(Principles of Biblical Leadership)

Faculty Mentor Edition

If you would like more copies to use as a Bible studyat your school or arts organization, please write to:

Attn: Bible Study CoordinatorThe Christian Performing Artists’ Fellowship

PO Box 700Winona Lake, IN

46590Or email: biblestudy@christianperformingart.org

Written by: Timothy C. BentchAt the request of The Christian Performing Artists’ Fellowship

For the MasterWorks Festival 2008

Editing and Layout Design by: Joy E. Freschly

www.masterworksfestival.org

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MWF Bible Study 2008Principles of Biblical Leadership

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Note to Students:

Please note that some of the lessons include homework. This homework should never take more than 30minutes and could be done during your quiet times with the Lord in the afternoons. Please check before eachlesson to see if you have anything to read before that night’s study.

Also, note that the faculty mentors may ask you to lead one or more of the lessons as practice. This is goodpractice for when you may lead a Bible study at your school or arts organization.

Notes to Faculty Mentors:

Please note that some of the lessons include homework. This homework should never take more than 30minutes and could be done during your quiet times with the Lord in the afternoons. Please check before eachlesson to see if you have anything to read before that night’s study.

You have slightly different edition than the students. Some of the answers are provided in red text. Thestudent edition does not contain any of this red text. Please look over each lesson ahead of time and beprepared to lead the discussion. We also encourage you to ask your students to alternate discussion leader-ship responsibilities. It is really good practice for them as many of them are interested in starting Bible studiesat their schools or arts organizations.

Before you depart each evening, be sure everyone knows when and where you will meet the next time andwho is going to lead the discussion. Sometimes instead of meeting as a small group, you will come to MountMemorial, room 202 for large group seminars. Also, a couple of days, we will be having Bible studies at lunch-time because of performance conflicts in the evenings. Those times and days are listed in your weekly sched-ules, so please look ahead and keep your group on track for these changes.

Thank you for your participation in the Leadership Bible Study this summer. Your participation is highly valuedand means a lot to the students. Praise God for each and every one of you who share your lives with thesestudents! If you have any questions about Bible studies this summer, please find Joy Freschly or TimothyBentch and they will be happy to answer any questions you have.

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Index

Notes to students and faculty..........................................................................p. iiiIndex.................................................................................................................p. ivForward.............................................................................................................p. v

Lesson 1 : Biblical Leaders Connection with God...............................................p. 1Lesson 2 - Abraham - The First Missionary........................................................p. 3Lesson 3: Moses - Reluctant Leader, Effective Administration..........................p. 4Lesson 4: Paul - The Friend................................................................................p. 7Lesson 5: Practice Bible Study...........................................................................p. 9Lesson 6: Paul - Man of Prayer..........................................................................p. 10Lesson 7: Joseph - Dreamer and Man of Integrity............................................p. 12Lesson 8: David - Annointed, Submissive, & Confident in Grace......................p. 14Lesson 9: Nehemiah - Planner, Implementer...................................................p. 17Lesson 10: Daniel - Committed to Excellence & Intercessor.............................p.19Lesson 11: Barnabas - The Encourager..............................................................p.21Lesson 12: Peter - Bold, Able to Change & Filled with the Holy Spirit..............p. 23Prayer Request Log..........................................................................................p. 26Notes...............................................................................................................p. 27

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Dear MasterWorks Friends,

I am so excited that you’ve decided to participate in the Leadership Bible Study track this summer! I’ve beenpraying that God will lead exactly the right people to participate in this course this summer. I know you are infor a treat. I have read through this Bible study guide while editing it and think it is phenomenal. TimothyBentch is a great addition to MasterWorks. He’s an opera singer who has been working in ministry for manyyears now and has a huge heart for artists. He founded the Crescendo Summer Institute of the Arts held inHungary(www.hungary.crescendo.org). Over the last year, I’ve witnessed him as a great co-laborer, helpingwith Christian fellowships at several music schools on the east coast. I had the opportunity to attend twosuccessful retreats for musicians on the east coast this year which were co-sponsored by Crescendo and theChristian Performing Artists’ Fellowship. I’m so thankful for Tim’s help this summer in writing the study and incoming to be with us and share from his life experiences and knowledge of the Word.

Friends, I think you’ll agree when we dig into the Word this summer - we have so much to learn from theBiblical leaders. They were called, appointed and equipped by God, and God worked wonders through them. Ithink God is going to use our time together this summer to deepen our relationships with Him and to call Hissaints into action. He is looking for artists who will say, “Yes, Lord, I want to be used by You in the artscommunity. I want to let Your light shine in my life that others may know You.” You may be one of those whois called this summer to make a deeper commitment, form a deeper relationship with Christ. Lord, give us onepure and holy passion - to know and follow hard after You.

Maybe he’s calling you to use your gifts in a specific ministry. In Luke 10, when Jesus sent out the 72 to thetowns and places He was about to visit, he told them that the harvest was many and the workers were few.Next He said, “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Directly afterhe asked them to pray, he said, “go!”

Notice the first part of the call to action - therefore, pray for God to send workers. We’ve been praying forrevival in the hearts of artists. We’ve been praying that God would send out workers into the “arts field”where the harvest is great. Won’t you join us in that prayer, and won’t you allow God to challenge your heartto be one who will “go?”

It’s my prayer for you that MasterWorks will be a time of waiting upon and listening to God. Learn to be a“Mary” (as opposed to a Martha) and sit at the feet of Jesus. Be with Him. Learn to hear His voice. Maybe forsome of you, it’s been a while since you’ve purposely quieted yourselves before Him. Don’t be afraid, justcome. Come humbly, come casting your anxious thoughts on Him, come and bask in the presence of His love,grace and mercy. I pray that He may open your ears to hear Him, your eyes to see Him and your hearts toknow Him. God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, come and have your way with us this summer. Move mightily.Touch hearts and transform our lives. Fill us with a holy passion for you. Convict us of sin and humble ourhearts. Thank you that you are the way, the truth, and the life. Speak truth among us this summer. As we seekyour face, give us direction. Teach us your ways. Fill us by your Spirit and help us find our identity and purposein You.

Sincerely,Joy FreschlyMWF Bible Study Coordinator

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“This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit,and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2b

1. Hearing GodAll of the Biblical leaders regularly heard from God. Their authority came in hearing or recognizing the message of God andleading the people to fulfill the word of the Lord. Our authority as leaders will also come from knowing the voice of theLord. We learn to recognize His voice through studying His written word (logos), and becoming rich in knowing his spokenword (rhema).

Colossians 3:16 says “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom,and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

In this verse, “word” in the Greek languate is Rhema which refers to the spoken word, not the written word (Logos). TheTNIV translates it as “message” “Let the message of Christ dwell among you…”

First of all what were ways that God spoke to the leaders in the Bible?

1. Genesis 15:1______________________________________________________________________

2. Judges 6:11-12, Luke 1:26-28_________________________________________________________

3. Genesis 37:5, Matthew 2:13__________________________________________________________

4. Samuel 3:10, Acts 9:3-6______________________________________________________________

5. 1 Kings 19:9-13_____________________________________________________________________

Share a specific time when you heard God’s voice.

“I make it my business to persevere in his Holy presence, wherein I keep myself by a simple attention and a general fondregard to God, which I may call an ACTUAL PRESENCE of God; or, to speak better, an habitual, silent, and secretconversation of the soul with God, which often causes me joys and raptures inwardly, and sometimes also outwardly, sogreat that I am forced to use means to moderate them and prevent their appearance to others.” – Brother Lawrence, (ThePractice of the Presence of God, pg. 37-38)

2. Keys to Hearing God’s Voice

1. Ephesians 1:17 – 20. Know Him. Knowing God’s voice means knowing Him.

2. Isaiah 58:9-11 Repent of any sin in your life and practice justice.

3. 1 Samuel 15:22 Be committed to obey. We can only hear Him when we are committed to doing what He says.

4. Minister to and worship Him through our music. Think of David; he played the harp for the Lord. He also danced in thepresence of the Lord. Do we play for Him when no one else is around? God often speaks as we draw close to Him in worship.

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5. Faith. Often we do not hear God because we don’t believe that He desires to speak to us. It is important to apply faith,to believe that God speaks to all His children and that he desires to speak to you. It is helpful to meditate and memorizescriptures where God promises to speak to us.

John 10:27-28

Jeremiah 33:3

Isaiah 65:24

Isaiah 30:21

Spend 5 minutes waiting in silence and listening to the Lord. It is helpful to prepare by silencing the voice of the enemyand silencing your own imagination and to ask the Lord to speak to you.

Think about this excerpt from Being Led by God by Os Hillman and discuss your thoughts:

“ ’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higherthan the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’ (Isaiah 58:8,9).

How do you know what thoughts are your thoughts versus God's thoughts? One of the great paradoxes of walking withGod is discerning the difference between a "natural idea" versus a "God-idea." One of my mentors challenged me one dayto make sure that my ideas and the actions I take are directed by God and not from my own reasoning. But being in amarketing profession, there is a constant rub between the "natural" and the "spiritual."

There are three places from which a thought or idea originate: 1) Our natural man, 2) Satan, and 3) The Holy Spirit. Thereare a few ways to discern from which place a thought is coming. If a thought comes into your mind that you know youwould never have thought of, and it might be something you would not normally consider doing. This is likely God speaking.

I once participated in a conference when an offering was being taken to make up for a poorly organized event that left theorganizers very short on funds. It was clearly a case of poor management. Nevertheless, I prayed. I assumed I would givea token gift. However, the figure that suddenly came into my mind was $1,000. I argued with God and struggled with myattitude. I thought He must have two zeros out of place! But I obeyed - as I knew that was not my idea.

In order to be obedient, we must not make advance decisions about a particular matter. Each of our decisions must besubmitted to the Lord for His counsel to us, not just based on our reasoning.”

End this session with prayer. Spend time committed to waiting upon the Lord and listen. Ask Him to speak in return.

Extra space for notes:

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1. Whenever and Wherever He LeadsRead Genesis 12:1-4.

What was Abram’s response to the Lord when he called him to go?

What did Abram have to give up when he left?

Life Challenge: Are you ready to go? Are you willing to give up all?

Have you considered the possibility of a calling to another country? Have you considered the possibility of being an“artistic missionary”? Could your gifts be especially useful on the mission field? Allow a good amount of conversation atthis point. It’s not a question just to throw out there, it’s a question to be given some serious thought.

“What Abraham did not do at this point is just as instructive as what he did do by going to the land. He did not try to buyup real estate, even though he was very rich (13:2). Neither did he try to conquer the land, even though he has militaryability as we saw in Genesis 14. Instead, he just hung around, living in a tent, taking tour after tour of the Promised Landthroughout his life. He was propertyless his whole life. When Sarah died eventually, he had to buy a burial plot for her(chapter 23) even though God had promised him the whole land. Why was he so passive about taking the land? Becausethe same God who had said ‘Go to the land’ had also said ‘I will give you the land.’ So here is another aspect of biblicalfaith. It involves not only the willingness to act according to God's truth, but also depending on God to perform his will foryou instead of taking matters into your own hands.” (Excerpt from Lessons from Abraham’s Faith, Gary DeLashmutt)

Life Challenge: When we hear from God do we try to make it happen in our own strength instead of following preciselywhat God has told us to do?

2. Moses’ IntercessionRead Genesis 18:16-33.How is your presence making a difference where you are? Do you ever feel like you are in the midst of a Sodom orGomorrah?

God will bless your school and not bring judgment because you and other followers of Jesus are there. We must make surethat we do not become polluted by the morals of others around us, but stay pure to God.

What can we learn about prayer and intercession from this passage?

Life Challenge: Do you regularly pray for your school and or colleagues?

3. SacrificeRead Genesis 22:1-18.

Why did God call Abraham to sacrifice Isaac?

Life Challenge: Are you ready to give up everything in your life?

We need to make sure that everything in our lives is on the altar and that we are ready to give it up.

Close the discussion with responsive prayer. Reaffirm 100% commitment and prayer for your schools or arts communities.

Preparation: If it’s been a while since you’ve taken a look at Abraham’s story, it would be a good idea for you to at leastskim over the Genesis chapters 12 - 25 to recall the main points of his story before leading this lesson with your group.

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1. The Reluctant Leader Moses was reluctant to lead, but God still called him. Not all of us feel like leaders, nor does Godalways call the obviously gifted to be His leaders. Often God calls the ordinary to the extraordinary. Some of us havedormant gifts that will only emerge as they are energized by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Such was the case withMoses. First came his calling and only after he accepted and stepped out did he see leadership gifts emerge. Often we onlysee our gifts of leadership after we say yes to the calling to lead.

“A true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead, but is forced into a position of leadership by theinward pressure of the Holy Spirit and the press of external situation. Such were Moses and David and the Old Testamentprophets. I think there was hardly a great leader from Paul to the present day but was drafted by the Holy Spirit for thetask, and commissioned by the Lord of the Church to fill a position he had little heart for. I believe it might be acceptedas a fairly reliable rule of thumb that the man who is ambitious to lead is disqualified as a leader. The true leader will haveno desire to lord it over God’s heritage, but will be humble, gentle, self-sacrificing and altogether as ready to follow as tolead, when the Spirit makes it clear that a wiser and more gifted man than himself has appeared.” - A. W. Tozer

1. Is it wrong to desire to lead? Do you want to be a leader?

I Timothy 3:1 says, “Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.”

2. God is searching for leaders. (Luke 10:2) What makes you hesitant to be a leader?

3. God showed Moses that his calling to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt was not based on his abilities, but on thepower of God. To what extent can the power of God work through you?

Life challenge: Are you willing to lead?

Life application: Can you believe that God can lead through you if He calls you?

Commitment: Lord, help me to step out without fear when You call. Help me also to be a good follower when others areleading.

2. The Administrator

“One definition of leadership is the ability to recognize the special abilities and limitations of others, combined with thecapacity to fit each one into the job where he will do his best.” J. Oswald Sanders (Spiritual Leadership, pg. 167)

Read Exodus 18.

Imagine you are leading an entire nation, you are seeing extraordinary miracles right and left, and everyone is looking toyou as the leader – then your father-in-law shows up and wants to tell you what to do. For most married men, this wouldbe a bit much to take. Moses, however humbly receives counsel from his father-in-law and puts his advice into practice.

1. What can we learn from this example?

Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” The leader must stronglywithstand the temptation to reject counsel. It is vitally important to be teachable. Sometimes we confuse our calling withthe “how to” part of our calling. The callings of God are always subject to testing, and being open to counsel gives us safetyand success.

Read Exodus 3 – 4:17.

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2. How can we make sure we have enough counsel? Resist seeking counsel only from those who you already know agreewith you. Seek out those who will give a contrasting point of view. Seek a mentor and a teacher.

3. What advice did Jethro give Moses?

Draw a diagram of the structure that Moses implemented. (See end of lesson for more space to draw.)

Draw a diagram of the leadership structure of the Masterworks Festival.

How can this be applied to your student ministry?

4. What qualifications did Jethro suggest for choosing helpers?

What will you do when there are 50 members of your Music School Christian Fellowship and they are all lookingto you for leadership? (Consider dividing into small groups – groups of 10 – train your leaders! Help them.)

6 Steps of Delegation

1. Here is the task. Go do research and bring a recommendation. We will plan together. I will implement task.

2. Here is the task. Go research, bring recommendation, we plan and do task together.

3. Here is the task. Go research, bring plan, after we review the plan together, you do it while I watch, and we will evaluatetogether afterwards.

4. Here is the task, go research, make plan, implement plan, report plan to me, implement on your own, report to meafterwards.

5. Here is the task, go research, make plan, implement plan and you do not need to report to me afterwards.

How can the steps of delegation apply to your ministry in your Christian Fellowship Groups?

True leadership is raising others into leadership! The legendary urban leader John Perkins was remarkable in that heplaced his young leaders in authority over himself.

Dwight L. Moody once said he would “rather put a thousand men to work than do the work of a thousand men.”

“The capacity to appreciate the gifts of widely varying kinds of workers, and then to help them along the lines of their ownpersonalities and workings is the main quality for oversight in a mission such as ours.” D. E. Hoste, General Director of theChina Inland Mission

Effective leaders always pass the torch to another. How can you make sure that the ministry continues after you leaveyour place of study?

In school settings, leaders should target freshmen leaders and begin discipling them and giving them responsibility. Takethem through the 6 steps of delegation in leading Bible studies, planning and events. Include them immediately informulating plans and dreaming about what could happen in your groups. Regard every young leader as a diamond in therough. Do not reject them if they have rough edges – work with them in smoothing them out.

How can you find the balance between leadership/ministry and practicing your art?

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Life Challenge: Is it difficult for you to release authority to others?

Application: What aspects of your ministry can you release to others? Who are the ones in your groups that couldbecome leaders?

Prayer of Commitment: “Lord, help me not to seek the opportunities to make myself look good as a leader, but ratherhelp me to seek to empower others for the building of Your Kingdom.”

Close the lesson with prayer, approaching the Father with a humble heart and reflect on today’s lesson.

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First Impressions What do you think the outstanding qualities of Paul were? What were the keys to his success as aleader?

“You can tell the stature of a leader by the number and quality of his friends. Judged by that measuring rod, Paul had agenius for friendship. He was essentially a gregarious man. His relationship to Timothy is an example of an idealfriendship of an older for a young man, as is that with Luke of a friendship between contemporaries.” J. Oswald Sanders,(Spiritual Leadership, pg. 89)

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, whocomforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have receivedfrom God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3

Let us learn to be those who learn to comfort others with the comfort we have received in Christ.

1. Paul’s relationshipsIn Acts and in the epistle written by Paul there are many examples of the depth of his relationships with others. Writedown and discuss the descriptions of love, friendship, and devotion expressed in the following passages.

Acts 20:31-37

Ephesians 6:16

Philippians 1:7-8

Philippians 2:25-30

I Thessalonians 2:17-20

I Thessalonians 2:6-12

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10

1 Timothy 1:4

Life Challenge: Can we believe in the love we have to offer others? Can we offer that love knowing that we might berejected?

Life Application: Can we develop relationships with others that go past the superficial level to real love andcommitment?

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Prayer of Commitment: Lord help me to love others as you have loved me, even to the point of giving up my life.

2. Practical skills in building relationships

1. Develop good listening skills. a. Body language – maintain an open body instead of closed (avoid folded arms, crossed legs. b. Eye contact – when listening always maintain eye contact. Look directly into eyes, don’t look down at yourwatch! c. Focus totally on the person speaking. Do not send a text message while listening! Listening is not the time tomultitask! d. Affirming feedback. When you are not certain about the meaning ask for clarification. “What I am hearingyou say is… is that correct?” Affirm emotions: “That’s wonderful, I’m so happy for you!” “I am sorry to hear that, itmust be very difficult.” e. Avoid giving too much advice, rather help the other recognize his/her own feelings and clarify thoughts. f. Show interest in others by asking them about their lives, then listen… g. Be more inclined to listen to others rather than talk about yourself.

Remember the tenor, “Enough about me, what do you think about my singing?”

“A sympathetic ear is a valuable asset. The art of listening is one that must be mastered if the leader is to get at the rootof the problem to be solved. Too many are compulsive talkers. ‘He won’t listen to me,’ complained one missionary. ‘Heis giving the answer before I have a chance to really state the problem.’” - J. Oswald Sanders (Spiritual Leadership, pg. 95)

2. Pray for those in your group. Pray for them every day. Take initiative to pray together for each other’s needs. Whena friend expresses a need, take the time to pray for him/her right then.

3. Be vulnerable. Be real. Don’t pretend to be stronger than you are. Others will learn from you when you are openabout your struggles and weaknesses. Let others see you finding strength in Christ as you work through your ownissues.

4. A good friend asks leading questions that encourage others to talk about feelings.

5. Learn to express your affection with others verbally or through a written note or email. Look for other gestures toexpress friendship. Guys! Learn to express love to your friends. Examples: “I just want you to know I really appreciateyou as a friend.” An email: “I am really thankful that I have gotten to know you. Your friendship has made a bigdifference in my life.” Dare to be un-cool in our so called macho society where men don’t talk about feelings!

6. Initiate accountability relationships. Remember to ask regularly about a struggle a friend has confided in you. Makesure the attitude is not “checking up”, but genuine care to see your friend walk free of a struggle. Check in with eachother with a disciplined schedule – once a week or once every two weeks.

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In Seminar 2, we gave an assignment to create your own Bible study on Colossians 2:6-16. Use this space toplan your Bible study and share it with the rest of your group tonight. Choose a few questions to answer fromeach person’s creation. Give feedback to each other about what you notice about each other’s studies.

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“In nothing should the leader be ahead of his followersmore than in the realm of prayer.”

J. Oswald Sanders, (Spiritual Leadership, pg. 103)

Read the following scriptures and describe and write down the following: intensity, frequency, fervency, method (howdid he pray), subject matter (what did he pray for them). At the bottom, make a list of what can be gleaned by Paul’sexample and how you can make application in your prayers for your fellowship/ Bible study group.

Romans 1:9

Romans 8:26

Ephesians 1:15-23

Philippians 1:3-6

Colossians 1:3

Colossians 1:9

I Thessalonians 3:9-13

I Thessalonians 5:17

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

2 Timothy 1:3

Prayer Application List

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Quote: “It is possible to move men, through God, by prayer alone.” Hudson Taylor

A key to revival is fervent, extraordinary prayer. See how you can be creative in pulling together prayer events at yourschool. You may decide to all fast one meal a week and spend that time together in prayer. Another possibility is for allto commit to a time of intercessory pray in twos and threes throughout the week – for 30 minute, an hour, or even 15minutes. It is important to be consistent, to pray with faith believing that God will move according to your prayers, andto pray specifically. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you whom to pray for and how. Special prayer events can also bescheduled during Holy Week for example. These events can be good times to invite new people to join you.

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First Impressions: What were the keys to Joseph’s prosperity and success? (The Lord was with him and gave him successin whatever he did.)

We read that “The Lord was with him” and that “The Lord gave him success in whatever he did.” It is remarkable thatJoseph stayed in strong relationship with the Lord despite abandonment by his family and being sold into slavery. Most ofus in his circumstances would have been tempted to abandon God and have given into gratifying the flesh. We don’t knowwhat he felt towards God as he was bound and transported to Egypt or what he experienced emotionally when he wasthrown into prison but at the critical points in his life, he remained faithful to God.

1. He did his best in every circumstance. When he was a slave, he served his master honorably.Do we sometimes feel that we have the right to slack off when things have obviously not gone as they should?

“It is the mark of a grown-up man, as compared with a callow youth, that he finds his center of gravity wherever hehappens to be at the moment, and however much he longs for the object of his desire, it cannot prevent him from stayingat his post and doing his duty.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Life Challenge: Are there areas of your life where you feel that you have not been treated fairly and therefore you areslacking off and not doing your best?

Application: What happens in an artist’s life that can feel unfair tempting us to be bitter and therefore not do our best?

Prayer of Commitment: “Lord help me to do my best in every circumstance.”

2. Joseph had vision. In his youth, Joseph was given dreams that surely stayed with him all of his life. He knew that thesedreams were from God and that ultimately God would exalt him to a high position. These dreams helped Joseph to hangon and keep believing that God had a special plan for his life. In times of hardship and suffering, he held onto the promisesthat God had given him.

Life Challenge: What are the promises that you have received from God? Are you being faithful to them? (If you have notreceived promises yet, pray and ask that during this time at Masterworks God will give you dreams and visions for yourlife).

Application: What are the things in life that try to steal our dreams? How can your protect and stay true to your visionsand dreams?

Prayer of Commitment: “Lord, help me to never let go of the promises you have given me.”

“Vision includes optimism and hope. No pessimist ever made a great leader. The pessimist sees a difficulty in everyopportunity. The optimist sees an opportunity in every difficulty.” - J. Oswald Sanders (Spiritual Leadership, pg. 73)

3. Joseph stayed true despite severe testing. Every leader will go through testing. Without testing and suffering there isno way that we will be able to stand up to the rigors and pressure of leadership. The question then is, will you stand firmwhen these tests come? Will you stay true? Will you hold onto your faith in God, knowing that he has a plan and what youare going through is not bad luck or evidence that God is not intimately involved in your life? Can you receive every trialas God’s preparation for your life long calling?

There is evidence that in his youth, Joseph was perhaps boastful and proud. His attitude towards his brothers irritatedthem to the point that they were ready to kill him. God took Joseph through severe trials to prepare him for the leadershiptasks that would come later. He was humbled and broken. Later when he became the leader over all of Egypt, we see no

Homework for everyone – Read Genesis 37, 39.

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signs of pride, nor did he take vengeance. Because he accepted the trials as from the Lord and stayed true to the Lordduring them, his character was prepared for the incredible responsibilities that God had for him.

“Some appear to attain leadership purely by reason of a series of fortuitous circumstances. They happened to be availableat the crucial moment, and no one better qualified was on the horizon. But closer investigation will usually reveal that theselection was not accidental. Behind the scenes a hidden training had been taking place in the life of the person involvedthat fitted him for the position. Joseph was a perfect example of that. His elevation to prime minister of Egypt seemedto be purely fortuitous, but in fact was the outcome of thirteen years of rigorous though hidden training under the handof God.” - J. Oswald Sanders (Spiritual Leadership, pg. 38)

Joseph surely went through much breaking and many times of doubt, but he remained true. We must also be ready forbreaking, suffering, and trials. Can we view each trial as the Lord’s discipline?

Read Hebrews 12:5-11.

4. Joseph was a man of integrity. Joseph was completely without family, in a foreign land, completely without moralsupport and without fellowship with those who could encourage his faith. Put yourself in his situation and imagine howdifficult it would be to stay strong in relationship with God. Yes, the scriptures say that the Lord was with him. This canonly mean that Joseph remained faithful to God. He did not become involved in the religions of the land or follow theimmorality that was surely all around him. It’s amazing that Joseph stayed in relationship with God despite being all alone.

When Joseph was tempted by Potiphar’s wife, it would have been easy for him to have given in. He could have said, “Afterall the suffering I have been through, I deserve a little pleasure.” Or “I am a man after all, I shouldn’t be expected to beable to resist such a temptation.” “I doubt anyone will ever find out”.

But Joseph resisted the temptation and fled from Potiphar’s wife. After that, one would surely expect to be rewarded forremaining pure and not giving into temptation. Instead he was thrown into prison. There his character is again tested.Instead of giving into self pity, he served God in the prison again doing his best wherever he was put.

This is a tremendous example for us, to keep faith and virtue no matter the circumstances in which we find ourselves.As leaders we are called to a high level of integrity. It could have been that no one would have known about an affairbetween Joseph and Potiphar’s wife, but Joseph chose to be faithful to what he knew was right.

I Timothy 3:2 says, “Now the overseer must be above reproach…”

J. Oswald Sanders writes, “A leader must allow himself no indulgence in secret that would undermine his character or marhis public witness” ... “God’s conditions must be complied with in secret before He will honor a man in public…The highestpositions are reserved for those who have qualified in secret.” (Servant Leadership, pg. 26)

Life Challenge: What needs to change in your life to be “beyond reproach”?

How can we overcome “secret indulgences”?

Life Application: How will a commitment to integrity change your life?

How will this affect your dating relationships?

Prayer of Commitment: Lord, forgive me for the times I have failed. Help me to accept Your grace and to start again torevere You and live a life worthy of the calling I have received in Christ. Help me to be an example to others and live alife of purity, integrity, and faithfulness to You.

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Write down and discuss the relevant points and how we can apply each verse to ourselves and our ministry situations.

1 Samuel 16:13Relevant Point: David received anointing and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power.

Application: We need the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Challenge: How do you receive anointing from God?

1 Samuel 16:23Relevant Point: David was anointed as a leader, but this anointing of the Holy Spirit also brought a new dimension to hisplaying. His music lifted depression and drove away evil spirits.Application: Our artistic gifts can bring healing to others if we have the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Challenge: Do you see your music or art form as a tool to bring healing to others? Where could you use your gift to ministerto others besides the concert hall.

1 Samuel 17:26Relevant Point: David was able to see the proper perspective even though everyone else trembled with fear.

Application: When faced with “giants” we need to remember we serve the living God.

Challenge: What are the giants we face in our professions, music departments, challenges in serving God where you are?

1 Samuel 17:34-37Relevant Point: David learned about battle in everyday work. He was prepared for what God had for him by simply doinghis job. He learned from taking care of sheep.

Application: The “mundane” tasks of life, the everyday things we do are preparing us for something much greater. Weneed to be faithful in the little things and unseen tasks and learn from them. When we prove ourselves faithful, God willrelease greater things to us.Challenge: What are the little, perhaps “unimportant” things in your life where you need to learn to be faithful.

“God’s conditions must be complied with in secret before He will honor a man in public” J. Oswald Sanders (SpiritualLeadership, pg 26)

1 Sam 17:45-47Relevant Point: David was confident in the name of the Lord. He was not afraid, because he knew that the Lord woulddeliver him.Application: Remember the name of the Lord, there is power in His name

Challenge: Relay experiences where you have seen power in the name of Jesus.

1 Sam 22:1-2Relevant Point: David did not recruit an army, nor did he raise up a rebellion against Saul, although it would look like hewas entitled to. “Undesirables” became his followers.Application: Never take part in a rebellion and certainly never lead one. Accept the followers that God sends youalthough they may not be the ones or the types you would have chosen.Challenge: Would you want a team made up of distressed people with huge debts and the discontented? Are there peopleyou have looked down on or not wanted to associate with? Could they be the followers that God has sent you?

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1 Sam 24:1-7Relevant Point: David would not touch the Lord’s anointed. There is no record that David ever spoke badly about Saul andhe refused to touch him even when it appeared that God had given him into his hand.Application: We should never speak badly about those who are in authority over us and never “touch” them by trying tousurp them, even it looks very justified.Challenge: Have you rebelled against your leaders? Do you need to repent of this?

1 Samuel 30: 1-6Relevant Point: David faced his first leadership crisis. All of his men’s wives, children, and possessions had been carriedaway and the town burned. David’s followers talked of stoning him. David takes no action until he had strengthenedhimself in the Lord.Application: God’s leader must make sure that he/she is strong in the Lord. Every day and especially in times of crisis wemust seek strength in the Lord and only when we have found this strength, then to continue.Challenge: In times of crisis are you more likely to quickly do something, or lash out at others, defend yourself, or take timeto find strength in the Lord?2 Samuel 6:21Relevant Point: David did what was pleasing to the Lord even if he was undignified or humiliated in the eyes of others.

Application: We should care what the Lord thinks about us, rather than what others think.

Challenge: Are you willing to let go of your dignity and pride to worship the Lord? In what ways might this happen?

Read Psalm 51 together.

This Psalm was written after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. We do not want to make light of sin in anyway, but we should learn from David in that he confessed his sin and trusted in the grace and forgiveness of the Lord torestore him. So, too we need to trust in God’s forgiveness and claim the prayer “Cleanse me with hyssop and I will beclean, wash me and I will be whiter than snow.” God is always ready to forgive us and cleanse us and his forgiveness iscomplete and immediate. We do not have to wait for it, nor do we have to prove ourselves first, although God does expectus to repent and turn away from sin. “Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do notcast me from your presence or take your holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willingspirit to sustain me.” God truly desires to set us free and restore us. Too often, we hang onto guilt and condemnation.Instead of getting back up, we stay down wallowing in our guilt.

When the baby takes one step and falls the parent doesn’t yell at or strike the baby, but instead celebrates that his childtook a step. It is said that we shouldn’t focus on how often we fall but how long it takes us to get back up. If we focus ongetting back up instead of staying on the floor feeling bad about it, then we will gain strength and fall less and less untilwe mount up with wings of eagles.

Are you walking free from sin and guilt?

Let’s pray for anyone who feels caught in guilt and condemnation.

In Psalm 51: 13 we have the promise that after we have been restored we will teach others and turn sinners back to God.Instead of being caught up in guilt, let’s focus on God’s mercy and grace and believe that God will use us to help otherslearn to leave their sin and walk in freedom.

The example of David gives me courage. As a musician, I love it that David was a poet and an excellent musician and Godchose him to be a leader. I love David’s example of praise. Psalm 52:9 says “I will praise you in the presence of your saints.”The example of David dancing before the Lord with all his might not caring what others thought inspires me to be bolderin my praise to God. But what affects me the most deeply are David’s flaws. From reading through the Psalms, it is clearthat he was moody, had many doubts about himself, and fell into sin. Yet he still trusted in God. He commanded himself

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to bless the Lord; he found strength in the Lord in difficult times. When he failed, he came to God in repentance as in Psalm51 after he had committed adultery. Upon repentance, David trusted that God would wash away all his sins and cleansehim to be whiter than snow. He trusted God to create in him a pure heart and to renew his spirit. We can learn fromDavid’s example that even at his worst, he still trusted in God. He didn’t disqualify himself as a leader when he messedup. When he was depressed, he didn’t resign as king, but still faithfully served because he knew that God would deliverhim.

We need to learn not to give up on ourselves, because God hasn’t given up on us! We can all find faults, we all continueto sin. But God freely forgives. If we know that God is calling us to step aside from leadership then we should obey,however, we should not disqualify ourselves because of condemnation. We must learn to overcome the voices of doubtand know that any good service we render is completely from God and by His grace and not from our own doing. It’s allHim and very little us. We need to understand God’s grace with which He freely forgives us and there is no waiting time!We don’t have to wait and prove ourselves before God can use us. He is ready the second we repent to restore us andtake us forward.

Recommended reading: A Tale of Three Kings – Gene Edwards

What is God saying to you? End this session with a time of open confession and prayer, as a response to the amazing graceand love God has for you.

Extra Space for Notes:

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Homework: Read entire book of Nehemiah.

Neh.1:1-11What was Nehemiah’s first reaction when hearing about the state of Jerusalem?He prayed.

What are the elements of Nehemiah’s prayer?- Building personal faith by confessing the faithfulness of God- Identifies himself with sin of Israel- Reminder of God’s promise to gather his people if they repent- Asks for success

How can we apply the elements of this prayer in prayer for our schools or arts communities?

Neh. 2:1-5, 6:11How did Nehemiah exhibit courage?Even though he was only a cupbearer and he was very frightened, he asked for the king’s help.He refused to give in to threats or intimidation

Neh 2:19-20, 4:1-5How did Nehemiah react to mocking and ridicule?Directly, God will give us success.

Have you faced ridicule and intimidation at your school?

Neh 2: 17-18, 4: 10-16How did Nehemiah inspire faith in the people of Jerusalem.testimony, directing their thoughts away from their immediate problems to the greatness and trustworthiness of God.

Neh 5:1-12How did Nehemiah react when he saw the unjust situation of the poor?He became angry and directly confronted those in sin and told them to stop their sinful actions.

When should we confront others about sin in our fellowship groups?

Neh 8:17-9:3How did conviction of sin come about with the Isarealites?public reading of scripture. It is interesting to note that Nehemiah did not point out sin to them but rather proclaimedthe truth. He restored the authority of scripture

Nehemiah 12:27-47What took place following the completion of the wall?CelebrationWhat role did music play in the dedication of the wall?

“Faith begets faith. Pessimism begets unbelief. It is a primary responsibility of the spiritual leader to feed faith to hiscolleagues.” - J.Oswald Sanders (Spiritual Leadership, pg. 199)

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“His leadership was demonstrated in his attitude to organized opposition, which took varied forms—insult, innuendo,infiltration, intimidation, and intrigue. It required wise and resolute guidance to steer a steady course amid those swirl-ing currents. Again his first recourse was prayer. “We made our prayer unto our God” (4:9). when it was safe to do so,he simply ignored the adversaries. He steadfastly refused to allow them to deflect him from his central task, but at thesame time he took all necessary precautionary measures (4:16). Most important of all, he never deviated from anattitude of unwavering faith in God. (4:20).” - J. Oswald Sanders (Spiritual Leadership, pg. 202)

Summary:

1. Nehemiah sensed an intense burden and began taking steps in faith to do something about it. He moved cautiously,but with more and more boldness as he met open doors to his steps.

2. Nehemiah made very precise plans and stuck with them.

3. He communicated his plans clearly to the people and inspired them to join with him.

4. He did not give into opposition

5. He did not obey requests to meet with him when he suspected a wrong motive.

6. He exhorted the people to look to God for strength.

7. He pointed people to the Word of God.

8. He restored celebration.

We need to be “Nehemiahs” where we are. We need to see the arts restored to their rightful purpose – to give glory toGod. If we go with faith, God will reward us. Begin by taking small steps covered in prayer. As you see doors open beforeyou, then step more bodly. Be certain of your calling. Then you will be able to stand against the challenges that come nomatter what their form. Nehemiah was aggressive in his task. He did not wait to see if God would do something, butknew that he had a responsibility to act. We also have a responsibility to act wherever God has put us.

Do you feel a calling to your school or art institution? Do you have a plan to implement?

Practical Planning: The first three weeks of school are the most important time to launch your ministry. Studies haveshown that students make the most important relationships during the first three weeks and usually stick with thosefriends for the remainder of their years in study. If those friends happen to be Christians, then that person is more likelyto be drawn into a Bible study.

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Homework: Daniel 1, 2, 6:1-23, 9:4-19

First Impressions: What are the attributes of Daniel?

I. Excellence

Why were the young Israelites chosen?

How did Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego behave differently from their colleagues?

They set themselves apartThey had a special diet – so we need a special diet of Bible study, prayer, and fellowshipThey refused to follow other Gods

How are we to behave differently from our colleagues?

Personal Testimony of Timothy Bentch

“I spent six years of my life studying as hard as I could to be an opera singer. Upon completion of my master’s degree atCurtis, I intended to move to NYC and start my career. However, God made it clear that He had other plans for me. Iended up attending a Discipleship Training School with Youth With A Mission in England, and six months later, God calledme to be a pastor of an inner city church plant at the age of 25. With little experience I was thrown into an intense placeof ministry. An older bishop told me, “Don’t worry, we believe God has called you. We will teach you what you need toknow, step by step just before you need it.” The next two and a half years were incredible as I learned that I had othergifts besides being a singer. Following this experience, I directed a short-term mission training center inBaltimore for three years. This was also an intense time of learning for me. I began singing again when I was inBaltimore and during that time God showed me that he had a call for me in missions where opera and missions wouldflow together in harmony with one another. My six years of training in music were not in vain, and the following sixyears of ministry experience were also for a specific purpose. I was prepared for a special ministry in Hungary for thenext 12 years that were for me glorious!”

We must pursue excellence. During my six years of formal musical training, I strived to be the best. This enabled me tolater rise to the top of the musical world in Hungary where I was able to use that influence to share with others about arelationship with Christ. But I also needed spiritual preparation. It is important that we study the Bible, take courseswhen we can, and be active in our local church. We cannot be effective witnesses for Christ in the musical worldunless we are strong spiritually. We need Christian leaders in orchestras, opera houses, arts administration, andschools. To be effective we need to be excellent as artists and equally strong as Christians.

2. Discipline of prayer (Daniel 6: 10-11)

"To have maintained such a demanding [prayer] schedule as this, even apart from continuing it now in the face ofpenalty, required great discipline of life. In his position as president, Daniel carried heavy responsibility, with much workto do. Under such demands the temptation to neglect this sort of prayer-program was no doubt strong, especially sincehe had to return home each noon for the purpose, while keeping on also with the morning and evening occasions. ButDaniel had maintained it, apparently recognizing the priority of this faithful contact with God. He continued the same inthe face of the unfair decree" (A Commentary on Daniel, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973, p. 163).

Can you imagine such a strict discipline of prayer in your life? 19

3. Integrity (Daniel 6:1-5)

"When someone has served in office as long as Daniel has and his peers are unable to find fault, then the individualmust have great integrity and obedience to God and His Word" - Victor Books (Daniel: Decoder of Dreams, Wheaton, Ill.,1979, p. 71).

Questions

1. If you had been faced with the decree that Daniel was, would you have altered your praying pattern for 30 daysto prevent "rocking the boat?" Why or why not?

2. If someone were to check out your work, your personal life and even your Christian disciplines of prayer, etc.,would there be enough evidence to convict you of godliness?

3. How is your conduct in the home, in school, on the stage, behind the stage? Can it be said of you that there isno corruption in you?

4. Will your friends and family say you are trustworthy?

5. Have you been negligent in your duties, or your responsibilities?

Application

- Begin by eliminating even small compromises in your life (Dan. 1).

- Begin to apply the truth of God in your life; obey His commands (Dan. 1).

- Concentrate on interior character development as a priority (Dan. 6:3-4).

- Be faithful in the small tests and you'll be ready for the big one (6:10-21).

Prayer of Commitment: “Lord, help me to pursue excellence in every part of my life. Help me to live withoutcompromise; to be pure and completely devoted to you.”

Extra Notes:

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Lessons to Learn from BarnabasRecognizing gifts in othersSpeaking positive wordsSpeaking the word of the Lord to others

“If Barnabas did not go around encouraging people and seeing potential in them, in spite of their past track record offailures, we may not have half of our New Testament! Barnabas encouraged Saul, (later known as Paul) and John Mark atcrucial points in their spiritual lives. If he had not encouraged Paul and John Mark, we might not have had the Paulineepistles, or the gospel of Mark. Also, according to Tertullian, a third Century early Church Father, Barnabas was theunnamed human author of the epistle to the Hebrews . (On Modesty 20; ANF 4:97).” – Gorden Franz (Barnabas a GoodMan)

After the following verses, list the qualities of Barnabas.

Acts 4:36-37

Acts 9:26

Defending the unlikely.Publicly praised another.He stood up for someone regarded with suspicion by others.He wasn’t afraid to confront the spiritual “giants” the apostles.He risked his own reputation.

“A good person doesn’t let the judgments or assumptions of others become his own without personally checking intothem to see if they are accurate or not.”

Read Acts 11:19-30. Discuss how Barnabas had proven himself in Jerusalem.- Exhorter – encouraged the new believers to give all- Some leaders would have remained the sole leader in charge. Barnabas was willing to share the leadership. Likely he alsosaw this as a good training opportunity for Paul.- Among the good, Barnabas was called good – A good person is generally one who is focused on the needs of others.- Full of the Holy Spirit- Trustworthy, proven- He had set an example for the church in Antioch by sacrificial giving earlier

Acts 13 - What is significant about the relationship of Barnabas and Paul in this chapter?

At the beginning Barnabas is mentioned first. However from this point onwards, the relationship shifts; Paul is mentionedfirst, in fact in vs 13 it says “Paul and his companions”. Barnabas was willing to step aside and let someone else take thelead.

“The true leader will have no desire to lord it over God’s heritage, but will be humble, gentle, self-sacrificing andaltogether as ready to follow as to lead, when the Spirit makes it clear that a wiser and more gifted man than himself hasappeared.” A. W. Tozer

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Read Acts 14:8-20. Why was Barnabas called Zeus and Paul called Hermes?

It is interesting to note that after many chapters as “Paul and Barnabas” the emphases shifts back to “Barnabas and Paul”in vs 14. Barnabas was recognized by those in Lystra as the leader. However it was Paul who was doing most of thespeaking and performing miracles. Often leaders assume that if they are the leaders that they should do the up front,public leading. However, true leadership takes place behind the scenes. True leadership is raising up and training others– not necessarily doing the up front function. Often young emerging leaders have excellent gifts in ministry but are notready for true authority. As leaders it is important that we give young leaders the opportunity to exercise their gifts“under authority”. A good leader also recognizes there are a variety of gifts. There may be others with better communi-cation skills gifts of healing. The mature leader is not afraid to let others step out and exercise their gifts even if theirgifting is stronger than theirs.

Read Acts 15:36-41 - Again what does this passage say about Barnabas?

Just as Barnabas stook up for Paul earlier, he again defended someone else. He saw the potential in John Mark and refusedto desert him even if it meant parting company with Paul. Can we be that devoted to others, that we will stand up for truthin others even if it means sacrificing unity?

I Corinthians 9:6 Interesting to note that Barnabas worked as he went as did Paul. He did not expect to be supported asa missionary.

Galatians 2:13 He wasn’t perfect.

Colossians 4:10 Barnabas was later proved right in defending John Mark.

Life Challenge: Are you an encourager to others?

Application: How can you encourage your fellow artists?

Ask God to show you the hidden potential in others.Challenge others to ministry opportunities.Build a real relationship with them.

Prayer of Commitment: Lord, help me to notice others and see their hidden gifts. Please give me the gift of encourage-ment and anoint me to build others and see them using their gifts fully for You.

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1. When everything seems to be going wrong.

Read Matthew 14:28-32.

Peter stepped out in an incredible statement of faith. What caused him to sink?

What are the steps of faith to which God might be calling you? What might cause you to sink?

Did Peter sink beneath the waves? We can rest knowing that if we take daring steps of faith, Jesus will catch us if westart to sink.

Read Matthew 16:13-20.

Peter recognized Jesus as the Christ.

If we fully realize that we are serving the King of the universe, how should this change the way we live, how should itchange our expectations of what will happen in our Christian Fellowship Groups at our schools?

Read Acts 4: 13-20 and Acts 5:27-33

What were the consequences when Peter and John disobeyed the rulers of the law?

What are some possible negative consequences or opposition to being a Christian at your school? To leading a Biblestudy at your school?

In Acts 4:20, Peter and John tell the rulers of the law: “We cannot help speaking about what he have seen and heard.”Is your relationship with God and your experience of Him something that compels you, despite any opposition?

Read Peter’s encouragement to us from 1 Peter 3:13-16 and 4:12-16.

We should not be surprised or discouraged if we occasionally face opposition to what we are doing. It does not alwaysmean we are doing something wrong.

Pray for God to give you the strength and boldness to continue in His plans for you despite negative reactions.

2. Flexibility and willingness to change course

Read Acts 10:23-29.

For Peter to enter the house of a Gentile was against Jewish tradition. In the space of a day, Peter was convinced tocompletely revise his thinking about Jewish/Gentile relations and recognize that salvation was now available to non-Jews. This was a complete paradigm shift for him, and one which he had to defend to the other church leaders (readActs 11:1-3). It was both the vision from God and the evidence of the Spirit’s working in Cornelius’ life that convincedPeter his earlier conceptions were wrong.

How easy or difficult is it for you to change plans or strategy that is already made?

Are you likely to respond to unexpected events by seeing them as opportunities or as catastrophes?

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How do you respond when you realize you’ve been wrong about something?

3. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit

Read the following scriptures:

Acts 2:38

Acts 4:1-12

Acts 4:29 -31

God desires to fill you with His Holy Spirit in such a way that your life will be transformed, that you will receive morethan you ever imagined, and that you will see things happening through you that you only dreamed about.

“Spiritual leadership can be exercised only by Spirit-filled people. Other qualifications for spiritual leadership are desir-able. To be Spirit-filled is indispensable.” J. Oswald Sanders, (Spiritual Leadership, pg 97)

We need to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit in order to be effective leaders.

Can we expect God to fill us with His Holy Spirit?

How do we receive the Holy Spirit? (Acts 2:38)

A. Repent and be baptized

“No one whose senses have been exercised to know good or evil can but grieve over the sight of zealous souls seekingto be filled with the Holy Spirit while they are living in a state of moral carelessness and borderline sin. Whoever wouldbe indwelt by the Spirit must judge his life for any hidden iniquities. He must expel from his heart everything that is outof accord with the character of God as revealed by the Holy Scriptures…There can be no tolerance of evil, no laughingoff the things that God hates.” A. W. Tozer (D. J. Fant, A.W. Tozer pg 73, 83)

B. Believe!

Luke 11:13 “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will yourFather in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

We receive the Holy Spirit by faith.

C. Pray.

Acts 8:14-17 says, “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peterand John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the HolySpirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peterand John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

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Pray for each other with the laying on of hands.

4. Continually

In Acts we read about the apostles and the early believers being filled with the Holy Spirit on many different occasions.Its been said that we are leaky vessels; we need a constant filling. We can ask and believe the Holy Spirit will fill us overand over.

We should expect to see miraculous and wondrous things happening through us when we are filled with the Holy Spirit.

Prayer of Commitment: Lord give us bold faith, willingness to change our preconceived ideas, and fill us with the pow-er of Your Holy Spirit so that we may better serve You.

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Prayer Requests Log

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Notes

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Notes

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Notes