Transforming Challenges into Opportunities for Growth
Summary
In today's reflection on Acts 6:1-7, we explore the theme "From Problems to Progress." This passage illustrates how challenges can serve as catalysts for growth and innovation. We began by examining historical figures like Garrett Morgan, Madam C.J. Walker, and George Washington Carver, who turned personal and societal problems into groundbreaking solutions. Their stories remind us that problems can be platforms for progress, a truth that resonates deeply within the African-American experience of overcoming adversity through ingenuity and resilience.
In Acts 6, the early church faced a significant challenge: the neglect of Hellenistic widows in daily distributions. This issue highlighted the inevitability of problems within any community, especially one as diverse as the church. The church's response was not to ignore the problem but to address it through strategic planning and leadership. The apostles recognized their limitations and prioritized the Word of God while delegating responsibilities to others. This decision led to the appointment of seven men, full of the Spirit and wisdom, to oversee the distribution, ensuring equity and unity within the church.
This narrative teaches us that problems are opportunities in disguise. They prompt us to reassess our priorities, innovate, and collaborate. Effective leadership is solution-oriented, focusing on planning and process to transform challenges into progress. The early church's response to their problem resulted in significant growth, as the Word of God spread and the number of disciples multiplied.
The passage also emphasizes the importance of character, spiritual maturity, and wisdom in leadership. These qualities are crucial for anyone serving in the church, as they ensure that the work is done with integrity and effectiveness. The story of Acts 6 is a testament to how God can use our problems to propel us forward, both individually and collectively.
Key Takeaways:
1. Problems as Catalysts for Growth: Problems are not merely obstacles but opportunities for growth and innovation. They challenge us to think creatively and find solutions that can lead to significant progress. This perspective encourages us to embrace challenges as part of God's plan to elevate us to new levels. [03:15]
2. The Power of Strategic Planning: Effective leadership involves strategic planning and collaboration. By recognizing limitations and delegating tasks, leaders can focus on their core responsibilities while empowering others to contribute. This approach not only resolves issues but also fosters unity and growth within the community. [09:47]
3. Character and Spiritual Maturity in Leadership: Leadership in the church requires individuals who possess strong character, spiritual maturity, and wisdom. These qualities ensure that leaders can apply God's truth effectively and serve with integrity, impacting the community positively. [12:09]
4. Unity Amidst Diversity: The early church's challenge with the Hellenistic widows highlights the importance of addressing diversity and ensuring equity within the community. By involving individuals from diverse backgrounds in leadership, the church can bridge gaps and foster a more inclusive environment. [16:20]
5. God's Faithfulness in Turning Problems into Progress: God is faithful in transforming our problems into progress. When we commit to planning and process, God can bring about growth and advancement, both in our personal lives and within the church. This assurance encourages us to trust in God's ability to work through our challenges. [20:38]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:15] - Problems in the Early Church
- [09:47] - Strategic Planning and Leadership
- [12:09] - Importance of Character and Wisdom
- [16:20] - Unity and Diversity in the Church
- [20:38] - From Problems to Progress
- [26:06] - God's Faithfulness in Transformation
- [28:33] - Prayer and Commitment
- [29:18] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: From Problems to Progress
#### Bible Reading
- Acts 6:1-7
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the main problem faced by the early church in Acts 6, and how did it arise? [03:15]
2. How did the apostles respond to the issue of the neglected Hellenistic widows? What steps did they take to address the problem? [09:47]
3. What qualities were the apostles looking for in the seven men chosen to oversee the distribution to the widows? [12:09]
4. How did the resolution of the problem in Acts 6 lead to progress within the early church? [20:38]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Acts 6 illustrate the idea that problems can be opportunities in disguise? [09:47]
2. In what ways does the passage highlight the importance of strategic planning and delegation in leadership? [12:09]
3. How does the selection of leaders in Acts 6 emphasize the significance of character and spiritual maturity? [16:20]
4. What does the resolution of the conflict between the Hellenistic and Hebraic Jews teach us about unity amidst diversity in the church? [16:20]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent problem you faced. How can you view it as an opportunity for growth and innovation, similar to the examples given in the sermon? [03:15]
2. Consider your current responsibilities. Are there areas where you need to delegate tasks to focus on your core responsibilities? How can you implement this in your life? [09:47]
3. Evaluate your own character and spiritual maturity. What steps can you take to grow in these areas to be more effective in your leadership or service roles? [12:09]
4. How can you contribute to fostering unity and inclusivity within your church or community, especially when faced with diversity? [16:20]
5. Think of a problem in your church or community. How can you apply strategic planning and collaboration to address it effectively? [20:38]
6. Identify a personal challenge you are currently facing. How can you trust in God's faithfulness to turn this problem into progress? [20:38]
7. How can you actively participate in the mission of making disciples, as emphasized in the sermon? What specific actions can you take this week? [16:20]
Devotional
Day 1: Problems as Platforms for Innovation
In life, problems often appear as insurmountable obstacles, yet they can be transformed into platforms for innovation and growth. The early church faced a significant challenge with the neglect of Hellenistic widows, which could have led to division and discontent. Instead, this problem became a catalyst for strategic change and growth. By addressing the issue head-on, the church leaders were able to reassess their priorities and implement a solution that not only resolved the immediate concern but also strengthened the community. This narrative encourages us to view our own challenges as opportunities to innovate and grow, trusting that God can use these situations to elevate us to new levels. [03:15]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a current problem you are facing. How can you reframe it as an opportunity for growth and innovation, trusting in God's plan for your life?
Day 2: Strategic Planning in Leadership
Effective leadership is not about doing everything yourself but about recognizing your limitations and strategically planning to empower others. The apostles in Acts 6 understood this principle well. Faced with the challenge of ensuring fair distribution to the Hellenistic widows, they chose to delegate responsibilities to seven men full of the Spirit and wisdom. This decision allowed them to focus on their primary mission of spreading the Word of God while fostering unity and growth within the church. This example teaches us the importance of strategic planning and collaboration in leadership, enabling us to address challenges effectively and build a stronger community. [09:47]
"Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed." (Proverbs 15:22, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a leadership role you hold, whether at work, home, or in your community. How can you better delegate tasks to empower others and focus on your core responsibilities?
Day 3: The Role of Character and Wisdom in Leadership
Leadership in the church requires more than just skills; it demands strong character, spiritual maturity, and wisdom. The early church leaders selected individuals who embodied these qualities to oversee the distribution to the Hellenistic widows. This decision ensured that the work was done with integrity and effectiveness, positively impacting the community. As we serve in various capacities, we are reminded of the importance of cultivating these attributes in our own lives. By doing so, we can lead with integrity and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. [12:09]
"Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom." (James 3:13, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your own character and spiritual maturity. What steps can you take to grow in wisdom and integrity as you lead and serve others?
Day 4: Embracing Unity Amidst Diversity
The early church's challenge with the Hellenistic widows highlights the importance of addressing diversity and ensuring equity within the community. By involving individuals from diverse backgrounds in leadership, the church was able to bridge gaps and foster a more inclusive environment. This story reminds us of the value of diversity and the need to embrace it within our own communities. By doing so, we can create a more unified and equitable environment where everyone feels valued and included. [16:20]
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: Think about your community or church. How can you actively promote unity and inclusion, ensuring that diverse voices are heard and valued?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Faithfulness
God is faithful in transforming our problems into progress. The early church's response to their challenge resulted in significant growth, as the Word of God spread and the number of disciples multiplied. This assurance encourages us to trust in God's ability to work through our challenges, bringing about growth and advancement in our personal lives and within the church. By committing to planning and process, we can witness God's faithfulness in turning our problems into opportunities for progress. [20:38]
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a past challenge where you saw God's faithfulness in turning it into progress. How can this experience encourage you to trust God with your current challenges?
Quotes
1. "Problems can be the platform to progress. Garrett Morgan, a repairman, noticed the danger of driving through the streets of Cleveland, Ohio, and after witnessing an accident between a horse carriage and a car, and seeing other accidents as vehicles begin to navigate intersections with intersections, he said, I have an answer. He would then go on to invent the three-position traffic signal that ultimately improved road safety. So every time you see a traffic light, you ought to thank Garrett Morgan for letting the problem lead to progress." ([00:00:34] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "Listen, friends, because we've always been under-resourced and underestimated and undervalued and underutilized, historically we always had to find how to make a way out of no way that's just who we are and so friends we've always had to learn that problems can be the platform to progress and so when we read this chapter in Acts chapter 6 and we begin to see the church going through some problems we can look into that situation and say you know what knowing the God that I serve he can use our problems and turn them into progress." ([00:03:06] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "Here's the deal, friends. We need to understand that even in the midst of the church, problems can pop up. Matter of fact, wherever you got people, you're going to have some problems. It's just the nature of us. There's always going to be some type of problems that's going to surface and show up. Problems are not always bad, because sometimes problems can be the very scenario to motivate us to a better place. Every church deals with problems. Sometimes churches deal with the problems of preference." ([00:04:54] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "Problems are opportunities in disguise. We have to have the right perspective on problems because God could be using the problem to help take you to a new level in your life or in your organization. Here, not only are we seeing problems, the second thing we see in the text is planning. Somebody say planning. It's right there in verses two through four. This problem leads to planning. This is a legitimate concern. The widows are being neglected. This injustice, this inequity has to be addressed and they bring it to the leadership to be able to address what's happening in the life of the church." ([00:09:59] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "Leadership is solution oriented. Ineffective leaders are leaders who it's not the job of the leader to complain about everything. I don't miss somebody. It's not the job of the leader. I'm trying to help somebody on your job tomorrow. It is not the job of the leader to complain and talk about all the problems that are there because leadership is solution oriented. Because watch what happens. Can you see them in the room? They get this problem and I can see them right now in the conference room with the whiteboard." ([00:12:14] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "All of us have limitations do you realize that every single one of us not a person in this room can be all things to everybody and as a consequence he says these limitations reveal they say we got to give a priority to the word of god he says that would not be right for us to leave the word and go wait on tables this is not a negative connotation to waiting on tables he's simply saying or they simply are telling us that everybody has a role in the life of the church that every single one of us gets to play a part in the work of the church." ([00:14:43] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "Problems plus planning plus process plus prayer leads to progress. Because when you get to verse 7, look at it. And the word of God continued to increase and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem and a great many of priests became obedient to the faith. The problem in verse 1 leads to progress in verse 7. Sometimes God allows the problems in our lives because he's trying to take us to a new level. He's trying to do something in our lives." ([00:21:12] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "God took the problem that they had. He worked it over with their planning and ultimately he gave them progress. You can't miss it. What's interesting is that God is so faithful that he knows how to take whatever problems we're dealing with. And when we commit the planning and when we commit the process, God can give us progress on the other side. He can move the church forward. He can move the church forward. He can move the church forward. He can move the kingdom forward. He can move in your life forward." ([00:22:10] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "Maybe I'm the only one in the room that's got a few problems you're trying to deal with and you are trusting God to give you some progress. Maybe I'm the one in the room that's asking God for imagination with some of your problems, collaboration with some of your problems, innovation. Innovation with some of your problems, elimination with some of your problems, and ultimately, transformation. Is there anybody in the room today that's believing God for some progress out of your problems?" ([00:24:28] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "You had all kinds of problems in your life, but look at you now. You've made so much progress, and it's because God has not given up on you. He took you on as a project and helped you to get better and better. Look at you now. You're stronger and you're wiser and you're all so much better because of what God has been doing in your life. He turned your problems into progress. Your marriage was a problem, but look at it now. You were a problem, but look at it now. Your children were a problem, but look at you now." ([00:26:05] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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