8 Habits of a Life-Changing Small Group Coach

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If it's true that “whatever you want to happen at the member level, will have to happen to the leader first," it follows that whatever you want to happen in the lives of the leaders of your groups, will have to happen to your coaches first.

With me? It does make sense, doesn't it?

I believe this understanding informs the job description of your coaches. It tells us what the coach will have to be able to do TO and FOR the leaders they are caring for.

Still with me? Doesn't it still make sense?

I also believe this understanding informs the habits of a life-changing small group coach. Doing is preceded by being. After all, "Jesus does not call us to do what he did, but to be as he was, permeated with love. Then the doing of what he did and said becomes the natural expression of who we are in him (Dallas Willard)."

Jesus does not call us to do what he did, but to be as he was, permeated with love. Then the doing of what he did and said becomes the natural expression of who we are in him. ⁠—Dallas Willard) Click To Tweet

Here are the 8 habits of a life-changing small group coach. Life-changing small group coaches:

1. Make time with God a daily priority. “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35 NIV

2. Follow the best example and offer a good example. “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV

3. Have clear priorities. “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 NIV

4. Put the interests of others ahead of their own. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

5. Know they haven’t arrived. “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:12 NIV

6. Clear up relationships. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24

7. Give and receive scriptural correction. “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:13 NIV

8. Follow spiritual leadership (within scriptural limits) and make it a joy for their leaders. “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” Hebrews 13:17 NIV

Are these habits prerequisite to beginning? Not in the least. Instead, they become the preferred future of a life-changing small group coach. Can you imagine a better destination?

How do you help small group leaders move in the right direction? Help them build the habits that will take them there. How do you help small group leaders build these habits? Recruit and develop coaches who are already developing them.

Full disclosure? Everyone in leadership of any kind ought to be developing these habits. Anyone in leadership without a commitment to developing these habits...shouldn't be in leadership.

Although many people have influenced my thinking, I have to acknowledge Harold Bullock and Hope Church in Fort Worth, Texas and their heart attitudes.

Image by Andres Rodriguez

What do you think? Have one to add? Want to argue? You can click here to jump into the conversation.

Posted in Coaching