To be effective in ministry our heart posture must be correct. The passages below offer heart posture principles. Think of these principles, first and foremost, as attitudes of the heart – heartattudes. (Yes, I made that word up!).
When our heart attitudes are right and pure, healthy words and actions flow naturally from our lives. The attitude and heart of each staff member towards the students must be that of a servant.
This article is a staff meeting discussion project. Have a whiteboard, or an easel pad, or note pads for note taking.
- As a team, dig into and discover the heart posture principles mentioned in these passages of scripture (There are at least 15).
- List each principle and then discuss how it applies to being a TC staff member.
- Discuss the proper heart and attitudes of each principle.
- Pray and surrender in a new and fresh way to those attitudes and ask for God’s strength in living them out.
- Commit to regular prayer of reflection and surrender to these principles.
- Discuss practical steps to implement these principles in your daily life with the students. Have each staff set a practical goal of application for each principle.
- Choose one to focus on this coming week.
1 Peter 5:1-9
As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly-not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.”
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
Matthew 20:25-28
But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants
to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
2 Timothy 2:24-26
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
