Here are my notes that I did for a breakout session at a Disciple Now Event recently. It was for all the teenage student leaders who wanted to grow in their leadership style, potential, and influence. We took them to Ephesians 4:1-16 which is a fascinating passage on how to lead and serve in the church for the glory of Christ

NEXT LEVEL LEADERSHIP: 6 THINGS A TEEN LEADER IS NOT
Intro: Leading Jody Down The Road
10% of teens in ym are good leaders. 10% are bad leaders. 80% are followers.

Definition: Leadership is simply following Jesus and bringing others with you.

1. NOT COCKY…BUT HUMBLE: THE ATTITUDE OF A LEADER (Eph 4:1-3)
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
You have been called by God, so live like it! The gospel calls and humbles you.
Humility is not feeling bad about yourself, but its feeling great about Jesus and seeing yourself through that lens.
Leadership is not about you, but Jesus!
People don’t follow cocky people, but they use them for their popularity, etc.

2. NOT ADD…BUT FOCUSED: THE FOCUS OF A LEADER (Eph 4:4-6)
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
You have to be focused and know exactly what you’re leading people towards.
Story: Getting led on the canoe trip into the middle of no where.

3. NOT SELFISH…BUT SERVING: THE SERVICE OF A LEADER (Eph 4:7-10)
7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
8 Therefore it says, 
”When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”
9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?t10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Ps 68 & The Storyline of Spiritual Gifts. The Gospel. Not a test. SHAPE.

4. NOT A LONE RANGER…BUT A CHURCH LOVER: THE PEOPLE OF A LEADER
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
God is Christ focused and Church focused. You only love God…Jesus…
Ephesians 1:21-22. Ephesians 3:21. The church is where we lead/serve most!
God equips people in His church with all He wants to accomplish.
Pastors need leaders who will serve and take on the work of the ministry!
Ask your youth pastor what you can do. Ask when to do it. Ask how to do it. Be faithful to do it! Think up new stuff to do
for him.

5. NOT STUPID…BUT DOCTRINAL: THE FAITH OF A LEADER (Eph 4:13-15)
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,t to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
The best way to lead is to lead people to Jesus. Non-Christians and Christians.
Katie drowning in the ocean. Haley drowning in the wave pool
You need to be in the Word more than ever before! You need to be reading, listening to podcasts, asking your youth pastor
for books, etc.
Speak the TRUTH in LOVE! People need truth and grace. John 1:14

6. NOT PURPOSELESS…BUT PURPOSEFUL: THE GOAL OF A LEADER (Eph 4:16)
16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Know the vision and calling and ending of what God has called you to.
The end goal of CBSM. God gives leaders a vision. Do whatever it takes!