Discussion Jumpstarter

Study leader reference - not a definitive answer

Question 1

The speaker says Strength to Strength feels like something God has been “pouring His breath into,” with the admin team “hanging out the back” just trying to keep up—what does that description suggest about how God initiates and sustains work, and how should it shape the way Christians plan, measure, and talk about “success” in ministry initiatives?

Another way to ask: If this work feels like God is the one starting and fueling it, how should that change how Christians plan, judge results, and talk about “success” in ministry?

Discussion Jumpstarter

Direct Answer
The transcript suggests God can initiate a work with unusual momentum, where leaders feel more like stewards trying to keep pace than controllers making it happen. That should push Christians to plan humbly, pray dependently, and measure “success” by faithfulness to God’s purpose—especially whether His kingdom is being advanced—rather than by mere scale or polish.

Support from Transcript:

Strength to Strength is described as “an initiative that we feel like God has been just pouring His breath into.”
The admin team says it has felt like they’re “kind of hanging out the back, just so keeping up with this initiative,” implying God is driving it.
The opening prayer frames the goal as kingdom advance: “that today through this call, that it would be advanced a little bit farther.”
They acknowledge limits and uncertainty: “this might be our last one for a while… maybe… we’ll kick off… again. Who knows?”
The speaker later models humble expectations: “I don’t expect… we’ll be able to address all the matters… in a lot of depth.”

Discussion Follow-ups If God is the one “pouring His breath,” what metrics besides attendance or growth would show the initiative is truly serving His kingdom? How can leaders talk about outcomes without taking credit or slipping into self-promotion?

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