The Fire

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Malcolm Webber

The Fire

1. Individually, meditate on Philippians 1:29 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.

We will hear a sample of your insights.

2. In pairs, reflect on your life and how God has formed you into the leader you are today.

Identify at least one key time in your life when suffering or pressure had a significant impact on your growth and development as a leader. Share your experiences with each other.

We will hear a sample.

3. Please read the following:

Significantly, the formation of diamonds from carbon requires three things: (1) extreme pressures, 100 miles or more deep under the earth’s surface, (2) high temperatures, 2000 °F or more, and (3) time, diamonds are formed very slowly.

What are your thoughts?

4. Call out biblical examples of God using suffering to build His leaders, noting the three things mentioned above – pressure, temperature and time.

5. In your teams, express praise and worship to God for how He has kept you during times of suffering in your life. Thank Him for His wisdom in what He has allowed, and in how He has used suffering for your transformation.

6. In pairs, identify some current personal sufferings that you are going through.

Pray for each other and encourage each other from the Scriptures.

7. Please read the following:

Introducing Pressure in Leader Development There are several cautions we must observe as we introduce pressure into the lives of emerging leaders: It is not true that “the more we make them suffer, the more they will grow.” God allows suffering in our lives, but He does so wisely… not… callously or arbitrarily.' It is not the suffering itself that purifies us – it is how we respond to the suffering that counts. It should not be a constant fire. God allows us to suffer for “a little while” (1 Pet. 1:6; 5:10); this suffering is not continuous, but periodic, from time to time. It should not be to the extent that it destroys them. God does not allow us to be tested beyond what we can bear (1 Cor. 10:13). In the midst of suffering and pressure, emerging leaders need comfort. When God allows suffering, He often does not give deliverance from it, but comfort in it (2 Cor. 1:3-5). God allows us to go through the fire, but He does not leave us alone in the fire (Dan. 3:25). (From Building Leaders: SpiritBuilt Leadership#4 by Malcolm Webber)

8. Together, let’s brainstorm potential ways that pressure can be employed as an integral part of leader development.

9. In your teams, discuss specific practical ways in which pressure can be created to build character in your emerging leaders. How will you ensure they receive appropriate comfort in the midst of the pressure? We will hear a sample.