Christian Team Building Pathfinder Honour
1. Define effective team building. Discuss challenges and methods this addresses.
2. Discuss how effective team building can be used to spread the gospel of Christ. Give biblical examples of ways to further God’s work.
3. Briefly describe each of the following team building methods and their relevance to a Christian’s approach to team building:
a. Appreciate the uniqueness of individuals
As society continues to broaden in all aspects of life, it is imperative that Pathfinders understand to importance of diversity. Each individual is created differently. We are all blessed with different skills, temperaments, talents, and backgrounds, which makes each of us unique in our own ways. On the same note, we can all contribute to a common cause by appreciating each other and working together.
b. Empowering team members
All participating team members should be empowered to function as a contributing factor to the group. To learn involves making mistakes. It is learning from our mistakes that one gains experience. Ideas and opinion that are valued, no matter how great or small that is contributed to a task comes from individuals who were given the initiative to think outside the box.
c. Internal struggle expectations
On occasion, internal struggles can arise for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, the end results are similar, teams that cannot come together for the common good because of issues that were either not dealt with at all, or were not handled in an appropriate manner. Take for example the struggles the apostles went through once they began their ministries. Not until the upper room experience did they all come together and realized that their mission to spread the gospel can only be accomplished if self was put away for the common good of the ministry.
d. Encourage communication
Communication is one of the key factors in building strong teams. One hand must clearly understand what the other hand is doing and how they plan to do it. The act of effective communication saves time, while producing more effective outcomes.
e. Establish team values and goals
Although it is good for a team to possess the attributes desired from its leader, they must also understand the overall objective of their task. Without purpose or a sense of direction, a team will not be able to perform at optimal performance. In fact, more time will be spent trying to find out what the goals, which will lead to time being wasted, something a good team of individuals will value.
f. Encourage the sharing of information
A solid team thrives on the sharing of information. If a team member acquires valuable information that can move the group forward, sharing that information with the other team members will create a sense of trust and openness. These attributes tend to propel a team forward.
4. Discuss the following symptoms that may indicate a need for team building activities.
a. Lack of participation
Club members may not want to participate in an activity for a number of reasons.
b. Disregard of guidelines and instructions
c. Lack of respect towards leader(s)
d. Conflict among club members
Internal conflicts may arise among club members for a variety of reasons.
e. Failure to accomplish goals
f. Lack of trust between members
g. Behaviors exhibiting “me first”
5. Discuss with a group the biblical context of four of the following texts as they relate to Christian team building:
a. Genesis 1:1-2
| Genesis 1:1-2 (NKJV) |
|---|
| In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was[a] on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. |
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were all involved in the creation of the universe.
b. Genesis 1:26
| Genesis 1:26 (NKJV) |
|---|
| Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” |
The creation of man was an act of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
c. Exodus 18:13-27
| Exodus 18:13-27 (NKJV) |
|---|
| And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?” And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.” So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself. Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you. If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.” So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves. Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way to his own land. |
Moses appoints well trained judges to assist him in governing the children of Israel.
d. Mark 3:14
| Mark 3:14 (NKJV) |
|---|
| Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, |
Jesus ordained the twelve disciples, training them to preach the everlasting gospel.
e. Luke 6:12-13
| Luke 6:12-13 (NKJV) |
|---|
| Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. |
Jesus calls the disciples (His team ) together. From them, he names the apostles.
f. 1 Corinthians 12
g. Colossians 1:15-17
| Colossians 1:15-17 (NKJV) |
|---|
| He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. |
Further emphasis is placed on the act of creation.
h. A text of your choosing
6. Read Judges 7 and discuss the lessons Gideon learned from the Lord on team building. With a group, contrast and compare key qualities that the Lord searched for and used to build and empower His army.
Gideon’s army of warriors was selected based on a selection process ordained by God, not his own. He was put in a position to witness firsthand the blessings of the Lord by trusting Him. When one works for the cause of the Lord, His mission will be carried onward through completion. It is our task to trust the Lord in all things, just as Gideon did.
7. Find three examples of Jesus mentoring His disciples that helped them become a cohesive team.
8. Have your pastor or church leader visit your group to discuss methods they have used in the church to develop teams of leaders.
This is an opportunity to incorporate your pastor or elders into club activities through the study of this honor.
9. Read a current book from a recognized team building expert on how to effectively build and develop teams.
10. Select and participate in six team building activities that encourage working together to solve problems, promote confidence in your teammates, and validate God’s will for us to work together.
Some events that might promote such activities can be any of the following:
- Conference-sponsored Fun Day event
- Church outreach event
- Obstacle course
- Low or high ropes course
- Pathfinder Bible Experience
- Bake sale
- Community outreach activity
- Basic or advanced drill team
- Drum corps ministry
Some questions you might ponder are:
- Did you find the event entertaining?
- Did you learn anything valuable from your experience with your selected event activity?
- What were some specific examples of team building during your experience?
- Did you experience a competitive spirit amongst the participants, or a spirit of comradery?