Leader Guideline

Dear Leader

During our Pastors prayer meeting this morning, one of the Pastors had a vision of a dark storm that was raging.  But in the midst of the storm there were people that were filled with light.  The light bearers were helping other people to get to safety.  And those who were filled with light weren’t feeling the effects of the storm. 
Another one of the Pastors confirmed this vision by sharing Isaiah 60:1-3 “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.  See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”
It is so important, at this time, for us as leaders to be hearing God’s voice.  When we are sensitive to what He is saying, faith rises up in our hearts and we can help those around us by spreading hope! 

Fellowship
Icebreaker: Ask each person to share how they have been over the past month or so, and then to answer this question: “What has God been saying to you”?

Worship
If you are meeting online you may want to select a worship song from YouTube and screen share it with your group.  A time of worship helps people to direct their thoughts to the Lord.

Discipleship: Staying on Track
Read Jeremiah 29:1-14 

1. We need to keep living!
   God knew that the Israelites would be in captivity in Babylon for 70 years. And through the Prophet Jeremiah He tells them how to live while they are there. He didn’t tell them to just survive but to thrive.
   “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there, do not decrease. Also seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile.”

 Discussion 1: What is God saying to us through these verses? 

2. The enemy’s plan.
   The Bible says that we must be self-controlled and alert, for your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for who he can devour.  Satan is described as a thief who wants to rob, kill, and destroy.  We mustn’t give him a seat at our table!
   The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many people experiencing great strain.  And in the confusion and the focus on day to day survival, it is easy to get to a place where God’s plans for our future become blurred.  The enemy aim is to derail us from God’s purposes or to keep us in a holding pattern till we run out of fuel.
   Moses was raised as royalty in Egypt but had to flee into the desert after he killed an Egyptian that was beating a Hebrew.  God’s plan was for him to be the deliverer of Israel. But here we see Moses, stuck in a holding pattern, content with his day to day living! 

 Discussion 2: What strategies of the enemy do we need to guard against at this time?  (Fear, hopelessness, doubt, accusation, anger, distraction etc). How are you doing in this regard? 

3. God’s plan!
   God wants us to walk closely to Him and to stay on track!  He wants us to know that our story in Him, is different!  We have been created by a creative God to create!  It is out of character for us to stand still and not to build … not to advance! 
   Jesus gives us an example of staying on track.  Despite all the sin and the fallen nature of man, He fulfilled His plan to save and redeem us. 
   This is a significant time for us as children of God to be alive.  We can shine like never before and walk in the Kingdom purposes that the Lord has for our lives.   

 Discussion 3:  Ask some of your LG members to share their callings (revealed through God’s Word, the Holy Spirit, or through prophecies), and to talk about how they feel they can live out their callings today despite all that is going on in the world? 

4. Our part to play!
   There are some things that we can do to stay on track:
   –       Keep our eyes firmly on Jesus, not on the situation (or storms) around us.
   –       Rest in the Father’s love
   –       Remember that God has a bigger picture for our lives.
   –       Know that the Lord is never late.
   –       Determine to keep trusting in Him … He is a faithful Shepherd!

 Discussion 4: What are some things that help you to stay on track?   

Ministry
Ask for prayer needs and pray for one another. We need to pray with great faith. When praying for someone who is sick, picture yourself placing them in the Lord’s hands and asking Jesus to heal them (Like the friends who made a hole in the roof and lowered their crippled friend to Jesus).    

Evangelism
Ask the Holy Spirit to place on your heart people that you need to phone or help in some way!   

May the Lord bless you and keep you!