What three objections does Moses raise here?

What do they sound like to you:
False issues
Legitimate ones
True humility
Stubborn resistance

What do you think of God's persuasive efforts?

When has God reassured you of his presence and power:
(a) At the outset of your spiritual life
(b) When you took some specific calling
(c) Making a tough decision 
(d) Just last week, Explain

How has God reminded you of your created purpose?

What concerns do you still have about doing God's will or following his lead?

What do you hear God saying about your excuses?

Sharing Your Passion

Read Luke 12: 13-21

Where are your riches (name 2)?

What are two priorities for your life right now?

As far as your relationship with God is concerned, how would you describe it right now?

What does your spiritual bank account look like?

When we bring problems to God in prayer, He often does the same - showing us how we need to change and grow in our attitude toward the problem.  The answer is often not the one we are looking for, but it is more effective in helping us trace God's hand in our life.

Lead-In

The task of caring for others can be overwhelming.  It can be a huge responsibility and should not be entered into alone.  We are, however, never alone.  God is with us.

How is God present?

How can we benefit from that presence?

How can we communicate the benefits that come from God's presence to others?

  This will be an exciting module as we explore and experience God's dynamic presence among us and within us.

"Christian Leaders" are trainers for living a practical Christian lifestyle and as a Christian leader, you are never alone.  God is always present with you.

How is God Present?

God, who is present everywhere, still shows himself to be present in special ways at various times.  Here are ways you can experience this special presence of God in the training process.

Most certainly, God is hardly distant.  he, in the presence of Jesus Christ when He shares the problems of life.

He reminds you that he holds you, the trainee, the situation, and the whole world in his hands.  As you and the trainee each nestle in the comfort of God's presence, you experience his wholeness filling your being.

Practicallizing the Coach's Presence

Here is a way that you can draw from God's presence and put his presence into action.

By Verbalizing God's Presence

An important aspect of coming alive to God's presence is actually mentioning the fact of his presence.  God is certainly there and can be experienced even when he is not specifically identified or discussed.  When his presence in that training relationship is appropriately identified, however, it can become all the more significant.  Such verbalizing can open up new perspectives and avenues of training.

The First Contact

There are times when your email comes in, and you sense a situation is clearly an emergency, and crisis measures are necessary.  There are other times when someone does need help, but it isn't a situation that calls for your giving up your evening at home with the family.  Responding after prayer and finding a time to meet at your convenience may be perfectly appropriate.

Most of the time a husband or wife will want to talk with a leader alone, but if a couple needs help with their marriage and both are willing to come together, It is much prefered to be talking with them together.  Why?  Each knows what the other has said, and each has an opportunity to clarify the issues.

Unless you hear both sides of the issue, you cannot be certain that the person being described is exactly the one married to your trainee.  You must understand that what you are hearing is your trainee's perception of the situation, not necessarily what the situation actually is.  The two are often quite different.

Proverbs 18:17 says, "The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him"  Reject the temptation to form a verdict until you hear from both parties.

When you are training, solo and cannot get the view of the second party in a conflict, you are limited but you can help your trainee cope or move in the right direction for help.

Where to Meet

Training needs to be comfortable and personal.  An office tends to be cold and clinical.  A living room usually isn't much of an improvement - too formal.  Chairs are too far apart, and it's too structured.  By way of contrast, your kitchen table puts you in a warm friendly environment.  It gets you reasonably close to your trainee, and gives you a surface to write on should you want to make notes.

If you do meet at a restaurant, try to give some thought to its environment.  You need quiet and a measure of privacy.

How Often to Meet

How  often and for what period of time should you try to respond?  Much of that depends on the nature of the problem which has brought your friend to you for help.  Problems which may have been building up over a long period of time are not dispatched with a single email message or even several.

What Can Your Trainee Expect from You??

You will want to take these statements and personalize them so that you are comfortable saying them.  You need to convey these ideas:

Problems of the spiritual can't be surgically removed, X-rayed, or submitted to CAT scans for immediate evaluation.  Difficulties which may have been in the making for months, or even years, will not disappear in a matter of a few weeks.  At the same time assure the friend there is a way out, and whether or not you see it at the moment, you will stay with the person until a solution is found.  The fact that you have hope gives confidence to a person who may have given up in a relationship.

The person who comes to you is pretty sure that you are trustworthy, but your making this commitment helps the friend risk being vulnerable enough to tell you exactly what is happening in his/her life.

Keep confidence with people who trust you enough to open their hearts to you.  Your failure to do this is not only a reflection of poor judgment but will ruin your friendship.

Some people, however, really don't want help when they ask, "What do you think I should do?"  They may be seeking your opinion like a politician asking advice from his constituency.  What you think or say doesn't really matter, because they have already decided on a course of action.  They simply want to add your name to the roster of people who have endorsed their decision, provided you agree.

How do you know when a person is becoming psychologically dependent on you?  What do you do with the person who emails you everyday and writes for paragraphs giving you a word-by-word account of "He said..." and "I said..." and then "He said..."?

Suggestion: Write, "This is so important that we should talk about this in person.  Come over to my house Friday morning at ten.  We'll have a cup of coffee, and you can tell me all about it."  Your trainee, though, may be the mother of five and nursing the baby, as well as working part-time in the school cafeteria.  She can't be at your house on Friday at ten, but maybe she can join you at a chat room, or...

In such a case, outline a program of positive action, some kind of situation - improvement homework relating to the problem - a book or article which relates to the need of your friend, a pertinent verse of Scripture which you ask your friend to memorize, a tape which you want him or her to listen to.

Then when your trainee emails the next time, write, "Before we get into this today, I'd like to ask, 'Have you read the book (or memorized the verse or listened to the tape) I gave  you?'"  When the answer is "No," and you sense that the person wants only sympathy, and not help, say, "I can't really be effective in helping you until you read (or memorize or listen to) it.  When you do it, call me back and we'll get together."

There's one more issue you will eventually face.  When you succeed in helping someone, on occasion, the person you are helping begins to lean on you and becomes emotionally dependent on you.  You begin to feel smothered, and you realize it isn't good for the person you are helping either.  Symptoms are daily emails, consultations before even the smallest decisions are made, and the constant need of approval of what the person considers.

When a child learns to walk, a parent offers support and help, but gradually as the child becomes stronger, the parent offers support and help, but gradually as the child becomes stronger, the parent doesn't have to provide the same help.  That is the way it must be with those we train.  Understanding the goals of training and helping a person move toward psychological independence will free both you and him/her from that dependent relationship.

Personal Strengths Inventory

In each group, check each word or phrase that describes a consistent character trait of yours.  Total the number checked in each box, then double your score.

L

Takes charge
Bold
Determined
Purposeful
Assertive
Decision maker
Firm
Leader
Enterprising
Goal driven
Competitive
Self reliant
Enjoys challenges
Adventurous
Let's do it now

Double number checked

B

Deliberate
Discerning
Controlled
Detailed
Reserved
Analytical
Predictable
Inquisitive
Practical
Precise
Orderly
Persistent
Factual
Scheduled
How was it done in the past?

Double number checked

O

Takes risks
Fun-loving
Visionary
Likes variety
Motivator
Enjoys change
Energetic
Creative
Very verbal
Group oriented
Promoter
Mixes easily
Avoids detail
Optimistic
Trust me! It'll work out

Double number checked

G

Loyal
Adaptable
Nondemanding
Sympathetic
Even keel
Thoughtful
Avoids conflict
Nurturing
Enjoys routine
Patient
Dislikes change
Tolerant
Deep relationships
Good listener
Let's keep things the way they are.

Double number checked

Rank yourself as to the highest to the lowest scores and then check out your strengths below:

Strengths of a G

1. All G's are loyal.

2. G's have a strong need for close relationship.

3. G's have a deep need to please others.

4. G's have hearts full of Compassion

5. G's define the word adaptable.

6. G's often react to sudden changes.

7. G's hold stubbornly to what they feel is right.

8. G's can absorb the most emotional pain and still maintain their commitment to another person.  The same compassionate heart that can spot the hurts of others can be easily hurt by others as well.

Strengths of an O

1. O's just want to have fun.

2. O's are great at motivating others to action.

3. O's tend to avoid the fine print.

4. O's focus on the future.

5. O's tend to avoid confrontation at all costs.

6. O's are tremendous networkers.

7. O's are very susceptible to peer pressure.

8. O's need to realize that while keeping things light is fine, they can't do it all the time.  It's like asking someone to live on cake icing all the time.

Strengths of a B

1. B's keep a close watch on their emotion.

2. B's actually read instruction books.

3. B's like to make careful decisions.

4. B's like using their critical skills to solve problems.

5. B's live by the motto "let's do it right!"

6. B's often turn anger inward.

7. B's tend to focus on the past.

8. B's need to learn that it's all right to fail and that it's healthy to call for help when they're struggling.

Strengths of a L

1. L's are born leaders.

2. L's like to accomplish things with immediate results.

3. L's time frame is now!

4. L's are decisive

5. L's want Reader's Digest length communication.

6. L's often feel threatened by questions.

7. L's are not afraid or pressure or confrontation

8. L's can be so strong that they win every verbal battle but end up losing the war for the trainee's heart.

Homework

1.  Write a fictitious story; about a person who is a troubled leader in his or her training.  In your story talk about the leaders pain or struggle, about the training process and about the outcome.

2.  Pick a Promise.  Read over the list of special promises in scripture and pick one that you need for the week ahead.  Then explain why, including the verse.

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3)

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up, do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the dessert and streams in the wasteland!" (Isaiah 43: 18-19)

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things at all times having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8)

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"And we know that in all things Good works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

"...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint!" (Isaiah 40:31)

"To temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful;  he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it!" (1 Corinthians 10:13)

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come and eat with him and he with me." (Revelations 3:20)

"The LORD will guide you always, he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.  You will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." (Isaiah 58:11)

"...Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phillipians 1:6)

3.  Dear God, I want to thank you for:

4.  Here is the concern I want to pray about:

Living Sacrifices

Read Romans 12: 1-8

God wants us to offer ourselves, as living sacrifices-daily  laying aside our own desires to follow him, putting all our energy and resources at his disposal and trusting him to guide us.

God has good, pleasing, and perfect plans for his children.  He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey him.  Because he wants only what is best for us, we should joyfully give ourselves as living sacrifice for his service.

Only when the Holy Spirit renews, reeducates, and redirects our minds are we truly transformed.  God gives us gifts so we can build up his church.  To use them effectively, we must (1) realize that all gifts and abilities come from God; (2) understand that not everyone has the same gifts; (3) know who we are and what we do best; (4) dedicate our gifts to God's service and not to our personal success; (5) be willing to utilize our gifts wholeheartedly, not holding back anything from God's service.

God's gifts differ in nature, power, and effectiveness according to his plan and graciousness not according to our faith.  God will give spiritual power necessary and appropriate to carry out each responsibility.  We cannot, by our own effort or willpower, drum up more faith and thus be more effective teachers or servants.  These are God's gifts to his church, and he gives faith and power as he wills. Our role is to be faithful and to seek ways to serve others with what Christ has given us.

Look at this list of gifts and imagine the kinds of people who would have each gift.  Prophets are often bold and articulate.  Servers (those in ministry) are faithful and loyal.  Teachers are clear thinkers.  Encouragers know how to motivate others.  Givers are generous and trusting.  leaders are good organizers and managers.  Those who show mercy are caring people who are happy to give their time to others.  It would be difficult for one person to embody all these gifts.  And assertive prophet would not usually make a good counselor,  and a generous giver might fail as a leader.  When you identify your own gifts, ask how you can use them to build up God's family.  At the same time realize that your gifts can't do the work of the church all alone.  Be thankful for people whose gifts are completely different from yours.  Let your strengths balance their weakness, and be grateful that their abilities make up for your deficiencies.  Together you can build Christ's church.

5.  What does this add to your understanding of true worship?

6.  How can you present your body as a living sacrifice in everyday life?

7.  How does this relate to using your gifts?