What if you gave a teacher or a leader  everything they wanted?

At Fellowship, I’m teaching through a series called “I want to be one of them” and highlighting some heroes of the Christian faith.  I’ve shared the stories of George Mueller and Tony Dungy so far with two weeks left.  One of those weeks we will be talking Jonathan Edwards, one of the great pastors/theologians/authors/philosophers of 18th century New England.  As I’m reading one of his biographies, a thought came to my mind concerning learning from other people:

What would happen if I gave everything I had to mimic the teachings and example of ______________________?

Whether the “fill in the blank” for you is Jonathan Edwards, Joel Osteen, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, Billy Graham, Rob bell, John Piper, Martin Luther, or Martin Luther King, what would happen if you gave them everything they wanted from you in their lives?

Now I understand the rhetoric that’s coming next from most people that we just follow Jesus, but every teacher and leader wants us to do and give something, and finding out what that is might be important.  Because we, being human, tend to be very one dimensional and like people who are like us and do not like people who are not like us.  If you like Jonathan Edwards or John Piper, you might like to have fun, but probably not when it comes to church.  If you’re into Joel or Nelson, I’m guessing you believe everything’s changing slowly into this ultimate utopia.  If mother Theresa or Martin Luther is your thing, then you want to work, work, work for the kingdom, kingdom, kingdom, and when you’re done, you have to keep going.  Clearly these are huge stereotypes and not to be made a big deal of, but the question is…

What would be the end result if you wholeheartedly followed the people you listened to?

Last night my small group leaders, Ben and Michelle, allowed me to lead the group discussion from the Nooma Video, “Dust”.  I hadn’t led a small group for a while (at least in an official “life group” setting), and I had a great time doing it again.

So the end result of the discussion was about risk and how it connects with the idea of surrender to God. 
i.e. we don’t risk anything because we want  control of every situation.

I don’t know about you, but I want to be known as someone who would wisely risk it all because that’s what God wants me to do.  So I started asking myself some questions that I thought I might share with you.  See how good you have done in the area of risk.

When was the last time I have risked something big for God? 
In the past,what have I struggled giving to God?
What am I not willing to risk because it is too important to me?
In what areas am I safe and comfortable that might be a hindrance to growth in the future?
What is God asking me to risk today?

How did you do?