Building A Team Jesus' Way by John Holloway

BUILDING A TEAM JESUS’ WAY
JESUS FORMED HIS TEAM THROUGH PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
THE VISION
1. EVERYTHING IN LIFE IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS
(a) The Pharisees asked Jesus for the greatest commandment.

He answered …
“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all
your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is
equally important. Love your neighbour as yourself. All the other
commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these
two commandments”. Matt. 22. 37-40
(b) The chief commandments are about relationships to God and to

others.
Jesus said everything hinged on these two things - these two relationships.
The relationships built in this life are the only things that last into eternity.
All my possessions will one day be consumed.
There is only one thing I can give that will increase the Kingdom.
That is the soul of another human being.
When we consolidate a soul into the Kingdom of God
We add something of eternal worth.
The most effective way to secure a soul to the Lord is through an enduring
relationship.
How did Jesus change the world?
He entered a deep relationship with His Team which few understand or
practise.
His commitment to his disciples was astounding and so were the results.
(c) Jesus took His disciples through a definite progression of teaching.

This matured along with their relationship.
The closer they became the more intense were their personal interactions.
In the early days he focused on issues that built trust.
Many of these lessons took place in the context of socialising and
fellowship.
He defined relationship values and built trust through social interaction.
After His influence was established he progressed to a student/teacher

relationship
Here He concentrated on issues of leadership, faith and the supernatural.

Then He began to deal with personal issues entering into seasons of
conflict
Challenging their commitment and helping them examine their hearts.
As they matured he taught them ministry relationships and trained them for
leadership.
He progressed to deep relationship issues.
These dealt with Kingdom values, honesty, openness and serving.
Finally He spoke to them about issues of failure, correction, fathering and
destiny.
(d) The progressive teaching approach can be a pattern for developing

your leaders.
It can help you be more effective in patiently establishing their ministries.
Sustainable church growth takes place when members assume the skills
of leaders
Then leaders learn the skills of Pastors.
Pastor/leaders fail disciples when they don’t help them progress from
disciples to leaders.
Not all leaders are called to be Pastors but every leader must learn to
pastor others.
Pastoring skills are not easily taught but must be modelled.
Jesus modelled ministry to His disciples through effective relationships.
He taught them the skills of leadership by example.
2. JESUS BUILT STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS
Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked
them. They replied, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” “‘Come and see”, He said.
It was about 4.00 o’clock in the afternoon when they went with Him to the place
and they stayed there the rest of the day. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was
one of these men who had heard what John said and then followed Jesus. The
first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have
found the Messiah”. Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus.
John 1. 38-42.
(a) Jesus’ first priority was to establish a Leadership Team

The Gospels describe the development of a powerful team of 12.
Their ministries would begin to take the Gospel to the known world.
2.
Jesus made His team His number one focus and prioritised leaders over
multitudes.
(b) Jesus chose a diverse team
Many leaders make a mistake in choosing a leadership team

Choosing one that reflects their personality, preferences and personal
values.
None of Jesus’ team were really like Him
They came from a wide variety of walks of life
Relationships follow streams of attachment based on :-
• Family, common interest, occupation, geography, language, culture.
Don’t select all your team from the same background
Otherwise the resulting stream of relationships will be limited
Because like attracts like
Jesus chose men of different vocations and skills –
• Fishermen, Tax Collectors, political activists, ordinary men
• Rich, poor, common, uncommon, educated, uneducated.
They came from a wide variety of experience, education, social status,
upbringing
Their diversity increased their potential for outreach through many streams
of relationships
The greater the diversity within the team, the greater ability to reach every
social level
(c) Jesus followed lines of relationships
The Gospel often moves in families.

The goal of the church in Acts was that entire households would be saved.
The spread of the Kingdom is through relationships in families,
communities, cities, nations.
Jesus chose disciples along natural lines of relationships :-
• Andrew, disciple of John the Baptist, witnessed Jesus’ baptism.
• He moved along family lines and found his brother Peter
• Peter moved along vocational lines and brought fishing brothers,
James and John
• Andrew and Peter moved along community lines, finding Phillip from
their hometown.
The development of the 12 reflects the development of the kingdom.
Healthy, steady growth is through relationships.
Streams of relationships will issue out of the ministry of every leader
3.
These will tend to follow his personal interests and are natural and healthy.
But at the top level of the structure (Jesus and His disciples)
There needs to be diversity to broaden the influence of the ministry –
(eg – springs on a mountain peak, if spread out, will flow in every
direction).
Therefore selection of leadership must be spiritual, emotional, strategic.
They must have spiritual potential and depth, emotional attachment to you
and variety of background.
(d) Jesus had a strategic relationship plan
His goal from the beginning was to train successful leaders.

Everything He did was designed to turn them into the influential leaders He
envisioned
He did not major on reaching the multitudes until beginning to building His
inner circle
The real issue though is not how the relationship begins but how it is
developed
Any relationship can be improved if you understand :-
• The delicate strategy of first discerning the relationship
• Then strategically building the relationship towards a goal.
Jesus entered into relationship with His disciples at a very elementary level
Then developed the relationship to more challenging levels as their bond
matured.
Effective relationships do not just happen but are built with strategic
purpose.
The disciples were probably very young when called to follow the Lord
Some may have been teenagers or at the latest, in their early twenties.
Jesus chose them strategically when they were teachable
Then potentially developed them with a methodical, purposeful design.
(e) The four levels of relationship

Jesus ministered in four levels of relationships :-
The crowd → The followers → The disciples → Three close friends
At each relationship level His commitment to transparency and expectation
of their responsibility increased
 In His relationship to the Crowd Jesus asked little of them.
They were takers and He served them tirelessly, healing, feeding and
teaching them.
4.
 The Followers lived at a greater commitment level to Jesus and He

had greater expectations of them.
These were the “70 others” in Luke and the 120 at the Day of
Pentecost.
They did not enjoy the same privilege of close interaction with Jesus
as the disciples
But they were still very much a part of the Leadership team and given
responsibility in ministry.
They represent second tier leadership.
 The third level Jesus ministered to was the 12 Disciples.
They were taught on a higher level of understanding and leadership
level.
They had opportunity to interact with Jesus in His teaching
Constantly asking for clarification of His teachings and often corrected
personally.
 The fourth level was Jesus’ relationship to His inner circle disciples –
Peter, James and John.
They witnessed his greatest triumphs and challenges
The Transfiguration and the agony in the garden.
They received some of His strongest and most direct rebukes.
In every leadership group there should be close friends who really
know you.
They are the foundation and training ground for all relationships.
Their ministries set the standard for others to follow.
(f) Jesus used relationship to train His leaders

You can only change people through the power of prayer, persuasion,
example, instruction.
These need to be poured into someone in a long-term relationship.
People develop habits, likes, interests over years, and don’t change easily.
It takes a long time then to change these things.
God does supernaturally change many things in a person’s life
But leaves much to the power of consistent teaching and the ministry of
influence.
Jesus’ relationships with his disciples were methodical, calculated and long
term.
He developed them through stages which built on the trust and respect He
established.
Building leaders through relationship ensured they received His instruction
5.
And that His character fundamentally changed them.

They interacted with Him on a deep personal level and became like Him
So when the time came, they were able to duplicate His work.
3. JESUS DISCERNED THEIR HEARTS
(a) To say Jesus knew His disciples is an understatement!

With some He shared the secrets of their lives the moment they met.
There is a powerful intimacy that takes place when God gives insight into
someone’s heart.
You help them by speaking prophetically into their lives, which changes
them.
You also establish a bond with them that is not easily broken.
In John 1.40 Andrew heard John the Baptist endorse Jesus and went and
found Simon his brother.
He brought him to Jesus whose first words to him were prophetic ..
“You are Simon son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” – a stone –
John 1.42b
We will probably never move prophetically to the level Jesus did
But to truly influence and intimately bond with our leaders we must minister
prophetically to them.
If someone discovers the secrets of your heart through the Word of
Knowledge
They discover a place of intimacy and that’s what makes the prophetic so
powerful.
The following day Phillip introduced his brother Nathaniel to Jesus.
Jesus said .. “Behold an Israelite indeed in whom there is no deceit”
John 1.47.
Nathaniel was surprised that Jesus referred to his character before his
introduction.
He asked Jesus how it was that he knew him.
Jesus said .. “Before Phillip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I
say you – John 1.48b.
This supernatural word convinced Nathaniel Jesus was the Christ and he
committed to Jesus.
Their bond was permanent from their first meeting.
Peter was constantly under the scrutiny of Jesus’ prophetic word.
The words Jesus spoke over him helped to build his ministry.
(b) Jesus spoke into Peter’s ability
In Matt 4.18 Jesus told Peter he would become a fisher of men.
6.
He spoke prophetically into his life and encouraged him in his potential for
leadership.
He was speaking to his ability.
Jesus built up the disciples’ esteem by teaching and modelling ministry
And by the power of the Spirit He spoke positively into their lives.
This strengthened their resolve, challenged their faith, raised the standard
of their expectation.
Make a point of speaking positively into your leaders.
Help them recognise by faith their leadership potential.
When they’re struggling they need encouragement
And a realistic faith appraisal of their potential.
This way you can bring them to a place where they have the best
opportunity to succeed.
(c) Jesus spoke into Peter’s character
In Matt 16.18 Jesus told Peter he was a Rock.

That on the strength of his confession Jesus would build His church.
Peter’s confession was a reflection of his inward character and faith.
Jesus encouraged him in the strength of his character.
He built an expectation in Peter for the future.
Peter was not yet a rock but Jesus knew he would become one.
(d) Jesus spoke into Peter’s personal life
In Luke 5.4 Jesus told Peter prophetically that he would find a huge catch
of fish.
Peter had caught nothing all night, but he obeyed.
The large catch stunned Peter into repentance.
Also it convinced him of the validity of Jesus’ ministry.
Fishing was Peter’s way of life and so it was deeply personal.
Though Jesus prospered his business, he left fishing to others.
He gave up the financial windfall to follow the Lord.
Jesus got Peter’s attention by blessing his business.
Peter in his gratitude gave Jesus his loyalty and allegiance.
 Steer your leaders into a position where they can receive increase in
ministry or personal life.
 You will gain their confidence, win their respect, capture their hearts.
(e) Jesus spoke into Peter’s spiritual life
7.
In Luke 22.31 Jesus told Peter that Satan desired to have him (craved
him).
Satan literally lusted for Peter.
Jesus anticipated Peter was about to enter a season of temptation.
He encouraged him, saying He’d already prayed for him that his faith
wouldn’t fail.
Each time the church is about to step out in God, warn your leaders of
attacks
And pray for their protection and strength of faith.
(f) Jesus spoke into Peter’s failure
In John 13.38 Jesus told Peter prophetically he would deny Him three
times.
Past victories had made Peter brash and over confident in his faith.
Peter thought he was ready to lay down his life for Jesus’ sake
But Jesus knew his character and the condition of his soul.
He also knew his future and that he’d come out of his failure stronger than
ever.
Jesus spoke prophetically to Peter about his successes
But He also spoke to him of his failures and helped him anticipate defeat.
Likewise we need to be able to warn leaders of possible failures.
Sometimes they may barge past our warnings and fail.
We need to encourage them through these experiences of failure
And see them through the experiences to come out stronger and more
stable young men.
(g) Jesus spoke into Peter’s destiny
In John 21.18 Jesus told Peter how his life would end.
How moving to be walking along the lake’s misty shores with Jesus
Then be told he would live to be an old man
But at the end someone would have to lead, clothe, even carry him.
God doesn’t normally give us this much insight into our leaders’ lives
But you can keep eternity in the hearts of your leaders.
A powerful persuasion comes when you build in them a long-term
perspective
By helping them see eternal rewards, brevity of life
And the power of making use of every moment in pursuit of their destiny.
4. HOW TO DISCERN YOUR LEADERS HEARTS
8.
Understand their past
Failures in the past limit and hinder the minds of many leaders.
Jesus told Peter to “fear not” when He called him to be a fisher of men.
In saying this, Jesus was freeing Peer from bondage to his past.
He no longer was a fisherman but as entering into a new life position.
The call to leadership must be birthed in the death of past failures and
accomplishments.
Evaluate their present
Leaders need an honest appraisal of their work and a clear understanding

of who they are.
Constructive criticism is just as important as positive encouragement.
Handicaps are not necessarily a hindrance.
With proper training and direction they can become strengths
Don’t ignore their weaknesses or try and change them into something they
are not
Acknowledge their weaknesses and focus on their strengths
Help them to develop the areas where they can be successful.
Often leaders struggle, wondering if they are succeeding or failing.
Regular evaluation of their job and goals is powerful motivation for them.
It is also a time when you can speak into their lives.
Accountability to goals and authority will keep them fruitful
Meditate on their future
Goals must be by faith but must also be realistic.

The delicate balance is to discover that place of faith outside what’s
humanly possible
But within the realm of growth God is giving a leader.
Nothing is more important in developing a leader’s faith than
understanding what goals God would have them pursue.
When you mediate on a leader’s future you enter into a faith partnership.
The vision the becomes a shared responsibility.
Revelation and faith is confirmed as you come to agreement on what God
is saying.
Through the power of mutual faith we enter into the power of agreement.
Pray for them
9.
Jesus told Peter He had …”prayed for him that his faith would not fail” –
Luke 22.32.
If you meditate on your leaders God will :-
 Show you his past
 Help you understand his present
 Enable you to anticipate his future.
Then from the perspective of revelation you can pray for him according to
his need.
Jesus devoted considerable time to understanding His disciples.
Don’t see your leaders as nothing more than a resource
Or you may try to develop their skills without understanding the why of
their behaviour.
Understanding why someone is motivated in a certain way
Takes a lot more involvement in their lives than understanding their
strengths and weaknesses.
Understand their past, present and future and pray over them faithfully.
Then the Lord will give you deep insight into their lives.
This will hep you launch them to even greater accomplishments.
The priestly ministry of prayer will establish a wall of protection around
your leaders,
Also equipping them with the supernatural resources necessary for their
success.
5. JESUS BUILT A CULTURE OF SUCCESS
(a) Jesus said .. “You are Simon but you will be called Cephas” – A
Stone – John 1.42
Jesus called Peter a Stone, changing Peter’s value system
Also pronouncing His definition of Peter’s new characteristics.
Peter was not a stone in the first chapter of John
He was a young inexperienced hothead.
But Jesus ignored a true evaluation of his present character
He spoke prophetically of his future strength.
Peter believed in Jesus and was certain He had the Words of Life.
He was quick to confess Him as Lord.
What Peter did not have was confidence.
Jesus began building confidence, praising Peter’s strengths and
encouraging him in his destiny.
He began speaking the language of success through strength of character
into Peter’s life.
10.
(b) Jesus established positive values
Successful leaders must learn to coach.

They will convince the team to follow their system.
Also establish authority and respect and persuade them they are capable
of winning.
Peter was uneducated and must have struggled with his leadership
potential.
Imagine the awkwardness he felt as he began to accept his ministry
calling.
He realised Jesus was expecting him to speak to multitudes
To reason with well educated religious leaders and disciple new followers.
Before Peter could be trained Jesus had to change his mental evaluation
of himself
And create in him an expectation of success.
Some people don’t want to succeed!
Strong emotions rooted ion unworthiness demand failure.
Many capable leaders never develop a winning culture because they feel
unworthy.
Emotions of shame must be conquered before a winning attitude can be
developed.
To establish a winning culture on your team you must become a coach to
your leaders.
A team will follow the values of their coach.
A good coach will build up his team’s expectation for success.
6. JESUS SOCIALISED TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS
“The next day Jesus’ mother was a guest at a wedding celebration in the
village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus and His disciples were also invited to the
celebration” – John 2. 1-2
(a) Jesus first assembled His team then attended a social

event with them.
Jesus made a clear point to invest social interaction into beginning new
relationships.
Jesus was just “hanging out” with His disciples.
Socialising is a powerful way to build relationships and Jesus understood
this.
He devoted time and effort to spending time socially with His future
leaders.
In Luke 5.29 Matthew the Tax Collector was converted.
11.
Next Jesus visits him in his house and socialises with his sinner friends.
Jesus had two purposes for visiting Matthew in his home immediately after
conversion.
One was to establish a relationship with Matthew.
Two was to evangelise his circle of friends.
Jesus sent His leaders out on their first ministry journey – Luke ch. 9.
He instructed them to follow this pattern and visit in the homes they
evangelised.
He told the 70 to stay in the homes of those they converted, eating and
drinking.
Zacchaeus, a rich and notorious sinner, was converted.
Jesus told him He needed to visit his house that very day – Luke 19.5.
He recognised the importance of seizing the window of opportunity into a
person’s heart
So as to establish a relationship in the critical time while that person is
open to new friendships.
Jesus spent time socialising with His leaders and new Christians to
establish strong bonds
Drawing from the strengths of emotion and power of persuasion through
His teachings.
If a day passes without the opportunity to bond, new believers may
develop independence.
They will then either “raise” themselves or return to a more familiar life.
If they raise themselves they will always be a problem in the church
Become loners, will be easily misled by wrong doctrine and will not be
fruitful in winning souls.
7. JESUS HELPED THEM SEE THE HARVEST
John 4. 33-35 . The disciples said to one another ‘Has anyone brought him
anything to eat?’ Jesus said to them, my food is to do the will of Him who sent
me, and to finish His work. Do not say ‘ there are still four months and then
comes the harvest’. Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields,
for they are already white for harvest”.
Jesus challenged His leaders to work.

1. At the very beginning of their relationship together Jesus challenged
His disciples.
It was over the necessity and urgency of the harvest.
The work of the harvest is not reserved for the mature and polished
believer
Actually, new believers can be more successful in winning souls
12.
This is because of their network of unbelieving friends.

Jesus understood this and did not shy away from introducing His
disciples
To the work of the harvest while they were still new followers.
2. Jesus didn’t hide from His team that their relationship would involve
work and responsibility.
Our tendency is to protect new believers from ministry work
So they don’t become discouraged or overburdened.
Jesus didn’t do this, introducing them immediately to the vision
But, He helped them to enter the work in stages.
Jesus was not distracted in the harvest.

He prophesied how things would be in the End Times –
Wars, earthquakes, violence, ethnic hatred, famines, plagues, persecution.
In the same passage He said the gospel of the Kingdom would be
preached in all the world
Witnessing to all nations and then the end would come – Matt 24. 5-14.
Revival and resistance go hand in hand and Jesus warned us this would
be so.
The greater the pressure the greater the potential for harvest.
People’s hearts begin to fail them for fear
Then they reach out in desperation for spiritual help – eg :-
 Yongi Cho’s church under the threat of North Korea
 Cesar Castellanos’ church during endemic corruption and murder in
Colombia.
 Family of God Church Solo, under dramatic persecution, ethnic
attacks, political violence.
Our greatest challenge is not to lose faith in season of severe difficulty.
The manifestation of wickedness can distract us and hinder the work of the
harvest.
Fear can paralyse us into inactivity!
Jesus understood the multitudes of distractions that could divert His
leaders.
He helped them keep focused on the one thing that mattered, the harvest.
Jesus helped His leaders anticipate resistance.
1. “Remember the word I said to you, a servant is not greater than his
master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” -- John
15.20.
Help your leaders anticipate opposition!
13.
That helps them deal with the emotional pressures of being resisted or
ridiculed.
Leaders prepared for opposition remain strong when spiritual attacks
occur.
2. Opposition can create a mindset that hinders your effectiveness in

connection to people.
People respond to criticism in one of two ways –
They become aggressive and hostile or passive and ineffective.
Leaders must be taught how to respond to criticism, persecution and
resistance.
They must understand it is impossible to avoid confrontation in ministry.
How they react to confrontation shows underlying motives of character
and heart.
Leaders must learn to be Christ-like in the face of opposition
Only then will they remain effective and fruitful.
Jesus taught His leaders how to respond to persecution –
 Turn the other cheek - Matt. 5.39
 Pray for those who persecute and despitefully use you –
Matt 5.44
 If they ask for your cloak give them your coat also – Matt 5.40
Jesus would not allow delay in the harvest.
“Do not say ‘there are still four months and then comes the harvest’.
Behold I say to you, up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are
already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages and gathers
fruit for eternal life. That both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice
together. For in this the saying is true : one sows and another reaps. I
sent you to reap that for which you have not laboured, others have
laboured and you have entered into their labours.” - John 4. 35-38
Even Jesus faced the attitude of procrastination regarding the harvest.
He couldn’t allow His leaders to think the harvest was in the future.
He taught them the harvest was now!
Jesus taught the reward of harvest.
“… And he who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit for eternal life”.
Jesus used eternal reward to motivate His disciples to get involved in the
work of the harvest.
People respond to rewards and positive motivation
14.
But when you use rewards and recognition for work that is eternal they
seem hollow.
Leaders should be rewarded and encouraged when they enter into the
vision.
It is natural and healthy for people to be rewarded.
Praise, recognition and positive encouragement help build relationships
But be careful that reinforcement of a worker does not become an
unhealthy motivation.
People may work sacrificially because there is an emotional deficiency in
their lives.
They can have low self-worth and long for recognition.
This may push them to extreme levels of sacrifice to please their leader.
People serving a vision because of emotional need will eventually falter.
Jesus taught clearly that the harvest was work.
He told His leaders He had been sent to finish the Father’s work.
He made it clear they were called to work.
There are four types of Christians in the Body of Christ :-
1. Lazy Believers – love God but do nothing to help develop the
Kingdom.
They’re laid back, peaceful, relaxed – but they just don’t work.
2. Critic Christians – judge, analyse, examine, hypothesise –
But seldom work themselves.
3. Merry Christians – Full of joy, love to worship and fellowship.
They are a blessing to the church – but they do little work.
4. Workers – calculators, planners – not afraid to work.
When you look for leaders, you need to look for workers.
Jesus asked His leaders to look on the harvest.
“…. Lift up your eyes and look at the fields.”

Leaders must meditate on the harvest, dreaming of multitudes.
Unless we see multitudes in the spirit we will never see them in the natural.
We need to believe God, that we will pastor multitudes.
In this generation the goal is to pastor multitudes.
The challenge is to move the multitudes from the nets to consolidation.
8. JESUS ESTABLISHED HIS CORE LEADERS
15.
“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simons called
Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were
fishermen. Then He said to them ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of
men’. They immediately left their nets and followed him. Going on from there,
He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in
the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and
immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him” - Matt 4. 18-22
(a) Ricky Zachary
Moved to Colombo in 2001 and spent three months laying a foundation for
a new church plant.
In one year it grew from three couples to over 150 adults,
He had 16 cell groups with 75% of the congregation attending cells.
They were meeting in a rented house, severely limiting seating.
They did no evangelistic meetings, door to door visits, no printed material,
no advertising.
They had a narrow lane for access with no sign on the building.
This could have been a stressful high pressure effort,
But was a personally rewarding experience and a restful approach.
(b) Narrow your focus – expand your vision.
Rick’s strategy was simply to focus on one young emerging leader

To help coach him to success.
Rock offered encouragement, example, correction and advice.
They met daily with the young Colombo couple and prayed for hours.
They would then sit for more hours discussing vision, strategy, personal
lives, marriages, dreams.
It was enjoyable and sometimes they felt guilty they weren’t working hard
enough.
They became dear friends and entered into a deep gratifying relationship.
He discovered a powerful principle of success through focus.
(c) Build your team one by one.

1. Jesus built His team selecting them one by one and built His core
first.
Peter, James and John were three of His first four disciples.
They became the foundation of His team and the inner circle within the
twelve.
Only they witnessed raising Jairus’ daughter, the Transfiguration and
the Gethsemane experience.
They became Jesus’ closest friends and His inner circle of leadership.
16.
2. Your inner core become the pattern of success for the other team
members.
When you focus exclusively on them you establish a pattern for those
that follow.
You build in them the culture of success you want to establish in the
team.
They become the “Big Brothers” of the team members who follow.
They will help you build and look after your team.
It may seem to be a step back to focus on one team member,
But it is more effective in the long run.
It is the same philosophy as the process of consolidation.
Once members are consolidated they are team players for life.
(d) Get involved in your leader’s family.

“Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house He saw his wife’s mother
lying sick with a fever. So He touched her hand and the fever left her.
She arose and served them – Matt. 8. 14-15.
1. Jesus went to Peter’s House.

After selecting these four men Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount.
He then descended the mountain and travelled directly to Peter’s
house.
Significantly, Jesus went straight to Peter’s house after He had invited
him into the team.
Jesus focused on Peter’s family and helped to get them in order.
He ministered directly to them, touching their lives the same way He
had touched Peter’s.
Your leader’s family and their life together are extremely important to
the team,
Just as much as the individual life of the leader.
If a leader’s family is in need he is distracted from the work and loses
efficiency.
When his family is out of order he loses effectiveness as an example to
others.
2. Jesus understood the need to get the family in order.

This was so He could free His leaders from the distraction of concern
for their own needs.
Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law and she immediately became part
of the team.
She began to serve the needs of the team.
17.
The families of your leaders are as much a part of the team as the
leader himself.
(e) Use your leader’s family as a gateway.
“When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon
possessed and He cast out the spirits with a Word and healed all who
were sick” – Matt. 8.16
1. Though Peter was a fisherman, he had resources.

He owned a large home in Capernaum containing his family plus
relatives.
It fitted Jesus and the growing team as well.
Jesus first brought ministry to Peter then his family,
Then to Peter’s city from the base of ministry at Peter’s house.
2. Families are the fountainhead of relationships reaching into every

area of the community.
When families are part of the vision the leader’s life is streamlined.
The example of order multiplies his effectiveness many times over.
(f) Build a foundation that will last a lifetime.
Leaders often make the mistake of diluting their focus by trying to build a
team all at once.
This should be a long term goal and long term commitment.
They must be built one at a time.
When you add a member to your team, focus on him.
Do this exclusively for a season to consolidate him into the vision.
Bring ministry to his personal life and establish order in his family.
This frees him to focus on the work of the vision.
The benefit of focus is a friendship that will last a lifetime.
9. JESUS ESTABLISHED TRUST
“Then He said to them ‘follow me and I will make you fishers of men’. “ –
Matt. 4.19
(a) In the world leaders may be born but in God’s Kingdom

they are made.
People are born with natural abilities and their talents open doors for them
But their talents do not guarantee their success.
Leaders are made in two ways – by experience and by example.
Acquiring the skill of leadership is a process of learning.
18.
The most memorable lessons are the lessons gained through experience.
Gaining experience you will endure hardship and setbacks through
blunders.
It is better to learn by example than by experience.
Jesus did give His leaders opportunity to learn by experience and even
mistakes
But He didn’t leave them to the whim of trial and error learning.
He served them by giving them a clear example of the successful lifestyle
of leadership.
Jesus made leaders.
1. Jesus told His leaders He would make them fishers of men.

He was saying He would develop their characters to the point where
they could successfully lead others.
Leading others begins in personal success.
Unless a leader has something I don’t have, I’ve no interest in following
him.
I will only study those who can take me somewhere.
My willingness to follow them begins in my esteem for them.
I would be foolish to follow someone who needs my instructions to be
successful.
Jesus was saying that He would develop His leaders to where they
would be attractive to others.
They would become such examples of success people would want to
follow them.
2. The only thing we have in the Kingdom of God is the power of

persuasion.
It comes through the anointing and the supernatural.
Catching men requires the capacity within us to captivate their
imagination.
No-one will follow you unless you have something they want.
You can enjoy almost anyone for a short time
But only a person of depth can hold your interest over decades.
This is the mark of true mentoring and of a fisher of men.
Jess understood the power of legacy.
He knew that through His legacy He could accomplish more than
through His ministry.
A legacy is a living treasure that reaches into the next generation.
If it is truly successful it spans many generations.
19.
10. JESUS BUILT TRUST THROUGH CONFLICT
Jesus progressed in His relationship with His disciples.
1. He began by establishing intimacy through social interaction.

He continued creating trust by working through conflicts.
Intimacy is only the beginning of an enduring relationship.
Without the resolution of conflict a relationship cannot progress

To Trust > Partnership > Leadership.
A group becomes a unit when they encounter conflict together
And conquer challenges as a team.
2. Jesus understood a working relationship couldn’t be founded on

friendship alone.
Friendship is based on common interest and mutual likes and dislikes.
A partnership doesn’t necessarily require a friendship
But the most effective relationship will include both elements.
Jesus developed a strategic friendship with His disciples.
Then through crisis, conflict and challenge He progressed that
friendship to a partnership.
3. A friendship that hasn’t endured conflict is superficial.

A relationship that hasn’t endured challenge is shallow.
A relationship that hasn’t endured crisis is unproven and unreliable.
Jesus defended His leaders
“Now it happened that He went through the grain fields on the Sabbath;
and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain and the
Pharisees said to Him ‘Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the
Sabbath?’ “ – Mark 2. 23-24
1. Jesus’ leaders were criticised right along with Jesus

But He was quick to defend them whenever they faced opposition.
The Pharisees’ contention was really with Jesus.
They were using the disciples to attack Jesus on a religious issue.
The principle, though, still applies –
A leader must be prepared to defend His team.
2. “Divide and Conquer” is one of the enemy’s favourite devices to

destroy a team of leaders.
He tries to get a leader to entertain criticism regarding one of his team.
20.
This doubt becomes a nagging question that hinders the leader’s trust
in his team.
It also hinders his confidence in delegating tasks to them.
3. Jesus defended His disciples by using King David as an example.

He ate the showbread when He and His men were hungry
Then told the Pharisees he was “Lord of the Sabbath” –
The equivalent of saying “the buck stops here!”.
He deflected the focus away from His disciples and onto Himself.
He assumed the entire responsibility for His leaders’ actions.
A powerful key of leading is to accept responsibility for the actions of
the team.
4. The Pharisees attacked again in Mark 7.5

Accusing the team of eating without washing their hands.
Jesus went after them with a vengeance and called them hypocrites.
He was ruthless when defending the purity of His disciples.
If your leaders are criticised you must be ready to defend them.
5. In John 12.4 Judas Iscariot attacked Mary for anointing Jesus with
costly oil.
He didn’t care for the poor but wanted the money from the sale of the
oil
Jesus defended her, sternly, saying “Let her alone”.
Every time His followers were attacked Jesus came to their defence
But He also defended the helpless within their ranks.
6. Once His leaders wouldn’t allow the little children to come to Jesus.
He put them in their place and told them not to hinder the children.
The defence of the weak is one of the tests of secure leadership.
7. Even when one of His leaders was wrong, Jesus covered the situation
– Luke ch. 22.
Jesus was betrayed and arrested in the Garden.
Peter cut off the High Priest’s servant’s ear.
Jesus calmed the situation by repairing the man’s ear on the spot.
If Jesus hadn’t done this Peter would have been arrested.
Now there was no crime and Peter escaped into the night with the other
leaders.
21.
Jesus corrected His leaders for drawing the sword

But also drew them out of controversy and shifted attention to Himself.
There is a time for correction.
All your leaders will make a mistake, disappoint, or make things
difficult.
Their actions reflect on your ministry
But you must be quick to defend and able to correct.
8. Many leaders will defend a disciple publicly
But not take the next step and correct him privately.
Defence without correction leaves the blame on the leader if the
incident happens again.
When you don’t correct you have no right to be upset if the action is
repeated.
Be bold enough to stand in your leaders’ defence
But be bold enough to correct them in love and hold them accountable
for their mistakes.
Effective and secure leaders require accountability
While assuming full responsibility for those they are training.
Jesus dealt with emotions.
“James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He
gave the name Boanerges, that is ‘Sons of Thunder’.” – Mark 3.17
Passion is both the strength and the challenge of every relationship.
Relationships without passion are unfulfilling
But passion without restraint is intolerable.
No relationship can endure without emotion
But emotional people can be a real challenge.
John was one of Jesus’ closest leaders and one of His most challenging.
Like many men he was driven by passion that often got out of hand.
He was emotional, unpredictable and subject to his anger.
Jesus called John and James “Sons of Thunder”, signifying their
impetuous natures.
Jesus did not disqualify John from leadership because of his emotions
But confronted and dealt head on with his emotional and irrational flareups.
Jesus challenged emotional outbursts
“When James and John saw this, they said ‘Lord do you want us to
command fire to come down from Heaven and consume them, just as
22.
Elijah did?’ But He turned and rebuked them and said ‘You do not know
what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to
destroy men’s lives but to save them”. Luke 9.54
Jesus sternly and openly rebuked John ‘s passion for supernatural

judgment.
He as unafraid to correct a man who was emotional.
His strong authority put an end to rising emotion.
Emotions in relationships can be controlled through strong, quiet authority
John had a thunderous personality and the capacity for deep passionate
love
He became the disciple whom Jesus loved.
His Gospel and letters are filled with love, compassion, and a Pastor’s
heart.
Jesus didn’t cast him aside because of his uncontrollable passion.
He channelled John’s passion into deep compassionate love.
Leaders who have strong passion can have an equal compassionate care
for others
But they must be challenged and their passions must be channelled.
11. JESUS BUILT TRUST THROUGH FOCUS
“And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was

seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught
them….” Matt. 5.1
Jesus deepened His relationship with His leaders.
1. He accomplished this by deliberately focusing on them as a unit of

specialists.
He began to establish ministry habits.
This forced His leaders more and more into leadership roles.
Isolating them from the multitude He obliged them accept a
management mentality.
The more He focused on His leaders the more vested interest He had
in them
And the more they began to realise the gravity and responsibility of
their position.
2. Now your leaders begin to move from friendship to partnership
And the weight of their leader’s expectations begin to dawn on them.
They enter into a crucial time when trust becomes a key issue.
Will they continue on to the more demanding levels of ministry
relationship?
What began as friendship must progress to serious partnership.
23.
It will be founded in mutual trust, commitment and sacrifice.
He accepted those who pursued Him
1. There is a clear order evident as Jesus prepared to give His first public
message –
That was the Sermon on the Mount.
Jesus didn’t go to the multitudes but they came to Him.
Also he now didn’t seek out His disciples but the disciples came to
Him.
Jesus reached out to people in His ministry
But He also went to great lengths to draw people to press in to Him.
There is Kingdom principle that he hungry are fed.
2. When building your team look for leaders who seek you out,
Who respect you enough to press in to you and your circle of
relationships.
These are the leaders God is giving you.
They are identified by the fact that they give their hearts to you.
A leader who seeks after you, respects you.
His respect will help Him to accept correction, direction, leadership.
3. The more that is invested in a relationship the harder it becomes to

discard it.
John 6.68 shows Peter had reached a deep level of relational
investment.
He literally had nowhere else to go.
Jesus said “Will you also go away?”. He replied -
“Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life”
Jesus taught them separately.
“Now it came to pass when Jesus finished commanding His twelve

disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities”
– Matt. 11.1.
1. Jesus took personal time with His leaders and taught them apart from
the multitude.
Jesus commanded His disciples.
One meaning of command is .. to arrange in an orderly manner.
Jesus not only taught His team separately but organised and worked
with them.
This was on a management level –
To bring them to an understanding of their place on the team.
24.
He was sometimes exasperated with their lack of understanding and

unbelief.
But still He remained with them and gave them His patient attention.
A good person will tolerate the weakness of others
But a great leader will transform their weaknesses into strength by the
power of his influence.
2. Individual instruction is wearisome and personally challenging.

It is very difficult to prepare yourself to teach a lesson to one person.
But to arrange a team in an orderly manner requires hours of individual
instruction.
3. A good tutor won’t hesitate to teach an individual in front of the team.

He knows that the entire team will learn when an individual is
instructed.
They all hear the same lesson.
Teach your team separately from the multitude.
This creates an environment where individual instruction can take
place.
You would never single out an individual in a congregational meeting
for instructions.
In a team meeting it is acceptable and helpful for the entire team.
Jesus taught His team separately and placed them in order in His team
meetings.
Jesus used the disciples’ connections.
After commanding His disciples Matt. 11.1 says .. “Jesus departed from
there to teach and to preach in their cities.”
1. Jesus ministered in the cities His leaders came from.
This helped establish credibility for their future ministries.
Through their association with Jesus they would later gain respect for
their own ministries.
2. Able leaders lend credibility by association to their team.

So team leaders need to minister to their circle of relationships and
refer ministry to them.
Publicly state you believe in them and recommend their ministries.
This encourages others to follow their example and trust in them.
Great leaders lend their influence to the team and promote their
ministries.
Their success is his success.
25.
He taught them by doing.
“Now it came to pass, afterwards, that He went through every city and
village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God.
And the twelve were with Him” – Luke 8.1.
1. Jesus took His team with Him on ministry journeys.

Here He demonstrated to them the methods of ministry.
He allowed them to observe Him and used the work as a school of
ministry.
Involve your team in every possible aspect of ministry locally.
Where possible take them on ministry trips with you.
Rehearse every part of the ministry that occurred with them.
Encourage them over the part they played in the ministry.
2. Sometimes leadership strategies are formed as we do the work

together.
Real training is as simple as that – going and doing together.
Jesus made them family.
“But He answered and said to the one who told Him, ‘who is my mother
and who are my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in
Heaven is my brother and sister and mother’.” – Matt. 12. 48, 50
1. Your task as a leader is to place a winning team on the field.

Their relationship to you is important.
The relationships of team members to each other is just as important.
Jesus built a sense of team by building a sense of family.
Your team will begin to develop and mature.
Their relationships will go through stages until they reach the status of
“family”.
When a team is a family they are in a position to be successful.
Jesus enlarged the definition of His relationship to His team.
He did this by calling them family.
2. However family relationships can be deep and volatile.

So relationship challenges can occur amongst your leaders.
Unless they’re dealt with successfully the team can’t reach it’s full
potential.
The only way to resolve issues is a strong team environment and sense
of family.
Jesus’ leaders became more than just His team,
26.
They became family.
12. JESUS TAUGHT THEM ON A LEADERSHIP LEVEL
“But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about
the parable, and He said to them ‘to you it has been given to know the mystery
of the Kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, all things come in
parables’.” - Mark 4. 10-11
Jesus taught His disciples on a higher level than the multitude.
1. He shared with them the secrets of the parables and the Kingdom.
Their commitment was rewarded with the privilege of a higher level of
understanding.
Anything of value in life is worth pursuing.
The level of appreciation is directly related to the scarcity of what is
pursued.
2. Jesus often taught His disciples in the privacy of a home.
“Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. His
disciples came to Him saying ‘Explain to us the parable of the tares of
the field’. He answered them and said … Matt. 13. 36-37.
Here He taught them with interaction, discussion, explanation.
Jesus treated His leaders like precious commodities.
He gave them instruction that was personalised, unique and special.
He lavished His time on them and patiently crafted them as leaders.
To Him they were the timeless, undiscovered treasures of His life
purpose.
Jesus taught His team mysteries hidden from the multitudes.
He developed them on a leadership level that rewarded them
For their pressing in to Him for His time and attention.
Jesus taught His leaders through interaction.
1. Two different teaching styles are clear in Jesus’ ministry.

 Firstly to the multitude – Greek lecture style – used today by
westerners.
It doesn’t allow much interaction between teacher and student.
 Secondly to His team – oriental master, disciple model.
This allowed for interaction, questions and demonstration.
The higher the level of leadership the greater opportunity for
interaction.
2. Jesus explained the parable of the sower to His team in Matt 13.
He gave them far more detail than He gave the public.
27.
He said “It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the
Kingdom”.
The disciples had the honour of knowing secrets to success and
teaching.
Those were not given to the multitude.
Jesus reserved them for those who had earned the privilege of
understanding
Gained by their commitment to a relationship with Him.
3. A commitment to relationship demonstrates leaders’ worthiness to
receive higher teaching.
Jesus rewarded those who pursued Him
He taught them at a leadership level and interacted with them.
Jesus taught His leaders to teach.
“Then He said to them, ‘therefore every scribe instructed concerning the

Kingdom of Heaven is like a householder who brings out of His treasure
things new and old’.” - Matt. 13.52
1. Jesus taught His team real teaching is based on communicating
Not on making an impression.

A gifted teacher understands success is based on simplicity.
Jesus taught His team how to teach.
2. Young leaders often try and come up with something new whenever
they speak.
Jesus understood that effective teaching was not only fresh revelation,
It is also instruction built on past understanding.
Gifted teachers bring treasures to their teams –
New and old, fresh and familiar, known and discovered.
3. Leaders need to hear team members speak and teach others.

This way you effectively evaluate their ministry.
Evaluation and constructive criticism helps develop their ministry
effectiveness.
4. Jesus did more than teach, duplicating himself in the lives of His team.
Successful teachers impart information and the office of teaching to
others.
Teams must become able teachers to rise to the level of leadership you
need.
Your top leaders must be able to teach.
13. JESUS TAUGHT THEM TO HAVE FAITH FOR LEADERS

28.
“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them,
because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then
He said to His disciples ‘the harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few.
Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest.” –
Matt. 9.36-38
(a) Faith for followers and faith for leaders are two different
levels of faith.
It’s easy to believe that you can bring new converts to a relationship with
the Lord
But a lot harder to believe you can mould the character of a leader.
Assuming the responsibility for a leader is a much greater challenge
But it carries the potential of much greater reward.
(b) Faith for leaders requires preparedness.
Personal growth is the necessity of leading leaders.

Without personal growth your vision and your team will stagnate.
Responsibility for a leadership team assumes an awesome and fearful
mandate.
You must ensure your leaders are constantly moving forward in their faith.
Faith for leaders requires you to rise to a higher level of preparedness in
your life.
You cannot lead others where you have not been.
(c) Faith for leaders requires confidence.

You certainly don’t want to fake your level of faith,
But in directing leaders you must communicate confidence and courage.
No-one will follow a fearful tentative leader.
(d) Faith for leaders requires vision.
The greatest need of a real leader is to be challenged.

Leaders are motivated by challenges, goals and opportunities.
Every leaders’ meeting (other than social times) should include reflection
on the vision and a new challenge.
Bonnke says .. “The problem in ministry is lack of vision, and vision brings
provision” (finances).
You can have unlimited resources but without leaders, accomplish nothing.
Real leaders will gravitate to vision-casting guidance and contribute to the
vision.
(e) Faith for leaders requires patience.
29.
1. Vision must be given out in bite-sized pieces,

Otherwise inexperienced leaders will be overwhelmed.
The greater the capacity of a leader’s heart the greater his ability to
assimilate the vision.
Team leaders must discern those ready for bite-sized pieces and those
for more.
2. It takes genuine patience to nurture leaders in the vision.
Some will be slow to take the vision,
But when understood, they will work tirelessly to see it through.
Others catch it from the beginning and take off.
They figure out the details as they go along.
Neither is necessarily more effective than the other.
People are wired differently and work differently.
Discern their level of preparedness and keep them moving along in the
vision.
(f) Faith for leaders requires free enterprise.
1. Real leaders resent being micromanaged.

The more a person rises to success in leadership the more freedom
they should be given to pursue the vision.
The character of a leader must first be developed.
Then he is given freedom to pursue his own faith goals,
But within the protective framework of the team.
2. One of the elements of faith is trust, and trust works both ways.
You must trust the Lord!
But He trusts you with His anointing and responsibility of the Gospel
message.
It works the same way with your leaders.
They prove themselves worthy of leadership.
You release them to the creative enterprise within them.
Your leaders are most successful when they can develop their own
leadership style,
But within the framework and protection of the team.
It takes faith to release a leader to pursue the vision through his own
initiative and creative design.
Real leaders need a flexible framework that gives them the liberty to
produce fruit after their own kind.
To develop leaders like themselves they need the freedom to be
themselves.
(g) Faith for leaders requires willingness to question.

30.
“Jesus said to Phillip .. ‘Where shall we buy bread that these (the
multitude) may eat?’ But this he said to test him, for He Himself knew
what He would do – John 6. 5-6
1. Jesus was not afraid to put His leaders to the test.

He knew Phillip would answer out of his unbelief
But tested him to help Phillip discover what was within him.
A leader cannot be afraid to ask questions.
Most of the questions Jesus asked were confrontational.
They were directed at the Scribes and Pharisees.
But He did ask His team questions.
Many times His questions put them on the spot,
Also challenged their belief system and revealed their hearts.
“Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” – Matt. 8.26
“Have you understood all these things?” – Matt. 13.51
“O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because
you have brought no bread?” – Matt. 16.8
“What do you think Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take
customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers? Matt. 17.25
2. Jesus asked His team questions.

These were troubling, thought provoking, faith challenging.
Their hearts exposed, they were forced to examine their motives.
Leaders must be willing to ask the tough questions.
3. Jesus challenged the team but didn’t demean them or question their
loyalty.
To constantly challenge your team’s commitment is a sign of your
immaturity.
Life itself will ensure tests of loyalty occur naturally.
Team leaders must be prepared to :-
 Hold firm in crisis
 Set the course of the vision
 Ask questions causing the team to carefully examine
themselves.
14. JESUS TAUGHT THEM DELEGATION
“Jesus said, ‘make the people sit down …’ He took the loaves, and when He
had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those
sitting down, and likewise the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they
were filled, He said to His disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments that remain, so
31.
that nothing is lost. They gathered up 12 baskets with the fragments of the five
barley loaves which were left over. – John 6. 11-13
Andrew pointed out to Jesus that the crowd was hungry.
Jesus instructed His disciples to have the multitude sit down.

Jesus did not organise the people Himself.
He asked His team to take care of the responsibility of managing the
gathering.
Jesus didn’t give to the multitude Himself but gave to His team.
His leaders then distributed to the crowd.
Jesus didn’t concern himself with :-
 How to get the people to sit down
 How much bread and fish to distribute
 How to gather up the remains.
He asked the team to take care of the details and focused on the
supernatural.
The task of the leader is to concentrate on the supernatural and
ministry.
The organising and managing of people’s problems distracts leaders,
Then they are not able to bring the element of the supernatural.
Jesus delegated authority
“Then Jesus called His disciples together and gave them power and
authority over all demons and to cure diseases. He then sent them to
preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick” – Luke 9.1-2
1. Jesus developed leadership by allowing unsupervised team ministry.

Early in their training He sent them out on short ministry journeys.
This gave them opportunity to experience independent ministry.
Your leaders need opportunity to develop in practical ministry.
The best hands-on experience comes in sending them out on their
own.
Jesus laid out a directive for sending in Luke ch. 9.
2. Delegation is the beginning of sending.

Your leaders are not sent out without preparation
But they are sent little by little until they have the confidence to be
launched.
32.
Jesus sent His team out on small ministry trips.

This was to prepare them for the coming of the Great Commission.
But delegation without oversight is useless.
Most leaders understand delegation but not all understand oversight
and accountability.
A pastor said .. “I don’t have much to do now I’ve learned to delegate”.
He had missed the whole point.
Delegation doesn’t reduce responsibility or give you nothing to do.
It organises the work in a manageable way and distributes
responsibility.
Not to work less, but to work more efficiently.
3. Jesus didn’t just release the team, but gave them authority.
They were released in an anointing to do the work.
Send out your team only after the laying on of hands
With prayer for an anointing in ministry and prophetic encouragement.
The difference between sending and going, is authority.
Leaders going in their own initiative go in their own limited anointing.
Leaders that are sent go in the anointing of the team.
Jesus released them for supernatural ministry.
“He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick”
Luke 9.2.
Jesus sent His disciples to do a specific work in ministry that was
supernatural.
Not only to preach but to do the work of healing the sick.
If we don’t expect the supernatural, we won’t see the supernatural.
In addition to authority there must be an expectation.
Expectation comes from leaders through releasing hope for signs and
wonders.
Also through communicating confidence in the ability of the team.
Jesus gave them specific instructions.

“Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, bag, bread or money; and do
not have two tunics apiece” – Luke 9.36.
1. Jesus told His team exactly what to do, sending them out to work by
faith.
The significance is not what Jesus instructed His leaders to do
But that He instructed them specifically.
Each outreach has a different purpose.
33.
Each level of maturity requires a different lesson in faith.

The team did not always travel without money, bread and overcoats.
When they travelled with Jesus they carried all those things.
In the Book of Acts they carried their provisions with them.
The point of this outreach was a lesson in faith and trust in supernatural
provision.
Jesus was teaching them they didn’t need Him physically with them to
supply their needs.
2. The same principle works when a leader is sent out from a ministry.
It is very comfortable if everything is provided for them
But their faith becomes inactive in believing God for financial provision.
Later on they may find a season of financial pressure comes in this
area.
Leaders must be challenged in their faith.
But also be given specific instructions as to what is expected of them.
Jesus taught them to teach in homes.
“Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart”. – Luke 9.4.
1. Jesus instructed His team to remain in one house,
Meaning spend extended time with one family to influence them during
this time.
Effective evangelism progresses from the witness to discipleship.
Without an extended period of influence discipleship cannot take place.
Jesus instilled this principle in His team on their first Missionary journey
That they should carry their witness to the level of discipleship.
2. Jesus taught them to base their ministry from homes establishing this
ministry principle.
They carried this out as they launched the New Testament Church in
Acts
Basing their ministry in homes and from there expanding their
influence.
Jesus helped them anticipate setbacks.
“And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off
the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them” – Luke 9.5
No-one will be successful in everything they do, every time they do it.
Jesus helped His team understand there would be times of failure.
He helped them deal with those disappointments,
Simply saying just move on to the next task, leaving disappointment
behind.
34.
It’s easy to succumb to discouragement when we meet opposition.

Jesus taught His team to move on when they encountered resistance
To find the places where there was receptiveness to their word.
Jesus made them accountable.
“And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had
done” – Luke 9.10.
Jesus allowed His team to give Him reports on the work they had done.
Accountability holds leaders responsible and gives time for
encouragement.
Team members need positive response from their leaders.
They need encouragement as well as correction in their work.
It’s time consuming to hear reports from your leaders,
But necessary in building their lives and ministries.
Sit with your leaders and listen to their reports.
Ask the Lord to give you insight into their work.
Find a positive word to encourage them and help make them even more
fruitful.
Jesus allowed them to rest.
“Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place
belonging to the city called Bethsaida” – Luke 9.10
1. Jesus understood the need to rest after extended ministry.
In delegating it’s easy not to realise the load a person is carrying.
In ministry many workers are volunteering their time,
So it is necessary to be extremely sensitive to the workload they are
carrying.
2. Some leaders work extremely hard to a fault.
It is a constant challenge to get them to relax and pull back.
They are full of passion and you want to work with them for life,
So it’s important that they don’t burn out.
It’s much easier to learn to apply the brakes with people
Than having to constantly push, cajole, motivate someone.
15. JESUS DID THE IMPOSSIBLE
“So when they had rowed about three or four miles they saw Jesus walking on
the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid” – John 6.19
When Jesus walked on water He rocked His team to the core.

I don’t imagine many of us will ever walk on water.
35.
But leaders must set the standard of the miraculous for His team.
The miraculous does not always have to be signs, wonders and miracles.
Many times it can be as simple as supernatural provision and goals
achieved.
The key is to anticipate where God is taking the team.
Announce that direction prophetically to your leaders.
Then allow God to confirm He’s with you by helping accomplish your goals.
When your team is convinced God is with you they will follow.
Then faith is built through success.
(b) You must be convinced in your spirit your team is called to succeed.
That you have the faith to lead them and they will bear much fruit.
That the vision will prosper through them.
When you are convinced of success you will prophesy it.
When small battles are won the team is secured.
Your faith victories will establish their trust and respect
And they will do what they see you do.
16. JESUS MODELED LONG TERM RELATIONSHIPS
“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
Then Jesus said to the twelve ‘Do you also want to go away?’ “ – John 6. 66-67
(a) The greatest weakness in western Christian culture is

the lack of commitment in relationships.
We live in a disposable culture that is reflected in our relationships.

We move from job to job, city to city, relationship to relationship.
We have disposable friends, marriages and even children.
Long term relationships and lifetime friends are few.
But leadership in God’s church was not intended to be that way.
(b) Jesus taught the power of long term relationships.
1. Jesus committed an eternal relationship to His leaders.

There are 12 thrones in Heaven reserved for the 12 apostles.
Those 12 seats of honour are the exclusive rights of His leaders.
When Jesus chose His team He reserved their place at His side for
eternity.
It was not just the beginning of a long term relationship,
It was the beginning of an eternal relationship.
2. True discipleship begins in long term relationships.
36.
Cell Group systems should foster long term relationships.

Otherwise they ignore their most powerful feature, true discipleship.
Don’t develop leadership strategies based on corporate culture and
values.
Leadership strategies need always to be based on Kingdom culture.
(c) Long term relationships develop character.
1. Even strong committed relationships can reach a place of boredom.

It usually takes five to seven years.
By then we have learned everything we feel there is to know about a
person.
So we get bored in the relationship and feel unchallenged.
We then do what’s called “moving on”.
2. But we discard relationships too early.

Before we have gone through the inevitable challenges that surface
We must remain in relationships through the conflict stage.
Otherwise we never come to a place of strength.
It’s like a marriage that’s never progressed beyond the honeymoon.
What brings about change in a person?
Conflict, the process of compromise and mutual respect.
Relationships have a way of changing us like nothing else.
Relationships are the schoolyard of the class room –
The place of real learning.
(d) Long term relationships provide accountability.
1. In a disposable relationship there is no accountability for emotional

outbursts.
If we get angry and embarrass ourselves we simply move on.
The issue that brought about the emotion is never dealt with.
When building a long term leadership team emotions are part of the
process.
2. Leadership demands that a person be strong.

It’s that strength that will bring about conflict.
No relationship between leaders will last indefinitely without conflict.
It happened amongst Jesus’ team between one another.
It happened in Jesus’ relationships with team members.
With no conflict Jesus wouldn’t have had to correct His team.
37.
He corrected them because they were wrong but they endured the
correction.
They refused to discard their relationship with Him.
They respected who He was and were willing to be held accountable to
Him.
(e) Long term relationships challenge leaders to grow.
Constant growth is the key to deepening team relationships.

Every leader can lead someone to His level of understanding.
Then he must grow himself in order for His disciples to grow.
The challenge of constant personal growth causes fear in many leaders.
They fear they won’t be able to stay ahead of their team.
Nothing could be more selfish, faithless and self-limiting.
(f) Long term relationships promote families.
1. The strength of families is that they’re life long commitments.

The Church is referred to as a family – Eph. 2.19 and 1 Tim. 3.15.
Relationships in the church mimic the relationships in a family.
When a marriage fails the lessons of long term success are lost.
The children lose the example of commitment.
The parents lose the lessons of healthy relationships with their children.
Every failure can be healed.
Failed marriages leave hurt, disappointment, setbacks of discarded
relationships.
2. A leadership team is like a family.

The leader serves as a father to the team and sets an example.
The goal is to develop every team member to the place of successful
fatherhood.
The father fosters healthy growth, peace, stability and confidence.
Only long tem relationships can provide that environment.
(g) Long term relationships develop a sense of team.

“By this all will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one
another” – John 13.35.
1. The longer a team stays together the more cohesive it becomes
And the better it performs.

Through long term relationships we learn the strengths and
weaknesses of team members.
This establishes their position and contribution to the team.
38.
Individual accomplishments become less important as team goals are

realised.
Every member buys into the overall vision of the team.
2. Jesus taught His team about their love within the team
Saying this was the key to their influence in the world.
The relationships of the team demonstrate the effectiveness of your
leadership.
If there is dissention on the team your message is not getting through.
Your team are a barometer of the effectiveness of your ministry
And examples of your strengths and weaknesses.
You may not be able to spot your own weaknesses
But you can probably spot them on your team.
Sometimes a weakness is consistent in the majority of a team.
That weakness may be more in you than it is in them.
3. Even Jesus had dissention on His team.

Disagreements are not a sign of failure.
Failure is not addressing the disagreements and correcting the
relationships.
(h) Long term relationships provide security.
Children from stable homes have the best chance of success in life.
The most important thing for a child is a sense of security.
A secure home environment gives children many things
Emotional well-being, confidence, creativity and success.
Leaders must promote a stable consistent vision
One that provides a secure stable platform for ministry.
Your leaders need to know the vision will not change from week to week.
They need to know the plan is simple, reachable, and measurable.
That your expectations are clear.
In the environment of stability they will produce fruit.
17. JESUS CHALLENGED THEIR COMMITMENT

“Therefore many of His disciples when they heard this said ‘This is a hard
saying; who can understand it?’ “ – John 6.60
Misunderstandings take place because of wrong perception.
39.
Jesus spoke on one level but Hs team understood Him on another level.
Their faith and understanding were below His.
This will always take place in leadership.
Jesus demanded trust.
A leader is moving at one level of faith and his team is following him.
Inevitably sometimes the team won’t understand all his actions and
decisions.
There is a period of time between hearing new vision and understanding it.
The leader has had the time to meditate on and digest the vision.
When you share the vision your leaders’ understanding may be limited.
They will need time to process the vision in their own hearts
But must trust your leadership while they can’t see the vision clearly.
Leaders need to establish a strong system of authority.
There are times leaders must make difficult decisions.
In these times followers may abandon the vision.
Even Jesus faced this.
Jesus released those who abandoned the vision.
“From that time many of his disciples went back and walked with Him no
more” – John 6.66.
1. Jesus understood the difficult lessons His leaders would learn when His
ability to lead was challenged.
Some followers left Jesus as, through misunderstanding, they lost
confident in His vision.
They didn’t feel He was worthy of their allegiance.
If it happened to Jesus it will happen to every leader.
2. Jesus made no move to bring back those who abandoned the vision,
but let them go.
He even challenged His team, giving them every opportunity to leave.
He asked them “Do you want to go away?” – John 6.67
He was testing their resolve and their ownership of the vision.
They passed the test by committing to Him
Even though they didn’t fully understand all He way doing or saying.
3. Believers will come and go in churches and leaders move on from

teams.
It hurts pastors to see people leave over misunderstandings or
offences,
But it’s not good trying to reason people into following your leadership.
40.
If they abandon the vision, release them with your blessing.

Sometimes they return after bitter experiences.
Welcome them back but don’t quickly give them any ministry or
authority.
Wait until they have proven themselves worthy.
Don’t run after offended church members.
People set out their position and refuse to give ground.
It is then senseless to run after them.
Either people follow the vision voluntarily or not.
The challenge of leadership is not to convince people to follow
But to articulate a clear, anointed and God ordained vision.
Not everyone will follow that vision.
Jesus required personal investment.
“Simon Peter said to Him, ‘Lord to whom shall we go? You have the
words of eternal life’. “ – John 6.68
Jesus taught a vision that the multitudes could not follow.
The team could because of their level of commitment and trust.
They had given up everything for the vision and had no other alternative.
Look for leaders who have invested heavily into the vision.
Those who will defend you without question.
On the team there is room for discussion and questions.
That is the function of close discipleship.
But in the present of the multitude there must be unquestioning loyalty.
A time comes when every follower must demonstrate loyalty and
commitment
To the vision of his leader.
So look for that time and watch the response of your leaders in crisis.
Those who are loyal and defend you, earn the right to be on the team.
18. JESUS HELPED THEM IDENTIFY HYPROCRISY
“In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered

together so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples
first of all ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For
there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be
known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the
light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on
the housetops’.” – Luke 12. 1-3
Jesus exposed hypocrisy.
41.
1. Hypocrisy may be the greatest sin of leadership.

Jesus had a zero tolerance of hypocrisy.
In Luke 12 He begins to teach His team all about hypocrisy.
He wanted them to understand the gravity of this sin of leadership.
He said everything they did as a leader would one day be exposed to
all.
He spoke more sternly about hypocrisy than any other subject.
His remarks to the Pharisees were so inflammatory they plotted to kill
Him.
We cannot gloss over that He brought them to absolute rage.
He called them serpents, vipers, blind guides, hypocrites, evil and
adulterous,
Fools, unclean, lawless, whitewashed tombs, foolish, sons of the devil,
murderers.
2. Jesus’ ruthlessness regarding hypocrisy was for a good reason.

Leadership hypocrisy causes others to stumble more than any other
transgression.
It gives unbelievers excuse to blaspheme and rail against the Lord.
It means “to wear a mask or act upon a stage”.
Insincere leaders or those hiding behind a façade are moving in
hypocrisy.
Judas was so good an actor none of the team knew he was the
betrayer.
The problem with hypocrisy is that it is difficult to detect.
3. Insincerity cannot be tolerated in leadership.

It is silent leaven that will permeate and hinder an entire team.
Often it cannot be exposed without supernatural revelation.
Leaders must aggressively root out every hint of hypocrisy in their own
lives,
Praying that any insincerity will be exposed from within your team.
Jesus used His strongest language to attack and expose hypocrisy.
Sincerity was the one element consistent among Jesus’ team
(excluding Judas).
Their skills and abilities differed and were sometimes questionable
Their backgrounds lacking and their emotional stability suspect.
They came to Him with open childlike questions.
They didn’t hide their feelings or defiantly challenge or question Him.
Sincere leaders may not be the most gift leaders –
They are the most effective and fruitful leaders.
42.
Jesus taught His leaders to be non-judgmental.
1. Hypocrisy is one of the most difficult issues Christian leaders face.

Once we identify hypocrisy we feel to move against it in judgment.
The problem is that we have determined to fix something,
So we have then made a judgment about the intentions of the heart of
the person that needs fixing.
Though I may observe someone’s actions I cannot know their heart.
To know a person’s heart is to become their judge.
That right is reserved exclusively for the Lord.
Only the Lord can know the condition of intentions of a heart.
If I assume to know someone’s aim, I have trespassed into an area
reserved for God.
2. Jesus addressed the issue of hypocrisy with His team.

He began by first dealing with the issue of judgment, saying
“Every plant which my Heavenly Father has not planted will be
uprooted” – Matt. 15.13.
God will judge hypocrisy systematically and completely.
But the uprooting was God’s work, not that of the believers.
Jesus told His team “Let them alone, they are blind leaders of the blind”
– Matt 15.14.
Leaders must avoid judgment about hypocrisy they may see around
them.
If you see a leader who is hypocritical, don’t try and “fix his problem”.
To do that you have judged his heart. Let him alone.
3. The problem then is how to deal with hypocrisy on your team.

If you cannot judge your leaders, how can you expose this leaven?
The key is to create an open environment on your team
Where there is no sense of judgment.
A leader needs to know that confession of a fault will lead to :-
 Support → healing → ministry.
Then they will be forthcoming.
If they feel judged they will keep their faults to themselves.
4. The issue of hypocrisy is not external but internal.

Evil thoughts don’t originate in the mind, but in the heart.
The order is → heart → mind → then actions.
The key to overcoming wrong actions is to focus on heart issues.
When the heart is healed the thoughts are healed and actions are pure.
43.
Jesus taught His leaders to ignore the external and focus on the heart.
Jesus helped His leaders to examine their hearts.
“Peter asked Jesus ‘explain what you meant when you said people aren’t
defiled by what they eat’. ‘Don’t you understand’, Jesus said. ‘Anything
you eat passes through the stomach and then goes out of the body. But
evil words come from an evil heart and defile the person who says them.
For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, theft, lying,
slander. These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands could
never defile you and make you unacceptable to God’.” – Matt 15.15 NLT.
1. While teaching on hypocrisy Jesus addressed the issue of personal

impurity in His team.
Peter was having difficulty understanding the link between religion and
insincerity.
For him, relationship to God was found in outward rather than inward
behaviour.
Jesus helped him see that his heart was the key to being acceptable to
God.
2. If your heart is in order your ministry will be in order.

In ministry ensure your sense of achievement and success are rooted
in your team.
Then the Lord will reward your commitment to a pure heart
With a team who are also pure and devoted to the vision.
Purity in your team begins with purity in yourself.
If you are not clean your team will not be clean.
This is why hypocrisy is the most grievous sin of leadership.
The leaven of your sin may be found in your team.
“I show this unfailing love to many thousands by forgiving every kind of
sin and rebellion. Even so I do not leave sin unpunished but I punish
the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth
generations.” – Exodus 34.7 NLT.
3. There is a principle in God that sin of a father will affect his children.
Because of God’s unfailing love, children may repent of a father’s sin.
This breaks any generational curse that is on their lives.
In leadership the principle of fathering is one of the most important
dynamics in the team.
The leader serves as father to his team.
If he had hidden sin he walks in hypocrisy.
44.
The curse of his sin, unfruitfulness, will also affect his children (team).
Hypocrisy is the most grievous sin of leadership
Because it brings the judgment of unfruitfulness on the innocent.
But God exposes leaders’ sin so the innocent team may be free and
fruitful.
Deal with hypocrisy through the humility of confessed sin.
Pray regularly that God will expose any hypocrisy in your ministry to
you
Before it is publicly exposed, which brings embarrassment and hurt.
19. JESUS TAUGHT THEM THE MINISTRY
“Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of him and the child as cured from
that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said ‘Why could
we not cast it out?’ So Jesus said to them ‘Because of your unbelief, for
assuredly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this
mountain move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be
impossible for you. However this kind does not go out except by prayer and
fasting’.” – Matt 17. 18-21
Jesus raised His expectations
Jesus’ relationship with His team matured to the level of trust.

He raised the bar of His expectations and placed increasing demands on
them.
His requirement of faith was substantially increased.
He challenged their unbelief and lack of partnership with Him in the
ministry.
It takes real discernment to evaluate a leader’s level of potential
Then challenge his faith according to his present capability.
Jesus was careful to keep His team on the edge of their faith.
He constantly helped them look forward to the tasks ahead,
Not back to the things already accomplished.
Jesus taught the ministry of deliverance.
“And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling
down and saying “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and
suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and the water. So I brought
him to your disciples, but they could not cure him’.” – Matt 17. 15-16
1. Deliverance is an important key to the vision.
45.
By Matthew 10, Jesus had already encouraged his team to cast out
demons.
He demonstrated to them the ministry of deliverance.
At this point the team had progressed enough in their ministries to
move in authority.
They caste out demons and they assumed this task on their own
initiative.
2. Faith is all about results.

Jesus made it clear that no results meant there was no faith.
The team failed in their attempt to cast the demon out.
Jesus rebuked their unbelief in a strong way –
“You stubborn, faithless people! How long must I be with you until you
believe? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me”. –
Matt. 17.17.
3. It would be easy to focus on the team’s failed deliverance.

What is more important is their willingness to attempt the deliverance
ministry.
They had progressed enough in their relationship with Jesus to attempt
miracle ministry
Without his supervision or request.
It showed advance in their maturity and in Jesus’ trust in them.
You can surmise from the passage the team was screening those
coming to Jesus,
Ministering to them before they sent the person to the Lord.
It seems Jesus was allowing His team to take on ministry,
Passing on to Him the cases they could not handle.
Maybe they were embarrassed because they couldn’t deliver this
young man –
Because it was the father who told Jesus of the failed attempt, not the
team.
Don’t give up ministering deliverance through faith failure or lack of
maturity.
Continue until you discover how to move in deliverance.
4. Jesus rebuked the team strongly over their lack of faith in this situation.
They were not humiliated to where they wouldn’t return to Him after the
incident
And ask why they were unable to cast the spirit out.
As leader, Jesus walked the balance between strong correction and
approachability.
After correction they still felt comfortable asking for teaching on why
they failed.
46.
5. Encounter retreats bring new believers into confrontation with the

cross, forgiveness and deliverance.
Unless there is strong deliverance in a person’s life they will never
move into leadership.
Unless leaders have confidence to move in deliverance encounters will
be ineffective.
As His team matured, Jesus allowed them to step into deliverance.
Jesus first demonstrated the miraculous allowing His team to observe
and assist.
Later He allowed them to attempt the miraculous but was there as a
safety net to assist.
Jesus helped the team anticipate surprises.
“Now while they were staying in Galilee Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of
Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him,
and on the third day He will be raised up’. And they were exceedingly
sorrowful”. – Matt. 17. 22-23.
1. The crucifixion was the last thing on the team’s mind when they agreed
to follow Jesus.
Who could have dreamed where their obedience would take them?
We all have to learn the life of obedience.
So every leader’s life will be something entirely different from what was
expected.
2. No leader has the foreknowledge that Jesus had.
But all of us have the potential to receive prophetic warning regarding
our ministries.
When leaders are prepared for surprises the unexpected is less
devastating.
Jesus protected His team from entanglement.
“When they had come to Capernaum those that received the temple tax
came to Peter and said ‘Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?’ He
said ‘Yes’. When he had come into the house Jesus anticipated Him,
saying ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth
take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?’ Peter said
‘From strangers’. Jesus said to Him, ‘Then the sons are free.
Nevertheless, lest we offend them go to the sea cast in a hook, and take
the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will
find a piece of money, take that and give it to them for me and you’.” –
Matt 17.24.
47.
1. The religious leaders knew they would have difficulty trapping Jesus
with questions.
They focused on what they saw as His weakness - a team member.
The enemy will first try and conquer the leader’s faith.
Unsuccessful, he will move to attack the team, causing doubt,
confusion or controversy.
Peter knew Jesus lived a submitted life.
He’d never dreamed Jesus would not consider Himself subject to the
tax.
If the enemy couldn’t trap Jesus he’d try and cause doubt and division
on the team.
Isolated from Jesus, Peter had to address an issue in which he had no
experience.
2. Jesus never encouraged His team to rebel against authority.

He didn’t feel obligated to pay religious taxes
But didn’t want to put a leader in an embarrassing or confrontational
situation.
Peter had already committed them to pay the tax.
Jesus did not ask Peter to go back on his word.
He supported Peter supernaturally providing the funds for the tax.
Jesus supported His team’s decisions.
1. Sometimes your team will obligate you to things you don’t want or could
refuse.
If you are confrontational over petty issues you lose influence with your
team.
Jesus could have scolded Peter but chose not to make the matter an
issue.
Sufficient that He taught Peter the powerful truth of freedom from
Religion.
2. Why did Jesus get money from the fish and not out of the team’s
moneybag?
The moneybag was for freewill offerings and Jesus considered these
sacred.
He wouldn’t allow even the smallest amount of this to go to religious
exploitation.
3. Jesus could have insisted He was not subject to a forced taxation,
But knew it was not an issue worthy of confrontation, so let it go.

At times leaders may feel right or have certain rights.
But for the vision and harvest they must learn to lay some issues aside.
48.
Standing against social iniquity and being a voice of righteousness is

different.
Leaders must choose their battles, focusing on issues that count.
Jesus protected Peter from being drawn into this issue.
It would only have distracted him from the work of the ministry.
Jesus challenged disputes.

“And when He was in the house He asked them ‘What was it you disputed
among yourselves on the road?’ But they kept silent, for on the road they
had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.” –
Mark 9. 33-34.
Jesus would not allow dissention on His team.
He challenged His leaders when they fell into dispute.
He confronted them quickly and straightforwardly.
No-one enjoys confrontation or correction.
Leaders often ignore team conflict hoping it will go away.
It may, but the root of the problem remains under the surface.
He didn’t do this publicly, but waited until they were in the house.
This was team business and should be kept in the house.
He waited until the right time and they were resting in the house,
Then He challenged their immaturity.
He used this teaching moment to expose the childish division creeping into
the team.
He corrected it aggressively with the message of humility.
Jesus countered ambition with humility.
“Jesus called the twelve and said to them ‘If anyone desires to be first, he
shall be last of all and servant of all’. Then He took a little child and set
him in the midst of them. When He had taken him in His arms, He said to
them, ‘Whoever receives one of these little children in my Name receives
me; and whoever receives me, receives not me, but Him who sent me’.” –
Mark 9.35-37
Ambition and ego greatly challenge the camaraderie of a team.

Leading a team requires walking a fine line.
Trying to commend success without elevating one member above one
another.
How did Jesus deal with this issue?
By constantly challenging His team to serve each other and walk in
humility.
How do you combat ambition in your team?
Walk in a humility that is an example to them.
49.
Move in a ministry success that surpasses the individual accomplishments

of your team.
Your balance in these will dismantle the competitive nature that may
surface in the team.
Jesus taught them humility.
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus saying, ‘who then is greatest in
the Kingdom of Heaven?’ Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set Him
in the midst of them and said ‘Assuredly I say to you, unless you are
converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the
Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever receives one little
child like this in my name receives me’.” - Matt. 18. 1-5
1. The disciples were progressing in their relationship with Jesus.

So now He was able to move into personal areas that were touchy.
Only a strong relationship with a person will endure the test of
confrontation.
You must have this before you begin to deal with deep-rooted
personality flaws in a person’s life,
Otherwise you risk losing that team member.
Jesus had sufficient investment in His leaders to touch deep personal
issues.
2. Considerable grace is needed in the early days of a relationship.

It takes maturity to hold back from addressing deficiencies in a person’s
life.
But leaders must wait until that person has developed enough to
receive correction,
Where your relationship with them has matured
And they are in the place where they will respect and receive your input
Now Jesus begins to move His disciples into ministry
So He teaches difficult, confrontational lessons challenging their
motives and ambition.
Management skills, charisma and polish are important to the success of
a leader.
But the real issues of success are the internal ones.
Skills can be taught to a leader without the foundation of a strong
relationship.
For deep personal issues to be addressed successfully, they need a
committed friendship.
A teacher can influence a leader but only a friend can change them
20. JESUS TAUGHT THEM FORGIVENESS

50.
“Moreover if your brother sins against you go and tell him his fault between you
and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. – Matt. 18.15
Jesus taught confrontational skills.
1. No relationship can endure without acts of forgiveness.

Even in a committed friendship the bond will be challenged.
This could be a simple misunderstanding or deliberate hurt.
So forgiveness is the absolute necessity of all long-term relationships.
2. Jesus began teaching forgiveness by first teaching the principles of

confrontation.
Confrontational skills are vital in leadership.
They are part of developing true working relationships founded on
understanding and respect.
Jesus didn’t teach that we should forgive blindly without discussions.
He taught confronting personal offences in meekness and forgiveness.
3. The problem is we become emotional in confrontation.

Emotions show we are not moving in meekness and forgiveness.
The emotions become the focus of the disagreement.
The conflict then escalates into unreasonable arguments.
The dilemma is not the disagreement but the emotions.
There will be no anger if there is true meekness and forgiveness.
4. Jesus encouraged His leaders to settle their disputes one-on-one.

Many leaders ignore disagreements hoping the conflict goes away.
It usually does, but the relationship is damaged.
There is the danger that a brother will not listen to your offence.
But if he listens to you the relationship is restored.
Jesus taught clearly that when there is a spiritual relationship :-
 We are obligated to approach the person we’re in disagreement
with
 We must discuss the fault privately and settle the dispute.
Jesus valued relationships, so He taught that disagreements must be
resolved.
“But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the
mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established” –
Matt. 18.16.
5. Jesus taught confrontation must be increased until the conflict is

resolved.
He knew some disagreements would not be settled one-on-one.
51.
He taught them arbitrators should be brought in to solve the dispute.

Should that fail it needs addressing publicly in the church.
In God’s Kingdom this is the rule of law :-
“If he will not hear take one or more, that by the mouth of two of three
witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear
them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let
him be to you like a heathen and tax collector. – Matt. 18. 16-17
6. Jesus would not allow conflicts to fester.

He was extremely devoted to relationships.
He taught a person had to be reconciled to a brother when judged by
the church.
If he wouldn’t then he was to be considered an outsider.
Jesus would tell people with disagreements against brothers to leave
the church.
Jesus taught them to honour unity.

Then Peter came to Him and said “Lord how often shall my brother sin
against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I
do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” -
Matt.18.21-22
1. When we confront, an offender must be forgiven if he accepts his fault.

This issue troubled Peter as Jesus taught on confrontation.
When we confront it must be with a predetermined willingness to
forgive.
Unforgiveness is not permissible in leadership.
There is no other option.
Jesus understood the devastation unforgiveness brings.
His leaders must understand how to forgive and move on,
Otherwise they won’t endure the suffering leaders face in a lifetime of
service.
The cost of unforgiveness is excessive, unrelenting, all consuming.
Leaders can’t allow even a hint of unforgiveness in their hearts.
2. The spirit of division begins in the spirit of unforgiveness.

The church is littered with the bones of dead relationships
Caused through disputes, disagreements and offences.
Scores of leadership relationships have been severed
All because one party refused to take the road of humility for the
relationship.
Jesus taught the lifestyle of forgiveness.
52.
1. Forgiveness in leadership must be more than a spoken word.

Your position and action teach far more than the words say.
The greater gifting of leaders the more their life is scrutinised by others.
Don’t distance yourself from a brother who has disagreed with you.
Otherwise the message to followers is you could not resolved your
differences.
In their minds there is unforgiveness.
Leaders are generally quick to forgive and articulate forgiveness.
But they have often been burned in relationships
So they protect themselves by pulling away from leaders they don’t feel
they can fully trust.
That is why Peter struggles with the concept of forgiveness and asked
how often.
2. It is impossible to manage a team without exercising forgiveness.

Your leaders will disappoint, misunderstand and question you.
They may even falsely accuse and malign you.
Your task as their leader is to :-
 Challenge every trespass
 Confront every disagreement
 Be swift to release them through forgiveness.
Jesus taught the penalty of unforgiveness.

“And his master was angry and delivered him to the torturers until he
should pay all that was due to him. So my Heavenly Father also will do to
you if each of you, from his heart does not forgive his brother his trespass”
– Matt. 18. 34-35
1. Jesus taught forgiveness wasn’t an option in the Kingdom but an

absolute necessity.
Jesus told the parable of the leader who was forgiven a million dollar
debt
But then refused to forgive a very small debt that was owed to him.
Jesus gave the very sobering thought that defines the penalty of
unforgiveness.
It is one of the strongest verses found in the Bible.
It talks of leaders who do not forgive those who ask to be forgiven.
It says they will be turned over to torturers.
2. It is unlikely that any of us would be placed in prison for unforgiveness.

It is fair to assume he was referring to tormenting spirits.
“So my Heavenly Father will also do to you” - is one of the most
disturbing thoughts in the Bible.
53.
We have no defence and no protection when we move in the spirit of

unforgiveness.
The requirement of forgiveness in leadership is not optional.
It is an absolute necessity for unhindered fruitfulness.
3. Satan opposes every leader in the Kingdom.

That is his destiny and occupation.
The worst thing a leader can do is empower the enemy.
This can be done by giving him ammunition through the spirit of
unforgiveness.
Leaders refuse to settle conflicts because of their conflicting emotions
over someone
Also because of laziness or resentment.
The reason is immaterial but the results are devastating!
If leaders refuse to settle disagreements they give permission to the
tormentors.
They also accept the condition of unfruitfulness.
21. JESUS INCLUDED THEM IN HIS LEADERSHIP LIFE
As Jesus passed by He saw a man who was blind from birth. His disciples
asked Him, Saying, “who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born
blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the
works of God should be revealed in Him.” - John 9. 1-3
Jesus answered His leaders’ questions
1. True leaders have an insatiable desire to learn and be mentored.

They will seek out challenging relationships as opportunities for
development.
They are constantly striving to develop themselves and enlarge their
capacity for growth.
A true leader must produce and must increase.
Jesus understood the needs of his leaders and helped to satisfy their
hunger for development.
He did this by including them in His leadership life as well as His
personal life.
2. Jesus was tireless in answering the disciples’ question
And in teaching them at a level beyond what He taught the multitude.

One of the greatest abilities is that of “teaching in the moment”.
Taking advantage of “teaching opportunities” in a person’s life.
Jesus understood this in regards to His disciples.
54.
He would not allow any teaching opportunity to pass by.
Jesus taught spontaneously.
1. Teaching spontaneously is the most effective way to influence a

person’s life.
When we teach “in the moment” we’re reaching a person at their point
of need.
This is the time when they are most open to influence.
But spontaneous teaching requires you to be prepared and ready.
It requires a disciplined devotion and prayer life.
Otherwise you will never be in a position to teach spontaneously.
2. Spontaneous teaching flows out of a prepared heart.

It is a fresh word born out of daily experience with the Lord.
Freshness is one of the greatest challenges of discipleship.
It’s the most effective way to influence a person’s life.
Jesus was accessible.
1. Some leaders make it awkward for their team to approach them.

They are aloof, which communicates “keep your distance”.
They will not spend personal time with their leaders.
They will give time only on an appointment basis.
This crates hurdles which discourage interaction.
2. We know leaders must isolate themselves from distractions.

If you are accessible to everyone you will be available to no-one.
Focus is one of the greatest strengths of team leadership.
You can’t be accessible to everyone, but you must be to your team.
Jesus was approachable.
1. There is a difference between being accessible and being

approachable.
You may say “my door is open” but intimidate your leaders.
If so you will discourage them from personal interaction.
Jesus’ team were able to ask Him questions at a personal level.
This was because He as firstly, accessible.
He isolated Himself away with them in private times.
Nearly all His powerful leadership truths were spoken in that setting.
55.
2. The team felt comfortable asking questions because secondly He was

approachable.
Jesus rarely expressed any impatience with them.
Because of spending time together they were comfortable with Him.
They would blurt out just about anything that came to mind.
Trust and interaction became the basis of their relationship.
It happened through Jesus investing great amounts of personal time
with them.
Effective leaders understand the influence of their personality and
character.
They will create an environment that puts their team at ease.
One that makes them comfortable enough to ask even trivial questions.
22. JESUS TAUGHT THEM CHARACTER
(a) Jesus began to teach His team principles that create long
term leadership.
Character is needed to endure a lifetime of leading others.

Character flaws will stop leaders from finishing their course.
Jesus now addressed issues dealing with understanding long term
commitment.
He laid the foundation for a lifetime of work.
He ensured that His team would remain devoted to the vision.
A leader who does not learn to serve will never endure a lifetime of
ministry.
(b) Jesus taught them loyalty.

Jesus said to them, “Moses because of the hardness of your hearts,
permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.
And I say to you whoever divorces his wife except for sexual immorality,
and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is
divorced commits adultery.” His disciples said to Him, “If such is the case
of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” - Matt. 19. 8-10
1. The team were troubled by Jesus’ firm teaching on the finality of

marriage.
They thought it was best not to begin a marriage relationship
Unless there was opportunity to leave if it became unmanageable.
A marriage is the strongest relationship bond in human experience.
It serves as an example of every issue encountered in any relationship.
Couples must enter into marriage with a lifetime commitment.
56.
Otherwise they may as well not marry.

In this the disciples were correct.
2. Every relationship deserves this sort of expectation.

Especially the leader – team relationship.
There is never a reason why a Kingdom relationship should be
severed.
We are mobile cultures so won’t always work together forever.
But every Kingdom relationship should continue like a marriage.
(c) Jesus taught them to care for the weak.
Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on
them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the
little children come to me and do not forbid them; for of such is the
Kingdom of Heaven.” - Matt 19. 13-14
The disciples saw children as a huge distraction.

But Jesus made room for them in His life.
The lesson here is to care for those whose needs may be time consuming.
Leaders may tend to pass the weak off to lower level leaders.
Leaders should focus on other top level leaders.
But every leader needs to remain exposed to new Christians.
It keeps us compassionate.
It reminds us of the time and effort it takes to disciple a new believer.
Every leader must be a soul winner and able to disciple at any level.
(d) Jesus taught them eternal values.

Then Peter said to Him “We have given up everything to follow you. What
will we get out of it?” And Jesus replied, “I assure you that when I, the Son
of Man, sit upon my glorious throne in the Kingdom, you who have been
my followers will also sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of
Israel.”
1. Jesus taught that the real rewards for the team’s service was in
eternity.
Leaders working for earthly rewards haven’t understood serving.
Peter asked what he would receive for following Jesus.
The Lord referred him to his eternal reward.
You can’t consistently motivate your team with earthly rewards.
No amount of money, recognition or status will satisfy a worker.
Those labouring for earthly rewards will never be truly fulfilled.
2. Jesus understood the motivations power of eternal rewards.
57.
Leaders must understand the eternal nature of God’s Kingdom

Otherwise they will not produce lasting fruit.
Fruitfulness depends on eternal perspective.
You can’t buy your friends and you can’t buy your leaders.
3. Jesus acknowledged there were earthly rewards for serving the Lord.
However he emphasised the eternal rewards.
Teams must understand reward and promotion come from the Lord.
If they labour for prizes you provide, they will never reach their full
potential.
Labouring for heavenly rewards motivates towards success.
Challenging relationships and eternal rewards motivate truly spiritual
leaders.
(e) Jesus shared His intimate life.

Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem took His disciples aside on the road
and said to them. “Behold we are going up to Jerusalem and the Son of
Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes and they will
condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to
scourge and to crucify. And on the third day He will rise again.” –
Matt 20. 17-19
1. Jesus did not hide anything from His leaders.

He told them everything He was to face in Jerusalem.
The passion He was to go through was the most confidential detail of
His life.
He was the only person who knew what He was to face.
He willingly shared this private detail of his life with His leaders.
This elevated their relationship to its most intimate level.
He was vulnerable with them without voicing fear or weakness.
Vulnerability is a good quality to develop on a leadership team.
Jesus shared the approaching struggle with His team,
Demonstrating it is possible to be intimate, honest, vulnerable,
But not being weak in faith.
2. Vulnerability just for transparency may tend to weakness and unbelief.
Leaders must learn how to honestly share the challenges of their
personal lives in an atmosphere of faith.
(f) Jesus did not reward His disciples with recognition.
James and John came to Jesus saying, “Grant us that we may sit one on
your right hand and the other on your left in your glory.”
58.
1. The team were incensed with James’ and John’s insolence and
ambition.
They had every right to be angry.
Jesus refused to reward them based on their relationship to Him.
He referred them to a higher authority – the Father.
2. Reward and recognition is entirely in the hands of the Father.

It is based on performance judged by the Father’s standard.
Leaders must help their team understand compensation and promotion
is found in Eternity.
This endorses a fear of the Lord that dismantles the spirit of
competitiveness.
Encouragement and edification are constructive.
Reward and recognition tend to foster ambition.
3. There are rewards for serving God in this life.

But if your leaders are looking for them they can be distracted from the
harvest.
The only thing you can bring to God of eternal value are men’s souls.
When you are motivated by eternal values you will pursue eternal
goals.
23. JESUS SERVED HIS TWELVE
“You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am”. - John 13.13
Jesus served them in teaching.
1. The bottom line of team ministry is serving.

This was Jesus’ most intimate meeting with His disciples.
Here He gave them the essence of His entire three years of ministry.
That He came to serve and foremost to serve His team.
There is a difference between teaching to serve and serving people
yourself.
Jesus taught His team to serve.
2. Teaching is a never-ending task of service.

It requires constant preparation, prayer and consistent spiritual growth.
Otherwise the teaching ministry will languish into ineffectiveness.
Jesus progressed His team through various levels of relationship,
Deepening His teachings and serving them at ever increasing levels.
Jesus served them in purity.
59.
“If I then your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you ought also to
wash one another’s feet”. – John 13.14
Jesus washed the team’s feet as an example of humility.
But He was also ministering to them the anointing of purity.
His three years teaching task had a purpose –
To bring them to a place of devotion to the Kingdom and purity in their
lives.
Now the work was done it was time to seal His life’s message.
This was through submission to the cross and the supreme example of
serving.
Despite all Jesus taught His team they couldn’t anticipate what was to
happen.
Only in retrospect did they understand.
But in washing their feet He taught them purity and service.
Jesus served them in authority.
“Most assuredly I say to you a servant is not greater than his master, nor is
he who is sent greater than he who sent him.” – John 13.16.
1. It may sound contradictory to use “serve” and “authority” together.

Jesus clearly demonstrated servant-hood to His team,
But also made it clear there was a line and flow of authority.
2. The only way to do this in your team is through the power of spiritual
resources.
Develop yourself in :-
 The anointing
 Your teaching ministry
 The gifts of the Spirit.
This way you establish the line of authority and can serve in humility.
When you have authority you don’t have to search for leaders to join
the vision.
To the same degree you walk in confident authority you will attract
capable leaders.
Leaders with ability are drawn to leaders with authority.
3. The greater your authority the more relaxed you will be in serving.
King David was clearly an authoritative king but he walked in
remarkable humility.
He was secure in himself, his walk with the Lord and his office.
This freed him to exhibit a humility that as very un-kingly.
60.
Yet he has won the respect and admiration of generations of believers.

He was honoured by the Lord as “a man after God’s own heart”. –
Acts 13.22
Jesus served them in obedience.
“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” – John 13.17.
1. Jesus clearly modelled obedience to His leaders by obeying the voice

of the Father.
Not my will, but yours was a constant theme in teaching His team.
When you model submission to authority your team will follow your
model and submit to you.
Without your example they have nothing to imitate.
Likewise if there is a flaw in your life they may take that on also.
2. Nearing the end of His ministry Jesus shifted away from the multitude
and more to the team.
The more they matured the more He focused on them exclusively.
His energies were towards His team and His priestly ministry to the
Father.
3. Serving others is the model of Christianity but serving leaders is the

model of team building.
The deeper a leader becomes the more he needs opportunity to
influence other leaders.
Fruitful leaders will seek out potential leaders to invest in.
The wiser the leader the more focused and purposeful his ministry
becomes.
24. JESUS TAUGHT THE RELATIONSHIP OF LEADER TO LEADER
Then at the proper time Jesus and the twelve apostles sat down together at the
table. Jesus said, “I have looked forward to this hour with deep longing,
anxious to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I
tell you now that I won’t eat it gain until it comes to fulfilment in the Kingdom of
God.” – Luke 22. 14-16 N.L.T.
(a) Jesus addressed mature leadership issues.
1. Jesus was concluding His earthly ministry and nearing the sober
experience of the cross.
He began to move His relationship to His team into a serious phase.
Here He would address mature leadership fundamentals.
61.
His relationship to them reached a level of deep intimacy.

He bestowed on them genuine governmental responsibility.
In these final hours with His leaders He prepared them to govern.
2. Jesus longed for His team to reach a high level of maturity –
One that would allow them to meet together as leaders and as intimate
friends.
He made a commitment to them He wouldn’t enjoy another Passover
Until it was the one they would share together in the Kingdom of God.
He joined them in the suffering that was to come in their own lives.
He was about to undergo unimaginable agony.
They too would suffer in the years ahead as they entered service in
God’s Kingdom.
Jesus honoured His team in the fellowship of their Passover Supper.
Also in the commitment to wait until Eternity to enjoy it together again.
He honoured them as friends.
He honoured them as leaders worthy to sit at the same table together.
At this supper the team met for the first time as a counsel of leaders.
Jesus established the office of His twelve.
“You have remained true to me in my time of trial. And just as my Father

has granted me a kingdom, I now grant you the right to eat and drink at my
table in that kingdom. And you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes
of Israel” – Luke 22. 28-30 N.L.T.
Jesus inaugurated a new dimension of authority while in fellowship with

His team.
He foretold their future positions and established their authority in eternity.
He instituted each of their offices in the Kingdom.
They would no longer be disciples but governors, apostles and leaders.
Earlier at the Passover table they had argued over who would be the
greatest – Luke 22.24.
This wasn’t the first time they had had this argument.
Previously Jesus skirted this issue of their authority in the Kingdom.
Instead He focused on teaching them to serve one another.
He continued this example by serving at the Passover meal
But added the clear statement that established their eternal destinies.
They were ordained to sit on thrones and to judge.
In time each team member must be given authority over an area of
ministry.
The common vision.

62.
The basis of a team that oversees a vision is relationship.

The strength of relationship is directly linked to shared values and dreams.
Sharing these with others, you enter into partnership and become part of
the team.
Add submission to authority and the vision and a formidable coalition
emerges.
When a team of leaders submit to the vision a winning culture is launched.
Then the team’s potential is unlimited.
25. JESUS RAISED THE STANDARD OF LEADERSHIP
Peter said to Him “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.” “Peter”,
Jesus replied, “the truth is, this very night before the rooster crows twice you
will deny me three times.” “No,” Peter insisted. “Not even if I have to die with
you, I will never deny you!” And all the others vowed the same. – Mark 14. 29-
31 NLT
As leaders mature they become more secure in their abilities.
1. They are given authority over areas of ministry.

Now the relationship dynamic on the team changes dramatically.
They are no longer leaders in training but become a team of leaders
Mature enough to handle criticism, suggestions, correction, discipline.
2. When you begin building a team criticism is often taken personally.

Even suggestions can be perceived as a threat.
Insecure members may compete for time, attention, favour from the
leader.
Public correction can be devastating and counter-productive.
When the team can receive open criticism they become effective,
stable, guileless leaders.
When there is no guile, competitive or territorial spirit, they have
become a true team.
Thomas said to Him, “Lord we do not know where you are going and
how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way … If you
had known me you would have known my Father also ….” Phillip said
to Him, “Lord show us the Father and it is sufficient for us”. Jesus said
to him, “Have I been with you so long and yet you have not known me,
Phillip? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in
me?” – John 14. 5-10
3. By this time Thomas and Phillip had become familiar with Jesus.
They had the boldness to question Him openly.
Their questions were subdued challenges to His teachings and who He
was.
63.
They questioned the fundamental nature of everything Jesus said

about Himself
Which was that He and the Father were one.
Thomas was whining about not understanding what Jesus was saying.
Phillip actually challenged Jesus to show them the Father.
4. Jesus responded calling Phillip by name.

“Have I been with you so long and yet you have not known me Phillip?”
It sounds like the scolding of a child.
Most correction of a leader should take place in private.
Don’t humiliate leaders, they appreciate it when they are respected.
They normally respond positively when treated with dignity.
But sometimes Jesus strongly corrected His leaders before the team.
This was usually when there was open questioning of His office.
Sometimes leaders give opinions that undermine authority or decision
making.
Discipline may be needed before the team since their actions affect the
team.
If they voiced their opinion privately, correct them privately.
If it was voiced before the team they may need correction before the
team.
5. It takes real wisdom to discern when it’s right to do this.

You have to know the relationship has developed to this level.
Don’t correct this way if they are insecure in their relationship with you.
Otherwise the correction will confuse them, causing self-doubt and
indecisiveness.
They will endure strong correction if they know you will remain
committed to the relationship.
6. After the correction, reaffirm the relationship so the leader doesn’t

become insecure.
This is exactly what Jesus did in this passage.
He spent a few verses on faith, challenging them to believe in Him.
Then Jesus begins to encourage them in His relationship to them.
“I will not leave you orphans” – John 14.18
He began to teach them about the Holy Spirit.
He encourages them in the fact that He would never abandon them.
That He would send comfort and help to them and always be with
them.
After the strong correction came strong affirmation.
This was in their relationship and their work together.
64.
7. The stronger the discipline the stronger should be the affirmation

afterwards.
Leaders must be affirmed and strengthened in order for discipline to be
constructive.
Otherwise it will hinder them in their minds and disrupt, not build, the
work.
Jesus asked for fruit from His leaders.
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, so you will be my
disciples.” – John 15.8”
1. To Jesus fruit equalled discipline.

Bear fruit and you are a disciple.
You cannot be satisfied with team members being loyal servants.
Jesus demanded His leaders bear fruit and so must you.
He made fruit bearing a pre-requisite for being part of the team
(disciples).
A person cannot be brought into the leadership until they are bearing
fruit.
If we appoint leadership on any other basis we’re missing the criteria
Jesus established.
Don’t appoint leaders on charisma, influence, ability, financial or
community status.
Followers volunteer but leaders are selected based on potential to
bear fruit.
2. A calling to discipleship is an open invitation to whosoever will.

The selection to leadership is a position.
Everybody is called to be a follower but not all will respond.
Every follower is called to leadership but not all will accept this call.
The risk of fruit-based recognition is that a leader may tend to overlook
the undeveloped resources in a person.
3. The Lord may sometimes require you to devote yourself to a person not
bearing fruit.
Even to bringing them onto a team of strong leaders.
The purpose may be to work on our character and team’s character.
Every leader needs to allow room in their lives for a person of need.
This is for the needy person’s sake and the character work in that
leader’s life.
Eventually the needy person should begin to bear fruit.
65.
4. Not everybody will rise to the same level of fruitfulness.

The demoniac, Samaritan woman, blind man, Lazarus – all
encountered Jesus.
They all became influential, fruitful leaders.
Although none were privileged to become members of Jesus’ team
they were still leaders.
5. Every follower is called to fruitfulness and every fruitful person to

leadership.
Every leader is free to rise to their level of responsibility.
Not everyone will rise to the same level of leadership but everyone
must become a leader.
The call to leadership is not to achieve a certain position or level of
recognition.
It is to develop to the best of your ability and bring others to your level
of understanding
If every person can find someone who needs them then every person
will become a leader.
6. Developing leaders walk through seasons of fruit-bearing and personal

development.
Those seasons may or may not be simultaneous.
Sometimes our leaders may not be experiencing significant fruitful
times.
This may be because of the personal work God is doing in them.
As leader your challenge is to focus on the personal development of
your leader.
You cannot demand that a person be fruitful.
To make your leaders fruitful, minister to their needs.
Provide them an environment where they may naturally bear fruit.
As they grow they are able to help others grow.
Recognise their fruit as an indication of their ability and character.
Place them where they can bear more fruit based on fruit they are
already bearing
7. As Jesus got closer to the Cross, His correction, discipline and

challenge became stronger.
The team must have been reeling after the Passover, trial and
crucifixion.
It was one crushing blow after another.
They argued during Passover, slept through Gethsemane and attacked
the High Priest’s servant.
They ran in fear, denied the Lord, doubted His resurrection.
66.
No wonder Peter decided to go fishing when it was all over.
8. Jesus knew the suffering, self-doubt, emotional devastation His team

would undergo.
But He held firm to His correction and discipline in their lives.
There was the call to bear much fruit and the responsibility of their
future at stake.
This was a strong demand that taxed the very foundation of their
relationship.
But His team were so firmly committed they had nowhere else to turn.
Their love had brought them to a place of total commitment to His
leadership.
When a leader risks His future to commit to work alongside you, He’s
earned a place in the team.
Both fruit and sacrifice are prerequisites of being in leadership.
26. JESUS CALLED HIS LEADERS HIS FRIENDS
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no-one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you
servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing, but I have
called you friends, for all things that I heard from my Father I have made known
to you.” – John 15. 12-15
1. People with strong friendships are happier and healthier than those without.
The idea of giving your life for your friends is really tough to take.
How many people do you value enough to give your life for?
Your husband, wife or children is as far as most people would go.
There are two things that would motivate a person to give their life for
someone else :
Value → Love
2. There are three major ideas Jesus expresses in this passage.

They define His investment into His friendship with His team.
 He loved them
 He valued their lives over His own
 He taught them everything He knew.
There are two major ideals in this passage defining what Jesus wanted for
the team.
 That they should love each other as He had loved them.
67.
 That they were His friends if they did His commands.

These ideals define the relationship of the leader to his team.
Also their relationship to one another and to their leader.
None of these are easy to accept.
3. As leader you must follow the pattern Jesus laid out.

You must value the lives of our team over our own, and love them.
For the sake of the work of Eternity your team are a more valuable
resource to the Kingdom than you.
4. Imagine what Jesus could have done if He had extended His ministry for
thirty years.
He would have accomplished more than His team did in the rest of their
lives.
Yet He chose willingly to cut His ministry short in obedience to a higher
plan.
He actually valued His team’s lives more than His own.
How could He do that? And why?
God’s system of value is not based on worth as we understand it.
Jesus’ value was based on His obedience.
If He had not been obedient He would have had no value or worth.
Obedience gave Him value and God was pleased with Him for His
obedience.
5. You may be able to minister better than any of your team.

If you value their potential at times you will need to step aside for them to
minister.
When you value someone over yourself you sacrifice your dreams to fulfil
theirs.
The leadership of a team requires you to progress in a love relationship
One that understands and practises these values.
You must value your team ahead of your own ministry.
You must be willing to develop them in a fatherly spirit.
You must teach them everything you know.
27. JESUS PRAYED FOR HIS TWELVE
“Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to Heaven and said … John
17.1a
Jesus obviously had a strong prayer relationship with the Father.
He prayed for His leaders all through His time on earth.
At the close of His ministry He outlined a teaching of prayer for them.
68.
This helped them understand how they could have a ministry of prayer for
their followers.
He was about to release the entire responsibility of the Kingdom on earth
to them.
Jesus asked for glory.
“Father the hour has come. Glorify your Son that your Son may also
glorify you.” – John 17.16
1. Jesus asked the Father to honour Him so He could complete His

purpose.
A leader must have something in them that people will desire to follow.
Their influence comes from the “Honour of the Father”.
Jesus taught .. “If anyone serves me, him my Father will honour.” –
John 12.26.
There is an honour that comes from man and one that comes from the
Father.
The honour of man tends to pride but the Father’s to humility.
2. Jesus experienced the honour of the Father.

At His baptism a voice spoke from Heaven .. “This is my Beloved Son
in whom I am well pleased” – Matt 3.17.
Confirmation came again on the Mount of Transfiguration with the
same words – Matt. 17.5.
Those same elements of encouragement should be ministered to your
team.
Your team should be edified by your voice of approval.
They should be encouraged by your endorsement of their ministry
3. No-one will follow someone they don’t respect.

We pattern our lives after people we admire.
Leadership is all about establishing a pattern of success for others to
follow.
Only follow the person who sets the best pattern you can find.
Someone who sets a high standard for you to achieve.
Then follow their example towards your own success.
Obviously the Lord is the ultimate pattern we pursue.
Other leaders also help us towards the model of Christ-like character.
4. The honour of the Father is very different from the honour of man.
Jesus asked for an honour that would glorify the Father.
It would also give Him the courage and anointing to finish His work on
the cross.
69.
There is no pride or arrogance in asking for the Father’s honour.

In fact unless we have that honour we cannot be effective leaders.
Honour, esteem and admiration are the necessities of Kingdom
leadership.
Humility is the requirement to obtain them.
The honour of the Father demands we have the manner of a king and
the heart of a servant.
5. Before Jesus prayed for His team He asked for honour.

Honour establishes authority and authoritative prayer is effective.
When leaders submit themselves to your ministry you become an
authority in their lives.
From that position of authority emerges a mantle of responsibility and
effectiveness.
You are required to pray for your team because they have submitted to
you.
Your prayer is effective because of your position.
The degree that you accept your position of authority is important.
It determines the degree of your prayer’s effectiveness for your team.
Jesus finished the work.
“I have finished the work which you have given me to do” – John 17.4.
1. Completed work brings us to a place of faith for the next task.

In developing leaders it is important to discern where you are in the
work of their lives,
Identifying whether you can now move on to the next phase of ministry
to them.
2. When you have successfully completed one work, move to the next
level of faith.
Jesus didn’t complete all His ministry on earth at once.
He completed His ministry of teaching and of example to His team.
He was now ready for the next task.
This had nothing to do with His team, being about His final destiny.
It would be a spiritual conflict He alone could fight.
He had completed His task of training His team.
This had brought Him to a new level of faith.
3. Goals set with any of your team mark the progress of their faith.
When the goals are reached a new level of faith is achieved.
From this level of faith comes greater effectiveness in prayer.
70.
Jesus reminded the Father He had completed His task.

Jesus encouraged Himself in the completion of work.
We should do the same in our personal faith and the faith of our team.
A completed task increases our position of faith.
It also compliments the effectiveness of our ministry of prayer
Your team are a gift from God.
“I have manifested your Name to the men whom you have given me out of
the world. They were yours, you gave them to me, and they have kept
your word”. – John 17.6
1. Recognising your team as a gift from God changes your perspective.

Don’t just recruit your leaders.
Pursue them in prayer and seek your team as a gift from God.
2. There is no greater treasure in the Kingdom of God than a human soul.

A soul is the one thing on earth that will last for eternity.
God trusts His most valuable resource to leaders and it is an awesome
responsibility.
Understand the value of a soul and you will understand the importance
of the gift.
The loyalty and friendship of your team cannot be bought.
Give your team the Word.
“For I have given them the words which you have given me.” - John 17.8
A fresh word builds leaders.

It is the foundation for all leadership growth.
A fresh word requires a fresh relationship with the Lord.
Along with devotions, prayer, meditation, it is the greatest challenge of
your ministry life.
Without a fresh word ministry we cannot build successful leaders.
Pray for your team.
“I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you
should keep them from the evil one.” – John 17.15.
The ministry of prayer is how you release your faith for your team.
How you enlarge your vision for their work and ministry.
Your team cannot grow without the under-girding of the ministry of prayer.
Pray for their sanctification.
71.
“Sanctify them by your truth. Your Word is truth.” – John 17.17

Without purity and holiness leaders will never be truly effective.
There must be a system of accountability in your team structure.
Meet with your team once a week.
Hold them accountable for their personal lives.
This will establish a fear of the Lord and commitment to maintain purity.
Pray for your leaders’ leaders.
“I do not pray for these alone but also for those who will believe in me
through their word.” – John 17.20
In praying for your leaders’ leaders you are releasing faith and vision.
Praying this way you release your faith for growth.
It also paves the way for your leaders’ success.
Their success becomes your success and their victories your victories.
Bring your leaders to unity.
“That they all may be one, as You, Father are in Me and I in You; that they
all may be one, in Us, that the world may believe that You sent me.” –
John 17.21.
Until your leaders become a team they will never be truly successful.
When you first meet as a team you may not really be a team at all,
Just a gathering of independent leaders.
The more you meet the more unified you should become.
As you share with each other you become acquainted and partners in the
vision.
The power of the leaders is the power of the team.
When your leaders become a team they multiply their effectiveness by the
team number.
Bring the team to your ministry level.
“Father I desire that they also whom you gave Me, may be with Me where I
am.” – John 17.24
Jesus’ desire was to bring His team to His level of ministry.
Your goal should also be to bring your leaders to your level.
This challenges you to constantly grow in your spiritual life to continue to
lead them.
You need to stay one step ahead of them in leadership and vision.
Most of the values of the team are for the sake of the leaders.
But this value makes the team leader accountable to his team.
72.
In order for the team to grow the team leader must grow.
28. JESUS FATHERED HIS TEAM
And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them.
Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to
you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here and look at My hands;
and reach your hand here, and put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving but
believing”. And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God’!” –
John 20. 26-28
The ministry of a Father begins in the ministry of correction.
1. Jesus worked to build an atmosphere of positive faith around Him.

He would not allow His team to sink into despair and unbelief.
Many times He corrected His team and those around them in their faith.
After great success in towns and villages He returned to teach in His
home town.
“But He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief”.
– Matt 13.58.
Unbelief will destroy what we labour to build.
It must be dealt with firmly and in love.
Even Jesus was limited in the work He could do by the atmosphere
unbelief generated.
2. Jesus did the miracle of raising a little girl from the dead.
He wouldn’t allow unbelief or mocking to distract Him from His faith.
So He put all except Peter, James, John and her parents outside. –
Luke 8.51
Faith is a resource of the Kingdom of God.
Unbelief is a resource of the kingdom of the enemy.
Jesus wouldn’t allow negativity of Satan’s kingdom to affect His signs
and wonders.
3. Jesus’ team could not cast out a demon - Matt 17.17.

He called them faithless and perverse!
They asked why they couldn’t cast the demon out.
He said “Because of your unbelief” .... but this kind does not go out
without prayer and fasting.”
Jesus corrected them with the strong stunning words of faithless and
perverted,
But gave them hope they too could do notable works
73.
If they developed their faith through prayer and fasting.

Jesus was strong in demanding faith but compassionate in encouraging
His team.
4. Jesus corrected Thomas very directly, rebuking him before His other
leaders, saying “Because you have seen me you have believed.
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” -
John 20.29
No doubt Thomas was humiliated by the experience.
Jesus was straightforward in dealing with unbelief on His team.
He considered unbelief the enemy of faith.
He rooted it out immediately, directly and publicly.
5. There are times when strong words of correction are needed.

Strong correction however cannot take place without a strong bond of
relationship.
A team member must be secure in his relationship with his leader.
Otherwise he won’t be able to receive strong correction in the right
spirit.
When your relationship allows for strong correction you have realised
Father-to-Son status.
Jesus modelled the role of a father.
But when morning had come Jesus stood on the shore; yet His disciples
did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children have
you any food?” – John 21. 4-5
1. Jesus was standing in the mist on the shoreline as dawn broke over the
lake.
This was on the western edge of Galilee so sunrise was behind the
disciples.
Jesus was looking at them against the early morning light.
He called them “children” and asked if they had any food.
There is a touching sweetness to this scene helping us understand the
ministry of a father.
2. A father cares for the basic needs of his children.

Jesus called His team His children and asked them about their basic
needs.
He was reaffirming them in their fundamental relationship with Him.
Many of them He met for the first time on these shores.
His final meeting with them here brought their relationship full circle.
Jesus told them to cast their nets into the sea for a catch.
This reminded Peter of the early days for their relationship.
74.
3. As you develop your leaders, there will be special, personal moments.

Times when you find yourself revisiting the early days of your
relationship.
Tender moments that are powerful foundation stones rooted in the
emotions of friendship.
They strengthen and assist the ongoing relationship.
They help build the foundation for fatherhood.
A father provides an environment for success.
The power of fathering is to create a safe environment.

A place where people feel protected, covered and secure.
The most productive people are those having a strong sense of security.
An environment of success is established by an image of well-being.
A father provides comfort.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that
we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort
with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” - 2 Cor. 1. 3-4
1. Comfort creates a safe environment and is the foundation to security

and success.
Walk in the comfort of the Father and you establish an atmosphere of
confidence and rest.
That environment builds in your team a culture of security.
Security encourages trust, openness and honesty.
2. Comfort your team and you develop a culture that is infectious.

The ministry of comfort will lift your team above the insecurity of
emotional stress.
A father provides revelation.
“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every
perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with
whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He
brought us forth by the Word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits
of His creatures”. – James 1. 16-18
1. Light creates a secure environment.

Fresh revelation strengthens the faith of your team ad dispels fear.
2. Security begins in trust and is established through goodness and

stability.
75.
Some leaders motivate teams by intimidating them to work or shaming

them for not working.
Goodness is a more powerful motivator.
A father’s goodness establishes trust and James referred to Father
God’s goodness.
A father’s goodness is the foundation for security.
A father provides stability.
1. James said there was no “variation” in the Father.

He spoke of the stability a relationship with the Lord provides.
Fathers tend to be unmoving and this frustrates teenagers.
But this provides a strong, secure foundation defining his relationship to
his children.
In time they see his wisdom if he holds true to honourable principles.
2. Stable leaders provide a solid platform for their team to work from.
It helps them pursue long-range goals.
Constantly changing the vision disrupts the stability of your team.
Leaders pursue fresh vision and revelation.
But don’t make immediate and sweeping changes to your ministry or
leaders’ team.
They can hinder the relationship dynamics of the team.
Sweeping change fosters instability and unpredictability.
3. Fathers who understand stability work hard to develop predictability.

Develop fatherly stability as the foundation of your relationship with
your team.
They will then accept change and cooperate in making it possible.
A father motivates through love.
He said to him the third time, “Simon son of Jonah, do you love me?”
Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love
me?” … He said to Him, “Lord you know all things; you know that I love
you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep”. – John 21.17
1. A father’s greatest desire is that his children be successful.

Jesus worked with Peter during their last earthly conversation together.
He brought Peter to the place of love.
He desired that Peter mature into the leader he was destined to be.
That Peter please the Heavenly Father in his work and life.
Jesus could have reminded Peter of his duty or given him things to do.
He simply reaffirmed their love relationship and used it to motivate him.
76.
2. Everything is about relationships and the greatest motivator is love.

When will a team achieve their maximum potential?
Whey they know their leader loves them and will father them.
Your team’s success doesn’t just depend on their ability or gifting.
It depends on them knowing they have a father in ministry who loves
them.
A father will not allow comparisons.
Then Peter, turning around saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following
… Peter said, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that
he remain till I come, what is that to you? Follow me.” – John 21. 20-22
1. When leaders compare themselves they lower the standard of

excellence.
It also creates a competitive environment.
Jesus wouldn’t allow His team to compare themselves,
Nor allow them to be concerned about each other’s accomplishments.
2. John enjoyed a special relationship with Jesus that challenged Peter

emotionally.
Peter expressed an unhealthy interest in John’s calling and destiny.
Jesus quickly defused his curiosity, focusing him on his own business
in the Kingdom.
3. We all sometimes tend to compare ourselves with others.

But team leaders must develop a team that truly pulls for one another.
He must work hard at treating all his leaders equally.
A father releases his children.
One of the most difficult things for any parent is releasing their children.
But fathers understand their need to move into responsibility.
So they release them to their calling.
Jesus’ final act was to release His team to the world.
He also challenged them to pursue the vision with all their hearts.
He knew the things they would suffer and the hardships they would
endure.
He knew also the reward they would receive.
In a spirit of love and in the motivation of their relationship together He
released them to their destiny.
“And you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth”. – Acts 1.8
77.
29. JESUS ENDOWED HIS TEAM
Therefore when they had come together they asked him saying, “Lord will you
at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to
know times or season which the Father has put in his own authority. But you
shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be
witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of
the earth.” – Acts 1. 6-8
1. This was the last question His leaders asked Jesus.

They had asked Him everything that came to their minds over three years.
Here they returned to their pre-occupation with the Kingdom of God on
earth.
Without the power of the Holy Spirit they were still unclear about the
Kingdom of God.
Jesus deflected their question and instead gave them an endowment.
2. It is the dream of every father to endow his children.

Jesus had no financial endowment to give His leaders.
Judas had taken the money bag and Jesus’ clothes were taken at the
cross.
Jesus could give them no financial resources to continue their ministries.
But He gave them the supernatural power of Heaven through the
endowment of the Holy Spirit.
This was the most precious gift of Heaven the endless resource of the
Spirit of God.
His relationship with His team wasn’t based on material things He could
provide
But on the Spiritual resources He passed along through mentoring and
example.
3. Jesus chose a curious path to greatness.

To pour Himself into a team of unimpressive men, and patiently build
eternal character in them, must have been frustrating.
He completed His purpose and prepared them for the supernatural deposit
of God’s Spirit.
This would enable them to accomplish the call and work of Heaven.
This is the step of faith that every leader must make with His team.
They must be released to the anointing
Then you must trust the anointing to carry them to success.
78.
4. True discipleship begins in friendship, becomes partnership, concludes in

sending.
In time you may have to release team members to their own destiny or
calling.
Build a solid relationship and they will continue to look to you for a lifetime.
They will invite you to participate in their labour.
5. Jesus called His leaders to commit allegiance through the bonds of

relationship.
Not through the bonds of hierarchy.
He established an enduring Kingdom through His leaders
By introducing them to the power of an eternal relationship with God
through the Holy Spirit.
6. You can win the hearts of your leaders.

But how do you win their eternal success?
Not without teaching them how to walk in the eternal vision of the Holy
Spirit.
If you make them followers they will always need your oversight.
If you make them leaders they will reproduce without you.
The only enduring legacy is the inheritance based on an eternal
endowment.
7. When you release team members to their life purpose you come to a place
of endowment.
Give them the understanding their strength and success come from the
resources of eternity.
Then you have endowed them well and they will make you proud.
There is no greater satisfaction in life!

79.
80.

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BUILDING A TEAM JESUS’ WAY

JESUS FORMED HIS TEAM THROUGH PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

1. EVERYTHING IN LIFE IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS

(a) The Pharisees asked Jesus for the greatest commandment.

(b) The chief commandments are about relationships to God and to

(c) Jesus took His disciples through a definite progression of teaching.

After His influence was established he progressed to a student/teacher

Here He concentrated on issues of leadership, faith and the supernatural.

(d) The progressive teaching approach can be a pattern for developing

2. JESUS BUILT STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS

(a) Jesus’ first priority was to establish a Leadership Team

(b) Jesus chose a diverse team

Many leaders make a mistake in choosing a leadership team

(c) Jesus followed lines of relationships

The Gospel often moves in families.

(d) Jesus had a strategic relationship plan

His goal from the beginning was to train successful leaders.

(e) The four levels of relationship

 The Followers lived at a greater commitment level to Jesus and He

(f) Jesus used relationship to train His leaders

And that His character fundamentally changed them.

3. JESUS DISCERNED THEIR HEARTS

(a) To say Jesus knew His disciples is an understatement!

(b) Jesus spoke into Peter’s ability

In Matt 4.18 Jesus told Peter he would become a fisher of men.

(c) Jesus spoke into Peter’s character

In Matt 16.18 Jesus told Peter he was a Rock.

(d) Jesus spoke into Peter’s personal life

(e) Jesus spoke into Peter’s spiritual life

(f) Jesus spoke into Peter’s failure

(g) Jesus spoke into Peter’s destiny

4. HOW TO DISCERN YOUR LEADERS HEARTS

Understand their past

Evaluate their present

Leaders need an honest appraisal of their work and a clear understanding

Meditate on their future

Goals must be by faith but must also be realistic.

Pray for them

5. JESUS BUILT A CULTURE OF SUCCESS

(b) Jesus established positive values

Successful leaders must learn to coach.

6. JESUS SOCIALISED TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

(a) Jesus first assembled His team then attended a social

7. JESUS HELPED THEM SEE THE HARVEST

Jesus challenged His leaders to work.

This is because of their network of unbelieving friends.

Jesus was not distracted in the harvest.

Jesus helped His leaders anticipate resistance.

2. Opposition can create a mindset that hinders your effectiveness in

Jesus would not allow delay in the harvest.

Jesus taught the reward of harvest.

Jesus taught clearly that the harvest was work.

Jesus asked His leaders to look on the harvest.

“…. Lift up your eyes and look at the fields.”

8. JESUS ESTABLISHED HIS CORE LEADERS

(a) Ricky Zachary

(b) Narrow your focus – expand your vision.

Rick’s strategy was simply to focus on one young emerging leader

(c) Build your team one by one.

(d) Get involved in your leader’s family.

1. Jesus went to Peter’s House.

2. Jesus understood the need to get the family in order.