Growing and Developing People
Romans 12:12
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”
Trying to grow and develop people is never an easy process. Working with people can become a frustrating thing, as people will not always do what you want them to do. But I will say that if you don't quit on people, you will find the rewards of your works to be refreshing and fulfilling.
In the verse above you will find a formula that God gives us to aid in developing people. Of course, when I say developing people I am mainly talking about developing them into good Christians. But this formula will work no matter the area in which you are trying to develop and grow someone.
First of all, when growing and developing people you must learn to compliment any progress. Notice the verse says, “Rejoicing in hope...” When you see progress in someone there is hope that they will eventually end up where God wants them to be. If we are not careful, we will be so frustrated that they are not what we want them to become that we miss the little steps of growth in the individual we are trying to develop. Complimenting someone on the growth we see in them will motivate them to continue to grow in their development. Everybody likes to be complimented. When we don't compliment any growth we frustrate the one whom we’re trying to develop and may cause them to stop growing.
I have heard of organizations that annually analyze the growth of the employees. Most of these analyses are nothing more than leadership griping about its failure to develop their followers. Instead of showing their employees the growth they see, they show where they lack, which only discourages the employees. If leadership wants those whom they lead to grow, then compliment any growth you see and followers will be more apt and motivated to change their weaknesses.
Secondly, be patient with people when they mess up. God said to be “...patient in tribulation...” Leaders must learn to be patient with the weaknesses of followers. Without patience you will discourage those whom you are trying to build. Leaders without patience will run off followers. Though they messed up, you must be patient with their weaknesses. When they don’t do everything like they are supposed to do, be patient, they are still growing and developing into what they should become. This will take patience on the side of leadership.
Thirdly, keep those whom you lead in your prayers. The verse above says, “...continuing instant in prayer;” The best way to grow and develop someone is to pray for them. Pray that God will give you, as a leader, the wisdom to know how to help them grow. Pray that God will work in the heart of the follower to see where they need to grow. Also, pray that God will allow both of you to grow and do the work God intended you to do.
Whether you are a parent working with a child, leader working with a follower, pastor working with a church member, ministry leader working with an individual, schoolteacher working with a student or an employer working with an employee, these three things will help you to grow and develop people into what they should become. Growth in people should be our goal. When they grow, then we are growing, thus accomplishing what God desires for all, growth.
Romans 12:12
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”
Trying to grow and develop people is never an easy process. Working with people can become a frustrating thing, as people will not always do what you want them to do. But I will say that if you don't quit on people, you will find the rewards of your works to be refreshing and fulfilling.
In the verse above you will find a formula that God gives us to aid in developing people. Of course, when I say developing people I am mainly talking about developing them into good Christians. But this formula will work no matter the area in which you are trying to develop and grow someone.
First of all, when growing and developing people you must learn to compliment any progress. Notice the verse says, “Rejoicing in hope...” When you see progress in someone there is hope that they will eventually end up where God wants them to be. If we are not careful, we will be so frustrated that they are not what we want them to become that we miss the little steps of growth in the individual we are trying to develop. Complimenting someone on the growth we see in them will motivate them to continue to grow in their development. Everybody likes to be complimented. When we don't compliment any growth we frustrate the one whom we’re trying to develop and may cause them to stop growing.
I have heard of organizations that annually analyze the growth of the employees. Most of these analyses are nothing more than leadership griping about its failure to develop their followers. Instead of showing their employees the growth they see, they show where they lack, which only discourages the employees. If leadership wants those whom they lead to grow, then compliment any growth you see and followers will be more apt and motivated to change their weaknesses.
Secondly, be patient with people when they mess up. God said to be “...patient in tribulation...” Leaders must learn to be patient with the weaknesses of followers. Without patience you will discourage those whom you are trying to build. Leaders without patience will run off followers. Though they messed up, you must be patient with their weaknesses. When they don’t do everything like they are supposed to do, be patient, they are still growing and developing into what they should become. This will take patience on the side of leadership.
Thirdly, keep those whom you lead in your prayers. The verse above says, “...continuing instant in prayer;” The best way to grow and develop someone is to pray for them. Pray that God will give you, as a leader, the wisdom to know how to help them grow. Pray that God will work in the heart of the follower to see where they need to grow. Also, pray that God will allow both of you to grow and do the work God intended you to do.
Whether you are a parent working with a child, leader working with a follower, pastor working with a church member, ministry leader working with an individual, schoolteacher working with a student or an employer working with an employee, these three things will help you to grow and develop people into what they should become. Growth in people should be our goal. When they grow, then we are growing, thus accomplishing what God desires for all, growth.
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