L - LISTEN more than you speak
“My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight.” James 1:19-20 (NLT)
E - ENGAGE in ongoing care and development
“Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly -- not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example. And when the head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor.”
1 Peter 5:2-4 (NLT)
“Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.”
James 1:27 (MSG)
“Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the
law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (NIV)
A - ACTIVELY reach out to those beyond your group
“All this is done by God, who through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also.” 2 Corinthians 5:18 (TEV)
“Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people…”
1 Corinthians 9:19 (MSG)
D - DEVELOP a healthy and balanced group
“You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.”James 3:18 (MSG)
E -ENCOURAGE every member to share a group role
“Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.”
Galatians 6:4 (NLT)
R - REMEMBER God’s calling in your life
“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.” Ephesians 4:1 (NLT)
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’” John 21:15 (NIV)
S - SURRENDER all that you are to God
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice -- the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?” Romans 12:1 (NLT)
H - HUMBLY lead your group with authenticity
“And mark that you do this with humility and discipline -- not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, …” Ephesians 4:2 (MSG)
“A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, …” 1 Timothy 6:6-7 (MSG)
I - INVEST your time in potential Leaders
“God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)
“Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.” Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT)
P - PRAY consistently for your group
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)