Who is this for?
This Leadership Development Plan is for any disciple of Christ who wants to grow as a leader and help others do the same. This resource will equip you with key leadership skills from level 1 to level 3 leadership.
Why do we need a Leadership Development Plan?
Great leaders don’t just appear — they are developed through guidance, practice, and reflection. Leadership can be challenging and sometimes lonely, but you were never meant to lead alone. With a plan and a community around you, you can thrive and multiply healthy leaders for God’s Kingdom.
The image below shows that having both a mentor and a clear plan doesn’t just create more leaders — it produces better ones.
What is Leadership Development?
Leadership development is an intentional process of growth. It’s built on three key ingredients:
A Plan – A clear strategy to develop leadership skills and spiritual maturity.
OJT (On-the-Job Training) – Learning that comes from through application.
Experience – The lessons you learn as you reflect on both successes and mistakes.
How to Use This Program Each Week
Program Structure
- Begins with the bigger picture — why leadership matters for God’s Kingdom.
- Moves from inward development , to upward development , then to outward development .
Final Encouragement
This program works best when done in community.
If you don’t have a mentor, start with a few peers — God often grows leaders together.
Remember, your growth will match the intentionality and humility you bring.
Lead yourself well, and God will use you to lead others.
One final thought: leadership doesn’t require being a big-name leader; it often begins simply by helping one person take the next step in following Christ. The video below introduces this idea through “duckling discipleship” —leading someone who is just one step behind you.
- Read Genesis 12:1-3
- What does this scripture tell us about the importance of seeing the ‘Big Picture?’
Purpose of the Church
- Worship God – Glorify Him in word, prayer, and life.
- Equip Believers – Grow disciples through teaching and fellowship.
- Witness to the World – Share the Gospel and show God’s love.
How Small Groups Fit into God’s Mission
- Small groups create space for personal discipleship and accountability.
- They are a reproducible model of the church that can multiply anywhere.
- They bring believers together for worship and to build up one another.
How Leaders Fit into God’s Mission
- Leaders cast vision and encourage believers for kingdom expansion.
- Leaders build up, equip, and release others — not just do ministry themselves.
- Leaders develop other leaders, ensuring the mission continues.
- Leaders make decisions. The ‘best’ or ‘right’ decision is often unclear. However, decisions need to be made, and that is up to the leader.
A Disciple Making Movement is a Leadership Development Movement because a movement can only proceed as leaders are identified, nurtured, trained, and mentored.
- Remember: the Church is all believers.
- Celebrate when the gospel grows, even outside your group.
- Think beyond maintenance — focus on fruitfulness and multiplication.
- Start with prayer: ask God for wisdom and guidance.
- Teach each person how they can practically and wisely share with others.
- Plan for group multiplication: identify potential leaders and prepare them to lead.
- Keep things SIMPLE. If things are complex, it is difficult to reproduce.
- If you cut off the arm of an octopus, it will grow back. But if you cut off the head, it will die. Starfish have the same DNA all through it, so if you slice it into pieces, each piece will grow into a new starfish. Simple and Reproducible churches are like starfish rather than octopuses. Churches that are cut into pieces (i.e. through persecution) have taught all their believers how to start new churches.
- What is the mission of the Global Church?
- Where do leaders fit in this mission?
Read 1 Samuel 16:7
What does this scripture tell us about the ‘Qualities of a Good Leader?’
Activity
Question: What are the qualities of a good leader?- Have them name some of people they believe are good leaders
- Describe what makes those people good leaders.
- Who would you choose as a leader?
- Do these matter?
Gender
Age
Title
Experience
Married
Single
Wealthy
Successful - What does matter?
Leadership = Character, Conviction, Care, Competency, Credibility
In this program we will be covering these topics in order to build you into a solid leader.
Character — Integrity and humility when no one is watching.
Conviction — Deep values that guide steady decisions.
Care — Genuine love and service toward people.
Competency — Skills and wisdom to lead effectively.
Credibility — Trust built through consistent integrity.
Question: Which of the qualities above do you recognize that you need growth in?
- Have them name some of people they believe are good leaders
- Describe what makes those people good leaders.
- Who would you choose as a leader?
A Good Leader is First a Good Follower
Before you can lead others, you must first be a fully devoted follower of Christ. When your heart isn’t anchored in Him, it’s easy to guide people toward yourself instead of toward Jesus.
True leadership begins with submission — first to God’s direction, and then to the godly authority He places around you. If you cannot follow or honor other leaders (inside or outside the church), it may reveal areas of pride or sin that need to be addressed before stepping into leadership.
Following is not just the beginning of your journey; it is a lifelong posture. Leaders who stop following and learning eventually stop leading well. If you find yourself leading without accountability or spiritual covering, take caution: even the strongest leaders stumble when they stop being followers first.
Time Management
You might not expect the topic of time management to be near the top of the list of skills of a good leader, but how you spend your time might be one of the strongest indicators of your relationship with God and your investment in the Kingdom of God. The way you steward time with others reveals your conviction, your care for people, your competence, and your credibility as a leader.
Everyone has the same amount of time, how each person invests is what differs. There are three approaches to managing your time which reflect how you value your time with God, His people, and His kingdom:
- People value time. How you value their time will reflect how you value them.
- As a leader, how you respect time will influence how others respect time.
- Be on time.
- No matter how important you are – your time is not more valuable than those you serve.
- Being fully present means being completely engaged in the current moment, free from distractions (including your own thoughts).
- Undivided attention makes people feel valued and willing to share.
- Presence helps leaders hear what’s said (and unsaid), avoiding misinterpretations.
How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.
- What do you need to change in your life to become a leader in the Church?
- Have each person in the group share their commitments
- Pray over each person and ask that God would grow each person specifically in what they identified as areas of growth.
- Read John 15:1–8
- What does this scripture tell us about the importance of ‘Spiritual Life & Character?’
Prayer, Scripture, and Obedience
- Prayer is a reflection of your relationship with God.
- Don’t just gain knowledge — live in obedience to God’s Word.
- To make disciples you must be disciplined. 5 Things Believers Should Have a Part of their Daily Routine
- Lead out of overflow with God, not empty effort.
Integrity & Healthy Rhythms
- Practice what you preach, even in private.
- Model the behavior you expect – Your example is more powerful than any speech.
- You teach what you know, you reproduce who you are.
- Take a sabbath each week and ensure those you care for are too.
Character
- Strive for the biblical qualities: above reproach, faithful, self-controlled.
- Lead yourself first – Master self-discipline, clarity, and emotional regulation before leading others.
- Lead with integrity always – Character is the foundation; without it, nothing else lasts.
- Focus on character over gifting. The Church is made up of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). Those are giftings and they are unique to individuals. Everyone cannot have all the gifts, but everyone can be a leader. All followers of Christ are called to lead others to Christ through making disciples.
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Question:What is the importance of an elder being able to teach (as opposed to other giftings)?
So that when they ‘teach’ others they are led by the Word and not by simply passing on the teaching of another leader.
Humility
- Remember leadership is a calling from God, not self-promotion.
- Humility is not about thinking less of yourself, it is about thinking of yourself less.
- Be secure enough to admit weakness in front of others.
Growing
Leadership is very difficult. You will experience many failures and you will be hurt personally by others. How you respond to failures and hurt will greatly determine the type of leader you will become.- Seek feedback and receive feedback well from others.
- Be willing to change your mind. (people know if you are actually willing to change or are just listening out of duty)
- When you are wrong, admit it and apologize for it.
Self-Compassion
Practicing Self-Compassion is crucial to stay resilient through the challenges you will encounter.-
Self-criticizing – assessing ourselves negatively. It is often not accurate and can lead to depression.
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Self-esteem – assessing ourselves positively. It is often not accurate and can lead to narcissism.
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Self-compassion – assessing ourselves in the same way we would speak to others.
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Read: 1 Timothy 3:1-7.
Discuss: Read through the passage and identify what Paul says are the important qualities of a leader. Then categorize them under one of the three categories: 1. Character 2. Skill 3. Doctrine.
Question: What does the Bible emphasize as most important in a leader’s life?
- Read Nehmiah 1:4-11
- What does this scripture tell us about the importance of ‘Leaders Praying?’
An Accurate View of Prayer and Self
- Prayer needs to be part of our identity. Jesus wasn’t a leader who prayed occasionally, he was a praying leader.
- The most ‘productive’ thing you can do as a leader is pray. Build this mindset.
- Prayer should be corporate rather than just individual, mandatory rather than just optional, and proactive rather than just reactive.
- Good leaders don’t pray to impress — they pray to connect. Prayer is communication with God, not a display of spirituality. Aim for short and effective rather than long and eloquent.
- Finding joy in prayer is one of the most important sustaining skills of Christian leadership.
- A leader’s relationship with God is above accomplishments. Abraham was God’s friend (James 2:23), Moses spoke to God “as one speaks to a friend” (Exodus 33:11) and David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:13)
- Set your prayer life, then organize the rest of your life around it
- The two most important habits:
1. Scheduled times of prayer
2. Practicing the presence of God (praying as you go)
Daily Pray for Those You are Over
- Set aside time to pray by name for your group members.
- Let them know you pray—it brings encouragement and trust.
- Use prayer lists or consider writing prayer cards such as in the image below.
Creative Prayer
- As a leader, it is important to be able to lead prayer meetings well. Leading them well looks like creative and engaging prayer meetings.
- For examples of creative prayer ideas, click here.
🙏 Prayer Rhythms Reflection
Question: What are part of your prayer rhythms as a leader?
🙏 Prayer Exercise
Together, come before God and ask Him to strengthen your relationship with Him and develop each of you into prayerful, godly leaders.
Find a posture of humility — kneeling, bowing, or sitting quietly before God.
Thank Him for His presence and faithfulness in your leadership journey.
Pray for each other. That God would grow each person into a prayerful, godly leader.
“Lord, make us leaders who pray. Teach us to seek You first, to listen before we act, and to lead with hearts aligned to Your will. May prayer be our first response, not our last resort.”
— Keep praying for each other, if silence comes, let it become a form of worship.
- What will you start doing today to improve your prayer life as a leader?
- Take some time to pray for each other in regard to leading with prayer.
- Read 1 Thessalonians 2:7–12
- What does this scripture tell us about ‘Pastoral Care?’
Listening Well & Empathizing
- Practice active listening: give full attention (i.e. don’t be thinking what you will say when they stop talking)
- Thank them for sharing and validate what they said
- Avoid rushing to fix—sometimes people just need to be understood.
Person 1: Think of a situation that makes you mad, frustrated, or sad. Explain it to Person 2.
Person 2: Listen to them. Don’t ask why. Don’t give your opinion. Just listen. When Person 1 shows emotion, empathize with them and say “I can understand how that would make you feel mad, frustrated, or sad.” Finish by saying: “Thank you for sharing this with me.”
Together: Debrief how it went. If Person 1 did not feel empathy from Person 2, try it again.
Guiding Spiritual Growth
- Meet regularly with your house church to read Scripture and pray together.
- Provide a safe space where honesty is welcomed, not punished.
- Confess and repent of your sins, setting the example for others in the group.
Patience
- Remember: growth takes time — God works in seasons.
- Don’t expect perfection — look for small steps forward.
- Resist frustration — trust God’s Spirit to do the deep work.
Intentionality (Proactive vs Reactive)
- Be dependable. Show up early. Set the example.
- Don’t expect people to meet you halfway. You need to lead them by serving them.
- Don’t wait for crises — pursue people regularly to check in.
Lead through example, not expectation. People follow what you do more than what you say. If you’re consistent in prayer, preparation, and compassion, others will grow to mirror that spirit.
Serve with a shepherd’s heart. In a house church, leadership often means noticing who’s struggling, remembering what people shared last week, and checking in on them. This is intentional spiritual care — not “extra,” but essential.
Be Faithful. Don’t get discouraged if others aren’t as consistent or committed. You’re called to faithfulness, not fairness.
Jesus didn’t ask His disciples to meet Him halfway — He went first, served first, loved first, and gave His life first. True leadership does the same.
Persistence
- Keep walking with people, even when they stumble.
- Stay faithful in prayer and encouragement over the long haul.
- Have a plan for people being restored. If there isn’t a clear plan, then when people fall, they will not return.
- Remember: faithfulness, not quick fixes, is what builds disciples.
- What do you need to work on to care better for others?
- How will you be more intentional with others?
- Read Exodus 18:17–23
- What does this scripture teach us about ‘Handling Challenges?’
Growth Mindset
- Adopt a growth mindset – See challenges as opportunities to learn, not threats.
- Believe that people can change. If you don’t believe in someone, they will know it without you even saying a word.
- Stay curious – Ask questions and listen deeply instead of rushing to give answers or solve problems.
Emotional Control
Throughout the scriptures you can read about the importance of having emotional control. When handling challenges, you first need to have control of your own emotions or you will likely make the problem worse. A good leader has emotional control.
“One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city.”
Cognitive Behavior Therapy teaches that thoughts lead to emotions, which lead to behaviors. If you want to control your behaviors, you need to control your emotions. If you want to control your emotions, you need to control your thoughts.
Addressing Sin Graciously
- Praise in public, criticize/confront in private.
- Criticize the behavior, not the person.
- Speak truth in love — be gentle but clear.
- Focus on restoration, not condemnation.
- Use Scripture as the guide, not personal opinion.
Navigating Disagreements and Sin
- Be clear if it is actually sin or not.
- Criticize the behavior not the person.
- Praise in public, criticize in private. Praise with emotion, criticize without emotion.
- Encourage honest, respectful dialogue to resolve differences.
- Follow Biblical model in Matthew 18:15-20.
Forgiveness and Grace
- Model forgiveness by letting go of offenses quickly.
- Remind the group that God’s grace covers us all.
- Help people restore broken relationships instead of holding grudges or ignoring the conflict. It is tempting as a leader to just push forward, but unresolved conflict will always come back and cause even greater harm.
Peacemaking (Reconciliation by Confession and Forgiveness)
- Encourage confession of wrongs and seeking forgiveness.
- Guide both sides to listen, repent, and extend grace.
- Celebrate reconciliation — it reflects the heart of Christ.
- Here is a helpful resource to work through conflict well.
- When has a challenge helped you grow as a leader?
- What have you learned today that you want to be sure to apply in a challenge you have?
🧩 Knowledge Check: Handling Challenges
Test your understanding of leadership principles from this lesson. Choose the best answer for each question below, then click Submit to see how you did.
- Read 2 Timothy 2:2
- What does this scripture teach us about the importance of ‘Developing Others?’
Growth Mindset
Start with your thoughts: Your thoughts are as important as your words. What you think about someone will be clear, regardless of what you say. To effectively develop others, you must have a growth mindset.- The opposite of a growth mindset is a fixed mindset. A fixed mindset says “I can’t change.” or “That is just how they are.”
- A growth mindset believes that people can change.
- As a leader of Christ followers, it is essential that you believe that those you lead can change for the better.
Servant Leadership
Developing others is at the heart of servant leadership. Jesus modeled this by investing in a few, empowering them, and sending them to do the same.- Lead by serving others, not by seeking power or status.
- Jesus washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:1–17), showing that no act of service is beneath a leader who truly loves those they lead.
- Use influence to lift others up and glorify God, for “whoever wants to be great must be your servant” (Mark 10:43–45).
Spotting Potential Leaders
- Look for people who are faithful, available, and teachable (FAT test).
- Notice who is already influencing others naturally.
- Affirm gifts and encourage them to take small steps in leadership.
- Be humble enough to support and encourage those who surpass you – kingdom leadership multiplies, not competes.
- Guard against jealousy — kingdom growth matters more than personal credit.
Look for a Paul and be a Barnabas to Him
Mentoring, Delegation, and Empowerment
- Mentoring: Good leaders consistently have someone they are mentoring as well as someone mentoring them.
- Delegating: Don’t do everything yourself — share responsibility early.
- Empowering: Trust people with real responsibility and affirm their growth.
- Think of how Jesus discipled others. He focused on the few, daily modeled his life to them, empowered them, and left them to the kingdom work.
Develop Leaders who Develop Leaders
- Teach new leaders that their role is to multiply, not just maintain.
- Develop followers into leaders
Jesus never called followers to stay followers.
His call was, “Follow me, and I will make you into a leader who raises others.”
He didn’t promise to do everything for them — He promised to transform them.
A good leader is one who ensures they can be replaced
- What is the importance of having a growth mindset with those you lead?
- On a scale of 1-10, how much do you agree that this is the best way to lead people?
- What can you do to help ensure that you make leaders, and not just followers?
🌿 Leadership Builder: What Helps Others Grow?
Drag each card into the correct column — does it Develop Others or Hold Others Back? When you’re done, click Check Answers to see how you did.
✅ Develops Others
🚫 Holds Others Back
- Read Acts 2:42–47
- What does this scripture teach us about ‘a Healthy Church?’
Watch the video below and discuss how healthy churches can multiply.
- How does this approach enable the church to multiply (rather than slowly reproduce)?
- How can we ensure that churches are healthy?
- Where do elders fit in?
Insights That Matter
Leadership Guides
Tracking a Movement
- When churches start multiplying, it happens quick. It is important to keep track of things. Generational maps help to track the progress of movements. The video below explains how to create generational maps.
- For access to a free and secure Generational Map maker, message us (whatsapp number at the bottom of this page)
- Identify and maintain good communication with leaders both above and below you in the generational chart.
- There are normally Group Leaders, Cluster Leaders, and Movement Leaders.
- These are leaders are made clear in the results they produce (quantity and quality). Disciples make disciples. Leaders make leaders.
- As more groups form, it is important to appoint elders.
- In what areas do I tend to stand out from others?
- What seems to come naturally to me?
- “What would you say are my top strengths?”
- How can I use my strengths to serve others?
- How can I pair my strengths with others to build up the body of Christ?
- Use open-ended questions that invite reflection instead of giving all the answers.
- Help people discover God’s Word for themselves rather than depending on you.
- Create space for dialogue so everyone participates and learns together.
- Welcome people warmly so they feel valued and comfortable.
- Set group guidelines (confidentiality, respect, listening) to build trust.
- Be approachable — model kindness and humility that put others at ease.
- Pray for words of encouragement to give to others.
- Be vulnerable. Share your own struggles and to model authenticity.
- Build a culture of mutual support and prayer.
- Ask: “How will you apply what we read?”
- Accountability: Ask what people did from the previous lesson.
- Celebrate obedience and growth.
- Any baptized believer (Matthew 28)
- The discipler is often the one to baptize
- Heads of households are excellent choices to baptize their families
- Anyone ready to commit their life to Christ
- Groups can be baptized together — a powerful witness
- Anywhere — ocean, river, lake, pool, bathtub
- If no immersion is possible: pour water over the head
- No scriptural requirements beyond repentance and faith in Christ
- Repentance: Reflect on life, confess sins, proclaim forgiveness in Jesus’ name.
- Trust in Christ: Walk through a baptism study (guide here)
- Deliverance: Confess lies/bondage/sins, pray freedom in Christ’s name.
- Any baptized believer can give communion.
- Jesus simply told His disciples: “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).
- In Acts 2:42, believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.
- Any baptized believer may take part.
- While Scripture doesn’t explicitly say baptism must come first, the pattern is faith → baptism → communion.
- There’s no command requiring wine or unleavened bread.
- What matters most is that the elements represent Christ’s body and blood, and communion is taken reverently and in unity.
- Clarity & trust are essential.
- Cultivate a culture of generosity.
- We Are Stewards, Not Owners (Matthew 25:14–30)
- Wealth Brings Responsibility, Not Privilege (Luke 12:48)
- Eternal Perspective Over Earthly Gain (Matthew 6:19–20)
- Jesus Valued Sacrificial Giving (Luke 21:3)
- Jesus Modeled a Life of Simplicity and Generosity
- What might prevent people in our group from giving generously?
- How can I, as a leader, model stewardship and transparency in everyday life?
- What giving methods are most accessible to our group, and how can we simplify them?
Movement Leadership
Appointing Elders
Every believer has been uniquely created and gifted by God. Discovering your strengths helps you live out your calling with clarity, confidence, and joy. This guide will walk you through a simple, prayerful process to identify and grow your God-given strengths.
Begin with Prayer
Before doing anything, invite the Holy Spirit to guide your discovery.
“Lord, thank You for how You’ve created me. Help me to see the gifts and strengths You’ve placed in my life, so that I can use them for Your glory.”
Notice Your Fruit
Look back over your life — where have you seen good fruit come from your efforts? These patterns often reveal strengths God is cultivating in you.
Ask Others for Feedback
God uses community to help us see what we can’t see ourselves. Ask two or three people who know you well:
Identify Your Top Strengths
Here’s a list of strengths mentioned in Scripture and those often recognized in leadership development. Which ones sound most like you?
Select the strengths that best describe you:
Share with Group
Share the strengths you chose with the group and explain why you see them as strengths.
Steward Your Strengths for God’s Glory
Share the strengths you chose with the group and explain why you see them as strengths.
Remember: Your strengths are not for self-promotion—they’re for service.
Even the best leaders have blind spots. Recognizing common leadership mistakes helps us grow in humility and effectiveness. Below are some of the most common pitfalls—and what wise, Christ-centered leaders do differently.
Developing a dependence on you rather than the Lord or Scripture
Weak leaders want to be the “answer man.”
Good leaders point others to Christ as the true leader and to Scripture for truth.
Wanting to control their people
Weak leaders demand control and compliance.
Good leaders empower others and trust them to follow God’s leading.
Never training up someone to replace them
Weak leaders want to feel irreplaceable.
Good leaders equip others to lead so the mission continues without them (Great leaders multiply).
Not having a plan to exit
Poor leaders cling to their position indefinitely.
Good leaders plan their exit for the good of the people they serve.
Micromanaging to prevent mistakes
Poor leaders want everything done their way.
Good leaders give room for creativity and even failure as part of growth.
Ignoring feedback
Poor leaders avoid or reject feedback.
Good leaders welcome and seek feedback to improve.
Avoiding difficult conversations
Poor leaders delay conflict until it grows.
Good leaders face problems early with grace and courage.
Inconsistency
Weak leaders are unpredictable and emotional.
Good leaders are steady and consistent, creating safety and trust.
Neglecting the well-being of their people
Weak leaders chase results at the cost of their people.
Good leaders care for their team’s health—spiritual, emotional, and physical.
Making excuses and blaming others
Poor leaders deflect responsibility and blame circumstances.
Good leaders take ownership and learn from mistakes.
Hiding problems and keeping secrets
Poor leaders hoard information to maintain control.
Good leaders lead with honesty and transparency.
Putting self-interest ahead of others
Poor leaders serve their own interests first.
Good leaders trust God and put others’ needs before their own.
Thinking a leader must be good at everything
A poor leader try to lead everything and surrounds themselves with weak people.
A good leader knows their strengths and weaknesses and surrounds themselves with those who have strengths that he/she lacks.
Practical Ministry Tools
Church Guides
Teaching with Questions vs. Lecturing
Hospitality and Creating Safe Spaces
Encouragement and Authentic Fellowship
Helping People Apply Truth
Visit this page for guidance on how to lead a Discovery Bible Study and helpful Apps.
Who can baptize?
Who can be baptized?
Where can baptism happen?
Preparation for baptism
Example Baptism Ceremony
Reply: “Yes.”
Say: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
What is the Lord’s Supper?
The Lord’s Supper (also called Communion or the Eucharist) is a meal of remembrance Jesus gave to the Church. The bread reminds us of His body broken on the cross, and the cup reminds us of His blood poured out for our sins.