Empowering Others
SMALL GROUP LEADERS TRAINING
Ps David Jones – Awaken Church New Zealand - 5 August 2025
CARE – EMPOWERING - WITH PURPOSE
Throughout history, there has always been a challenge around empowering others—both in our willingness to empower people and in people's willingness to step into responsibility.
From a biblical standpoint, we need to ask:
What does it look like to empower someone?
The Bible gives us several great examples.
1. MOSES APPOINTING JUDGES – IDENTIFY
Exodus 18:21–22
“But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.”
Jethro gave Moses some life-saving advice.
Moses was carrying too much responsibility himself. Jethro challenged him to identify capable people and give them responsibility.
He told Moses to:
Place people over thousands
Place people over hundreds
Place people over fifties
Place people over tens
It is okay to start small.
We must believe that there are highly capable people within our groups who can be developed and entrusted with responsibility. Remember that different people will be at different stages of development and flourish in their different giftings.
Identify people.
Often, we can be good at identifying people but fail to take the next step—empowering them.
2. JESUS SENDING OUT THE TWELVE – EMPOWERING
Luke 9:1–2 NIV
“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”
Jesus sent the disciples out to lead.
The disciples were not entirely ready—but Jesus still empowered them.
Notice what Jesus did:
Trust was given
Jesus trusted them enough to send them out. He even told them to travel light.
He believed in them
Jesus saw potential in the disciples that they may not have yet seen in themselves.
He gave them a mission
People in your group want to live for a cause. Give people something meaningful to contribute to.
He delegated authority
Don't keep all the power and responsibility to yourself.
Empowerment means giving people real responsibility and real authority.
The disciples went out, ministered, and then returned to Jesus.There was a debriefing time.
This is important. Empowerment doesn't mean simply sending people out and forgetting about them.
Send – Support – Debrief - Expand.
3. PAUL WITH TIMOTHY – TEACHING, IMPARTING AND MENTORING
2 Timothy 2:2 NLT
“You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”
Paul didn't simply teach Timothy and leave him alone. He followed up, invested in him, and delegated responsibility.
We need to:
Teach people truths and principles that work
Walk alongside people as they grow
Empower people through relationship and mentoring
Delegate responsibility and follow-up
Give people opportunities to grow
Empowerment happens through relationship.
We don't simply give people a position—we walk alongside them as they develop.
4. SPEAKING INTO PEOPLE'S FUTURE
2 Timothy 1:6 NKJV
“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
Paul recognised something in Timothy and encouraged him to stir up the gift God had placed within him. As leaders, we need to learn to see what God has placed inside people.
Ask yourself:
What do you see when you look at the people in your group?
Do you only see who they are today?
Or can you see who they could become?
Our role is to:
Help people stir up the gifts within them
Speak life and faith into people
Encourage people towards their God-given potential
Help people see what God may be calling them into
Speak vision into the future of our groups
IMPORTANT
Please don't appoint new leaders over groups without first having a conversation with appropriate leadership. We want to empower people well, while also ensuring there is healthy communication, safety, support and alignment across Awaken Church.
THE F.A.T.S. FRAMEWORK
When looking for people who could potentially step into leadership, look for these four foundational traits.
F – FAITHFUL
They:
Show up regularly
Arrive on time
Take the group seriously
Follow through on commitments
Do what they say they will do
Faithful in life to relationship and Godley Christian values
Faithfulness matters.
A – AVAILABLE
They have the margin in their life to commit to leadership.
They:
Make time for people
Prioritize the group community
Are willing to serve
Are available when needed
· Look for Availability of Heart
Look for people who are available in their hearts for what God wants to do. Many people may have the time, but their heart says, “No,” or “I’m too busy.” True availability is more than having an empty space in your calendar—it is having a willing heart to say yes to God. Leadership requires availability.
T – TEACHABLE
They don't think they know everything.
They:
Listen well
Receive feedback
Accept correction gracefully
Are willing to learn
Desire to grow
A teachable person can continue to develop.
S – SPIRITUAL
They demonstrate:
A genuine love for God
A desire to live according to biblical principles
A heart for people
A growing relationship with Jesus
A desire to serve God's purposes
Spiritual maturity matters more than personality or ability.
What if someone has only three of the four?
People may have three of the four traits and still have significant potential. Somethings can be developed and our role is not simply to find perfect leaders. Our role and purpose is to identify potential and help develop it.
EMPOWERING MINISTRY WITHIN AWAKEN CHURCH – AND BEYOND
Our goal is not simply to develop more small group leaders.
We want to develop people who can be empowered into every area of ministry within Awaken Church and marketplace community.
A healthy group should be producing healthy, growing and serving people.
CONCLUSION
THE GOAL IS NOT TO BUILD A BIGGER GROUP—IT'S TO BUILD BIGGER PEOPLE.
Healthy things grow. The measure of a healthy group is not simply how many people attend.
The greater question is:
How many people are growing, serving, leading and being released into their God-given purpose?
Ask yourself:
Are the people in my group stagnating, or are they flowing into what God has for them?
THE BIG PICTURE
Jesus didn't just gather disciples — He developed them and sent them.
Paul didn't just teach Timothy — He entrusted ministry to him.
Moses didn't carry everything himself — He identified capable people and gave them responsibility.
Identify → Empower → Develop → Release
THE CHALLENGE
As group leaders, our question shouldn't only be:
“How can I lead this group well?”
But:
“Who am I developing so they can eventually do what I do?”
Who in your group could be:
A future group leader?
A future ministry leader?
A future group planter?
A person who could disciple others?
Someone who simply needs someone to believe in them?
Look for them.
Believe in them.
Invest in them.
Empower them.
Release them.
FINAL THOUGHT TO PONDER
MINISTRY HAPPENS AROUND THE TABLE
Small groups are not simply about gathering people.
They are about developing people.
Around the table, people find community.
Around the table, people discover gifts.
Around the table, people are discipled.
Around the table, people are encouraged.
Around the table, people are empowered.
And around the table, leaders are developed.
Ministry happens around the table.
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