“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” – Colossians 1:28 ESV

What is the motive behind reproducing leaders? One motive is helping fellow believers embrace what God has called them to be as mature Christians.

What is maturity in Christ for those in your small group? How would you describe it? Maturity in Christ is more than simply having someone join your small group and assigning them to bring cookies or to open the night in prayer. Maturity in Christ is leading others into their full potential in their giftedness. Many Christians are on the sidelines in ministry, and whether their reasons appear legitimate or not, they need to be spurred on in their service to the Body. That can take on several different forms, and for some that next step of maturing in their faith is leading a new small group.

This is the very thing that Paul “struggled with all his energy” (v.29). Are you expending your energy to develop those in your small group to be mature in Christ and take on greater leadership? It’s easy to let them attend each week, but how are you coaching them to be greater vessels in the hands of God?

“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.” – Acts 9:31

Here in Acts 9, the church is described as having exponential growth throughout the entire region. And when the whole church multiplies and grows, there is a demand for new leaders to step up and embrace what God has called them to do. Developing new leaders is essential to being a healthy church. Developing new leaders calls believers to be faithful stewards of the gifts God has given them. Developing new leaders needs to be the mindset of every small group leader if we are to reach new spheres of influence within Washington, D.C. It might be hard; it might be out of your comfort zone; it might challenge you more than what you “signed up for” as a small group leader. But new leaders need to be trained and released for ministry if the gospel is to have a multiplying work in our area.

So who in your group is ready to lead? Are they able to lead a new 8 week group? Or who are you preparing to take on new leadership? If no one, what is your one year game plan to develop a new leader by next fall? Continue praying for the new leader God wants you to develop for leadership, then let them lead.