God designed the Church to function as a team, wherein we come together in unity, working toward a common goal. We follow His intent to operate like a body with everyone doing their part for the glory of God. That takes interdependence and putting personal ambitions aside. (Read Ephesians 4:1-16 and Philippians 2:1-8.) This kind of teamwork doesn’t come naturally. Just look at the condition of the divided world around us. We need a reliable means of equipping us for it.
God’s Means of Equipping Us for Teamwork
We need to be thoroughly equipped by a reliable source to get beyond the politics and self-centered pettiness that too often seeps even into the Church, hindering teamwork. God’s Word is the means for such equipping.
- The Word is a reliable source of equipping for teamwork because “all Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Tim. 3:16). It’s been infused with the power of an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-wise, eternal God. We humans don’t see the beginning from the end. On our own, we don’t function within the big picture but rather become more concerned with and focused on our tiny little corner of the universe. That hinders us from effectively functioning as a team.
- Scripture “is useful for teaching” (2 Tim. 3:16). The Bible is our instruction manual for all things pertaining to life and godliness, including how to function as a team according to His design. For more on this point: Biblical Principles of Functioning as a Team
- God’s Word is also “useful for … rebuking” (2 Tim. 3:16). We often know what we should do but self gets in the way. Pride and selfish ambition threaten unity. At these times we need an authoritative source to show us the error of our ways. Scripture does that more effectively than other means “for the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).
- In addition, Scripture is “useful for … correcting, and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). We humans tend to stop after rebuking members with divisive behavior. God, through His Word, not only rebukes our sinful actions but also addresses the heart and seeks to make us better. If we don’t become more Christ-like in our attitudes and perspectives, we’re likely to head down the same path again.
God does all this through Scripture with the intent that we “may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16). “Every” good work includes how we function as a team. To be “thoroughly equipped”, we need a means of equipping that addresses what’s on the inside, not just outward conformity.
For More on These Topics:
All Posts about Team Building:
- Essential Team Building Components
- Team Building by Aligning with God’s Purposes
- Team Building by Functioning Interdependently
- Team Building by Exercising Christ-like Character
- Team Building Leads to being on Mission Together
- Team Building Pulling on God’s Power
- Power to Function as a Team Because of the Gospel
- The Difference God’s Power Makes in Functioning as a Team
- Power to Function as a Team Because of Grace
- Power to Function as a Team Because of the Holy Spirit
- Power to Function as a Team When Praying Together
- Power to Function as a Team Because of Spiritual Gifts
- Perspective to Function as a Team
- A Reliable Means of Equipping Us for Teamwork
- Biblical Principles for Functioning as a Team
- Be an Example of a Team Player
- Rise Above Dysfunctional Team Issues
- Power in His Name to Function as a Team