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SKETCHES
M @
of Leadership o o o o >
echanics of the Kingdom
Mark 4:1-13, 21-34 Again he began to teach beside the lake. Such a very large
crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there, while the
whole crowd was beside the lake on the land.
2He began to teach them many things in
parables, and in his teaching he said to them:
3`Listen! A sower went out to sow.
4And as
he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
5Other seed fell
on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no
depth of soil.
6And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered
away.
7Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded
no grain.
8Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing
@
and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.'
9And he said, `Let anyone with ears to hear
listen!'
10 When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked
What principles of growth do you
him about the parables.
11And he said to them, `To you has been given the secret of the
see here?
kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables;
12in order that "they
may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they
may not turn again and be forgiven." '
13 And he said to them, `Do you not understand this
parable? Then how will you understand all the parables? [...]
21 He said to them, `Is a lamp
brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand?
22For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come
to light.
23Let anyone with ears to hear listen!'
24And he said to them, `Pay attention to
what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be
given you.
25For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing,
even what they have will be taken away.'
26 He also said, `The kingdom of God is as if
someone would scatter seed on the ground,
27and would sleep and rise night and day, and
the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28The earth produces of itself,
fi rst the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head.
29But when the grain is ripe,
at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.'
30 He also said, `With
what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it?
31It is like a
mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth;
32yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth
large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.'
33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34he
did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained
everything.
INTERVARSITY ®
Sketches of Leadership #30
SKETCHES
T @
of Leadership o o o o >
he Process of Maturity
· Jesus was always inviting people to step into the next level of maturity growth and movement are endemic to the process
· Jesus was
doing what he was
speaking about! The ministry of Parable in word and deed'
@
· Jesus used this model in his development of the disciples as leaders.
The Model: Ministry As Parable
1. Sow Opportunities be "reckless", take
3. Invest Wisely the wise farmer em-
risks, give away ministry.
2. Discern Responsiveness look for
"good soil"; those able to hear, perceive
braces discipline and mystery. How can
and understand; readiness to follow
I help them succeed? How do I need
through.
to be praying for them?
We traditionally only think of this parable in terms of evangelism but this
seems to be how Jesus operated the whole time! The process of growing in
maturity follows this cycle repeatedly. Jesus did not seem overly concerned
about distinguishing evangelism from discipleship from leadership develop-
ment.
· Notice in the Gospels how Jesus was always sowing, always developing,
Applica @
always sending can you think of examples of these?
tion
1. Susan is a freshman from a Christian home. She came on campus searching for a Christian group to be a part
of. She quickly adapted into fellowship life and IV has become her hobby. You can tell she is struggling with the
secular campus culture. You have tried to be supportive of what she is feeling, as well as offering her suggestions
for how to manage some of the tension she is feeling. Last week in small group it was obvious that she was upset
about being on campus and feeling isolated and alone in her classes and dorms. She also mentioned a conversa-
tion she had with her roommate about spiritual things and you cringed at some of the things she said.
2. The leadership team at your campus has traditionally done a great job at sustaining the ministry. You have a
1. What kind of invita-
great small group ministry and the quality of large group increases each year. Christian students feel well cared for
tions might be opportu-
and leaders see their role as managing the ministry. Next year four new sophomore leaders will join the team. They
nities for these people
all have big dreams for the fellowship to be a place where they can invite their friends and are asking questions
to grow in maturity
like, "What is the fellowship for on campus?" At the fi rst gathering of the new leadership team, the new leaders
and initiative towards
are vocal about what they hope to contribute as new leaders. Most of the old leaders looked either scared or
others?
confused. The few that spoke seemed a bit defensive.
2. What kind of leader-
ship would they need
3. Josh is a rising senior and an incredibly gifted student. He takes a lot of initiative with people and is known for
from you in this situa-
his creative and memorable teaching. In his three years on campus he has led in a variety of ways. He never loses
tion, both in approach-
his fervor to lead or have infl uence but has not entrusted leadership to the students around him. He views many
ing them and helping
of his peers in the fellowship as "lukewarm" Christians and does not think they are in a place spiritually to lead.
them succeed?
INTERVARSITY ®
Sketches of Leadership #30
©2007 InterVarsity Christian Fellowship 6400 Schroeder Road, P.O. Box 7895 Madison, WI 53707-7895
tel 608.274.9001
email info@intervarsity.org
web www.intervarsity.org
SKETCHES
M @
of Leadership o o o o >
echanics of the Kingdom
Mark 4:1-13, 21-34 Again he began to teach beside the lake. Such a very large
crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there, while the
whole crowd was beside the lake on the land.
2He began to teach them many things in
parables, and in his teaching he said to them:
3`Listen! A sower went out to sow.
4And as
he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
5Other seed fell
on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no
depth of soil.
6And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered
away.
7Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded
@
no grain.
8Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing
and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.'
9And he said, `Let anyone with ears to hear
What principles of growth do you
see here?
listen!'
10 When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked
· Kingdom of God is meant to grow!
him about the parables.
11And he said to them, `To you has been given the secret of the
(size, fruitfulness, insiders, made more
kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables;
12in order that "they
manifest)
· Sow broadly, "recklessly"
may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they
· The soil's type is determined by its re-
may not turn again and be forgiven." '
13 And he said to them, `Do you not understand this
sponsiveness, not by different quality seed
· "the measure you give is the measure
parable? Then how will you understand all the parables? [...]
21 He said to them, `Is a lamp
you get"(RSV)
brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand?
· things meant to be found
· Secret of the KOG? some kind of
22For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come
response
to light.
23Let anyone with ears to hear listen!'
24And he said to them, `Pay attention to
· There is process and rightful order to
how a seed grows
what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be
· Also mystery-"he knows not how"
given you.
25For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing,
the work of God
· Use it or lose it
even what they have will be taken away.'
26 He also said, `The kingdom of God is as if
· Mustard seed has tremendous `potential
someone would scatter seed on the ground,
27and would sleep and rise night and day, and
energy', not obvious
· Everyone gets parables, insiders get
the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28The earth produces of itself,
more, the 12 get the most
fi rst the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head.
29But when the grain is ripe,
· An invitation for everyone
· In agriculture, risk is inherent
at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.'
30 He also said, `With
what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it?
31It is like a
mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth;
32yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth
large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.'
33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34he
did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained
everything.
How do you "get more" in Jesus' schema?
> Respond to what he gives (teaching, principle,
invitation, challenge), invest yourself, be fertile
soil, take a risk, try it - do something with it
INTERVARSITY ®
(10 minas), ask for more, come to him, believe
the kingdom works this way, seek, look,
knock, follow...but do something!
Sketches of Leadership #30
> Jesus teaches in parables precisely because it
forces one to respond...
Is this passage about evangelism? Discipleship?
SKETCHES
T @
of Leadership o o o o >
he Process of Maturity
Leadership development?...... Yes! That is, Jesus is always interested in this process of moving
people from the outside to the inside creating followers, disciples, missionaries, apostles
· Jesus was always inviting people to step into the next level of maturity growth and movement are endemic to the process
· Jesus was
doing what he was
speaking about! The ministry of Parable in word and deed'
The M @
· Jesus used this model in his development of the disciples as leaders.
· We are about giving people opportunities to grow then we enter into the mystery and discipline of shepherding.
odel: Ministry As Parable
1. Sow Opportunities be "reckless", take
3. Invest Wisely the wise farmer em-
risks, give away ministry.
2. Discern Responsiveness look for
"good soil"; those able to hear, perceive
braces discipline and mystery. How can
Break down tasks (what is involved in being
and understand; readiness to follow
I help them succeed? How do I need
a member, minister, leader, leader of lead-
through.
to be praying for them?
ers), invitations for everyone (and not just at
Not necessarily competence (think of the 12!),
We need discernment here too, not cookie cutter
the end of the year), be creative, stretch your
leadership. What disciplines do we need? What
failure is expected, the question is `who will
vision? There are many tools that can be utilized
comfort zone, loosen control...
bear fruit?' not `who likes me?' Remember
here 5 Thresholds, Situational Leadership,
risk is relative.
Master Plan of Evangelism, Coaching, Spiritual
Direction, Contagious Christian...
We traditionally only think of this parable in terms of evangelism but this
seems to be how Jesus operated the whole time! The process of growing in
· We need to broaden how we think of leadership beyond just
maturity follows this cycle repeatedly. Jesus did not seem overly concerned
roles and titles. Love is in large part extending one's self for the
growth of another intentionally seeking their good. How close
about distinguishing evangelism from discipleship from leadership develop-
that is to what we mean by leadership and infl uence, and how
ment.
central to the gospel and Jesus' life...
· Managing the tension between sowing widely and investing
· Notice in the Gospels how Jesus was always sowing, always developing,
wisely there defi nitely is a rhythm of expansion and contraction
@always sending can you think of examples of these?
in ministry, being risky is different than being stupid or overex-
tending yourself or those you lead, and this is why prayer and
discernment are so key.
Application Firstly, how are you responding to the new invitations being sown to you, by Jesus or another?
1. Susan is a freshman from a Christian home. She came on campus searching for a Christian group to be a part
of. She quickly adapted into fellowship life and IV has become her hobby. You can tell she is struggling with the
secular campus culture. You have tried to be supportive of what she is feeling, as well as offering her suggestions
for how to manage some of the tension she is feeling. Last week in small group it was obvious that she was upset
about being on campus and feeling isolated and alone in her classes and dorms. She also mentioned a conversa-
tion she had with her roommate about spiritual things and you cringed at some of the things she said.
2. The leadership team at your campus has traditionally done a great job at sustaining the ministry. You have a
1. What kind of invita-
great small group ministry and the quality of large group increases each year. Christian students feel well cared for
tions might be opportu-
and leaders see their role as managing the ministry. Next year four new sophomore leaders will join the team. They
nities for these people
all have big dreams for the fellowship to be a place where they can invite their friends and are asking questions
to grow in maturity
like, "What is the fellowship for on campus?" At the fi rst gathering of the new leadership team, the new leaders
and initiative towards
are vocal about what they hope to contribute as new leaders. Most of the old leaders looked either scared or
others?
confused. The few that spoke seemed a bit defensive.
2. What kind of leader-
3. Josh is a rising senior and an incredibly gifted student. He takes a lot of initiative with people and is known for
ship would they need
his creative and memorable teaching. In his three years on campus he has led in a variety of ways. He never loses
from you in this situa-
his fervor to lead or have infl uence but has not entrusted leadership to the students around him. He views many
tion, both in approach-
of his peers in the fellowship as "lukewarm" Christians and does not think they are in a place spiritually to lead.
ing them and helping
INTERVARSITY ®
them succeed?
Sketches of Leadership #30
©2007 InterVarsity Christian Fellowship 6400 Schroeder Road, P.O. Box 7895 Madison, WI 53707-7895
tel 608.274.9001
email info@intervarsity.org
web www.intervarsity.org
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