Part 14: Inspiring Transformation in People
“And we who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”2 Corinthians 3:18
God’s desire for us is to see us transformed into His likeness, meaning that we become increasingly like His Son, Jesus Christ. Our aim should be the same with the people we’re leading – to bring them to maturity in Christ by becoming more and more like Him. So, how do we inspire transformation?
Acquiring knowledge in isolation may be interesting but is not particularly useful. However, when a crisis looms, suddenly, knowledge becomes imperative and most often converts to life transformation. For example, information retention suddenly becomes essential at exam time (crisis). For students who are regular in their class attendance; their attention span is heightened, and study notes are made
and the entire class environment transforms – the only difference is the exam (crisis) ahead.
Life is similar, although we do not have the benefit of knowing when these crises will spring upon us. During an emergency, people invariably change. This can be either for the (long-term) good or result in the long-term bad. Unfortunately, life shows us that many negative, life-altering decisions are made during times of crisis that have crippling repercussions: people default back to previous ways of living, they regress in their faith, they settle for sub-standard quick-fix solutions- all to survive and ride out the storm.
With this in mind, every believer is presented with a few essential questions: Where do I run to in times of crisis? How do I keep growing?
The answer is threefold:
- Run to Christ
- Run to the Bible
- Run to Christian community
Connect groups are thus constructed with this same philosophy at their core. The three aims of every Connect group would always be for people to:
When this happens, “crisis” presents an opportunity to grow. Thus, Connect groups are constructed with this same philosophy at its core. When this happens, “crisis” presents an opportunity ot grow. Thus, Connect groups are constructed with this same philosophy at its core. The three aims of every Connect group would always be for people to:
- Connect with God – Worship, Prayer and Spiritual gifts
- Connect with the Bible – Personal Devotion, Study and Connect Group Prep
- Connect with the Christian community – Love, Care, Friendships, Counsel
