Empowerment

Empowerment

October 1, 2023

Series: Positive Influence

Jill Lewolt

Jill Lewolt

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Power is not meant to be held; it’s meant to be given away. It’s a natural urge to want to acquire and retain power, but real influence is a dynamic process of “catch and release.” Rather than holding onto our power, God invites us to share who we are and what we have with others. This week, we’ll see how Jesus believed that we are better together and teaches us to intentionally invest in others.

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Group Discussion Guide 

To see the Leader Guide for this week, click here

Introduction

Last week, we talked about this idea of compassionate candor and how we can be a positive influence in our communities by connecting with the people around us authentically. Spend a few minutes discussing how the application from last week’s discussion went.  

After your time of connecting, begin your meeting with prayer.  

Key Verse for the Week  

*Read this verse to your group first, then encourage the practice of memorization through the week.  

Ephesians 3:20 

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” 

**When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us. 

Opening Thought 

Have you ever approached a task that someone else should do, but it would take too long to teach them how, so you just did it yourself? Then you are like everyone around you! Every day we make the choice of how to spend our time and resources. It can be faster, easier, and less complicated to do it your own way! But, in the long run, it will make a more significant impact if you bring others in and share what you know.  Jesus modeled what it can look like to bring others in and empower them to carry out his mission.  His time on earth would be limited, so Jesus intentionally developed the people? How could your influence multiply if you spent some intentional effort multiplying yourself in others? 

Big idea for the week
We can be a positive influence by empowering others. 

Connect   

  • What is the main difference between empowering or encouraging? Which is more difficult? 
  • Share a time when you were empowered to do something.  How did you feel during that moment? 
  • What are some reasons that can get in the way of empowering others? 
  • Gatekeeping means to withhold information or access that would be beneficial to others.  How does that give you power over others versus power through others? 

Unpack  

Go around your group and have someone read each of the following verses, then discuss the connected questions. 

Read  

These 5 sections of scripture are just a few examples of the way Peter, who was one of Jesus’ most faithful followers throughout the course of his life, was empowered by Jesus to make a huge impact on the early church.  

Have each person in your group take a passage of scripture and read through them all before moving on to the discuss portion. 

  • Matthew 4:18-20 
  • Matthew 14:22-31 
  • Matthew 16:15-19 
  • John 13:6-17 
  • Acts 2:36-41 

 
Discuss  

  • When reading these scriptures, did you read them from the perspective of Jesus, or the perspective of Peter. What did you notice about the process of empowerment?  
  • Now change perspectives. Does anything different stand out to you? 

In her sermon, Pastor Jill talked about 5 steps we can take when raising others up:  

Recruit (identifying, vetting, inviting), 

Ready (equipping, preparing, clarifying),  

Release (giving opportunity with the right authority level),  

Reflect (constructive feedback and debriefing), 

Renew (ongoing nurturing for rest, growth, redirection as needed).  

  • Go through each section of scripture again and discuss as a group how Jesus modeled one of these steps in each passage. (There is no correct answer; more than one step can be seen in each passage).  
  • Revisit each of these steps and discuss the ramifications if it were left out of the process of empowering others. 

Apply 

Based on the verses we just read, there are some things that we can do in response. Take a moment to discuss these questions as a group to decide what your personal action steps for the week can be: 

  • Which one of the five steps for raising others up are you good at?
    • Which one could you grow more from?  
  • Which relationships in your life can you be more intentional with empowerment, moving beyond just encouragement?  
  • Think of someone in your life with untapped potential. How could you invest in them this week? 
  • Which area in your life can you see yourself having more of an individualistic mindset?
    • How could bringing others into this benefit that specific area?  
  • How can we as a faith community empower one another to grow in our faith and our pursuit of Jesus? 

Closing 

It is clear in the verses we read this week that Jesus intentionally developed and invested time into His disciples. In the same way, God challenges us to consider how our influence can multiply when we empower the people in our lives. Let’s consider how we can follow Jesus’ example of what to do in our own lives and relationships throughout this next week.  

Remember, empowerment doesn’t always need to be a grand gesture. Instead, think of the little influences you can incorporate into your relationships that overtime, cause a subtle impact (i.e., actively listening, having hard conversations, acts of service). As a faith community, let’s commit to empowering one another in our collective pursuit of Jesus, keeping in mind the positive influence that we can have when empowering others.  

Prayer and Verses 

Ask for prayer requests and conclude your time with prayer then share the Key Verse for the Week and Daily Devotional Verses with the group. 

Daily Devotional Verses  

Use the S.O.A.K. method to reflect on the verses below. 

Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well. 
Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read? 
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read? 
Kneel in Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned. 

Day 1: Deuteronomy 31:6 

Day 2: Ephesians 2:10 

Day 3: 2 Corinthians 4:16 

Day 4: 2 Peter 1:3 

Day 5: 1 Timothy 4:12 

Day 6: 1 John 4:4 

Key Verse for the Week  

Ephesians 3:20 

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” 

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PAUL & HOLLY ZWIERZYNSKI

  • Translating the Bible Support
  • North Carolina

Paul and Holly Zwierzynski serve at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina, where they support Bible translation efforts around the world. Paul specializes in solar power and computer networking. He helps missionaries use low-power computers in remote areas and sets up reliable internet connections using tools like satellite and radio links. His work has supported over 180 field sites, allowing translation teams to collaborate across long distances. Holly works in the translation office as a project assistant. She helps develop Old Testament translation guides and reference materials used by Bible translators worldwide. Before moving to North Carolina, Paul and Holly served in Cameroon, where their passion for this work first began.

JERRY & BETH TUCKER

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Southern California

Jerry and Beth help prepare new missionaries for the field by leading orientation, providing training, building teams, and offering mentorship during the first year of overseas service. They serve with Wycliffe, a Bible translation organization, and bring years of experience to this important work. Their work began in 1995 in the Philippines, where they served as dorm parents and teachers. Both Jerry and Beth grew up at Journey of Faith, and the church has been supporting their ministry for 30 years. They remain committed to serving for many years to come.

TOM SHECK

  • Youth Development
  • South Bay

 Tom serves as the South Bay Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His goal is to see lives changed through the influence of athletes and coaches on middle school and high school campuses. FCA focuses on values like integrity, serving, teamwork, and excellence. The ministry equips students and coaches to grow in their faith and lead others by starting small group gatherings on campus, known as “Huddles.” These groups become places of encouragement, leadership, and spiritual growth within the school community.

CODY & LEXI SCRIVENS

  • Meeting Community and Church Needs
  • Dublin, Ireland

 Cody and Lexie are serving in Ireland, partnering with a local church to build relationships and share the message of Jesus. Their work takes place in a culture shaped by both deep religious tradition and growing secularism. Navigating this tension is challenging, especially in light of Ireland’s complex religious history, but they remain committed to reaching people who often feel distant from faith.

BRYAN & JACINDA MARTIN

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Philippines

 The Martin family is planting churches in the Philippines through World Team. One of the key ways they serve is by caring for creation. They work with vulnerable communities that are struggling as natural resources become scarce. By teaching sustainable practices for managing the environment, they help meet practical needs while also creating space to share about God’s design for humanity and introduce people to the Creator.

BARBARA LEE

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • San Diego, CA

Barbara supports missionary families by helping their children access quality education and navigate the many transitions that come with cross-cultural life. She currently leads the Indonesia MK (Missionary Kid) Care and Education Team, providing guidance, resources, and support for families across the region. In late 2025, she will join the U.S.-based MK Care and Education Team, where she will train new missionaries, equip education consultants, offer academic testing, and provide personalized educational help for families preparing to serve.

K & L

  • Starting New Churches
  • Southeast Asia

L and K are working to start churches among ten large, unreached, and unengaged people groups in Southeast Asia. They also lead a growing team that has expanded from 11 to 22 units since the pandemic, increasing their reach and impact in the region.

TIM & ERICKA HARRIS

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Oregon

 Tim and Ericka Harris understand the preparation, training, and lifelong commitment it takes to serve in missions. Their work has included cross-cultural ministry throughout Latin America, including eight years living and serving in Costa Rica with their family. Out of a desire to support those serving in demanding ministry roles, they provide pastoral care to missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders around the world. Through their R.E.S.T. initiative—Retreat, Encouragement, Safety, and Transformation—they offer spaces for leaders on every major continent to step away, recharge, and return to their work with renewed strength and clarity.

MARK & BRENDA HALL

  • Starting New Churches
  • Guadalajara, Mexico

Mark and Brenda Hall moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2018, where Mark now serves as a teaching pastor at English Fellowship. The church brings together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and denominations, serving both international residents and Mexican nationals living in the city for work. Although their focus is now in Mexico, they remain connected to their previous work in Guatemala, where they spent 18 years investing in the lives of young people. Their move to Guadalajara opens new doors to build relationships, support the local community, and share the message of Jesus in meaningful and relevant ways.

RICH FRAZER

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Nepal and North India

The Fraziers serve with an organization called SOS, which stands for Spiritual Overseers Service International. Rick serves as the president and helps lead the organization’s three core objectives. The first is evangelism, which focuses on spreading the message of Jesus. The second is discipleship, aimed at strengthening the global Church. And the third is compassion, which means meeting the physical and spiritual needs of fellow believers. The Fraziers train Christian leaders and partner with Tabernacle Ministries in Nepal and North India. Through this work, SOS is mentoring more than 100 leaders who are reaching urban migrants with God’s love.

MARK & LISA DENEUI

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • France

 Mark is a Bible teacher focused on the New Testament who trains church leaders and church planters in French-speaking Europe. Lisa teaches English as a Foreign Language and French, using her skills to build relationships and serve the local community while sharing her faith. Together, Mark and Lisa serve with a network of church plants in the city of Strasbourg. They are committed to making Christ’s love known by partnering with the local French church to love their neighbors, share the gospel, and disciple new believers.

D & J

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Southeast Asia

D and J are building relationships with an unreached people group in Southeast Asia. Their hope is to see a new community of believers grow through intentional disciple-making and personal connection.

JOSEPH BRADFORD IV

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Los Angeles, CA

Joseph launched his nonprofit, B.A.R.E. Truth, Inc., in 2018 to serve individuals and families in Los Angeles facing homelessness, food insecurity, and other critical needs. Through mentorship, independent living support, housing assistance, and wellness services, Joseph and his team help people move toward healthier, purpose-filled lives. They also host weekly feeding events on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. B.A.R.E. stands for Balance, Ambition, Respect, and Encouragement.

BILL ANKERBERG

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Estonia

Bill leads a missions movement in the Nordic-Baltic region, focusing especially on Estonia, where fewer than 2% of people identify as Christian. His work includes supporting church planters, developing local leaders, strengthening compassion ministries, and mentoring pastors and missionaries across both the Baltics and Scandinavia. This ministry began in 2008 and continues to grow in reach and impact.

PAT & BETH ANDREWS

  • Bible Translation
  • Arlington, TX

 Pat serves with Seed Company, a subsidiary of Wycliffe Bible Translators, as Director of Field Projects for the Pacific Region and as a Translation Consultant. He helps oversee translation work in more than 60 languages, coordinating efforts across 11 organizations and 28 internships. Many of Pat’s teams are based in remote island communities, which often presents communication and travel challenges. Even so, Pat makes it a priority to visit his project teams and interns each year.

DENNIS & DENISE AHERN

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Washington State

Since 1992, the Aherns have provided counseling and care to missionaries in more than forty countries. They have a deep understanding of the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities that come with full-time ministry. Their commitment to supporting ministry workers led them to open a retreat center in Washington state called Selah Glen, where they host and lead pastoral care retreats. Through this work, the Aherns are able to care for those who spend their lives caring for others.

MIGUEL & MARIA ADAME

  • Church Planting
  • Baja Mexico

Pastor Miguel leads a growing church in Mexicali, Mexico, where he and his family have been serving the community since 2013. Their church runs weekly Bible studies, monthly outreach events, and provides a steady, welcoming presence in the neighborhood. In 2024, they opened a free private Christian elementary school that supports students with special needs or who are considered at-risk. Journey of Faith has partnered with this ministry through more than a dozen short-term mission trips.

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