Danny Mequet – Small Groups Pastor  – dmequet@churchoftheking.com

Leaders must accomplish things through, with and for people, and that can happen only with the ability to build relationships. (Orrin Woodward, Launching a Leadership Revolution)

The most valuable resource leaders possess is our influence, and influence grows when we understand the importance of valuing people. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). God gives us an excellent example of value. If you put others first, you will be given influence in their lives.

The key to communicating the value of relationships is to first build relationships in your life. To have thriving relationships constantly add value to others. We add value to others when we…

1) PRAY

• When you pray for those you lead, you grow in your desire to serve them and lead them in their God-given potential.
• Prayer gets God involved in your relationships, which will increase your ability to lead.

2) SERVE

• What role are you playing in helping others find and fulfill their God-given purpose?
• Are you serving others so they will follow you, or are you serving from a passion to see God’s dream fulfilled in their life?

Jesus’ master principle: True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you. (J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership)

3) LOVE

• Born out of God’s love, our love for others grows. As it grows our desire to serve others multiplies out of that love.

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8)

Your ability to develop genuine relationships directly impacts your circle of influence.

Points to ponder…

• Is my circle of influence increasing due to my genuine relationships?
• What three things can I do to develop my relationships?
• What can I do to add value to my relationships?

Prayer point…

Ask God to provide insight so you can continue growing in your relationships and expand influence.

Click here to read Can You Hear Me Now?

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

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Danny Mequet – Small Groups Pastor – dmequet@churchoftheking.com

I’m usually the first person awake in my house, which creates the challenge of navigating through a dark house. In order to be able to see clearly I installed the Flashlight App on my phone. Now, with the flick of a switch, I can clearly navigate my way through the dark house (my knees and toes are thankful for this!).

In the same manner, clear communication of important values will help those we are leading navigate life. Therefore, we must make sure to clearly communicate values we want to instill in those we are leading.

As leaders, one of the values that we must communicate is Compassion. In order to clearly communicate compassion we must:

1) Get it

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36

We must receive Jesus’ compassion before we can give it to others.

2) Give it

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40

Jesus lived a life of compassion, which was aimed at reaching people with his message of hope and love. We must have the same goal: communicating Jesus’ compassion.

Is it easy or difficult for you to communicate compassion? What do you need to do to clearly communicate Jesus’ compassion?

Think of five ways you can display that compassion and then do it!

*Click here to read Can You Hear Me Now Part 1 and Can You Hear Me Now Part 2

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Danny Mequet – Small Groups Pastor – dmequet@churchoftheking.com

If you no longer burn with love, others will die from the cold. (St. Vincent DePaul)

Have you ever met someone who proudly says, “I’m just being honest” or “I tell it like it is”? Roughly translated this means, I have a disregard for your feelings and have a license to say what I think.

Leaders equip and unite when we speak the truth rooted in Christ’s love

Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (Ephesians 4:15-16 NLT)

3 Keys to Speaking the Truth in Love

1) Your Heart

Mature leaders show His love because we know His love

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23 NIV)

When speaking truth to others ask yourself, “is it in their best interest or fueled from selfish motives?” Leaders must be aware of the motive behind the words they speak because motives are a symptom of your heart’s condition.

For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. (Luke 6:45 NIV)

2) Your Mouth

Inspiring leaders speak life, when we speak His truth

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:21 NIV)

Leaders must be aware of the words they speak. A leader’s words signal direction to those they lead.

Do your words bring encouragement or discouragement?

3) Your Face

Intentional leaders help others grow when we reflect God’s glory

Fifty-five percent of what we communicate is through our facial and body language. What are you communicating with your facial expressions and body language?

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. (Psalm 34:5 NLT)

Effective leaders are aware of their facial expressions when they communicate. A leader’s non-verbals speak louder than words.

Prayer point…

God, make me committed to speak the truth in love, producing confidence in those I lead, and allowing them to embrace your purpose for their lives.

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How to inspire confidence through consistent communication and clear expectations

Danny Mequet, Small Group Pastor dmequet@churchoftheking.com

Silence. Somewhere between a friend’s question and my response, my cell phone drops the call. I check the number of bars on my phone-am I in a dead zone or can I hit redial? How close I am to the cell tower determines my signal strength.

Leaders, we must continually strive for quality communication with those we lead. We need to understand that clear and consistent communication produces confidence in those you are leading.

Leading with consistent communication and clear expectations inspires confidence in those you lead

Do I clearly communicate these traits to those I lead?

• God’s truth and love
• Jesus’ compassion
• Power of prayer
• Value of relationship
• Vision and direction

Leading with clear expectations reinforces effective communication

You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” 
(Winnie the Pooh)

Does my communication bring those I lead closer to God’s signal strength?

• How frequently am I communicating with those I am lead?
• What is their mode of communication? Is it phone calls, face-to-face, 
text messages, email, Facebook?
• Is my communication consistent enough to show how much I value those 
I am leading?
• Do I consistently communicate in my words and actions, to those I lead: 
I am praying for you?
• Does my consistent communication convey to people that they are an important part of my life?

Leading forward brings you and those you lead closer to God

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1 NLT)

Your commitment to clear and consistent communication produces confidence in those you lead. When we instill confidence in those we lead, they willingly move forward and embrace their God-given purpose.

• In what areas are you communicating clearly and consistently? How can you continue to improve in these areas?
• In what areas are you not communicating clearly and consistently? How can you improve in these areas?

Prayer point… God show me your ways to lead. Give me vision to clearly and consistently communicate as I lead those around me.

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Current Leaders,
Small Group Training is a great opportunity for you to invite the Emerging Leaders in your small group to take a step towards leading. This training will provide them with the tools they need to confidently lead others into a growing relationship with Christ and others. This is also a great time for you to be refreshed and equipped as a Small Group Leader.

Potential Small Group Leaders,
Are there people in your life whom you’d like to begin to connect with and help grow in their relationships with each other and with God? Are you ready to take the next step in the PATHWAY? If so, you will be equipped to do so at the next Small Group Training.

Please take a moment to register at churchoftheking.com/register
*Childcare and dinner will be available at this event.

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What’s ONE THING you can do today that will…

impact someone?
lead to personal growth?
help you grow closer to God?
help you learn something new?
fuel your passion?
help you have fun?

Don’t just think about your ONE THING…do it!

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might… Ecclesiastes 9:10

Your influence is dependent on your willingness to do your ONE THING so start today!

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As leaders we should constantly be thinking about whom we are developing to replace ourselves. Your success should not be measured by how much you can do individually, but by how many people you have developed. As a result, your effectiveness is multiplied.

If you become a “people developer” who is able to train others to do what you do, then you will have great value in your organization. In order to develop people so that you can relinquish your job, you must be a…
(If you take the first letter of each of these it spells out IRS – just a little idea to help you remember!)

1) Intentional investor
“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.” Matthew 4:18

Jesus knew He had to be intentional in who invested himself. As we strive to multiply our efforts we must be intentional in whom we invest ourselves.

2) Risk Taker
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 4:19

Jesus was willing to take a risk on these fishermen because He believed that if He invested himself into them they would be responsible to help carry on Christianity. Ultimately, they would help advance Christianity through a movement that has lasted nearly 2,000 years, and continues to grow.

We must be willing to take a risk with those we are leading. Just as Jesus gave these fishermen an opportunity to lead, we must be willing to give people a chance to succeed.

3) Standard Setter
Jesus lived His life with a standard that was clearly defined for His disciples through experiences and teaching moments. This made it possible for the disciples to meet the standards Jesus set.

As you strive to develop others you must establish a clear model of excellence so that they will be able to perform at your standards, and even exceed them.

Think about it…
• Who are you intentionally investing in so that you can multiply your efforts? What are you doing to be intentional?
• How willing are you to take risks with those you are developing as leaders? Why?
• What are you doing to make sure that your standards of excellence are passed on to those whom you are developing

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What if one day, you were suddenly removed from one of your current sphere of influence? Your position as small group leader, employer, coach, spouse, or parent was immediately replaced by someone. Ask yourself, what would they begin to do differently?

If I was fired my replacement would…
1) Improve ________________________________.

2) Start doing ______________________________.

3) Stop doing ______________________________.

Once you have thought through these challenging questions it is time to begin to implement the changes that you know you need to make.

After considering your response to these challenging questions, it’s time to implement those necessary changes.

In Matthew 9:16-17, Jesus speaks to the importance of change, “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

We often cling to the familiar, comfortable, and easy things in life. Leaders grow as they embrace the idea of changing to effectively build people. Leaders who embrace the idea of changing become effective leaders. In order to lead, you may need to first FIRE YOURSELF!

Points to ponder…
• Why do I tend to resist change?
• What can I do to bring about necessary change?
• How can I increase my circle of influence?
• Who will be impacted when I begin to embrace necessary change as a leader?

Prayer point…
Ask God to provide insight (James 1:5) into what it takes to make needed critical changes to effectively lead and influence.

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I wanted to share with you just how AMAZING our GOD is! Our small group teamed with the College & 20s on a mission to fill hundreds of baskets and deliver them to children in our area this Easter weekend. With your prayers and generosity, through the power of Christ, we were able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we could have ever imagined!  And it is with joy that I boast about God’s work.

Friday, April 6
We delivered 15 Easter baskets filled with candy, nail polish, lotion, card games, books, movies, and soft stuffed bunnies to the girls at the K-Bar-B Youth Ranch in Lacombe on Friday. We also brought them 15 dozen eggs and 15 packs of egg dying kits for them to color Easter eggs this past weekend! I know they were blessed by each and every gift in their basket!

Saturday, April 7

On Saturday, we handed out baskets to kids at the Easter egg hunt in Gulfport, sponsored by Church of the King Gulfport campus. COTK Gulf Coast has been hosting this Easter egg hunt for the last nine years, and it was packed with people! After the egg hunt, EVERY child received cookies, candy, fruit snacks, AND they were able to pick out a toy! What a blessing! It was so exciting to see them choose a gift from the table. God is so good!

We also packed up 50 Easter baskets filled with cookies, candy, fruit snacks, sidewalk chalk, assorted toys, and a soft stuffed bunny to deliver to the kids at a foster shelter and a women’s shelter in the Gulfport area. Praise God!

This mission was in God’s hands from the beginning. We were led by the Spirit to gather each of these items and deliver them to the children for whom God had already planned! We prayed over these baskets, and I believe that God multiplied our supplies, as we had plenty for EVERY child. Every hand and heart that needed and desired a gift received it as a symbol of God’s love and by the grace of God! By your prayers, and generous support of this mission, we were able to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and reach these kids and their families with the love of Christ this Easter! All glory and Praise to God!

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:16-21

In HIS Service,

David & Amy

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