat people as individualsindividuals

5.5. invest their timeinvest their time

6.6. ask for great ask for great commitmentcommitment




7.7. impact this impact this generationgeneration


7.7. impact future impact future generationsgenerations



a)a) Potential leaders should possess the Potential leaders should possess the characteristics of a teacher, a soldier, an characteristics of a teacher, a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. Do your potential athlete, and a farmer. Do your potential leaders possess the qualities needed for leaders possess the qualities needed for explosive growth?explosive growth?

b)b) Consider the seven differences between Consider the seven differences between a leader who gathers followers and a a leader who gathers followers and a leader who develops leaders. Are you leader who develops leaders. Are you gathering followers or developing gathering followers or developing leaders?leaders?

Homework – Scriptures to ReadHomework – Scriptures to Read

Luke 5:1-11Luke 5:1-11 Luke 6:12-16Luke 6:12-16 Luke 9:1-20Luke 9:1-20 Luke 9:57 to 10:12Luke 9:57 to 10:12 Matthew 28:16-20Matthew 28:16-20

leading god’s people god’s way lesson 22 – the law of explosive growth

Documents