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Follow these six steps to help your leaders grow spiritually.

by Brett Eastman | posted 11/04/2004

Topics:	Developing, Encouragement, Goals, Motivation, Multiplication, Spiritual growth, Stories, Vision
Filters:	Coach, Leader, Pastor, Train
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Hebrews 10:23-25
Date Added:	November 04, 2004

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When my daughter Michelle was diagnosed with a form of cerebral palsy, we thought she'd never walk. But one day she started getting up on her haunches and crawling. The next minute, she was pulling herself up on furniture and trying to walk, but she didn't look like she would ever stand sturdy on her legs. After we put her in a little walker that allowed her to cruise around the house, she went from slow to fast, fast to faster, and faster to really fast. Finally, after four and half years of age, she took her first step and jumped into my arms.

When we bought a two-story house, she wanted to climb, but she didn't want to use the railing for support. She wanted to go straight up the center of the stairs, just like everybody else. One day, my wife called and said, "You've gotta come home."

When I came home, Michelle, now five, said, "Dad, I'm ready to do it." She went up a couple of steps and wobbled a bit, but she refused to use the rail. She kept going up. Two thirds of the way up the stairs, she fell back on her heels, reached over for the railing, missed the railing, but stopped herself from falling by catching herself. She kept climbing, one step at a time, all the way to the top. Surrounded by the hoots and hollers by the entire family, she raised her arms victoriously.

This didn't happen overnight for Michelle; it happened over time. Similarly, we take our spiritual journeys one step at a time. Small groups help people take these baby steps. How are you going to help your small group leaders take these steps of spiritual growth?

Here are six simple ways you can MENTOR your hosts to help them spiritually mature.

1. MOTIVATE them to find a spiritual coach who will encourage, exhort, and love them—who will do whatever it takes to help them take the next step. They should be willing to meet with this person at least once a month.

We asked a woman on staff whom she'd like to have spiritually invest in her, and she gave us a name. I asked for her number, called her up and said, "Hi, this is Pastor Brett. I asked my friend who she would choose if allowed to pick one person to invest in her spiritually, and she said you!"

The woman said, "You've got to be kidding. Are you serious?"

I said, "Yeah. What do you think?"

She said, "Well, I'd be honored. I'd love to."

Nine out of ten times, the other person says, "You've got to be kidding! When can we meet?" And when they meet, they immediately hit it off. I promise you, every one of your hosts has a name. Be the catalyst to get the two together.

2. ENCOURAGE them to review their goals and dreams before God, especially in the area of how you'll help them grow in their walks with Christ. If you ask them this question, they'll say something about reading God's Word or understanding God more deeply. If you don't ask the question, nobody else will.

The best way to help them become self-motivated is to have them go through a spiritual health assessment. Then set goals based on their own personal assessment of the health plan. They'll look back at you one day and say, "Thank you. I just needed that spark." We all long for a nudge.

3. NEVER forsake your own gathering together. Just think, what if the disciples had never gathered in the upper room? Where would the church be? While God chose to scatter that circle, remember that his disciples retreated from the crowds and met together. In the same way, we need to pull away with our leaders—our church's disciples. When you meet, make sure you always pull out God's Word, because faith comes by hearing the Word of God.

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