Positioning for Growth: Lessons from Kenyan Runners
Summary
### Summary
During a trip to Kenya, I learned about the rigorous training of Kenyan distance runners in the Ngong Hills, where they train at high altitudes to enhance their performance. This dedication to improvement and growth inspired me to reflect on how we, as leaders, can position ourselves for similar growth in our faith and leadership. Drawing from the story of Elijah and Elisha in 2 Kings, we see the importance of positioning ourselves to receive and grow. Elisha's commitment to staying with Elijah until the end resulted in him receiving a double portion of Elijah's anointing, demonstrating the power of positioning oneself for growth.
To position ourselves for growth, we must first find a mentor or coach. Great leaders love to share their knowledge, and having a mentor can significantly enhance our leadership abilities. Secondly, we must identify and stop complacency in our lives. Complacency can lead to missed opportunities and stagnation. Thirdly, we need to fall in love with disciplines, whether they are spiritual, physical, or financial. Disciplines help us grow and set a positive example for others. Fourthly, we must welcome accountability. Accountability is crucial for growth and helps us stay on track. Lastly, we need to do regular checkups on our lives by asking ourselves what we need to cut out, cut back on, and add in.
By positioning ourselves for growth through these steps, we can better lead and have a lasting impact on the next generation.
### Key Takeaways
1. Find a Mentor or Coach: Great leaders love to invest in others. By seeking out a mentor or coach, we can gain valuable insights and guidance that can significantly enhance our leadership abilities. Don't underestimate the willingness of experienced leaders to share their knowledge and help you grow. [06:05]
2. Identify and Stop Complacency: Complacency can be a silent killer of growth. It is essential to recognize areas where we have become self-satisfied and unaware of potential dangers or deficiencies. By addressing complacency, we can avoid stagnation and continue to grow in our leadership and faith. [07:36]
3. Fall in Love with Disciplines: Disciplines, whether spiritual, physical, or financial, are crucial for growth. They may not always be enjoyable, but they lead to significant improvements in our lives. Embracing disciplines helps us set a positive example and positions us for continuous growth. [11:04]
4. Welcome Accountability: Accountability is often viewed negatively, but it is essential for growth. By welcoming accountability from mentors, friends, or leaders, we ensure that we stay on track and continue to develop in our leadership and faith. Accountability helps us maintain focus and achieve our goals. [11:55]
5. Do Regular Checkups: Regular self-assessment is vital for growth. By asking ourselves what we need to cut out, cut back on, and add in, we can identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments. This practice helps us stay aligned with our goals and ensures continuous growth in our leadership journey. [12:34]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:51] - Kenyan Distance Runners' Training
[01:45] - Commitment to Improvement
[02:45] - Positioning for Growth
[03:45] - Elijah and Elisha's Story
[04:30] - Desire for Growth
[05:22] - Steps for Growth
[06:05] - Finding a Mentor or Coach
[07:36] - Identifying Complacency
[08:26] - Example of Complacency: Nike vs. Adidas
[10:07] - Falling in Love with Disciplines
[11:04] - Welcoming Accountability
[11:55] - Regular Checkups
[12:34] - Questions for Self-Assessment
[13:17] - Adding New Practices for Growth
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 2 Kings 2:1-14 - The story of Elijah and Elisha, focusing on Elisha's commitment to stay with Elijah and his desire to receive a double portion of Elijah's anointing.
2. Proverbs 1:32 - "For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them."
### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of Elisha staying with Elijah until the very end? How did this position him for growth? ([04:30])
2. According to the sermon, why do the best athletes in the world seek out rigorous training and coaching? ([01:45])
3. What are some examples given in the sermon of complacency leading to missed opportunities? ([08:26])
4. How does the sermon describe the role of disciplines in personal growth and leadership? ([10:07])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Elisha's commitment to Elijah teach us about the importance of mentorship in our spiritual and leadership growth? ([04:30])
2. How can identifying and stopping complacency in our lives prevent us from missing out on growth opportunities? ([07:36])
3. Why is welcoming accountability crucial for growth, and how can it be viewed positively rather than negatively? ([11:04])
4. How do regular self-assessments help us stay aligned with our goals and ensure continuous growth in our leadership journey? ([12:34])
### Application Questions
1. Who in your life could serve as a mentor or coach to help you grow in your faith and leadership? How can you approach them to seek their guidance? ([06:05])
2. Reflect on an area of your life where you might be complacent. What steps can you take to address this complacency and pursue growth? ([07:36])
3. What spiritual, physical, or financial disciplines do you need to embrace to set a positive example and position yourself for continuous growth? ([10:07])
4. How can you actively welcome accountability in your life? Identify a person or group who can help hold you accountable in your spiritual and leadership journey. ([11:04])
5. Conduct a self-assessment by asking yourself: What do I need to cut out, cut back on, and add into my life to position myself for growth? Share your findings with the group. ([12:34])
6. Think of a specific area where you need to improve. What practical steps can you take this week to position yourself for growth in that area? ([13:17])
7. How can you ensure that you are continuously growing in your faith and leadership to have a lasting impact on the next generation? ([13:17])
Devotional
Day 1: Seek Wisdom from a Mentor
Great leaders love to invest in others. By seeking out a mentor or coach, we can gain valuable insights and guidance that can significantly enhance our leadership abilities. Don't underestimate the willingness of experienced leaders to share their knowledge and help you grow. Mentorship is a powerful tool for personal and spiritual development. It allows you to learn from someone else's experiences, mistakes, and successes, providing a roadmap for your own journey. A mentor can offer you a different perspective, challenge your thinking, and help you see potential in yourself that you might not recognize.
Finding a mentor requires humility and a willingness to learn. It means acknowledging that you don't have all the answers and that you can benefit from someone else's wisdom. Look for someone whose life and leadership you admire, and don't be afraid to reach out to them. Most great leaders are more than willing to invest in others because they understand the value of mentorship. [06:05]
Proverbs 27:17 (ESV): "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you admire and can learn from? Can you reach out to them this week and ask if they would be willing to mentor you?
Day 2: Combat Complacency
Complacency can be a silent killer of growth. It is essential to recognize areas where we have become self-satisfied and unaware of potential dangers or deficiencies. By addressing complacency, we can avoid stagnation and continue to grow in our leadership and faith. Complacency often creeps in when we become comfortable with the status quo and stop pushing ourselves to improve. It can lead to missed opportunities and a lack of progress.
To combat complacency, we need to be vigilant and self-aware. Regularly assess your life and leadership to identify areas where you might be coasting. Challenge yourself to set new goals and strive for continuous improvement. Remember that growth requires effort and intentionality. [07:36]
Revelation 3:15-16 (ESV): "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."
Reflection: In what areas of your life have you become complacent? What steps can you take this week to challenge yourself and push beyond your comfort zone?
Day 3: Embrace Disciplines
Disciplines, whether spiritual, physical, or financial, are crucial for growth. They may not always be enjoyable, but they lead to significant improvements in our lives. Embracing disciplines helps us set a positive example and positions us for continuous growth. Disciplines are the habits and practices that shape our character and help us achieve our goals. They require commitment and consistency, but the rewards are worth the effort.
Falling in love with disciplines means recognizing their value and making them a priority in your life. Whether it's daily prayer and Bible study, regular exercise, or wise financial management, disciplines help us grow and develop in all areas of life. They also set a positive example for others to follow, demonstrating the importance of dedication and perseverance. [11:04]
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
Reflection: What discipline do you find most challenging to maintain? How can you make it a more consistent part of your daily routine starting today?
Day 4: Welcome Accountability
Accountability is often viewed negatively, but it is essential for growth. By welcoming accountability from mentors, friends, or leaders, we ensure that we stay on track and continue to develop in our leadership and faith. Accountability helps us maintain focus and achieve our goals. It provides a support system that encourages us to stay committed to our commitments and holds us responsible for our actions.
Welcoming accountability means being open to feedback and willing to be held responsible for your actions. It requires humility and a desire to grow. Find people you trust who can provide honest feedback and hold you accountable in your personal and spiritual life. This support system will help you stay focused and motivated, ensuring that you continue to grow and develop. [11:55]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Who in your life can you ask to hold you accountable in your spiritual and personal growth? How can you initiate that conversation this week?
Day 5: Regular Self-Assessment
Regular self-assessment is vital for growth. By asking ourselves what we need to cut out, cut back on, and add in, we can identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments. This practice helps us stay aligned with our goals and ensures continuous growth in our leadership journey. Self-assessment involves taking an honest look at your life and identifying areas where you can improve. It requires self-awareness and a willingness to make changes.
Doing regular checkups on your life helps you stay focused and aligned with your goals. It allows you to identify areas where you might be falling short and make necessary adjustments. This practice ensures that you are continually growing and developing in your leadership and faith. [12:34]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"
Reflection: Take some time this week to do a self-assessment. What do you need to cut out, cut back on, or add into your life to align more closely with your goals and values?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The reason they train at this altitude is because when they train here at these rough elements at this altitude, we're talking almost 8,000 feet above sea level. He said, What happens is their blood vessels actually adapt to less oxygen, and so they can have more output using less energy than the average runner." [00:51] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The best athletes coming to this place where they're going to receive the most coaching, because they're positioning themselves to improve and to see growth in their ability. As we've been talking about how to position ourselves to have an impact on the next generation, an eternal impact on students and on children's lives, for this session, I want to talk about positioning ourselves for improvement and growth." [02:45] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We've got to find a mentor or a coach. If we want to position ourselves for improvement and growth, we've got to find a mentor or a coach. One of the things that I've noticed about great coaches or great leaders is that they love to tell other people what they know. Great leaders love to invest in other people. They love to share. What they know." [05:22] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Identify complacency in your life and stop it. Identify complacency and stop it. And this goes for every single one of us, regardless of how long we've been in leadership, identifying where we're complacent and stop it. The definition of complacent, according to Webster, is kind of interesting. It says this says complacency is self-satisfaction, especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies." [07:36] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Fall in love with disciplines, fall in love with disciplines. If we want to position ourselves for improvement and growth, we've got to fall in love with disciplines, whether that's spiritual disciplines, whether that's physical disciplines. And we start working out regularly. We start exercising, not comparing ourselves to what the next person does, but doing what we know we're capable of and what is going to work for us." [11:04] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Elisha had a desire to position himself to be the best that he possibly could to receive everything that God wanted him to receive from his leader, Elijah. And sure enough, he stayed with Elisha until the last moment. And we saw that God ultimately gave Elisha what he wanted, which was a double portion of the anointing that was on Elijah. We saw growth. We saw improvement in his ability and in the anointing that was on his life." [04:30] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "One of the things I've actually noticed about the greatest athletes in the world or the greatest musicians, whoever it might be, the greatest athletes, the greatest musicians, they usually have the most coaching. It's not the other way around. A lot of times we think, oh, you're so good. You don't need to be coached. No, the highest level of athlete, the highest level of musician or whatever field someone is in, highest level of individual usually needs the most coaching to hone their skills and accomplish what they know they're capable of." [06:49] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Proverbs chapter one in verse 32. It says that the complacency of fools will destroy them. It means if we're not careful, we get complacent. It will actually destroy the life that we're trying to build in the way that we're trying to lead. So find out what the complacency is in your life. I got to find out what it is in my life and I got to put a stop to it." [10:07] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What do I need to cut out? Is there something that has no place in my life? Maybe it's a friend group. I've just got to I've got to cut this out. Maybe it's content or conversations I've been a part of. Got to cut this out. Has no place in my life. The first question is, what do I need to cut out? Next question is this. What do I need to cut back on? What do I need to cut back on or where do I need to cut back?" [12:34] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Remember, it is impossible for us to lead the next generation. It's impossible for us to take students and take children to places that we have not gone before. That means we've got to constantly be improving. We've got to be growing. We've got to position ourselves to grow so that we can ultimately position ourselves to have an eternal impact on the next generation." [13:17] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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