Embracing Followership

A Discussion Guide for Teams & Small Groups

Allen Hamlin Jr.

• Verlag: Kirkdale Press
• Jahr: 2017
• ISBN:
  9781683590934
• Thema: Personal Development
• Thema: Personal Success

We live in a leader-centric culture.

But what if leadership isn't our goal? Can we use our skills to perform with excellence—as followers?

In Embracing Followership, Allen Hamlin Jr. showed that you don't need to be a leader to make a difference. In this 16-part study guide to the book, you'll discover what following well looks like in your own life—unpacking key themes from Embracing Followership and looking to role models in the Bible for guidance on how to thrive as a follower. Additional discussion questions will also spark conversation among leaders and followers walking through the guide in a group setting.

Embrace your role as a follower more fully with the Embracing Followership discussion guide!

STUDY #1

JESUS SAID, “FOLLOW”

Bible Passages > Matthew 4:18–22; Acts 23:1–5; 1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12

Background from the Book

Related Chapters > Introduction, 1, 2, 14, 18, 23, Final Thoughts

Key Thoughts > We are all followers. We are here considering followership as part of a relational dynamic (not a competition) with someone who is in a formal leadership role over us. These leaders are people too and are an important part of our ability to follow with excellence.

In the Words of Others >

“The Bible is a book about followers, written by followers, for followers.” (Ricketson, 7)

“Jesus’ purpose, commands, and teachings were all centered on being a follower.” (Ricketson, 18)

“Jesus is deliberately issuing this command to the most unlikely group of people you would want to be on your leadership team. I believe the reason for this is quite simple.

Jesus was not looking for leaders. Jesus was looking for followers.” (Ricketson, 23)

“Interestingly, the Scriptures say far more about following than about leading—more than three times the number of references in comparison.” (Habecker, Other Side, 77)

“It is becoming very easy to let the extraordinary Christian stars do the ministry that all ordinary Christians were called by Christ to do.” (Smoke, 12)

“There is an authentic call from God for leadership in the Christian community. The struggle lies in how leaders handle that call and how they allow their followers to handle that call.” (Smoke, 167)

“You aren’t born a follower, and you don’t become a follower simply by sitting in a pew or a folding chair for an hour a week.” (Sweet, 195)

What thoughts from the book or the Bible stand out to you on this topic? (Include page/verse references or copy quotations here) >

Blog Posts Related to This Study >

EmbracingFollowership.com/category/studies/study01/

Personal Perspective

Consider This …

•Do you more commonly hear messages in church about leadership or followership?

•What are the main ideas that you hear about these two roles?

•What people or things do you follow in your own life?

Misconception for Reflection > “Leadership is the goal of followership” (Chapter 2).

•Have you felt pressured—by your workplace, church, etc.—to pursue a leadership role? How has that felt to you?

•What are your goals in your areas of followership involvement?

Your Biblical Exploration of Matthew 4:18–22 >

Observation >

Interpretation >

Application >

Group Dialogue

Opening Thoughts > Consider for a moment the many things that Jesus said while on earth. What would you say were some of his main messages?

When you describe Christianity to other people, what are the primary characteristics of Christian life and faith that you highlight?

Some of Jesus’ earliest recorded words in ministry were “Follow me.” Yet how often do we consider his call to follow as a primary aspect of our Christian lives? As we embark on a journey to consider followership, we begin by reflecting on Jesus’ invitation and on the posture of the life that we are called to live.

Bible Study >

1.Read Matthew 4:18–22. Begin by sharing some of your own observations and interpretations of the passage from your reflection above.

2.This passage contains some of Jesus’ most well-known words (v. 19). What are a few of the implications of Jesus’ invitation and the promise that follows?

3.Consider the responses of Peter, Andrew, James, and John (v. 20, 22). What’s surprising to you? What would be the impact of their choice to respond this way? Think about their families, coworkers, friends, career aspirations, reputation, etc.

With a relatively simply phrase, Jesus unlocks a whole new paradigm for thinking about and engaging in life. As God goes on to establish his church, it’s clear that he intends that some people (but not necessarily all) serve in leadership (see Rom 12:8; 1 Tim 3:1–7).

4.Paul, as a leader who oversaw the establishment and growth of many of the earliest Christian communities (churches), makes a significant statement in 1 Corinthians 11:1. As a leader writing to those in his care, what do his words tell us about the ultimate goal and opportunities of following earthly leaders?

5.From his own place of leadership, Paul also provides us with an example of an important aspect of followership. While we know that Paul was not on good terms with the members of the Jewish council (the Sanhedrin) after he became a Christian, take note of his interaction with the high priest in Acts 23:1–5. What does Paul’s response to this authority figure highlight for us about the nature of good followership? What kinds of leaders might we run into, and how should we engage with them?

If there’s time … read 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12. As we engage in a life that fulfills Jesus’ calling, there are specific expectations for the quality of character that we display.

6.From this passage, what characteristics should be evident in us as excellent followers?

7.How should we interact with others? What should and shouldn’t be true of how we treat others?

8.Verses 11–12 present some seemingly strong thoughts about not intertwining ourselves with others: “mind your own affairs” and “be dependent on no one.” What do these phrases mean? Are we encouraged to isolate ourselves entirely? What guidance are we given for what our proper posture should be toward our leaders and fellow followers?

Invitation to Application > It’s interesting to note that Jesus begins and ends his ministry on earth with the command to follow (see John 21:19, 22). The call of Jesus to follow is an ongoing, lifelong call to take on a new identity, a new focus, and a new posture towards the leaders around us. It is a call to engage in relationship with leaders and fellow followers, even when we might prefer to avoid or reject those people. What are the implications of this message for the various arenas of your followership?

Workplace > How do you look at your relationship with your boss? What do you expect from that relationship? How do you respond to the authority figures around you? What changes do you need to make in your interactions at work in order to better exemplify the kind of following that Jesus has called you to?

Volunteering > What are your relationships like with your fellow volunteers? Are you responding to them as competitors, collaborators, siblings, or avoiding them entirely? How much is your involvement shaping your identity? What do you need to do in order to more fully embrace your role and to make a more godly contribution to the group?

Church/Ministry > How are you doing with responding to church leadership? In what ways are you looking to imitate your leaders in their spiritual walks and reflection of Christ? Whom do you find difficult to follow, and why? How can you maintain a godly posture toward your church leaders, and encourage your fellow followers to do the same?

STUDY #2

GOD’S WORK, OUR SIGNIFICANCE

Bible Passages > Matthew 10:29–31; Matthew 18:10–14; Ephesians 2:4–10

Background from the Book

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