The E-Zine of Leadership Development
vol. 2 issue 4 spring 2014
Community Bible Study
thoughts.on.elevate
Fun is a healthy endeavor.
Laughter releases
endorphins, a chemical 10
times more powerful
than the pain-relieving
drug morphine, into the
body with the same
exhilarating effect
as doing strenuous
exercise. Every time
you have a good hearty
laugh, you burn up
3 1/2 calories. Laughing
increases oxygen intake,
thereby replenishing and
invigorating cells. It also
increases the pain threshold,
boosts immunity, and relieves stress.
What do you do to have fun? Watch a favorite
team, spend time with friends, buy movie
tickets to a comedy, take kids to the park, eat
a drippy ice cream cone? Haven’t lost your
sense of humor, have you? The average preschooler laughs or smiles 400 times a day.
That number drops to only 15 times a day by
the time people reach age 35. People smile
only 35 percent as much as they think they do.
96% of executives surveyed by Accountemps
believed that people with a good sense of
humor do better at their jobs than those who
have little or no sense of humor. Working side
by side with others goes more smoothly when
everyone can laugh together. The best CBS
leaders don’t take themselves too seriously.
They laugh easily and look for opportunities to
have fun together. Spring is around the corner,
life is looking brighter, it’s time for a little fun.
Let some spill out of you onto those around
you today or tomorrow - don’t wait. We all
need it! Up the fun quotient.
”Live in such a way that you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell
yourparrot to the town gossip.”
- Will Rogers
B-I-G NEWS - Leadership Development Website
Redesigned and Open for Business
Don’t miss out on a terrific website created just for
you, the leaders of CBS. Fresh ideas, solutions to
problems, training activities, conference information,
shepherding tips ...and MORE are all found at
www.communitybiblestudy.org/
leadershipdevelopment/
Are you searching for a song that was sung
at a recent Leadership Conference in your
area? Go to www.communitybiblestudy.org/
leadershipdevelopment/ and click on Worship
Arts. Do you want to locate a particular article in a
past issue of ELEVATE? Just click on ELEVATE after
going to the Leadership Development website. Note
that a topical index is located on the right hand side
of the page to assist you in locating a specific article in different issues of ELEVATE. Would you
like a skit for an opening or an idea for Leadership Development time in Leaders Council? Click
on the resource tab and notice all of the resources listed on the right hand side of the page. Take
some time to familiarize yourselves with this website. You will find a wealth of information at your
fingertips. Return to the site often to find updates and new tools and ideas designed to help you
do your job with excellence.
Now we would like to hear from YOU! Would you take
one minute to share how we might serve you better? It
is so helpful to know what your needs are as we move
forward.
area.directors
Click on the Leadership Development Survey and
answer five short questions. The CBS Leadership
Development Team thanks you in advance for
partnering with us toward excellence for God’s glory.
What is it really like to be an Area Director or a Teaching Director? Let’s be honest. Sometimes
it’s lonely and a little removed from all other CBS relationships. What does this indicate? ADs as
shepherds can be the providers of encouraging times and some fun and laughter with TDs.
AD jobs are most often task-oriented - shepherding, helping to select new Servants Team
Members, managing conflict, etc. Seriousness marks interactions between AD and TDs. It’s time
to give yourself and your TDs a break. Plan a time together with the group where all can simply
talk, laugh and rejuvenate each other. No agenda is necessary except encouragement and
invigoration.
Whether it’s a breakfast, lunch, dinner or a cup of coffee, bring those TDs together. Ask a few
light-hearted questions and get some laughter rolling. Start with one of these:
What was the last book you read and why did you choose it?
What’s one of the craziest things you’ve ever done?
If you could have any job, what would that job be?
What do you collect and why?
Build friendship and support among the team members. Encourage the sense that “we’re all in
this together and we all need each other”. Relationships will grow, team unity will develop and
everyone (including you) will leave feeling supported.
core.leaders
Have you ever had the
experience of being out some
place and your car won’t start;
the battery is completely out of
juice? Everything else in your
car works fine but the “getup-and-go” in the battery has
“got-up-and-gone”. Yes, what
you need is a new battery,
but the short term solution is
usually for another car to come
alongside and hook up a set of
jumper cables from their strong
battery to your weak one.
When you draw energy and
power from their car, your car
is able to start up again and
function.
3. Be Simple! Encouragement
is the opportunity to openly
express praise for a job
well-done. Mark Twain was
quoted as saying he could
live two months on one
good compliment. A word
of encouragement written or
spoken is like “honeycomb
sweet to the soul and healing to
the bones” ~ Proverbs 16:24.
That act of drawing alongside
or lending energy to get another
going is the basic idea behind a key word in
the New Testament: encourage. Encourage
simply means “to put courage in”. It means
the imputing or infusion of power or advice or
inspiration that makes another person perform
better.
Here are some practical ways that we can be
encouragers:
1. Be a Cheerleader! Many of us are avid
sports fans who invest money, time, and
energy into cheering our favorite teams to
victory. In sports, home advantage describes
what the home team enjoys over the visiting
team as a result of playing in familiar facilities
and in front of supportive fans, cheering the
team on! Be that advantage for someone. Be a
cheerleader.
2.Be Intentional! Most of us live such busy
lives that we don’t notice the needs of others.
It takes thoughtful time and energy to be a true
encourager. It doesn’t come naturally. We are
called to be encouragers, to build one another
up, to bear one another’s burdens and yes, to
sacrifice.
4. Be Sensitive! An
encourager’s response must
be well-timed and suited to
the circumstances. Sensitivity
requires a real awareness
of situations and a basic
knowledge of how people feel
in different circumstances. Be
sensitive to the time, place and
environment. “A word fitly spoken is like apples
of gold in a setting of silver “~Proverbs 25:11.
5. Be Transparent! As people face their
own challenges and failures, the simple act
of being vulnerable and sharing personal
examples of struggles creates openness in the
communication process.
6. Be Available! Pick your head up. Look
around. Notice those God has put in your path.
Make yourself available.
~excerpts taken from “The Power of an
Encouraging Word” by Ken Sutterfield
As you read through this list, is the Lord
bringing someone to mind that needs a word of
comfort and hope? A call? A card? A passage
of Scripture? A hug with no words? A listening
ear? An understanding heart? It is a privilege to
be Christ’s ambassador in ministering His love
to others.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging
one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:24-25
children’s.teachers
senior.leaders
Are your leaders dragging into Leaders Council?
Is attendance waning? What has happened to
the pep and vigor your group had as they started
the CBS year in September 2013? How do you
fill their tanks up and create momentum to move
forward?
Re-cast the vision. When you paint a vision
colorfully and passionately, people get excited
and it provides direction. A team that embraces
a unified vision is focused, energized and confident.
Remind your Leadership Development Group
that we are in a race….and the finish line is in
view. We don’t want to pull off the course and
rest. We want to sprint across that line in victory!
There are only 5-6 weeks left in this CBS year,
make every time you are together count!
Re-Energize by celebrating victories! Go
out for breakfast, lunch or dinner with your
Leadership Development Group. Have you
seen God answer prayers in your group?
Recount what you have seen and heard.
Celebrate with one another by sharing your
“God stories.” See the ideas in the Area
Director section of this issue for ideas on
interaction and laughter together.
Recognize those in your Leadership Development Group for their strengths. Give others in
your group an opportunity to affirm one another.
Never before has there been access to so
many wonderful ideas for teaching children.
A bounty of resources is available, literally at
a teacher’s fingertips. What child doesn’t love
a new, fresh idea that helps them to learn?
(Even though they may not realize how much
they are learning!)
A recent search on www.pinterest.com
revealed hundreds, even thousands, of craft
ideas, teaching aids, project ideas for older
children, object lessons and games that will
help you add a little something extra to the
curriculum for next week’s lesson. Similarly,
the need for pictures can be met online at
Google images. Pictures for coloring, visuals
of Bible stories, and photos of the land where
Jesus walked are plentiful.
Children’s teams have the option on Pinterest
to create a board that is privately shared
among the teachers and Children’s Director.
What a great way to share and plan together!
And it’s lots of fun.
Be sure to follow a few guidelines as you use
these resources.
1) Check the source of the information
and be certain that it is consistent with the
CBS curriculum material.
2) Watch for copyrighted materials.
Copyright markings will be visible. It’s best to
avoid these.
3) Use only what will reinforce the CBS
material and not replace it. Remember that
the bulk of your time will be following the CBS
plan and these items are used to supplement
and fill a few extra minutes.
4) Bring ideas to the Children’s Team
Leadership Development time to share and
to keep the Children’s Director informed
about your plans.
2 Corinthians 3:12 “Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be
very bold.” (NLT)
“When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you
have fun, you can do amazing things.”
-Anonymous
prayer.chairman
Take a minute to answer these
questions
• Do you live with a daily
sense that there is not enough
time to get done everything
you need to accomplish?
• Do you find yourself talking
faster because you have so
much to say and so little time?
• When a person is talking too
slowly, do you nod a lot or try
to finish people’s sentences in
an effort to keep them moving
along?
In the book “The Life You’ve
Always Wanted” John Ortberg
writes, “Hurry is the great
enemy of spiritual life in our
day. Hurry can destroy souls.
Hurry can keep us from living
well.”
Our culture holds busyness
in high regard. There are
jobs to be done. We organize
our days, hours and minutes
spending ourselves into
exhaustion. One of the
great illusions, or possibly
delusions, of our day is that
hurrying will buy us more time.
God does not intend for us to
live at a constant frantic pace.
Hurry keeps us consumed
by “the cares and riches and
pleasure of life,” as Jesus
puts it and prevents His way
from taking root in our hearts.
He repeatedly withdrew from
crowds and activities. This
does not mean we will never
be busy. Jesus often had
much to do, but He never
did it in a way that severed
the life-giving connection
between Him and His Father.
Jesus was often busy, but
never hurried. Hurried is not
just a disordered schedule.
Hurry is a disordered heart.
• Do you ever drive faster
than is safe, even if you’re not
running late?
• When you pull up to a red
light with two lanes, do you
try to anticipate which lane
will move faster when the
light turns green? Do you
try to gauge which line at
the grocery store will be the
quickest?
• Do you regularly multi-task?
• Do you find yourself rushing
around when there’s no
reason to?
• Do you find yourself getting
uncomfortable with long
periods of silence? Do you try
to fill the empty space with TV,
music, talking, etc.?
What do your answers to
these questions reveal about
the place of hurry in your life?
Think about the ways that
hurry sabotages your
relationships - with yourself,
with family members, with
friends and with God.
Summer is called a season
of rest. Why not take this
summer break to become
un-hurried? Be intentional
about slowing down,
resting, relaxing, letting go
and making time for Him.
“Step out of the traffic! Take a
long, loving look at me, your
High God, above politics,
above everything”. ~Psalm
46:10 (The Message)
“Joy does not simply
happen to us. We
have to choose joy
and keep choosing it
every day.”
–Henri J.M. Nouwen
Here are some suggestions
to get you on your way to
s-l-o-w-i-n-g down.
• Instead of trying to figure
out which traffic lane will be
faster, choose to be in the
slow lane. Enjoy the scenery
while you drive. Pray for those
in line ahead of you at the
grocery store.
• Eat your meals more slowly
this week. Chew your food
at least 15 times before
swallowing. You’ll be amazed
at how much better your food
tastes, and how refreshing
your meal times can be!
• Consciously choose to
talk slowly during every
conversation this week. Don’t
finish people’s sentences, but
hang on every word they say.
When you respond, speak in
a very unrushed fashion. And
when there is silence, don’t
just keep talking in order to fill
it!
children’s.directors
“One of my favorite things about our Children’s Director is her library of resources. She arrives
at Leaders Council each week with books, visuals, stuffed animals, game supplies, all kinds of
things to help us reinforce the lesson and keep the attention of the children. As the 2-year old
teacher, I can say this really helps!” - Children’s Teacher
Over time, every Children’s Director can accumulate resources that will help teachers make
the lessons memorable and engaging. Short attention spans are conquered when colorful and
interesting books, games, visuals and other items are used to strengthen the story. Because
the curriculum repeats every three years these resources can be used again and again, without
“reinventing the wheel” by looking for new aids each time the curriculum repeats.
Here is a list of some items to add to a resource library:
For preschool classes:
Pop-up books
Books with large colorful pictures
Printed visuals laminated for protection
Hard, rubber animals
Stuffed animals
Dress-up supplies
Game directions and supplies
Props
For primary and junior classes:
Books with colorful pictures
Books with drawings or illustrations of story ingredients (i.e., the temple, first century landscape, etc.)
Game directions and supplies
Props
Worksheets
Project Ideas and Directions
And don’t forget, on the CBS membership system, the Teacher Guide Resource Files (TGRF) are
chock full of great ideas for both preschool and primary/junior. Either download them and email
them or print them out for your teachers.
Children’s teachers flourish when encouraged and equipped with creative and helpful tools. A
tired or time-pressed teacher will be energized knowing that some “extras” are available for that
day’s lesson. Smiles will fill the halls as children remember lessons more clearly, enjoy their time
in the classroom and recite the story to mom on the way home.
Past issues of ELEVATE are now available on the Leadership
Development website. Refer back to ideas and thoughts at
www.communitybiblestudy.org/leadershipdevelopment/
On the home page you will see the ELEVATE logo –
just click to read online.
teaching.directors
As Teaching Directors you have the
responsibility to share the Word of God
accurately each week. Well spoken illustrations
grab the attention of the audience and make
your teaching come alive. An object lesson
shows the audience what you are talking
about, demonstrating and cementing the truth
in their minds. Jesus did it. He was the master
communicator. He conveyed the truth in such
a way that it stuck in the minds of His listeners.
The fruit of His clearly delivered message was
truth spread throughout the ends of the earth.
As you pray over your teaching ask the Lord for
an object lesson to drive home a central idea.
Until then, feel free to use one of these:
1. Display a tarnished silver tray to teach an
object lesson about how God is at work in our
lives even when
things are tough.
Malachi 3:3;
Romans 8:28.
The process of
making silver
pure begins with
the silversmith
holding a piece of
silver over the fire
and heating it up.
The silver must be
held in the middle of the fire where the flames
are the hottest to burn away all the impurities.
The silversmith never leaves, knowing that if
the silver is left even a moment too long in the
flames, it will be destroyed.
Malachi 3:3 describes God as a refiner of silver.
“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
Sometimes in life it may seem to us that God
is holding us in a “hot spot.” God may allow
things to come into our lives to help us become
all we can be, but He will never leave us too
long and let us be destroyed. He is with us and
He is watching.
Romans 8:28. says “God causes all things to
work together for good to those who love Him
and are called according to His purpose.” God
can even use being in the middle of a fire for
good in our lives.
So how does the silversmith know when the
silver is purified? That’s easy -- it’s when he can
see his image in it. God wants to see His image
in us -- His Son, Jesus Christ.
Take silver polish and clean the tray. Hold the
tray up and comment on your reflection in the
“clean, polished” tray.
When we feel like we’re in a “hot spot,” we
need to remember that God is using it to make
us more like Jesus, and He will never leave
us or abandon us. God is making us into
something far more precious than silver!
2. Use your cell phone to
illustrate God’s desire for
us to call on Him anytime
and anywhere. Jesus
is the only way to God
the Father. Salvation is
through Him.
Romans 10:9-13
Hold up your cell
phone and ask class
members to hold up
their phones. Describe
where and when you have used one. Where:
in a car, outside, in the house, at work, even
on a boat. When: when I need information,
when I need help, when I may be lost and not
know directions, or when I just want to talk to
someone. Briefly relate a few instances of
when you use your cell phone.
You can’t just call any number to reach this cell
phone, you must know what my phone number
is. God wants us to call Him. He even gives
us His number. Romans 10:12-13 “For there is
no difference between Jew and Gentile--the
same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all
who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on
the name of the Lord will be saved.” God’s
number is J-E-S-U-S.
Romans 10:9-10 tells us how to call Him. “That
if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”
and believe in your heart that God raised him
from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with
your heart that you believe and are justified,
and it is with your mouth that you confess and
are saved.”
We can’t just call any number and reach God.
Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way and the
truth and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me.” There is no other way to
call on God except through Jesus Christ, His
Son.
Once we know Jesus, we can call on God
anytime and anywhere. That’s His promise.
Jeremiah 29:12 “Then you will call upon me
and come and pray to me, and I will listen to
you.” We can have a phone, we can know
someone’s number, but until we choose to
actually dial the number, we’ll never reach
them. It’s our choice to call on God; we
must act on our choice. He’s there anytime,
anywhere and for anyone.
Rehearse your object lesson before it is
delivered. By saying it out loud you will
hear what is not clear. Thorough knowledge
of your material frees you to connect with your
audience. Always start with the Bible, use a
prop or visual when it will help drive your point
home to your audience. This object lesson was
shared at creativebiblestudy.com.
coordinators
On a hot summer day what might
you long for – a cold drink, a dip
in the pool, or the cool mist of a
waterfall? Refreshment comes in
many forms. For the individual
on the other end of a phone
call or email who inquires about
attending Community Bible
Study, refreshment is a kind voice
relaying pertinent information. But
wait, there’s more. Refreshment
also comes through a Coordinator
who actively shepherds the
interested class member into the
class.
It is one thing to answer questions
politely and accurately; it is another
thing to show interest, ask some
additional questions, get to know
the person and pave the way for
a comfortable and smooth entry
into this new experience. Are
they new to the area? Do they
need a little information about
the community? Have they
been attending another study?
Are they a former CBSer? Take a
few notes and share the
information with their core leader
to provide a starting point for
conversation. As the start of
class approaches, place a
reminder call letting them know
approximately when they will
hear from their Core Leader.
Every man, woman, teen and
child loves to know that they are
wanted and welcomed. Walking
into a new setting, without some
help and reassurance, feels lonely
and intimidating. Arriving on the
first day knowing that someone is
waiting for you and has kept up
communication is a gift of
refreshment.
“Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it
is wonderful to say the right thing
at the right time!” Proverbs
15:23 (NLT)
associate.teaching.directors
What is the story on Welcome Groups? Many a CBS class
has wondered, “How exactly do we use a Welcome Group
to bring new members in and maximize their experience?”
Here are some tips.
A Welcome Group (WG) is formed for those who join the
class late or who did not pre-register. After completing
orientation, if all other core groups are full, attendees are
placed in a Welcome Group. WGs can be much larger
groups of members who meet with the ATD, a Senior
Leader or excellent Substitute Core Leader until space
is available in a regular Core Group. Rather than turning
interested attendees away, a WG affords an opportunity for
them to begin the study with the assurance that they will be
placed in a Core Group when space becomes available.
It’s best to have a comfortable place set up where the
group meets. They should be welcomed each week and
be encouraged to get to know each other and to complete
their lesson. Before moving into a permanent Core Group,
they should be cared for each week by a leader who is
prepared and ready each class day. It is ideal if the same
leader is with the WG each week. While it is not required
that the members be called during the week by the one
serving as core leader, they are more likely to persevere if
they feel shepherded, even occasionally. Why not sit with
them during the teaching?
It is easy for members of a WG to begin feeling like second
class citizens in a CBS class. Preventing that feeling is the
responsibility of the Core Leader and the Servants Team.
If the group exists past just a few weeks, a fellowship can
provide a sense of membership and belonging as is true in
all other core groups. (Once again this is not required, but
is a great way to shepherd them into a permanent group.)
If a WG member drops out, it is important to follow-up with
them as with any core member.
Additional information on Welcome Groups is available
in the Servants Team Manual found on this website
https://fisher.communitybiblestudy.org
resources
1
“Lighten Up! Great Stories from One of America’s
Favorite Storytellers” by Ken Davis
Laugh with Ken Davis as you make your way through
hilarious stories and solid truths for life. This text
emphasizes one important, encouraging theme: God’s
grace is for you. Despite your imperfections, God loves
you perfectly. Take heart - He enjoys you. Ken Davis
offers a collection of stories that take our fallibilities, our
self-criticism, and our attempts to look good to convince
us to LIGHTEN UP!
2
“If You Want to Walk on the Water, You Have to Get
Out of the Boat” by John Ortberg
Deep within you lies the same faith and longing that
sent Peter walking across the wind-swept Sea of
Galilee toward Jesus. In what ways is the Lord telling
you, as He did Peter, “Come.”? John Ortberg invites
you to consider the incredible potential that awaits
you outside your comfort zone. Out on the risky waters
of faith, Jesus is waiting to meet you in ways that will
change you forever, deepening your character and
your trust in God. Align yourself with God’s purpose for
your life. There’s just one requirement: If You Want to
Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat.
elevate.plus +
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear
fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you
abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is
that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he
is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire,
and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will
be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my
disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my
commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and
abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy
may be full.” John 15:1-11
May each of us stay connected to the Vine as we serve Him with joy.
ELEVATE is a publication of the Leadership Development Team of Community Bible Study.
ELEVATE is designed and published exclusively for use by Community Bible Study Leaders.
The views expressed by authors cited in this publication do not necessarily represent those of
Community Bible Study.
Questions, or suggestions can be sent to [email protected] or
[email protected].
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