Four Types of Followers LEADERS FOLLOWERS Hebrews 13

Four Types of Followers

LEADERS FOLLOWERS

Hebrews 13: 7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

Hebrews 13: 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

A Common Problem �PLC – Professional Learning Community �A Leadership Vacuum �Failure to Follow

Process, not an event �Jesus understood this process �The growth of the disciples shows this transition

FOUR TYPES OF FOLLOWERS Crowd “Come and See”

John 1: 35 -39 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek? ” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying? ” 39 He said to them, “Come and see. ” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day

Specifics of the Crowd �Not told to do anything �Level of Curiosity �Light and Easy �Who might be faithful? �Downfall: Entertainment Mindset

DOWNFALL: ENTERTAINMENT MINDSET Luke 23: 8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a longtime to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. In order to keep the crowds interested, you must constantly up the entertainment value.

FOUR TYPES OF FOLLOWERS Congregation “Come and Follow”

Luke 5: 9 -11 For he [Peter] and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men. ” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

Specifics of the Congregation �Told to follow �Level of Responsibility �Challenge and Duty �Who is teachable? �Downfall: Shallow Existence

DOWNFALL: SHALLOW EXISTENCE Hebrews 5: 12 -13 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

A short-sighted goal of the Church �HBRCB �Is leading someone to the waters of baptism the end of our work……… �………. . or is it only the beginning?

FOUR TYPES OF FOLLOWERS Committed “Come and Surrender”

Mark 8: 34 -36 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

Specifics of the Committed �Told to deny themselves �Level of Passion �Conviction and Determination �Who will forsake all?

Mark 10: 21 -22 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me. ” 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Being committed is not easy!

Specifics of the Committed �Told to deny themselves �Level of Passion �Conviction and Determination �Who will forsake all? �Downfall: Generational Shelf-Life

DOWNFALL: GENERATIONAL SHELF-LIFE Judges 2: 8, 10 Now Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died when he was one hundred and ten years old. 10 When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel.

WHERE HAVE WE GONE WRONG? 1. You watch me do it. 2. Let’s do it together. 3. I’ll help you do it. 4. You do it and I will watch. 5. You teach someone else to do it. Often, we skip #2, #3, and #5! Leaders must encourage the followers to reach spiritual maturity.

FOUR TYPES OF FOLLOWERS Core “Come and Multiply”

Matthew 28: 18 -20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. ”

Specifics of the Core �Told to become leaders of others �Level of Commission �Leadership and Legacy �Who can initiate movement of the entire cycle? �Downfall: NONE

FOUR TYPES OF FOLLOWERS Crowd “Come and See” Congregation “Come and Follow” Committed “Come and Surrender” Core “Come and Multiply”

LEADER FOLLOWER

FOUR TYPES OF FOLLOWERS Crowd “Come and See” Congregation “Come and Follow” Committed “Come and Surrender” Core “Come and Multiply”

WHERE DO YOU FIT IN? It should be the goal of every Christian to become part of the Core of the Church – Come and Multiply. Becoming a mature Christian is a process, not an event. We should all be growing!