It all begins with you. As you prepare to lead a group, I pray you will not take it lightly. Heed the words of Joshua when he told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you" (Joshua 3:5). God does not expect us to be perfect, but He does expect us to follow Him and to surrender every area of our lives to Him. Remember the words of Paul to Timothy: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment" (2 Timothy 1:7).
Care for your own spiritual condition. Just like on the airplane, put on your oxygen mask first and then help those around you. You are only as effective as your quiet times. We teach and minister out of the overflow of our hearts. Do not neglect your personal devotion to the Lord. Make it your highest priority.
Don't ask them to do what you are not willing to do. If you ask them to memorize Scripture, you must also memorize it. It will only be important to them if it is important to you. You can't lead someone to a place you are unwilling to go. Set the bar high in your own life.
Leading keeps you accountable. I can't ask them to do anything I am unwilling to do. That alone keeps me accountable for keeping up my spiritual disciplines. I can't ask guys if they intentionally pursue their wives at home if I am not doing it. Every topic I prepare to bring up makes me evaluate my own life. When I invest in others, I am the one who grows the most.
Give God your best. Have you come to the point where you are giving God your absolute best? You cannot lead men to give their best until you have done it yourself.
