This past fall we went through the stories and letters of Paul in chronological order with some our network leaders at Gateway. We were trying to determine the characteristics that made him so catalytic so that we might grow in this as well.
We are looking for the ways Paul sensed the moving of God’s Spirit in the following ways:
- Miraculous methods of guidance
- Performing miracles
- Discovering receptivity and accepting suffering
- Pursuing God and His righteousness
- Reaching out to others and empowering others
Here is the order we are reading through and discussing:
- Week One – Acts 7-16
- Week Two – Galatians
- Week Three – Acts 17, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians
- Week Four – Acts 18, 1 & 2 Corinthians
- Week Five – Romans
- Week Six – Acts 19-20, Ephesians
- Week Seven – Acts 21-28, Colossians, Philemon
- Week Eight – Philippians, 1 Timothy, Titus, 2 Timothy
Here are some other highlights of Paul’s message:
- Paul emphasized Jesus as a servant leader and our ultimate example for how we should live (Phil. 2:1-11).
- Paul seemed to have a healthy understanding of “being” with God (Phil. 3:10) and “doing” things for God (Phil. 2:12-13).
- Paul emphasized contentment and even rejoicing in our suffering. He wrote to the Philippians from jail (Phil. 4:4-9).
- Paul reminded us that ministry can be lonely (only one church heled him at one point and Demas left (Phil. 4:15).
- Paul invested in young leaders by allowing them to help him plant churches before he sent them out to plant churches. This “on the go mentoring” continued as he pointed out to his young leaders how to raise up other elders and deacons (1 Timothy 3).
- Paul told Titus his ministry was to turn Cretans who were considered “liars, evil brutes, and lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12) into elders (Titus 1:5).
- Paul encouraged Timothy to serve with courage and by maximizing his spiritual gifts (2 Timothy 1:7).
- Paul gave his followers a pattern for living (2 Tim. 1:13, see also Universal Discipleship Pattern).
Here are some questions to apply to our lives as leaders:
- Who can we pass along the story of Paul and the principles of catalytic leadership this week?
- How can we apply what we see in Paul’s life to our own life and leadership?
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Who can we pass along the story of Paul and the principles of catalytic leadership this week?
– This week, I think one of Paul’s messages to the Philippians can be focused on to communicate to those who think it unfair when they are passed up for a promotion, or when someone else supersedes them who they don’t think deserves it. In Philippians 2, Paul makes his wish known- that if the church feels the comfort and peace from Christ, then they should, in recognition of said love, come together in harmony. He instructs them not to let selfishness and pride take over, but to lift their heads and extend their love to one another, and here is why- they should adopt the mindset of Christ, who being in the form of God, chose not to cling to equality with Him. This is a good lesson for those who want to “balance” the scales, and proclaim that they deserve more than they receive- for if anyone deserved more than he received, it was Christ Himself. A sinless savior, born of a virgin, literally untainted by wrong or ill will, was nailed to a cross, when He could have risen to the heights of the world and ruled over it. It is a good lesson for those who want to take what is “theirs”. Christ didn’t- and Paul is trying to tell us that there is a reason for this.
How can we apply what we see in Paul’s life to our own life and leadership?
– Paul is a catalytic leader, by definition. He gives his life as an example for others, first and foremost, and even wishes that he could be switched out with non-believers so that they could gain salvation, were that possible. He’s gentle when it’s needed, and he uses a harsh tongue when it’s needed. Paul instills instruction, hope, discipline, grace, doctrine, and inspiration on the churches and people he communicates with, and because of his example, the modern Christian holds in his or her hands a powerful display of a Godly life lived. Paul was killed for what he believed- do we have the courage to face the same?
Who can we pass along the story of Paul and the principles of catalytic leadership this week?
– Leaders are the main ones who keep a church going. Many times, they are the ones that are in the lives of the people within the church especially if you are at a bigger church. Those of us that are leaders are called to serve others and through that service we show the love that Christ had for use as the ultimate server!
How can we apply what we see in Paul’s life to our own life and leadership?
– Encouragement is necessary to build up confidence in the believer and the leader. We have to encourage our leaders to be confident and use their gifts to lead others. We also have to remember the big picture as our life is going to have ups and downs and times of loneliness but because of what we believe in, we have something so much greater to look forward to!
“He who began a good work will complete it.” Phil 1:6 We continue to see how what was meant for evil Christ can use for good as Paul who is in chains continues to preach the gospel and people accept Christ. This can help anyone who is going through a hard time or who are grappling with bad things that have happened to them. We also learn that even preaching Christ out of a selfish intent can still bring about good! Paul says, it does not matter if people preach Christ with “false motives or true, but Christ is preached.” Even though Paul did not obey the Spirit when he went to Jerusalem, we see God still using him, “according to His good purpose.” Phil 2:13
Paul used his sufferings as a way to tell more people about Jesus. This gave him joy! His actions and faith while being persecuted encouraged boldness in others.
Paul continues to pray for the people. He prays for them to remain pure and grow in love, knowledge of God and discernment. He emphasizes that the people in the church should be content in all circumstances and be growing in humility and unity.
I like how Paul gives the church the tools for how to continue to grow and disciples others. Paul encourages the people to use scripture for equipping everyone in the church to speak about Christ. He points them back to their own relationship with God, in saying “reflect on what I am saying and go to the Lord and ask Him for insight.” 2 Tim 2:7 Continually pointing people back to Christ, the only one who can change a heart, is the most important thing we can do as leaders.