Day One - Global Leadership Conference

General Session

Abide as Jesus draws you to Himself.

Read the Scripture Hollman shared, Luke 7:11-17.
Hollman shared that during the pandemic, there is a tendency for social distancing to impact our relationships with others and with the Lord, a temptation to keep Jesus and others at a distance. Do you see this in your own life, or in the lives of your staff and volunteers? How can you lead with compassion through that difficult struggle?
Take a prayer walk with a partner and share what has encouraged you to remain in Christ this year and what has made intimacy with Christ challenging.

In your group, discuss the reflection questions from the "Becoming More Like Jesus" plan in the Bible App (Philippians 2:1-13).
In his teaching from Luke 7:11-17, Hollman pointed to Jesus and His compassion. Jesus had compassion for the widow and her son, and He shows us as His followers a clear image of compassion. How can we follow Jesus in loving others as He loves us, and in showing compassion to those in urgent need of God’s love?

To abide in Christ means to find our home in Jesus. Have you found yourself trying to "make a home" in something else this past year? Where have you sought fullness (identity, comfort, rest, wholeness, affection) in places other than Christ?
Take time to confess this to the Lord, request forgiveness, and ask Him to draw you close and help you seek your identity and comfort in Christ alone.
Go for a walk with a partner and discuss: What are your enduring rhythms of Abiding in Christ? What might need to be added or refreshed at this point? Who helps you in your journey of spiritual formation? Pray for each other.

It is often tempting to think of abiding in Christ as something that is all about our effort or is only for those who are super spiritual. How can we instead practice abiding as a response to an invitation from Jesus, instead of something that depends on our effort?
In what ways do you think the Lord would want you to lead others (your family, staff/leaders in your region, etc.) into a deeper place of abiding in Christ?
Call a friend or mentor who has impacted your life by their faith in Jesus. Thank them for their impact and ask them questions about their walk during the pandemic.