605 Leading a company with scritpture

MODULE 605 LEADING YOUR COMPANY WITH SCRIPTURE Dr. Mario Denton Crown Financial Ministries Marketplace Programme Director for Africa Africa Director for FCCI (The Fellowship for Companies for Christ International) CEO STRONG MESSAGE BUSINESS CONSULTANT Let's keep the good marketplace vibes alive. Let's network. Tel (w) + 27(0) 82 88 29903.

E-mail address: mario@crown.org.za W ebsite: www.crown.org.za and click on marketplace E-mail address: marden@mweb.co.za web site: www.strongmessage.co.za Skype: mario.denton

1

Table of Contents 1. A solid Foundation 2. Understanding God’s will 3. Leading your company with scripture and prayer 4. Application assignment 5. Appendix

Leading Your Company with Scripture In Genesis 2:16, we see that God put man in the Garden of Eden to “work it and to protect or guard it.” The same may be applied specifically to our jobs as stewards (leaders) of our businesses – we are to work them and to protect them. We work and protect them by leading them God’s way through the Scriptures and prayer. In Acts 17:11-12 we are told, “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Any hope we have of leading the companies entrusted to us is found in regular personal and corporate prayer and Scripture study

2

Leading Your Company with Scripture and Prayer In Genesis 2 In this module, you will learn to: • Identify the God of the Bible • Know God’s primary ways of revealing His will • Identify God’s will as revealed in Scripture • Establish a process for using Prayer and Scripture to lead your company

If a leader doesn’t understand and, therefore, practice Scripture study and prayer, he/she can’t lead others to do so. “Good leaders” model “good behavior.”

• Do you study the Bible or pray as much as you think you should?

• Do you study the Bible or pray as much as you want to?

Given a choice, humans do pretty much what they want. We weigh the alternatives and make a choice. We all have the same 24 hours each day and the same seven days each week. If you don’t pray or study as much as you “want” to, why do you think that is so? Since we all do pretty much what we want, either we don’t see the benefit to Scripture study and prayer or we just don’t know how to effectively do so. Some say the problem is commitment and that the lack of commitment on our part is the problem. This may or may not be the issue.

It seems more likely that the issue is two-fold: 1. Improper assessment of what prayer and Scripture study can do for us (the WIIFM -What’s in it for me? question).

3

2. Lack of knowledge - finding a way to read and study that it is enjoyable or pleasurable.

NDATION BIBLICAL EXAMPLE: When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. Genesis 3:6 Eve assessed the situation and decided to eat the apple because: 1. Eve believed she would gain wisdom (WIIFM ) AND 2. She believed it would provide pleasure

The God of the Bible If you’re going to give your allegiance to someone, you might want to know Who that someone is. If you’re going to “turn over” your company to someone, you might want to know a bit about Him. THE GOD OF THE BIBLE IS: 1. The self­proclaimed creator claim to have created the universe) and ruler of the universe (God says He is sovereign).

• Genesis 14:19b • Isaiah 16:9-10 • Isaiah 14:24, 27 • Daniel 4:34-35 • Daniel 4:36 2. A jealous God. • Exodus 34:14 In the Ten Commandments, we are told “thou shalt have no other gods before me.” This doesn’t mean “He’s first but there can be others that are 2nd like our jobs, or our house,

4

or car, or money, or company.” “Before” in this context means “in front of – or in my presence.”

3. One Who does not change.

• Malachi 3:6 Who God is and what He says about Himself in the Scriptures is totally dependable. This does not mean that He always acts the exact same way.

This is a good reminder of His sovereignty.

4. Self­described.

• Exodus 34:6-7 Make a note to go there later and read again what He says about Himself. Be sure to read all the way to verse 8, don’t stop in the middle just because it doesn’t fit your ‘image’ of God. Leading Your Company If you chose to serve Him, you must serve Him – the real God, the whole God. • Joshua 24:15 5. Just.

In order to serve God, we have to know what He wants of us. God is not unjust. He has left us all we need to know about what He expects of us.

However, if we don’t know what is contained in the Bible, we have little hope of obeying His commands. If we disobey, we are without excuse.

• Does your company have an employee handbook and job descriptions?

• Do your employees know what you expect from them?

• Do they know what “good behavior” looks like?

• Do they know what success looks like – from your point of view?

If not, you do a disservice to your employees. If you “punish” them for “bad behavior” that you haven’t defined, you are unjust. Fortunately for us, God doesn’t treat us that way.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Understanding God’s will The Word of God - Logos and Reématos We can know God’s will for us through His Word…which is study of the Scriptures and prayer through His Holy Spirit. Many Christians want to ‘just pray’… but in order to understand what you hear through prayer, first you must study.

• Romans 10:17 • Ephesians 6:13, 18 “Word” in these passages is the Greek word reéma or reématos which is distinct from the word translated as logos. Both are translated in English as “word” but have different meanings.

In general, when we think about “the Word of God” we think about the whole Bible. Here the reference is to individual verses which the Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in times of need. Thus, a prerequisite is the regular storing of Scripture in your mind through study and meditation. The reéma of God is when the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart (His will for you in any given instance). Only the Holy Spirit can take a verse of Scripture and make it a reéma of God to you.

6

Caution: What can we learn from Matthew 4:1-11?

1. Scripture is a shield against temptation.

2. Satan knows and uses the Scriptures.

3. It takes time and effort to know the Scriptures well enough not to be fooled when they are used out of context.

4. The Holy Spirit (reéma of God) must be present.

5. You can use the Scriptures in the same way Jesus did.

The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fi re, but the LORD was not in the fire And after the fi re came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. I Kings 19:11-13

The Still, Small Voice Sometimes while praying, we claim we can’t hear what God is saying to us, maintaining that God only speaks in a “still-small voice.” The Biblical reference for this claim is found in 1 Kings 19:11-13. In this passage, God is speaking to Elijah. Note that there is no indication that Elijah didn’t understand or couldn’t hear. Quite the contrary, he heard and understood clearly as evidenced by his actions. In John 10:16 Jesus is referring to “His sheep.” One thing He says is: “They [too] will listen to my voice.” Notice that Jesus says “listen” not “hear” – there’s quite a difference between listening and hearing.

The issue isn’t whether God desires to tell us His will (no one wants this more than God Himself) or that He isn’t speaking. The issue is that we don’t recognise His voice because:

7

1. We don’t speak His language (meaning we haven’t studied His Word enough to recognise it when He speaks); or 2. We hear His voice but refuse to follow His instruction.

We want to use Him more as a consultant or a member of our Board of Directors who advises us than as our BOSS.

HEARING GOD’S VOICE REVIEW: 1. We don’t know who we’re dealing with.

2. We haven’t spent enough time in His Word to understand His language.

3. We don’t pray enough to hear His specific instruction.

4. We want to use Him as a “sounding board” – not a boss.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

God’s Will for Us - Obedience The most prominent theme of God’s Will for His people (both individually and collectively) is OBEDIENCE. • Matthew 22:37-38 • John 14:15 • John 14:23-24 It is fairly clear that God’s will for us is that we love Him, which He translates as obedience. Therefore to successfully love God, we must obey Him:

1. First, we must study His instruction as found in His Bible.

8

2. Then, we must commit ourselves to prayer to hear His specific instruction as He speaks His own language (found in the Bible [logos] through His Holy Spirit [reéma.])

3. We must obey what we hear.

To successfully love God takes time and it takes effort. It’s worth it because: 1. He expects it.

2. You become more intimate with Him. 3. You will know what He wants you to do.

4. You gain confidence in making decisions.

Exercise: Group Discussion 1. How will prayer and Bible study help you become more intimate with God? 2. How will this help you gain confidence in your decisions?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PRACTICE WORKSHOP – Dissecting a particular passage: Believing that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are our ultimate role modes as business leaders, it is useful to study the Scripture to see “how” they do their work. By dissecting passages of Scripture, we can find several business principles that show us a pattern or method of working that mirrors how God works.

• Read I Samuel 15:1-35.

9

• Turn to page “Discovering Leadership Skills in God’s Word” in the Appendix section of this Study Guide.

• Identify God’s instruction to Saul in the passage. Write “God’s Instruction” in the margin.

• See how many “Leadership Errors or Sins” you can identify in the passage.

Note them in the margin, state what they are “sin of pride, greed, lying, etc.”

How many can you find?

• Can you identify God’s perspective on these sins? Note this in the margin as well.

Group Discussion: 1. In what ways may you be committing similar errors or sins in your leadership?

2. How does the Lord feel about making you “king” over His business? Have you asked Him recently?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. What remedy might you begin to use to make sure that you are pleasing Him with your leadership?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10

4. If you continue to read through the following passages, what differences do you seen in how Samuel handled God’s instruction to him?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Leading your company with scripture and prayer God sees a “bigger picture” than we do. He is not constrained by time – He sees the past, the present and the future all at once. And, He knows how your company fits into His Kingdom. As a result, His wisdom far exceeds anything we could humanly imagine.

What are the benefi ts of leading your company with Scripture and prayer?

1. It makes us powerful and effective.

• James 5:16b • Joshua 1:8

11

2. It helps us be good stewards.

• Matthew 25:21 3. It opens wide a door for God to use His business for His purposes.

The Four P’s of the Process • Pray • Ponder • Practice • Praise

PRAY • Start simply, even silently.

• Maintain an attitude of dependence.

• Pray for what you need.

• Pray so you don’t fall into temptation.

In everything he [David] did he had great success, because the LORD was with him.

1 Samuel 18:14 “Pray as you can, not as you can’t.”

PONDER the Scriptures Challenge: Read each passage four times – 1. As a story, history or teaching 2. Through the eyes of the people involved 3. Through the eyes of God 4. Through your own eyes or the eyes of the company Consider: • What were the people thinking and feeling?

• What did they do?

• Why did they act in that manner?

• What was God thinking or feeling?

• What did He say?

12

• What can I learn about myself and God through this passage?

• Most important: what adjustments should I make as a result?

PRACTICE (obey) PRAISE 1. Praise is based on truth.

2. Praise strengthens us.

3. Praise encourages others.

4. Praise and thank God for His willingness to use your company for His purposes and glory.

Leading Your Company

Exercise: Searching for Specific Guidance 1. Using Scripture and prayer to deal with company issues such as the scenario below, formulate a five-step action plan.

Problem Solving Action Plan: 1 . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2 . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3 . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 4 . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 5 . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

2. Use this five-step action plan to determine how your company would handle the problem situation below:

Scenario: Your company employs two women. The two women have been with the company about the same amount of time, do similar jobs, are both good and loyal employees and earn the same wage. You learn that one of them has recently become widowed and has small children.

You know that the wage you pay the woman is insufficient to support the family. What should you do?

13

3. One representative from each company will present the company plan they developed including the Scriptures they used to develop their action plan.

NOTE: For any ‘missing’ facts, create a list of assumptions you make when determining your plan of action. Present the assumptions to the group as part of your plan report. What are some of the facts you would need to know (that aren’t presented in the case study)?

Facts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applicable Scriptures:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Action Plan:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

14

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Honoring God’s Principles and Commands While Keeping the Laws of the Land What will you do if your plan appears to violate the laws of the “land”? Wage and hour laws are some of the most common examples of laws that appear to violate the Scriptures.

Search for creative alternatives that do both – obey God’s laws and principles and the governmental law. For example, if you feel directed through counsel, Scripture study and prayer to pay one worker more than another in the same job, you may need to fiind creative ways to do so.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self­control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

4. Application assignment Select a problem or decision that needs to be made within the company during the next six months. Then: a. Pray. Ask God for wisdom. As a team, pray about the problem or decision several times. Make a note in your corporate prayer journal each time you pray.

b. Gather Facts. Without true facts a good decision is impossible.

15

c. Search the Scriptures. Gather as many potential Scriptures as you can that might pertain to the subject, carefully checking the context of the Scripture to check its applicability. Write out the Scriptures and arrange them into an order that allows for the emergence of a plan. Discuss the potential plan with the group. d. Formulate and write a potential plan. Determine what or who you will need to assist with the plan. Begin to implement the plan as you continue to pray. e. Pray again – keep praying until you get the answer. Then, thank God for His wisdom and guidance and ask for power to fulfill the instruction given through His Word.

Make a presentation to the group at the next meeting showing: a. The problem or issue the company is facing

b. What Scriptures you found that might relate to this issue

c. The facts that clarify which Scriptures apply

d. An interim plan the group formulated

e. A statement of action items completed thus far

f. A statement of actions which remain undone When applicable, be sure to tell the group answers that have been revealed and praise God together.

16

1 Samuel 15:1­35 Samuel said to Saul, “I am the one the LORD sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the LORD. This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

So Saul summoned the men and mustered them at Telaim-two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men from Judah. Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the ravine. Then he said to the Kenites, “Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.

Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, to the east of Egypt. He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs-everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.

Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: “I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night.

Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, “Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal.”

When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD’s instructions.”

17

But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?”

Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.”

“Stop!” Samuel said to Saul. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” Saul replied.

Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.’ Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?” “But I did obey the LORD,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifi ce them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.”

But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.”

Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the LORD’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them.

18

Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD.” But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel!”

As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighborstoone better than you. He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind.”

Saul replied, “I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God.” So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD. Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.” Agag came to him confidently, thinking, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”

But Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so will your mother be childless among women.” And Samuel put Agag to death before the LORD at Gilgal.

Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul.

Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the LORD was grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel.

19

You do not have, because you Pray.

Ask

God

for If any of you lacks wisdom,

do not ask God. When you wisdom –You will need he should ask God, who gives ask, you do not receive, wisdom,

generously to all without

because you ask with wrong discernment, motives, that you may spend strength,

power, fi nding fault, and it will be

unity,

and given to him.

what you get on your much more to operate James 1:5 pleasures. James 4:2-3

God’s business for His Glory. Earnestly ask for

While Pilate was sitting on

all these things.

Gather Facts. Without true Plans fail for lack of counsel,

the judge’s seat, his wife sent facts, a good decision is him this message: “Don’t impossible.

This

but with many advisers they

step succeed.

have anything to do with that may take some time. Proverbs 15:22 innocent man, for I have Don’t fall into the trap suffered a great deal today in that many Christians fall a dream because of him.”

into believing that God

Matthew 27:19

will run the business. It is His job to own it, it’s your job to be a good steward and operate it wisely. your

This

includes collective

education, intellect, and experiences. Seek Godly counsel including that of a believing spouse and/

20

or a Council of Advisors.

Not only was the Teacher Search the Scriptures. Therefore, you kings, be wise; wise, but also he imparted Gather

many be warned, you rulers of the

as

knowledge to the people. He potential

earth.

pondered and searched out Scriptures as you can

Psalm 2:10

and set in order many that might pertain to proverbs. The Teacher the subject, searched to find just the right

carefully

checking

the

words, and what he wrote was context of the Scripture upright and true.

to

check

Ecclesiastes 12:9-10

applicability. Write out the

its

Scriptures

and

arrange them into an order that allows for the emergence of a plan.

Discuss

the

potential

plan with the group.

A simple man believes

Formulate and write a A man’s steps are directed by

anything, but a prudent man potential plan. Determine the LORD. Proverbs 20:24 gives thought to his steps.

what or who you will

Proverbs 14:14

need to assist with the plan.

Begin

to

implement the plan as you continue to pray.

Do not be anxious about

Pray again – keep praying. For the kingdom of God is not

anything, but in everything,

Thank

by prayer and petition, with

wisdom

thanksgiving, present your

and ask for power to

requests to God.

fulfi

Philippians 4:6

given through His Word

God and

ll the

for

His a matter of talk but of power.

guidance I Corinthians 4:20 instruction

21

Optional Practice Case Study #1 Bob, a Christian customer, owed Ace Machinery, a Christian-owned supplier of machine parts, a considerable amount of money. Bob and Frank both attended the same church.

The debt was over 90 days past due and Bob had stopped purchasing from Frank. Frank learned that Bob was now doing business with a competitor and was paying for the products. In addition, Bob owned a valuable boat and sports car that would more than cover the amount owed.

Frank had allowed his credit manager to handle the debt through letters and phone contact but those attempts had failed. He didn’t want to offend his Christian brother or give up the potential of future business, but he couldn’t afford to allow the matter to remain unsettled either. Each time he passed Bob’s home and saw the boat and sports car, the debt became more of an irritant. What should Frank do? ______________________________________________________________________ Optional Practice Case Study #2 Ace Manufacturing Company had developed its operating budget around the successful introduction and sales of a major new product. When the product failed to sell at the rate that was projected, the company faced a serious financial crisis, which threatened the stability of the company.

The soundest response appeared to be to downsize the company to bring operating expenses in line with current sales. To do so would require the layoff of ten employees, many of whom were Christians.

A deep dialogue ensued about the Christian-led company’s responsibility to its employees and its responsibility to be a wise steward of its financial position and resources. What should they do?

22

____________________________________________________________________ The Bible “The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.

Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.” ­­ Reprinted with permission from the front pages of the Gideon Bible

6. Dig deeper and learn more (Optional) This section includes various support material for further inspiration and encouragement and relates to the material covered in this section ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

23

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nr

Name

605 A

When God seems far away

Date of completion

605 B

Dependence on God

Progress Report James 1:22-25 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will be blessed in what he does.” (NIV) Name and Number of Module ________________________________________ Participant’s Name: ________________________________________ The Biblical Truths (Principles) I learned from this module: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

24

I intend to apply this Truth (Principle) in my business by: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------________________________

_______________________

Participant

Date

Inviting Jesus Into Your Life The Bible makes it clear that we have to do something to accept the gift that God offers. This is an act of faith. The Disciple John writes, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 Believing involves an act of faith based on all that we know about Jesus. It is not blind faith. It is putting our trust in a Person. In some ways, it is like the step of faith taken by a bride and a bridegroom when they say, “I will,” on their wedding day.

The key is three things: Sorry... Thank you... Please...

“Sorry” You have to ask God to forgive you for all the things you have done wrong and turn from everything that you know is wrong in your life. That is what the Bible means by “repentance.”

“Thank you”

25

You believe that Jesus died for you on the cross. You need to thank Him for dying for you and for the offer of His free gifts of forgiveness, freedom and His Spirit.

“Please” God never forces His way into our lives. You need to accept His gift and invite Him to come and live within you by His Spirit. If you would like to have a relationship with God and you are ready to say these three things, then here is a very simple prayer you can pray that will be the start of that relationship: Dear God ­ I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong. Thank you that Jesus died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free. Please come into my life by Your Holy Spirit to be with me forever. Thank you, Jesus. Amen Now what?

If you have prayed this prayer, it is important to tell someone! This may be your Group Director, a fellow member of the group, perhaps a boss or co­worker who accepted this great gift of life at an earlier time. Then, find a way to get connected in a local church that loves Jesus and has a heart for the new believer.

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Dr M Sanders was actively involved in the Fellowship of Companies for Christ International for over 11 years. She has earned an MBA and a Doctorate in Ministry. Previously. M came to know Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior in the spring of 1989 on Highway 380 north of Dallas, Texas while listening to an audio-cassette a friend had given her.

Later, she realised that this friend had spent a long period time of praying for her to come to know the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Material adapted by Dr. Mario Denton .

Mario is the International Field Continental Programme Director – Market-place for Crown Africa, the Africa Director for FCCI (The Fellowship for Companies for Christ International) and the CEO of Strong Message Business Consultancy. He 26

is an international teacher and industrial psychologist and uses his strong academic and corporate background and his uniquely effective coaching to help people tap into their inner being; to utilise their strengths and expand their skills to make a difference in the workplace. He and his wife, Mariene, are based in Cape Town, South Africa, and are blessed with three grown sons.

Copyright. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system without permission. Regarding permission to reprint material from this material, please write to Dr Mario Denton: Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Crown Companies Legacy Leaders Providing mature business leaders an opportunity to continue to use their skills productively for the Glory of God. Do you desire to pass on the baton to business leaders to transform their business?

27

Legacy leaders are business leaders who have a desire to continue to use their skills productively to mentor and coach and train the other business leaders as well as training the next generation of business leaders for the glory of God Crown Companies exists to equip and encourage business leaders to operate their business and conduct their personal lives according to Biblical principles Legacy leaders •

Are experienced in business

•

Understand and are committed to the vision of CROWN Companies

•

Have implemented biblical principles in his or her own personal life and business

•

Are mature in the Christian faith and are of proven character

•

Have a passion to see other business leaders succeed as determined by God’s standards

Legacy leaders may possess: •

The capability to be an encourager, coach, mentor and discipler.

•

The ability to provide wise business counsel to other business leaders

•

The time and or resources to come alongside other business leaders

Teach us to number our days that we may present to you a heart of wisdom.”

Psalm 90: 1 Legacy leaders serve in a wide variety of capacities, including: •

Mentoring individual business leaders

•

Working with groups of business leaders

•

Serving as a ambassador for CROWN Companies your church and community

•

Traveling abroad to assist in business leaders in other countries

28

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others for eternity?

How can you serve the Lord as a legacy leader and begin sharing all that the Lord has entrusted to you?

1. Pray now where the Lord will use you in the lives of other business leaders to impact the Kingdom of God for His glory 2. Contact Crown Companies at mario@crown.org.za or the Crown companies office at 3. Visit our website at www.crown.org.za for more information, tools and resources and become a member to enjoy the support, counsel, fellowship of other members and extensive material that are available

Crown Companies: Reclaim the workplace for Christ Is the vision of your church also to bring the people of your community into a life -transforming encounter with the Kingdom of God? The workplace is a key battle ground for achieving the above vision. Mature and equipped believers should live their faith in the workplace. But many need help in

29

understanding what that means as well as support in carrying it out If you want to live your faith in the workplace, we helping to make it more effective of God’s Kingdom on earth, then we at Crown Companies want to come alongside you with support and equipping you.

Our mission and intention is to develop flexible training programmes and processes to assist you in this regard Imagine a workplace where …..

•

There were biblically-based, explicitly defined values

•

Ethics and integrity are paramount

•

Love and servant leadership governed relationships

•

Pursuit of excellence was the norm

•

Collaboration was sought but obedience and commitment to final decisions wee followed

•

Selfish ambition was nonexistent

•

Accountability was enforced – in a supportive manner

START WITH A WORKPLACE MINISTRY IN YOUR CHURCH Equip your workplace leaders to become ministers Helping them to become sensitive to the lost Help the workplace leaders of your church get a vision for joining God in the workplace ministry

Crown Companies: Become the business leaders God intended you to be 30

Sometimes it is a matter of survival but you have to become the business leaders God intended you to be.

The purpose of Crown Companies is to help business leaders: •

Draw closer to God

•

Establish a committed and vibrant relationship with the Lord

•

Develop deep, meaningful relationships with like-minded peers

•

Learn what it means to run a company for Christ

•

Help other workplace leaders to do the same

This is accomplished through •

Monthly leadership groups

•

Workplace conference

•

Materials and resources and Training on our website

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30-31 Search the untold riches of the Bible to find scriptural perspective for operating a company as a steward of Christ with like-minded peers and colleagues. Join a small group facilitated discussions relevant to •

Sales and marketing strategies

•

Effective time management

•

Cash flow and profit

•

Planning goals and implementation

•

Motivating people

•

Problems solving

31

For my thought are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts Isaiah 55: 8-9 START WITH A SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION IN YOU AREA Do you need someone to pray with you – someone who understands the pressures of running a company, someone who cares?

Do you desire to integrate your Christian faith into the daily operations of the business God has entrusted you?

For more information on a small group in you area contact Dr Mario Denton at mario@crown.org.za

And I say unto you, “ Ask , and it shall be given to you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. ‘. Luke 11: 9-10

Crown Companies: Every believer a minister in the workplace 32

Common dilemmas in the workplace •

Isolation: Feeling the pressure of being responsible for many people

•

Need encouragement but rarely received it

•

Need people that they can honestly communicate

Equipping the workplace You have an opportunity to make a difference in the workplace God has called you. Meet monthly with other business leaders to receive instruction and training from other top business speakers on how to integrate your Christian life into your business Form a small group of leaders who serve one another in a well-informed, support group where burning issues like the following can be discussed •

Develop a strategic plan tailored for each member’s business

•

Developing an action plan for ministry

•

Developing your company’s mission and vision

•

Product and service excellence

•

Giving back to the Lord

•

Long term financial planning

•

Building a high performance team

•

Hiring smart

•

Sharing your faith in the workplace

•

Problem solving

•

Customer service

START WITH A LIFE-CHAINGING SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION IN YOU AREA

33

Do you desire to integrate your Christian faith into the daily operations of the business God has entrusted you?

For more information on a small group in you area contact Dr Mario Denton at mario@crown.org.za

34