Influence - Propel Women A Conversation Series

INFLUENCE INFLUENCE

PP P ROP PR OPEL EL WOMEN WOMEN

A Conversation A Conversation Series Series

INFLUENCE

P P ROP EL WOMEN

A Conversation Series

Copyright © 2019 by Propel Women, part of Equip & Empower Ministries ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Published by Propel Women Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotes are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, and 2011 by Biblical, Inc®.

Used by permission. All rights reserves worldwide.

Photography by Nick Livingston, Rebekah Wriedt, Julien Tsujimoto, Kristine Isabedra, Alex Tan, David Sherry, Maresa Smith, Foster And Asher, and Rob Christian Crosby.

Used with permission.

ISBN: 978-1-950007-41-7 Printed in the United States of America

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WELCOME BY C H R I ST I N E C AINE

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OUTLINE FOR EACH SESSION

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SE S SI O N S I X

DEFINING INFLU ENCE RECOGNIZE YOUR INFLUENCE FUELING YOUR INFLUENCE INCREASING YOUR INFLUENCE LIVING A LIFE OF INFLUENCE LEAVING A LEGACY OF INFLUENCE

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INFLUENCE — 5 — PROPEL WOMEN

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elcome to our Propel series on Influence. This new curriculum invites you to explore the leadership principles and issues we encounter in the home, community, and workplace. It’s my hope that as you go through this series, you’ll begin to see your world differently. That you’ll realize it’s no coincidence who your neighbors are, who you work with, or who your kids play with. These spheres of influence—the groups of people you have the potential to reach each day—can be inspired, encouraged, and led by you. God wants to do something beautiful through the way you influence others.

In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

You have been given unique spheres of influence, and in them, you were meant to shine brightly. This world needs you to step boldly into your full potential—and you can rely on God to help you do that.

As you progress through this series, I pray you’ll have an open mind, an open heart, and open hands to receive what God is showing you. We’re going to hear from some remarkable friends of mine who know what it means to effectively use their influence for God’s glory. I believe you’ll find inspiration and practical guidance in their stories, the kind you’ll be able to apply to your own life.

Wherever you live, whatever you do, and whatever season of life you’re in, God has a powerful plan for your life. Never underestimate the impact you can make or how far God can take you!

Love you dearly,

CHRISTINE CAINE

welcome

INFLUENCE — 7 — PROPEL WOMEN

outline

O F E AC H S E S S I O N

A typical session in the Propel Women curriculum conversation series will include the following sections.

Read through the brief outline to get a clear idea of how each meeting will be structured.

01 02 03 04 05

INTRODUCTION Each conversation opens with a brief thought that will help you prepare for the session, and get you thinking about the subject you’ll explore with your group.

LISTEN This section includes some simple questions to get you talking—letting you share as much or as little of your story as you want. You can get to know your whole group by answering the questions together, or split into smaller groups with one or two others to go deeper.

LEARN In this session, watch part one of the video, and then continue the conversation in your group. During this time you’ll also read a short Scripture passage together and apply it to your lives.

LEAD Watch part two of the video to listen to the Propel team take questions from the audience, then use questions in this section of the workbook to explore these insights and consider how they affect your leadership.

LO O K C LO S E R This brief section provides an additional perspective and more information on the week’s theme. This can be great additional material for your group to discuss or something you can reflect on during the week.

INFLUENCE — 9 — PROPEL WOMEN

SESSION

ONE

“Love each other with geniune affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”

ROMANS 12:10

DEF INING I N FLU E N CE

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mathematician named Samuel Arbesman wanted to calculate just how many people in the world are truly famous. So he took Wikipedia’s number of “Living People” pages – people alive today who are considered significant enough to warrant their own entry have their own Wikipedia listing – and divided that number by the population of the world. By that measure, only 0.0086 percent of people in the world are even a bit famous.1

So many people want to be well-known, but God doesn’t call us to be “important” by the world’s standards. He calls us to be influencers.

Most of us will not be celebrities, but all of us influence others and impact their lives. As we kick off this study, we’ll explore what it means to have influence, why it’s important to serve behind the scenes, and how to be people who make God more famous than ourselves.

INFLUENCE — 11 — PROPEL WOMEN

listen

DEF INING I N FLU E N CE 01.

Briefly share one or two people who have influenced your life.

Why are they so significant in your story?

02.

Who do you influence? How are you currently affecting their lives?

INFLUENCE — 13 — PROPEL WOMEN

Take a few minutes to watch part one of the video. Then use the following questions to guide your conversation.

01.

Why do you think influence is so often confused with visibility?

02.

Why is humility so important to leading others?

03.

Think about the people you are allowing to influence your life in negative ways? What choices could you make to limit that influence?

R E A D M AT T H E W 2 0 : 2 5 - 2 8 .

But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

04.

Why is servant leadership countercultural?

05.

Consider someone you’ve observed who leads this way. How do they influence others?

DEF INING I N FLU E N CE

learn

“What’s important before God is often not visible before man.”

CHRISTINE

INFLUENCE — 15 — PROPEL WOMEN

“Some relationships you run the whole race. Others you just run part and pass the baton.”

LISA

lead

Watch the last few minutes of the video in which the panel answers questions from the audience.

01.

What are some ways you can listen and learn from the younger generation?

02.

How can you listen and learn from the older generation?

03.

How intentional are you about cultivating positive influences in your life?

04.

We learned today that relationship status doesn’t impact your capacity to be a godly influence. How can you steward your godly influence in whatever season you’re in and encourage women around you to do the same?

DEF INING I N FLU E N CE

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C LO S E R

This week we talked about the value of connecting with women who are different from you—women who are older or younger, who are from a different cultural background, or who have a very different personality. As Lisa said, “When it comes to influence, homogeneity is overrated.” Consider the other women in your group. How are you different? What life experiences do each of you bring to the group? How can you share your differences to positively influence each other?

INFLUENCE — 17 — PROPEL WOMEN

SESSION

TWO

“To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.�

ROMANS 12:10

RECOGNIZING YO UR I N FLU E N CE

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nfluence is unavoidable. To make this point, a wise man often cautioned his teenagers before they left the house with friends: “Remember, when two people are together, one is always influencing the other.”

Any time we are with another person, our body language, tone of voice, choice of words, and behavior are affecting those around us – and their words, non-verbal communication, and choices are affecting us, too! You don’t have to speak in front of thousands or write books read by millions to have a strong influence on other people—you simply have to be around them.

Today we’ll explore how our choices affect others, why influence isn’t instant, and what it means to be faithful while waiting. God has chosen you to be a woman of influence when you’re with others, and that calling starts by being with Him.

INFLUENCE — 19 — PROPEL WOMEN

listen

RECOGNIZING YO UR I N FLU E N CE 01.

How does it make you feel to know that God has called you to be a woman of influence? Are you excited at the opportunity, honored by the privilege, or intimidated by the responsibility?

02.

What is an area of your life where you feel reluctant to lead or influence others?

INFLUENCE — 21 — PROPEL WOMEN

Take a few minutes to watch part one of the video, then use the following questions to guide your conversation.

01.

Influencing others often begins by leading ourselves. What changes do you need to make in your own habits, emotions, or attitudes so you can have a healthier impact on others?

02.

How are you stewarding the influence you have now? How can you honor the opportunities you’ve been given?

03.

Why is your motivation so important when wanting more influence? How do you need to “trim your sails” so you can be faithful to the wind of the Spirit?

READ PROVERBS 16: 1-3.

We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.

People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

04.

What does it mean to commit your actions to the Lord?

How have you seen this biblical principle increase your godly influence?

RECOGNIZING YO UR I N FLU E N CE

learn

“If the light on you is greater than the light of God within you, it will destroy you.”

CHRISTINE

INFLUENCE — 23 — PROPEL WOMEN

RECOGNIZING YO UR I N F LU E N CE

lead

Watch the last few minutes of the video in which the panel answers questions from the audience.

Spiritual gifts are a helpful place to start when it comes to recognizing our influence. Take a moment to look at the examples of spiritual gifts listed on the next three pages. These are not a complete list of the spiritual gifts, but you may recognize one or more that resonate with you. What gifts have you been given that you can leverage to influence those around you for the Kingdom?

01.

A D M I N I S T R AT I O N : ability to guide and direct a group of people toward a goal or destination; organize, direct, and implement plans to lead others; closely related to the gift of leadership, but is more goal or task oriented and is also more concerned with details and organization.

I CORINTHIANS 12:28; TITUS 1:4-5.

02.

D I S C E R N M E N T: ability to distinguish, discern, or appraise a person, statement, situation, or environment; able to clearly recognize and distinguish between the influence of God, satan, the world, and the flesh in a given situation.

I CORINTHIANS 12:10; ACTS 5:3-6.

03.

E X H O R TAT I O N : often called the “gift of encouragement”; ability to strengthen and encourage those who are wavering in their faith; can uplift and motivate others as well as challenge them in order to foster spiritual growth and action.

ROMANS 12:8; ACTS 11:23-24.

04.

L E A D E R S H I P : able to accomplish many different tasks and objectives as they lead, but they will always lead relationally and with a deep concern for the well-being of others; base their success on how well they help others succeed and grow in their spiritual walk with Jesus; “visionary” and less concerned with mundane details than those with the spiritual gift of administration; often entrepreneurial and willing to take risks to see the Kingdom of God advanced through the church.

ROMANS 12:8; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:12.

INFLUENCE — 25 — PROPEL WOMEN

05.

M E R C Y: has great empathy for others in their trials and sufferings; able to come alongside people over extended periods of time and see them through their healing process; sensitive to the feelings and circumstances of others and can quickly discern when someone is not doing well; typically good listeners and feel the need to simply “be there” for others.

JAMES 3:17; JUDE 22-23.

06.

H E A L I N G : contains a special measure of faith for those who are ill; carries the compassionate heart of God for those who are suffering; extends the power and love of God to His people in physical form; leads people into bodily healing but ultimately seeks spiritual healing (relationship with God).

1 CORINTHIANS 12:9, 28, 30; JAMES 5:13-16.

07.

P R O P H E C Y: unique ability to receive divinely-inspired messages and deliver them to others in the church; their aim is to make God’s heart known and to edify the church; sensitive to both the prompting of the Holy Spirit and the needs of the church body; humble and continually studying the Scriptures in order to test revelations before speaking them; allow and even expect others to weigh what is said against the Scriptures and interpret the message accordingly. 1 CORINTHIANS 12:10, 14:1-5; EPHESIANS 4:11-12.

08.

S E R V I N G / M I N I S T E R I N G : able to fill the many gaps of ministry and meet the needs of the church; goal is to energize the church and free up others to use their gifts to the fullest; committed to the spread of the Gospel; does not seek recognition or a position in the “spotlight,” they just love to help out; content with serving in the background knowing that their contribution will bring glory to God. ACTS 20:35; 2 TIMOTHY 4:11.

09.

T E A C H I N G : loves to study the Word of God for extended periods of time; wants to know what God has revealed of Himself and what He requires of us as people created in His image; takes great joy and satisfaction in seeing others learn and apply the truth of God’s Word to their lives; loves the truth and can’t help speaking it – but always in love.

EPHESIANS 4:11; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:28.

10.

W I S D O M : has the compassion and boldness to share the truth with others; able to take from their own life experiences and share what God has taught them through those things; can easily recognize where a decision or action may lead and can warn against those that may be harmful or unfruitful; can often see through the confusion of a situation and can give direction that would help an individual or group obtain a God-glorifying goal.

COLOSSIANS 1:9-10, 2:1-3; JAMES 3:13-18.

11.

E VA N G E L I S M : goes out of their way to share the truth with non-believers; unique ability to engage all types of people in meaningful conversations about Jesus; continually seek out relationships with those who don’t know Jesus.

ACTS 21:8; 2 TIMOTHY 4:5; MATTHEW 28:18-20; EPHESIANS 4:11-12.

You may want to take some time to study these spiritual gifts and ones not listed more in-depth on your own time.

Use the website www.spiritualgiftstest.com as a resource.

INFLUENCE — 27 — PROPEL WOMEN

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C LO S E R

This week Christine talked about the 20 years that passed between David’s anointing and his appointing. David is not the only biblical figure to experience an extended time of preparation before fulfilling the specific call of God on his life. Consider these examples:

A B R A H A M : God promised Abraham he would be the father of nations after Abraham and his wife Sarah were too old to have children without a miracle. The miracle happened, but it took almost 30 years of waiting.

M O S E S : Moses was the ideal person to lead God’s people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land, but first Moses spent 40 years in the desert, caring for sheep.

I S R A E L I T E S : The time finally came for them to leave Egypt, but because of their unfaithfulness to God, an entire generation had to wander the desert for another 40 years before claiming the Promised Land.

RECOGNIZING YO UR I N FLU E N CE J O S E P H : As a young man, Joseph literally dreamed of his future influence over his father and brothers – and the brothers responded by selling him into slavery. It took at least 10 years for the dream to be realized, and it even included two years of Joseph alone in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

PA U L : After his miraculous experience with Jesus on the road to Damascus, he went to the desert for three years. After this, he spent another dozen years preaching in his hometown before embarking on his first missionary journey.

Just as God needed to prepare these leaders, He needs to prepare you too. How have you seen this play out in your life? Do you ever try to hurry God’s development process and grow impatient with waiting?

INFLUENCE — 29 — PROPEL WOMEN

F UEL ING YO UR I N FLU E N CE

SESSION

THREE “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

PROVERBS 4:23

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eart problems are one of the leading causes of death around the world. In fact, more people die each year from heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases than from any other cause.2

The tragedy is that many of these deaths could be avoided with lifestyle changes. Unhealthy eating patterns, physical inactivity, substance abuse, and stress are significant risk factors for heart disease. Most people are born with healthy hearts, but make themselves sick through neglect.

When the Bible talks about our heart, it’s usually referring not to our physical hearts but to the metaphorical center of our emotions, passions, and ambitions. However, the same principle applies: just as the physical heart that keeps us alive can be damaged by unhealthy foods or toxic drugs, the spiritual heart that powers our lives can be destroyed by unhealthy influences and toxic relationships. This week, we’ll learn how to maintain and improve our “heart health” so we can experience the abundant life God has called us to.

INFLUENCE — 31 — PROPEL WOMEN

listen

F UEL ING YO UR I N FLU E N CE 01.

What are some things that can block the healthy functioning of your heart?

02.

What does your Heavenly Father say about you in Scripture?

Do you believe His words?

INFLUENCE — 33 — PROPEL WOMEN

Take a few minutes to watch part one of the video, then use the following questions to guide your conversation.

01.

What is fueling your heart right now? How is that affecting what is coming out of your mouth?

02.

How do you monitor what you’re seeing and listening to? In what ways can you be more intentional about guarding your eyes and ears?

03.

On the other hand, what new things could fuel your heart and help you move to the next level?

04.

Lisa talked about confusing numbing with real rest. Are there ways you find yourself numbing instead of resting? How can you practice true rest?

READ 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5. … we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

05.

What we think about impacts the health of our hearts. Do you find it easy to control your thoughts or do they control you?

06.

What does it mean to take every thought captive to Christ?

Why do you think it’s so important to do this?

F UEL ING YO UR I N FLU E N CE

learn

“Women are called to spur each other on.”

ONEEKA

INFLUENCE — 35 — PROPEL WOMEN

lead

Watch the last few minutes of the video in which the panel answers questions from the audience.

01.

How is your heart being affected by what you see on a screen?

What boundaries do you need to put on your devices?

02.

How does gratitude fuel your growth as a leader? What are ten things you’re grateful for right now?

03.

Are there hurts, disappointments, or experiences from your past that need to be laid to rest? Write down some steps you can take to replace unhealthy fuel with Godly fuel.

“When we stop wanting to be influenced, we stop being influencers.”

CHRISTINE

F UEL ING YO UR I N FLU E N CE

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C LO S E R

This week we looked at why it’s so important to guard what fuels our heart, because the experiences, relationships, and messages we allow in our hearts will ultimately affect our influence. However, as our panelist noted, we need to be intentional about what we allow into our minds and hearts because it has a profound effect upon us. It is part of our responsibility as influencers and as Christ-followers to choose rest, renewal, and restoration that will ultimately equip us to lead with more strength and love with more depth.

When we choose activities, media, and relationships that are lifegiving, they can actually encourage our hearts and refresh our spirits.

What are some ways you can make time to truly rest this week?

INFLUENCE — 37 — PROPEL WOMEN

SESSION

FOUR

“And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful.

Yes, make our efforts successful!”

PSALM 90:17

INCREASING YO UR I N FLU E N CE

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enry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, “If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it; every arrow that flies feels the attraction of earth.” We’ve all experienced this. When trying to reach a goal, we must be intentional about our growth or we will naturally drift backward away from our goal. A weightlifter does not double the weights on the bench-press in a week, and a runner cannot run a marathon just because they’ve finished a 10K. Development as an athlete requires practice, incremental goals, and steady progress.

In the same way, increasing our influence means expanding our capacity through discipline, humility, and constant growth. In this session, we’ll discuss how to be faithful and joyful in this process so we can aim for excellence for God’s glory.

INFLUENCE — 39 — PROPEL WOMEN

listen

INCREASING YO UR I N FLU E N CE 01.

What are some practices or habits you’ve put in place so you will grow? For instance, to grow your strength you might hit the gym twice a week, or to grow intellectually you might read one book each month that challenges you.

02.

Is there an area of life where you’re standing still (and maybe going backwards)?

INFLUENCE — 41 — PROPEL WOMEN

Take a few minutes to watch part one of the video, then use the following questions to guide your conversation.

01.

God wants you to live a life of meaningfulness and significance, but that won’t happen by accident. Each of us must be intentional about the choices we make in relation to our dreams—particularly the ones God plants in our hearts. How can you grow “here” so you can keep moving “there”?

02.

What skills do you need to be practicing? What work do you need to be doing to build your capacity?

03.

How are gifts and abilities connected? How can you be faithful with both?

READ LUKE 14:7-11.

When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the

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seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: 8 “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!

“Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host

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sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. 11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

04.

Humbling ourselves to be exalted seems like a paradox. But, how have you seen this biblical truth play out in your life? And has God ever used your humility to build your capacity and grow your character?

INCREASING YO UR I N FLU E N CE

learn

“You have to grow where you want to go.”

CHRISTINE

INFLUENCE — 43 — PROPEL WOMEN

INCREASING YO UR I N FLU E N CE

“There is always enough grace for your race.”

CHRISTINE

lead

Watch the last few minutes of the video in which the panel answers questions from the audience.

01.

What relationships and activities in your life are non-negotiable?

Are there any you need to reprioritize in order to move into the next season God has for you?

02.

How can you lead less with “Here I am” and more with “There you are”?

look

C LO S E R

In his book Outliers: The Story of Success, author Malcom Gladwell famously declared that expertise in a skill or a subject requires 10,000 hours of practice. However, others have countered that what’s more important than the time you practice is the way you practice—what some researchers call “deliberate practice.”

Deliberate practice requires intense concentration and focus without distractions. Ideally, these practice sessions last only an hour or two and are repeated consistently over time.

“Even when doing deliberate practice, reaching the top levels in a field is a long road,” says a 2017 Business Insider article.3 “Photographer Dan McLaughlin tried to develop the skills to become a PGA tour golfer with 10,000 hours of deliberate practice, despite having little experience with the sport. His mission stalled out just past 6,000 hours when his body stopped cooperating and the demands of life made it hard for him to continue.

However, deliberate practice is still your best bet for mastering a skill to the extent your personal ability allows. So the next time you’re trying to learn a new skill, worry more about the quality of your focus than the hours you log.”

Success requires natural ability and time, but it also requires using that time well. What skills do you want to master? How can you maximize your practice time and build your capacity with focused effort?

INFLUENCE — 45 — PROPEL WOMEN

SESSION

FIVE

“For the word of God is alive and powerful.

It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

HEBREWS 4:12

LIVING A L IF E O F I N FLU E N CE

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any objects in our lives need regular maintenance to work well. A computer printer needs calibration so it prints correctly. Thermometers must be calibrated to measure the right temperature. Scales must be calibrated to display an accurate weight. From the high tech to the low tech, from computer monitors to torque wrenches, we must regularly adjust the settings to keep our belongings functioning the way they were designed to.

The same is true for us! If we are going to be the leaders and influencers God designed us to be, we must regularly calibrate our lives to the Holy Spirit. We must align our hearts with God’s heart and fill our minds with God’s Word. In the chaos of daily life, it’s easy to skip time with God or push it to the last priority on our list, but this regular recalibration is how we become the women God wants us to be. Today we’ll look at practical ways to live with influence by focusing on Jesus and connecting with His Word.

INFLUENCE — 47 — PROPEL WOMEN

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LIVING A L IF E O F I N FLU E N CE 01.

Discuss the different roles you play. For example, you might be a daughter, sister, friend, co-worker, mother, leader, or student.

How would you describe your influence in each of these roles?

02.

Is there a role you would like to increase or improve your influence in?

INFLUENCE — 49 — PROPEL WOMEN

Take a few minutes to watch part one of the video, then use the following questions to guide your conversation.

01.

What does spending time with God look like in your life?

02.

What changes might you need to make so you can “divert daily, withdraw weekly, and abandon annually”?

03.

Power and position are important, but the only lasting influence comes from the Holy Spirit. How can you use your position or help people encounter God? R E A D M AT T H E W 6 : 3 3 - 3 4 .

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

04.

What does it mean to seek God’s Kingdom?

05.

How can living this way help us when we face anxiety? How can you claim the promise of these verses for your own life?

LIVING A L IF E O F I N FLU E N CE

learn

“Don’t underestimate what God can do in 3 minutes of divine recalibration.”

CHRISTINE

INFLUENCE — 51 — PROPEL WOMEN

lead

Watch the last few minutes of the video in which the panel answers questions from the audience.

01.

Reflect on Diana’s encouragement to try one new thing. What could your one thing be?

02.

Do you have a story of when God redeemed a mistake in your life for His glory and for your good?

03.

Are there ways you need to rethink what you share on social media and how you share it?

“Confession is often the catalyst for revival.”

LISA

LIVING A L IF E O F I N FLU E N CE

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C LO S E R

As Christine noted in the intro to today’s session, we are all in different life stages and carrying different responsibilities. The rhythms and routines of a new mom and her baby will look very different from the daily life of a single career woman or a retired empty-nester. But while our situations are different, we all need to spend time with God to keep our souls healthy.

Talk with your group about some practical ways you can create time each day, each week, and each year to re-center on Christ. How can you support each other in these goals?

INFLUENCE — 53 — PROPEL WOMEN

LEAVING A L EGACY O F I N FLU E N CE

SESSION

SIX

“But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him.

His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!”

PROVERBS 4:23

E

verybody loves a good comeback story, and we find them in almost every book of the Bible. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and sent to jail by his boss, but he eventually became second in command over all of Egypt. Ruth lost her husband and her homeland before marrying Boaz and becoming the greatgrandmother of King David. Saul persecuted Christians before seeing Jesus and becoming an evangelist named Paul.

These stories remind us that we can have hope for success beyond our current circumstances and that today’s struggles can lead to future influence. But while it’s easy to hear about someone else’s comeback story, believing in our own journey is much more difficult. Instead of seeing our past as redeemed by God for future good, often we believe our sins or shame permanently disqualify us from leadership. However, if God can use the broken and imperfect people in Scripture to accomplish great things and bring Him great glory, certainly He can use us, as well. Today we’ll close this study by considering how we can allow God to use every aspect of our own stories to create a powerful testimony and a lasting legacy.

INFLUENCE — 55 — PROPEL WOMEN

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LEAVING A L EGACY O F I N FLU E N CE 01.

Who has left a legacy of faith or influence in your life?

02.

Are there ways you feel disqualified from influence either because of your past or your present circumstances?

INFLUENCE — 57 — PROPEL WOMEN

Take a few minutes to watch part one of the video, then use the following questions to guide your conversation.

01.

Some of us would rather earn grace than receive it freely.

When you accept redemption as a gift, how does it shape the way you think about your influence?

02.

Who is speaking redemption and restoration into your life?

How can you be someone who speaks these things into the lives of others?

03.

Why does a true legacy require heart transformation, not behavior modification?

READ 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5.

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. What we think about impacts the health of our hearts. Do you find it easy to control your thoughts or do they control you?

04.

What does it mean for you to forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead?

LEAVING A L EGACY O F I N FLU E N CE

learn

“In the context of the gospel, there is no such thing as disqualification.”

ONEEKA

INFLUENCE — 59 — PROPEL WOMEN

“Leaning on Christ and resting on Christ was what got me through.�

ONEEKA

lead Watch the last few minutes of the video in which the panel answers questions from the audience.

LEAVING A L EGACY O F I N FLU E N CE 01.

How can you be intentional about leaving a legacy of faith?

02.

What are some ways you can bring the grace and love of Jesus into broken relationships?

03.

Have you ever considered the intergenerational influence you can have on those both older and younger than you? At your age and stage, where can you tap into more intergenerational influence?

INFLUENCE — 61 — PROPEL WOMEN

look

C LO S E R

If you’re struggling to believe your value in Christ, to accept His forgiveness for your past mistakes, or to move forward in the life He’s called you to, it’s vital to fill your mind with what He says about you. Meditate on these verses, and perhaps choose one or two to commit to memory.

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

G A L AT I A N S 2 : 2 0

Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

C O LO S S I A N S 1 : 2 2

ISAIAH 44:22

Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens.

You have done such wonderful things.

Who can compare with you, O God? You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.

You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.

LEAVING A L EGACY O F I N FLU E N CE

I have swept away your sins like a cloud.

I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist.

Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.

PSALM 71:19-21

For I am about to do something new.

See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?

I will make a pathway through the wilderness.

I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

ISAIAH 43:19

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.

1 PETER 5:10-11

INFLUENCE — 63 — PROPEL WOMEN

APPENDI X: CH APT ER CAL ENDAR

chapter C A L E N DA R

Planning and calendaring will help ensure your participation at every gathering! As your leader confirms details, review this calendar.

date

lesson

location

01 02 03 04 05 06 INFLUENCE — 65 — PROPEL WOMEN

notes

leader GUIDE

If you are the leader of your group, download your leader guide here : www.PropelWomen.org/LeaderGuide

AP P ENDI X

references 1

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/01/something-like-00086-

of-the-world-is-famous/267397/ 2

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)

3

https://www.businessinsider.com/expert-rule-10000-hours-not-true-2017-8

INFLUENCE — 67 — PROPEL WOMEN

Join us in October A21.ORG/ WALK

66

“We are convinced that if we do this together, if we keep showing up, if we continue to be tenacious, if we continue to have grit, if we continue to not bow down to discouragement, but we turn up with strength, numbers, courage, and faith, then we will see slavery eradicated in our lifetime.”

—Christine Caine, Co-Founder of A21

INFLUENCE — 69 — PROPEL WOMEN

67

notes

INFLUENCE — 71 — PROPEL WOMEN

PROPEL WOMEN CHRISTINE CAINE

Christine Caine is an author, speaker, leader, and the founder of Propel Women. Along with her husband, Nick, she also founded A21, an international anti-human trafficking organization.

Connect

@ChristineCaine

Propel exists to see every woman activated in order to fulfill her God-given destiny. We provide resources and opportunities to ignite every woman’s passion, cultivate her purpose, and unleash her potential

S E S S ION O N E

DEFINING I N F LUEN C E S E S S ION T WO

RECOGNIZE YOUR INFLUENCE S E S S ION T H R E E

FUELING YOUR INFLUENCE S E S S ION FO U R

INCREASING YOUR INFLUENCE S E S S ION FI V E

LIVING A LIFE OF INFLUENCE S E S S ION S I X

LEAVING A LEGACY OF INFLUENCE