MENTOR LIKE JESUS: The Secret Sauce 1-16-22

 MENTOR LIKE JESUS: The Secret Sauce 1-16-22

INTRODUCTION

A man was answering questions for a national poll. When asked for his church preference, he responded, "Red brick."

Source Unknown

Jesus' style of mentoring was “group-centric”

Groups, small and large

75% of Americans identify colleagues from their church as the most important group or network in their life. 

Foster Letter 3/25/08

Smaller select groups to spend most of his time with

“Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.”

Mark 3:13-19 NIV

"A part of me loved war. Now, please understand, I am a peaceful man, fond of children and animals. And I believe that war should have no place in the affairs of men. But, the comradeship our platoon experienced in that war provides a moving and enduring memory in me. A comrade in war is someone you can trust with anything because you regularly trust him with your life. In war, individual possessions and advantage count for nothing. The group, the unit, the platoon is everything. A part of me loved war." 

--William Broyles, Vietnam Veteran

I.  JESUS WORKED IN GROUPS

A.  He taught the crowds

“Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:25‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬

“While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable:”

‭‭ Luke‬ ‭8:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬

“Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

B.  He led the group to find the answer

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.””

‭ ‭Matthew‬ ‭16:13-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

1.  Who do they say I am?

2.  What does this mean?

In order to be a leader a man must have followers. And to have followers, a man must have their confidence. Hence the supreme quality of a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, on a football field, in an army, or in an office. If a man's associates find him guilty of phoniness, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bits & Pieces, September 15, 1994, p. 4

C.  The church is built upon groups

1.  Where two or more are gathered. . . .

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

II.  JESUS HAD A GROUP WITHIN A GROUP

A.  Peter, James and John

Tom Landry, former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys and one of the finest leaders professional sports has ever known, once said, "Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react."

Today In The Word, August,1989, p. 30.

B.  Special relationship

1. Raising Jairus' daughter

2. The Transfiguration

3. Questioning Jesus on the Mt. of Olives

4. Prayer in the Garden

C.  Significant figures

1.  James was the first martyred apostle

2.  Peter was the rock

3.  John was the discipled whom Jesus loved, cared for Mary, longest apostolic witness

III.  JESUS CALLED HIS GROUP TO LEAD GROUPS

Leadership is the discipline of deliberately exerting special influence within a group to move it towards goals of beneficial permanence that fulfills the group's real needs. 

Dr. John Haggai, Lead On!.

A.  Discipleship as group development

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:19-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

B.  Discipleship as multiplication

CHALLENGE

In this new year, my challenges will fall heavily into the category of journaling.  When we write, we have to think, then formulate words, then put it to paper.  This process helps us integrate our whole self.  We will also focus upon action.

1.  Are you part of any “group” (outside of church)?

2.  What is the group’s purpose?

3.  How do people become part of the group?

4.  What is the purpose of the church?

5.  How do people become part of your church?

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, you can come forward now.  If you would like, I would be honored to speak with you following the service about what God is doing in your life.