Relationship 1.4 - September 26, 2010

Practice #1 – Relationship
1.4 – Being a Spiritual Leader

A Context for Elijah:
1 Kings 19:14-21 (New International Version)
He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him." So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you." "Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?" So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.

4 Truths of Spiritual Leadership:
1. We all have to replace ourselves
No matter how much we have done in the Kingdom, we will all die.

Acts 13:36 (New International Version)
"For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed.

2. We have to know whom to choose
Ephesians 5:15-16 (New International Version)
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

3. We have to talk WITH them, not AT them
1 Kings 19:21 (New International Version)
So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.

They lived life together… This is the Discipleship Model.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (New International Version)
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

4. We have to know when to step down.
Deuteronomy 2:2-3 (New International Version)
Then the LORD said to me, "You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north.

Some Questions to ask:
1. Who has God brought into your life that He wants you to be a Spiritual Leader for?
2. What does it do inside of you to know that God wants you to be a Spiritual leader?
3. What obstacles do you face in becoming a Spiritual leader?
4. What is the cost if I don’t do my part in Discipleship?
5. Who will I ask to hold me accountable to owning my piece of handing off The Faith to the next generation, the next circle of influence, the next group of Spiritual leaders?