SMD CIRCUIT PASTORS MEETING manage it within our role as a leader, and how to manage ourselves
(LEADERSHIP LIFESTYLE) so that our ministry is uninterrupted.
Start the SG with these questions:
1. What are you thankful for today/this week?
2. What is challenging you?
Lead an opening prayer for the group.
CATCH:
 How do you respond when people disagree with you or
are critical of a decision you have made?
 How does your response affect such a confrontation?
COMPREHEND: (Mark 11: 27-33)
READ THE PASSAGE
RETELL THE PASSAGE
CONTEMPLATE:
(Read the questions and let them share their answers)
1. What does this passage teach us about God or Jesus?
2. What does this passage teach us about people?
CARRY:
Criticism in Public Life:
As leaders, we must accept the fact that we may receive public
criticism at some point in our lives. If Jesus faced opposition,
persecution, doubt from His followers, and
challenges to His authority, how much more will we?
Managing Criticism as a Spiritual Leader:
Since criticism is inevitable, we should learn how to
 Conduct Yourself with Integrity: Make sure you are doing what
you tell others to do –this is integrity. The validity of your ministry and
your testimony rely on your integrity. We should aim to be people who
keep our word and who do what we say we will, not only because of
people but because it is right before God.
Make Choices with Your Followers in Mind: as leader, you have
to consider others in every choice you make. Who is watching you?
What if they follow your example? How will your decisions impact the
example you are setting or the authority you have been entrusted
with? It is a falsehood that what we do on our own time or in our
private life has no bearing on our leadership.
Deal with Your Own Sins: Every leader has personal problems,
temptations and struggles which can be a hindrance to leadership. It
is important to know your own weaknesses, deal with them, and get
help when necessary. Everyone has a dark side. Be willing to admit
shortcomings. Remember that through faith we have been redeemed
by Jesus, and are in the process of becoming sanctified.
Expect and Invite Criticism: If you never hear any criticism, you
might not be listening! Good leaders are humble, willing to accept
correction, and make changes when necessary. Surround yourself
with wise people and invite them to give honest feedback and
suggestions. This does not have to diminish your position of authority!
If you are open to people giving feedback on your leadership, they are
more likely to address the issues with you face to face, even rumours
and false accusations.
Don’t Take it Personally: It is of utmost importance as a leader to
put your identity in what God says about you, not what people say
about you! Leaders are often criticized not just for how they do their
job, but also for who they are, which can cause harm. Remember that
who you are is not what you do.
Don’t Take Revenge: pray and forgive and find your comfort in
God.
CONSIDER:
-Have you ever criticized someone who was in leadership? What was
the criticism, was it valid, and how did you challenge them?
- What should you do this week in response to this passage? (Use “I
will …”)
-Ask for their prayer request and end your sharing by praying for each
other.
SMD CIRCUIT PASTORS MEETING
(PERSONAL SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE)
Start the SG with these questions:
1. What are you thankful for today/this week?
2. What is challenging you?
Lead an opening prayer for the group.
CATCH:
 What do you do regularly to help your body stay healthy?
 How are spiritual disciplines similar to physical fitness
workouts? How are the two different?
COMPREHEND: (1 Timothy 4:6-10)
READ THE PASSAGE
RETELL THE PASSAGE
CONTEMPLATE:
(Read the questions and let them share their answers)
1. What does this passage teach us about God or Jesus?
2. What does this passage teach us about people?
CARRY:
Spiritual disciplines are the means by which we train ourselves
for godliness, and the intentional actions we take to depend on
God for our deepest needs.
The Purpose of Spiritual Disciplines:
Realize that our salvation is not achieved through participation
in spiritual disciplines, but rather it is by God's grace, through
putting our faith in Christ, that we are saved. The purpose of
engaging in spiritual disciplines is to help us grow and
strengthen us in our Christian faith.
 Spiritual Disciplines are not the result of a godly life, but rather
a means to that end. They are intentional acts which strengthen
our relationship with God and our ability to serve Him.
 Spiritual Disciplines help us see our deepest needs fulfilled. If
we long for a closer relationship with God, a deeper
understanding of His will, the ability to love others,
and living holy lives, we must practice specific spiritual
disciplines.
The practice of spiritual disciplines for personal spiritual growth
includes Bible study, Bible memorization, prayer, meditation,
and fasting. These are referred to as inward disciplines.
Outward practices are service, generosity, solitude, submission,
and simplicity, while corporate practices are worship,
celebration, confession, and guidance.
Cautions:
 Spiritual Disciplines aren’t magic: Meeting regularly with God doesn't
automatically fix all our problems. God is at work in us to produce the
strength and character needed to face difficulties. The fruit of these
disciplines comes from God.
 Spiritual Disciplines are not currency: We cannot buy favor with God by
them! Practicing self-denial, fasting, doing good deeds will not make God do
what we ask Him to. That is not their purpose. God cannot be bought.
 Spiritual Disciplines should increase our love for God and others: If
we feel more holy or better than other Christians because of our good works,
we are missing the point. Disciplines should humble us, not make us proud.
 Spiritual Disciplines are not all for everybody at all times: Never try to
accomplish all the spiritual disciplines at once! Start small, and work on one
at a time based on your spiritual needs and the prompting of God’s Spirit
within you. Some disciplines will be practiced your whole life, while some
may be just for a time.
 Spiritual Disciplines take time: They are called disciplines because they
require discipline! They are not an easy fix. When practiced regularly over a
period of time, you will grow in your faith.
CONSIDER:
What are some regular activities you engage in that promote
your spiritual health? How often do you consider your spiritual
health?
What should you do this week in response to this passage?
(Use “I will …”)
Ask for their prayer request and end your sharing by  Spiritual Disciplines are not the result of a godly life, but rather
praying for each other. a means to that end. They are intentional acts which strengthen
Reference: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1n6klB4b3HOwd_nuRFlqFuzIMrV1dx5gG our relationship with God and our ability to serve Him.
 Spiritual Disciplines help us see our deepest needs fulfilled. If
we long for a closer relationship with God, a deeper
SMD CIRCUIT PASTORS MEETING understanding of His will, the ability to love others,
(MANAGING FAMILY AS A SPIRITUAL LEADER) and living holy lives, we must practice specific spiritual
disciplines.
Start the SG with these questions:
The practice of spiritual disciplines for personal spiritual growth
1. What are you thankful for today/this week?
includes Bible study, Bible memorization, prayer, meditation,
2. What is challenging you?
and fasting. These are referred to as inward disciplines.
Lead an opening prayer for the group. Outward practices are service, generosity, solitude, submission,
and simplicity, while corporate practices are worship,
CATCH: celebration, confession, and guidance.
Do you think it matters what a public leader does in his or her private life? Cautions:
Is it possible to keep private life at home entirely separate from public life  Spiritual Disciplines aren’t magic: Meeting regularly with God doesn't
as a leader? In what ways does one affect the other? automatically fix all our problems. God is at work in us to produce the
strength and character needed to face difficulties. The fruit of these
COMPREHEND: (1 Timothy 3:1-13) disciplines comes from God.
READ THE PASSAGE  Spiritual Disciplines are not currency: We cannot buy favor with God by
RETELL THE PASSAGE them! Practicing self-denial, fasting, doing good deeds will not make God do
what we ask Him to. That is not their purpose. God cannot be bought.
 Spiritual Disciplines should increase our love for God and others: If
CONTEMPLATE: we feel more holy or better than other Christians because of our good works,
(Read the questions and let them share their answers) we are missing the point. Disciplines should humble us, not make us proud.
1. What does this passage teach us about God or Jesus?  Spiritual Disciplines are not all for everybody at all times: Never try to
accomplish all the spiritual disciplines at once! Start small, and work on one
2. What does this passage teach us about people? at a time based on your spiritual needs and the prompting of God’s Spirit
within you. Some disciplines will be practiced your whole life, while some
CARRY: may be just for a time.
Spiritual disciplines are the means by which we train ourselves  Spiritual Disciplines take time: They are called disciplines because they
for godliness, and the intentional actions we take to depend on require discipline! They are not an easy fix. When practiced regularly over a
period of time, you will grow in your faith.
God for our deepest needs.
The Purpose of Spiritual Disciplines: CONSIDER:
Realize that our salvation is not achieved through participation
in spiritual disciplines, but rather it is by God's grace, through What are some regular activities you engage in that promote
putting our faith in Christ, that we are saved. The purpose of your spiritual health? How often do you consider your spiritual
engaging in spiritual disciplines is to help us grow and health?
strengthen us in our Christian faith.
What should you do this week in response to this passage?
(Use “I will …”)

Ask for their prayer request and end your sharing by

praying for each other.
Reference: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1n6klB4b3HOwd_nuRFlqFuzIMrV1dx5gG