Lead Like Jesus: Organizes

October 18, 2025

Bible Readings

  • Exodus 18:13-27
  • Acts 6:1-7
  • Matthew 10:5-31

Refelction Questions

  • Is there a God-given gift inside that you have hiding?
  • It there a place God has been asking you to use your gifts, but you have been holding back?

Additional Reading on Spiritual Gifts

  • Romans 12:3-21
  • 1 Corinthians 12

What is my Spiritual Gift? Check out this Spiritual Gifts inventory from our friends in the United Methodist Church.

5-Day Devotional – Organizes

Lead Like Jesus — Organizes

A 5-day journey into how Jesus organizes people for God’s mission: seeing potential, sharing authority, and building teams where every gift matters.

Day 1 — Compassion That Organizes Matthew 9:36–38; 10:1

📖 Scripture: Matthew 9:36–38; 10:1
Jesus sees the crowds with compassion and responds by gathering and empowering disciples. Organization in the Kingdom of God begins with seeing people and responding to real needs.
  • Where do you notice needs that compassion could organize into action?
  • Who around you might be ready to serve if simply invited?
  • What are the needs in the community right around you right now?
Practice: Ask one person to join you in a simple act of care this week.

Day 2 — Chosen and Sent Matthew 10:1–8

📖 Scripture: Matthew 10:1–8
“Freely you have received; freely give.”
Jesus calls ordinary people by name and shares authority with them. Organization is not about control; it is about releasing people to do the work God entrusts to them.
  • What gifts has God placed in your hands to give freely, to deploy to do ministry in your daily life?
  • Where do you sense a nudge to step from “follower” to “sent one”?
Practice: Name one gift the Spirit has given you. Make a plan to use it this week in a concrete way.

Day 3 — Shared Load, Shared Leadership Exodus 18:17–23

📖 Scripture: Exodus 18:17–23
Jethro counsels Moses to appoint capable leaders so the people are served well. Wise organization distributes responsibility so that ministry becomes sustainable and people flourish.
  • What work are you carrying alone that could be shared?
  • Who could you empower this week with clear responsibility and trust?
Practice: Delegate one meaningful task and support the person you entrust.

Day 4 — One Body, Many Gifts 1 Corinthians 12:4–7

📖 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4–7
The Spirit gives diverse gifts for the common good. Organization helps every member contribute, so the whole body is strengthened and God’s mission advances.
  • Which gifts do you recognize in yourself? Which do you see in others?
  • How could your church better organize and equip people to include all gifts, if those that are quieter or overlooked?
Practice: Affirm one person’s gift today with a specific encouragement.

Day 5 — Ordered for Love Romans 12:3–8

📖 Scripture: Romans 12:3–8
“In accordance with the faith God has distributed… if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach…”
Healthy organization channels gifts into loving action. Humility, clarity, and commitment turn a group into a team and a team into a witness to God’s love.
  • Where are you uniquely placed to serve right now?
  • What simple structure (schedule, roles, shared rhythm) would help your group love your neighbors better?
Practice: Create a simple plan: role + time + partner for one act of service this week.

Prepared for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church • Lead Like Jesus series — Organizes