“The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, ‘The LORD is with you, O valiant warrior’” Judges 6:12 NASB
God communicates His expectations to get us to rise to what He has called us to do. In the scripture above (Jud. 6:12), we find the angel calling Gideon a valiant warrior while he hides in a winepress. It could be said that God, through the angel, was looking not at what Gideon was doing but what he could be doing. He basically was turning Gideon from a coward to warrior by communicating His expectations.
Leadership books say that leaders get what leaders expect if they communicate it. It is called the Pygmalion effect. Studies have confirmed that from nursing homes to the military if the leader communicates their expectations the followers will perform better.
What if we used this truth on purpose toward ourselves and others around us? What if we learned to encourage ourselves? What if we learned to encourage other people? I believe that we, and others, will being to perform at a higher level.
The Bible is filled with this principle being put into use. Beyond looking at the Gideon story we see God changing Abraham’s name. Jesus changing Peter’s name. David learning to encourage himself in the Lord. There are so many occasions where speaking what one is expecting changed the lives of the one being spoken to.
This Sunday, we are going to look at serval stories in the Bible where this principle is used. People used it on themselves and others. God responded. He always responds to faith.
Why B-Groups?
Life change happens in the context of relationships
We are designed for relationships. Relationships define us, grow us, challenge us, strengthen us, and bless us. While our culture devalues personal relationships, Scripture requires them.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
—Acts 2:42–47 NIV84
“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lies down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
—Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 NIV84
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
—Hebrews 10:25 NIV84
At ENC, we believe our church must grow both larger and smaller at the same time.
ENC is committed to the original mission to go and make disciples of all nations. We desire to reach the unchurched, the lost, and the prodigals. However, as we grow larger, we will continue to grow smaller by connecting people in B-Groups. B-Groups are the most effective way to connect people to relationships, provide ministry, and facilitate spiritual growth.
“And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: ‘Jesus is the Messiah’.”
—Acts 5:42 NLT
Join a B-Group this Sunday. Most of them will last for 3 months (September, October, and November). There will be lists in the foyer and they ARE NOW available on the website and app.
We are believing to connect 1000 people to Jesus Christ and His Church.
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