The Game Plan: Read the Book!
The Game Plan: Equipping Leaders
To identify and develop self-replicating followers of Jesus who provide ongoing leadership to advance the mission, vision and values of New Life.
God’s Word for You: Ephesians 4:11-16 New Living Translation
11Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.12Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.13This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.16He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Monday
Reflection on The Play Book:
11Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Ephesians 4:11 NLT
Why do you think that Jesus gave four or five (depending on whether pastors and teachers is one or two) “gifts” of leadership to the church?
Do you think you have one of these leadership roles? If so, what are you doing to fulfill it?
The Game Plan: Take a Knee! Prayer Focus for the Day!
Take time right now to pray for everyone you know personally who serves as an apostle, prophet, evangelist, or pastor and teacher. Ask God to fill these people with His Holy Spirit, and to empower them to live His truth in love toward all!
Today’s Challenge: I will take time to encourage at least one church leader in some way today!
Tuesday
Reflection on The Play Book:
12Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:12 NLT
According to this Scripture who is to DO God’s work and build up the church?
What is your role in this process as you understand it?
The Game Plan: Take a Knee! Prayer Focus for the Day!
Take time to pray for those in your immediate sphere of influence, including yourself to carry out whatever work God has given—either equipping or being equipped and doing God’s work, that His Kingdom may grow!
Today’s Challenge: I will consider how God has called me to be equipped to serve Him, and start or continue being equipped and serving!
Wednesday
Reflection on The Play Book:
13This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Ephesians 4:13 NLT
What is the goal of God’s work and building up the church according to this verse?
How far along are you in this process? What are you doing to grow in it?
The Game Plan: Take a Knee! Prayer Focus for the Day!
Invest some time in praying for God to show you areas in your life where you need to grow in unity in the faith and the knowledge of God’s Son!
Today’s Challenge: I will commit myself to growing more mature in Jesus through my thoughts, words and actions today!
Thursday
Reflection on The Play Book:
14Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Ephesians 4:14 NLT
What does it take to ensure that we will no longer be “immature like children”?
How will we know when people are telling us clever lies?
The Game Plan: Take a Knee! Prayer Focus for the Day!
Pray that God will increase your wisdom so that you will be more mature and so that you will be able to see the clever lies of those who are not pursuing His truth!
Today’s Challenge: I will guard myself from lies by learning and living in God’s truth!
Friday
Reflection on The Play Book:
15Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Ephesians 4:15 NLT
What does it mean to “speak the truth in love”?
What does that look like in everyday interaction with other believers and with those who don’t yet believe?
The Game Plan: Take a Knee! Prayer Focus for the Day!
Pray for God to give you the grace and wisdom to speak the truth in love in EVERY interaction you have with people today!
Today’s Challenge: I will speak the truth in love to everyone I meet today!
Saturday
Reflection on The Play Book:
16He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
What happens when we mature in Jesus?
What is your “special work” as part of the body of Jesus?
The Game Plan: Take a Knee! Prayer Focus for the Day!
Take time right now to ask God to make it absolutely clear to you what He is calling you to be and do within the body of Jesus, and how you are to live out your calling in every day living.
Today’s Challenge: I will do my part in the body, so it may be healthy, growing, and full of love!