by Sam Brock

Everyone says it, but when asked what it looks like, there is an uncomfortable silence. Would your team recognize it if they saw it? Have you done more of it lately? What is it? Investing in your people. Developing a team is harder than being a lone ranger and doing the work yourself. Developing those around us is the example set by Christ in Matthew 10. If anybody had the capability of being a lone ranger, Christ did. Yet He surrounded Himself with a group who needed serious investment.

The outline below asks if you are a lone ranger—what you must believe if you are going to be part of a team, how to put together a team, and what to do in order to invest in your team. A short list of practical suggestions wraps up the outline. Most importantly, get out your Bible and follow along in Matthew 10 as you read. This chapter is like a coach’s pep talk before he sends his team out on the field. It is very interesting how Christ prepares His team to do what He has been teaching them. After reading the following outline, ask yourself, “How can I invest more in the team that God has given me?”

Am I a Lone Ranger?

1. The only way to get something done around here is to do it yourself.
2. I’m a detail person . . . I like it done right.
3. It’s hard to find good help.
4. No one seems to really care. If they were dedicated . . .
5. See, Tonto . . . I’m not by myself.
6. Everybody else is so busy . . . I don’t want to impose.

Do I Believe?

1. That I need help
2. In God’s design of discipleship

Putting Together the Team

1. Take the initiative to ask them—Matthew 4:21–22.
2. Be an example. Start by having them around you—Luke 8:1–3.
3. Team members will have problems.

a. Jesus’ disciples betrayed, denied, and doubted Him. They misunderstood Him, didn’t always apply His lessons, and argued among themselves.
b. Jesus’ disciples were not trained to start with, acted without thought, and didn’t learn it all in a year.

Developing Your Team—Luke 9:1–6

1. Meet with them.

a. Before (prepare, teach, organize)—Luke 9:1
b. After (review, evaluate)—Luke 9:10

2. Give to them—Luke 9:1.

a. Doing some of the same things Jesus was doing
b. Major responsibility and power

3. Send them—Luke 9:2.
4. Teach them—Matthew 10.

a. Before they were sent
b. What did Jesus teach them?

1) Clear guidelines of what to do and not do—Matthew 10:5–6
2) What to say—Matthew 10:7
3) Specific actions and principled actions and attitudes—Matthew 10:8
4) Policy that helped accomplish the goal—Matthew 10:8–10
5) How to deal with success and failure—Matthew 10:11–14
6) Consequences for choices—Matthew 10:15
7) Reality of danger and the result of your words— Matthew 10:16–18
8) God would help them; they were not alone—Matthew 10:19–20
9) Not to take it personally—Matthew 10:24–25
10) Inspired and challenged them—Matthew 10:27
11) Eternal perspective—Matthew 10:28
12) Value of each team member—Matthew 10:29–32
13) Accountability for their actions—Matthew 10:32–33
14) Cost of being on the team—Matthew 10:36–38
15) Reward of being on the team—Matthew 10:39–42

5. Listen to them—Luke 9:10.
6. Continue to show them—Luke 9:11.

Practical Suggestions to Develop Your Team

1. Make a list of fifty things you need help with.
2. Make a list of the three things your team is trying to accomplish.
3. What are your strengths? Look for people who have strengths where you have weaknesses.
4. Make it your goal to always have a “tag along.”
5. Train yourself out of a job but don’t quit doing it.
6. Set aside time to teach and listen to your team.

a. Staff meetings
b. Team retreat or activity

7. Your youth team should be made up of people of all ages.
8. Design a specific policy for your team that encourages accomplishing your purpose.
9. Expect failure; teach through it.