In previous blogs, I have written about specific curriculum that I have used that I have found helpful. Many of the guys that I have connected with have gone on to use it as well with good success. In fact, it has become the “go to” curriculum at the church I am a part of, at least for men’s triads – I probably purchase 30-50 books each year on behalf of various groups.

I will also reiterate once again that it is important to have some type of curriculum to work through for those that you lead. You need to be learning together as part of the experience, and a properly chosen curriculum will guide the learning that will hopefully take you into topics that you may not otherwise choose to delve into.

All that being said, as you take the journey of leading others, you must discover what works best, and this is from two different viewpoints.

First, it needs to work for you, for your style. We will each lead people in different ways, we each have our own learning styles, and as such you need curriculum that you enjoy, that gives you energy so that you can engage it with those you are leading. The more the curriculum fits you, the more you’ll be able to lead others on the journey.

Second, it needs to fit those that you are leading. I recognize that, for someone you are leading who is new to engaging intentionally in their discipling journey, anything intentional may feel awkward – perhaps that is to be expected. However we need to be able to adjust the curriculum that we use or at least the way that we choose to engage it to maximize the impact on those we lead.

Over the past couple of years, some of the guys that I have come alongside and who are now coming alongside others, have let me know about some new curriculum/book that they are using that have been very impactful for them and the guys they meet with. At times they tell it to me sheepishly, as though I’ll think that they have gone off track from the curriculum that I recommend. Perhaps I have presented my ideas to boldly/solidly in the past (good learning for me going forward). And yet I’m excited that they are taking ownership of the journey. I’m excited that they get it, that the discipling journey isn’t simply about moving guys through a program, it’s about life change and they are willing to find whatever is necessary to make this a reality.

My wife was taking a couple of gals through my recommended curriculum. However, about half way through it, she discerned that there were some missing pieces that needed to be addressed, and that this particular material, although it did a great job in revealing some issues, would not have been useful to continue, at least not until these issues were worked through. As such, in her wisdom, she chose to stop and take her gals through the Alpha program. It was transforming, exactly what was needed. Without her willingness to discern real learning, she may have simply pushed through the prescribed content and missed a growth opportunity.

So let me highlight again as I have before – you are the leader, so you need to lead. You aren’t a program administrator, you aren’t a curriculum check box junkie, you are a leader and your objective is to guide someone in their journey of faith. A journey that at the end they may know how to feed themselves, and that they too would come alongside others.

So choose your content wisely. And when all is said and done, make sure that you can say that you owned it, and as such, lives were changed.

For the kingdom.

As part of the ongoing journey of discipleship, there must be action. What we learn needs to express itself in tangible ways. In fact, the ongoing back and forth of engaging scripture with our minds with the practical and active service of our “hands” makes both come alive in new and meaningful ways. We recognize that Jesus did not spend all of his time simply teaching his disciples but was with them on mission as we are to be with those that we come alongside. Now, to be fair, in his context, 2,000 years ago, in a culture where a Rabbi – disciple relationship was common, it was expected that Jesus’ discipleship would be with him, that they would be in essence be living together. We don’t live in that context. And yet, how are we to incorporate this in our lives with those we are gathering together with?

I have taken two different angles of serving for the guys that I have connected with, both of which have been effective in helping us grow as disciples of Jesus. I suggest that you consider both ideas.

First, at times we step outside of our areas of giftedness (which is often outside of our comfort zones) in order to stretch us mentally, and allow us to learn about areas of life that we may never come in contact with. One time, we have served in our local homeless drop-in centre. This involved serving breakfast in a small kitchen to about 30-50 men and women at 7am. We weren’t necessarily gifted at this role, and we didn’t necessarily believe that we were called to this aspect of ministry, and yet it helped us to see an aspect of life that we should be aware of and it grew our hearts for those that are living a life that is so difficult for us to even imagine. Interestingly, a friend of mine has taken his guys to serve kids in grades 6-8 in a low-income community. He is fully aware that this age group is not their sweet spot and that he is facing many challenges compared to someone who is more naturally suited to these kids. Yet, for a season, it is stretching him and his guys and giving them a sense of the issues that many of these kids face.

The other area of service falls into our sweet spot, using the gifts and experiences that we have. However this requires that you, as the leader, understand those that you are meeting with and link their skills and experiences with areas of service that will enhance your community and serve the kingdom. This past year, the guys that I meet with had the privilege of helping a significant homeless organization in our city, Mission Services, develop a business and marketing plan to move and expand their thrift store as well as relocate their head office. We all have business backgrounds, with one guy owning his own growing business and the other guy having spent 20 years with one of the largest marketing firms in Canada working with some of the major brands in Canada. We had the privilege of helping the Executive Director pull together a plan that he could present to his board who ultimately approved the expansion. It gave us a sense of satisfaction knowing that we were able to help this organization take a step forward in the work that they do by using our skills and work experience.

In all of this, it is important for you, as someone who leads others, to engage them in active ministry beyond simple meeting together to reflect on scripture and pray together. Make scripture come alive as you serve your community, both in areas that use your skills (your sweet spot) and in areas that may be outside of your comfort zone, to stretch your thinking and to grow your heart.

For the kingdom.