Our lesson for this week and next week are “warm-ups” for the study that starts September 17. Pastor Burt led us through “Death Race – It’s Not Just a Movie.” The theme from the movie clip was that being a leader is dangerous. From our perspective, we focus on servant leadership modeled to us by Jesus. Reference scriptures for today were Matthew 7:24-27 and 1 Corinthians 1:10-15.

The essence of the lesson was ‘Five Principles for Leaders to Build their Life Upon.”

1.       The Building site (the plot you have to build upon) – This is your unique personality. Certain personalities fit with certain spiritual gifts.

2.       The Architect’s rendering (The Artist’s depiction of the final product) – This is the image of Christ. God gave us an example to live by, to show God’s will in human form.

3.       The Building code (The rules governing construction) – This is the authority of God’s word. Scripture guides us into an understanding of God’s desire for us – how we live in community, how we relate to God’s creation.

4.       The Specifications (the personal preferences used). This is your unique skill, interest and abilities. Dovetailing into Principle 1, our spiritual gifts fit into that “plot” of our personality. The mark of a successful servant-leader is one who is able to use those unique skills properly.

5.       Construction Drawings (the detailed plans used by the builder). This is your personal, strategic plan to grow as a man and as a leader. Some of us map out plans or growth strategies that are very detailed, others are more freewheeling. Most likely, all of us have an idea of where we could grow spiritually or in leadership roles; sometimes we need a nudge to execute a phase the plan or develop another step in it.

Our table time questions were:

1.   Where are you intentionally growing?
2. What is your plan?
3. To whom are you accountable for that plan?
4. Who models that plan?

This Wednesday (September 10), the lesson and discussion will be the "aka Lost" (unless Pastor Burt changes his mind!)