Empowering Leadership: Lessons from Paul's Journey

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound journey of leadership and strategy as exemplified by the Apostle Paul in the book of Acts. We began by reflecting on the metaphor of the "bell cow," a concept introduced by Hayden Fry, a college football coach who identified leaders within his team to cultivate future coaches. This idea parallels the way Paul evolved his approach to ministry, moving from a focus on individual effort to a strategy of empowering others to lead.

Paul's journey through his missionary trips reveals a significant transformation in his strategy. Initially, he focused on preaching in synagogues and quickly moving on, which led to challenges in sustaining the early churches. However, as he matured, Paul shifted his focus to developing leaders who could continue the work in his absence. This change is evident in his later trips, where he spent extended periods in cities like Ephesus, investing in the training and development of leaders who would carry on the mission.

The culmination of Paul's strategy is seen in his time in Rome, where, despite being under house arrest, he continued to influence and train others. This period, though seemingly anticlimactic, was a time of significant growth for the early church, demonstrating the power of leadership multiplication. Paul's willingness to stay in one place and invest deeply in a few individuals resulted in a ripple effect that extended far beyond his immediate reach.

This journey challenges us to reconsider our approach to ministry and leadership. Are we merely doing the work ourselves, or are we investing in others to carry the mission forward? The call is to raise up leaders, to find the "bell cows" within our community, and to empower them to lead and multiply the impact of the church. This approach not only aligns with the biblical model but also ensures the sustainability and growth of the church's mission.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Leadership Multiplication: Paul's journey teaches us the importance of investing in others to carry on the mission. By identifying and empowering leaders, we can create a sustainable and multiplying impact that extends beyond our immediate efforts. [03:58]

2. Evolving Strategies in Ministry: As Paul matured, he shifted from a short-term, individual-focused approach to a long-term, leader-focused strategy. This evolution highlights the need for adaptability and growth in our ministry strategies. [10:13]

3. The Role of Expectation in Leadership: Just as teachers' expectations influenced students' success, our expectations of potential leaders can significantly impact their development and effectiveness. We must believe in and invest in the potential of those around us. [28:10]

4. The Importance of Staying and Investing: Paul's decision to stay in places like Ephesus for extended periods allowed him to deeply invest in the development of leaders. This commitment to long-term investment is crucial for effective leadership development. [16:59]

5. Embracing the Unseen Impact: Even in seemingly anticlimactic or challenging situations, like Paul's imprisonment, significant growth and impact can occur. We must trust in the unseen work of God and the power of empowered leaders to carry the mission forward. [22:19]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:41] - The Bell Cow Theory
- [03:58] - Transforming Players into Coaches
- [06:44] - The Mission of the Early Church
- [10:13] - Paul's First Missionary Strategy
- [12:04] - Challenges of the First Strategy
- [13:24] - The Second Missionary Journey
- [16:59] - Shift to Long-Term Investment
- [19:54] - Replicating Leadership
- [21:48] - The Fourth Missionary Journey
- [22:19] - Paul's Imprisonment Strategy
- [24:25] - Overcoming Leadership Bottlenecks
- [25:32] - The Power of Multiplication
- [28:10] - The Expectation Experiment
- [31:05] - Raising Leaders in the Church
- [33:05] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
2. Acts 14:21-23 - "When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed."
3. Acts 28:30-31 - "He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance."

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the initial strategy Paul used during his first missionary journey, and what challenges did it present? [10:13]
2. How did Paul's approach to leadership and ministry evolve by his third missionary journey? [16:59]
3. What was significant about Paul's time in Rome, and how did it reflect his matured strategy? [22:19]
4. How does the "bell cow" metaphor relate to Paul's strategy in developing leaders within the early church? [03:58]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Acts 1:8 set the stage for the mission and strategy of the early church, and how did Paul embody this mission throughout his journeys?
2. In what ways did Paul's decision to invest deeply in leaders during his time in Ephesus reflect a shift from short-term to long-term ministry strategies? [16:59]
3. How does the concept of leadership multiplication, as seen in Paul's ministry, challenge traditional views of church leadership and ministry roles? [25:32]
4. What role did expectations play in the development of leaders in the early church, and how can this principle be applied in modern church settings? [28:10]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current approach to leadership or ministry. Are you more focused on doing the work yourself, or are you investing in others to carry the mission forward? How can you shift towards a more leader-focused strategy? [16:59]
2. Identify a "bell cow" in your community or church. How can you empower this person to take on more leadership responsibilities and multiply their impact? [03:58]
3. Consider a time when you faced a seemingly anticlimactic or challenging situation in your ministry or personal life. How can you trust in the unseen work of God and the power of empowered leaders to carry the mission forward? [22:19]
4. How can you create an environment of high expectations for potential leaders in your church or community? What practical steps can you take to encourage and support their development? [28:10]
5. Reflect on a specific area of your life or ministry where you need to embrace a long-term investment strategy. What changes can you make to ensure sustainable growth and impact? [16:59]
6. How can you apply the lessons from Paul's imprisonment strategy to your own life, particularly in situations where you feel limited or constrained? [22:19]
7. Think about a person in your life who has the potential to lead. What specific actions can you take this week to mentor and support them in their journey? [25:32]

Devotional

Day 1: The Ripple Effect of Leadership

Paul's journey in the book of Acts illustrates the profound impact of leadership multiplication. Initially, Paul focused on his individual efforts, preaching in synagogues and moving quickly from place to place. However, he soon realized the limitations of this approach. As he matured, Paul began to invest in others, training and empowering leaders who could continue the mission in his absence. This shift in strategy allowed the early church to grow and thrive, even when Paul was not physically present. By identifying and nurturing leaders, Paul created a ripple effect that extended far beyond his immediate reach, demonstrating the power of leadership multiplication. [03:58]

Acts 20:28-31 (ESV): "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them."

Reflection: Who in your life can you invest in today to help them grow as a leader? How can you begin to empower them to carry forward the mission?

Day 2: Adapting for Long-Term Impact

Paul's evolving strategy in ministry highlights the importance of adaptability and growth. Initially, his approach was short-term and individual-focused, which presented challenges in sustaining the early churches. As Paul matured, he shifted to a long-term, leader-focused strategy, spending extended periods in cities like Ephesus to train and develop leaders. This evolution in strategy underscores the need for adaptability in ministry, ensuring that efforts are sustainable and impactful over the long term. By embracing change and focusing on developing others, we can create a lasting impact that extends beyond our immediate efforts. [10:13]

1 Corinthians 3:6-9 (ESV): "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building."

Reflection: What areas of your ministry or personal life require a shift in strategy for long-term growth? How can you begin to implement these changes today?

Day 3: The Power of Expectation

The role of expectation in leadership is significant, as it can greatly influence the development and effectiveness of potential leaders. Just as teachers' expectations can impact students' success, our expectations of those around us can shape their growth and potential. By believing in and investing in the potential of others, we can help them realize their capabilities and encourage them to step into leadership roles. This approach not only empowers individuals but also strengthens the community as a whole, fostering an environment where leaders can thrive and multiply. [28:10]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Who in your community do you see potential in? How can you encourage and support them to step into their potential today?

Day 4: Commitment to Deep Investment

Paul's decision to stay in places like Ephesus for extended periods allowed him to deeply invest in the development of leaders. This commitment to long-term investment is crucial for effective leadership development. By dedicating time and resources to nurture and train others, Paul ensured that the mission of the early church would continue to thrive. This approach challenges us to consider where we can make deep investments in our own communities, focusing on developing leaders who can carry the mission forward. [16:59]

2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV): "And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."

Reflection: Where can you make a deep investment in your community or church? How can you begin to nurture and develop leaders in these areas?

Day 5: Trusting in Unseen Impact

Even in seemingly anticlimactic or challenging situations, like Paul's imprisonment, significant growth and impact can occur. Paul's time under house arrest in Rome was a period of substantial growth for the early church, demonstrating the power of empowered leaders to carry the mission forward. This teaches us to trust in the unseen work of God and the potential of those we have invested in. By empowering others and trusting in God's plan, we can witness growth and impact beyond our immediate circumstances. [22:19]

Philippians 1:12-14 (ESV): "I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust in God's unseen work? How can you begin to empower others to carry the mission forward, even in challenging circumstances?

Quotes

1) "Today I want you to think about finding the bell cows and what it would mean for this church, what it would mean for you, what it would mean for us to rethink the way we look at church and how church and strategy work together." [03:58] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "And so my question to you is, if you want to do church ministry, is your church philosophy right now looking more like the first strategy, first trip strategy, where you're just doing stuff and you're not worried about working with people? You're just busy and doing work, and then you move on to the next town." [19:54] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "If you don't understand that, you're missing how church is supposed to operate at its finest. I want you to think about, again, if you look at first strategy versus fourth strategy, most of us, most of us want to do the work. Most of us want to get engaged and do things. And Paul had a whole different philosophy, which was by the time that he hit his fifties, he matured enough to say, it can't just be about me." [25:32] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "And we can be the kind of church that either is going to bottleneck everything up at the top leader, like the first -trip ministry, or we can be the kind of church that raises leaders and says, you do it, you do it, you do it, and have this expectation that people are going to lead." [30:21] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "If we don't find bell cows on people that want to step up and do things and lead, we, this church is only going to go so far. And if you think, well, this is Keith's job, it's Ivan's job, it's one of the elders' job, we're going to get capped off really quickly." [31:05] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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