Enabling all God’s People to find their place and realise their potential
Jesus Shaped People identifies team building as a key priority for Jesus in his three year ministry, and the JSP Main Programme explores this theme as one of its five three week modules.
Churches that adopt Jesus Shaped People are often challenged to explore new ways of moving forward in mission; by developing leadership, exploring vocation, and embarking on an approach to ministry that that includes a wider spectrum of people.
This ten-week JSP Kingdom Team Building resource can lay good foundations for such development. It provides materials for Sunday worship and small groups, with resources for children and young people coming soon, so that congregations can engage with vital biblical themes and convictions.
There are three sections: Leadership, Vocation, and Working Together.
Section One: Leadership—Developing church leadership that is ‘Jesus-Shaped’
Week One: Servant Style Leadership
Exploring the servant style of leadership that is exhibited by Jesus.
Philippians 2.1–11 ‘Taking the form of a servant’ he is ‘exalted to the highest place.’
Matthew 20.20–28 ‘Whoever wants to be great must be your servant.’
Week Two: Spirit Filled Leadership
Peter’s ministry is transformed as he allows the Holy Spirit to re-shape his vision, and equip him for the new work that is required of him.
Acts 11.1–18 Peter reports to the church in Jerusalem on his ministry in Caesarea.
Luke 5.1–11 The calling of the first disciples.
Week Three: Sacrificial Leadership
The early church was willing to be obedient to the point of being sacrificial. We see how God used this for good in the ministry of Paul of Tarsus.
2 Corinthians 1.3–11 Paul’s ministry is enhanced and honed through suffering and struggle.
Matthew 24.3–14 Jesus outlines the suffering that may await those who follow Him.
Section Two: Vocation—Identifying and responding to God’s call
Week Four: Every Member Ministry
Exalting and including the lowly ones: the importance of including the excluded and unseen, including children and young people, and including the elderly and infirm.
1 Corinthians. 12.12–31 Ensuring that the whole is greater than the parts.
Luke 14.15–25 The inclusion of the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.
Week Five: Identifying Gifts
Are we expectant of God’s gifting, and believing that all are called and chosen for life and work in the Body? God’s grace is lavishly given—so that all are able to find their place.
Romans 12.1–8 We belong to each other, but with different gifts to form the Body.
Luke 12.35–48 The need to be faithful and wise in our stewardship of all God has given us.
Week Six: Response to God’s Call
Is the ministry of prophecy one that needs encouraging today, and how are we to do this in our churches? How important is it for the church and for the world?
1 Corinthians 15.1–11 Paul reminds us of the privilege of being disciples of Jesus
Luke 19.1–10 The eagerness of Zacchaeus to make a new start is deeply challenging.
Section Three: Working Together—Dealing with practical issues
Week Seven: Oiling the wheels
How much of the work of the kingdom is undermined by relationship issues that are reflected in envy and jealousy, in anger and bitterness. They need to be addressed.
Ephesians 2.13–22 Paul’s amazing vision of what it means to be one in Christ.
Luke 22.14–27(or 34) A Passover meal becomes a means of Jesus’ presence and promise.
Week Eight: Fuelling the Engine Room
The need to be constantly coming to Jesus, and for his church to be built on the foundation that he has laid. The work of the Holy Spirit to enable this is crucial at every level.
1 Peter 2.1–10 ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the capstone.’
Luke 11.1–13 Ask and you will receive, those who give much need to receive much.
Week Nine: Problem Solving
We have a unique faith that recognises a God who can turn problems into opportunities. We believe that the Spirit can use everything for good in those who love Jesus.
Romans 12.9–21 ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’
John 17.6–19 ‘My prayer is that you protect them from the Evil One.’
Week Ten: Valuing Each Other
It’s so easy for zeal to trump love! In our coming together in the work of the Kingdom we must always make love our aim, for God is love, and he values each of us dearly.
Philippians 4.2–9 Getting our hearts right, so that we see things the way God sees us.
John 17.20–26 Jesus prays deeply for unity and harmony in those who follow him.
