What is Influence – Week 4
INFLUENCE
WE ARE MULTIPLIERS
LOVE
THE CHARACTER OF POSITIVE INFLUENCE
How not to be a negative influence
How not to be negatively influenced
How to become a person of Influence
A Person of Influence has integrity with people
A Person of Influence Nurtures People and Relationships
A Person of Influence Has Faith in People
A Person of Influence Listens to People
A Person of Influence Seeks to Understand People
How to Become a Person of Influence
All we need is interaction to influence
A person of influence connects with People
When you connect with people you come alongside them
“Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?…” Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”
“Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now…”
When we see people as God sees them, have faith in them, nurture the interaction, listen with the intent to understand, and build an intentional connection we unlock the opportunity for God to shine through.
…Then Jesus told her, “I Am the Messiah!” Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone,
“Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” So the people came streaming from the village to see him….Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.”” John 4:7-42 NLT
1. Don’t take people for granted
2. Possess a “Make a difference” mindset
Can we reach the masses better apart or better together?
3. Look for common ground
4. Recognize and have respect for difference in personality
“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ…we have all been baptized into one body by One Spirit, and we all share the same spirit. Yes the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body and if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye, would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?” 1 Corinthians 12:12-17 NLT
5. Communication comes from the heart
As people of influence we need to be wall climbers not wall builders
6. Once Connected, move forward, be intentional, and lean in
A Person of Influence Empowers People
When we empower others, we are not influencing just them; we are influencing all the people they influence
When we empower we multiply
1. Evaluate the strengths of the person
No amount of knowledge or skill can drive someone to make an impact if they don’t desire to do it themselves
2. Give People Permission to succeed
3. Be there for support and feedback
“You’re never good your first time.” John Maxwell
4. Release them to continue on their own
A person of influence multiplies other influencers
“The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:37-38 NLT
“The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:37-38 NLT
MULTIPLIERS
We are multipliers!
We are a Great Commission Church which means we are multipliers.
Individually, we are all responsible to disciple those younger in their faith and invite those far from Jesus into a life-giving community.
Corporately, we are called to plant churches, pastor cities, and father and mother leaders to multiply the Kingdom impact.
We are multipliers!
Everyone has the potential to multiply influence by multiplying influencers
1. Be a person of character and integrity
2. Nurture your relationships and interactions
3. Have faith in people
4. Listen to people
5. Seek to understand people
6. Connect with people
7. Empower People
THEN
8. We can multiply
How to Have Influence
What is Influence – Week 3
INFLUENCE
WE ARE MULTIPLIERS
“So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 TPT
LOVE
“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal “1 Corinthians 13:1 NLT
THE CHARACTER OF POSITIVE INFLUENCE
How not to be a negative influence
How not to be negatively influenced
How to Become a Person of Influence
All we need is interaction to have influence
If our lives in any way connect with other people we have influence
“Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim.
“Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.” But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them…Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.” “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her…So she sent them away, and they departed. Then the two men started back…and came to Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to them. They said to Joshua, “The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.””
Joshua 2:1-24 NIV
God will use anyone who is willing
Leadership depends less on titles than it does influence
“…for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:10 NLT
1. A Person of Influence has integrity with people
2. A Person of Influence Nurtures People and Relationships
Nurturing
The heart of the nurturing process is having genuine concern for others
When a person feels encouraged, they can face the impossible and overcome adversity
“Oxygen to the soul” - George M. Adams
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
for most people, it’s not what they are that holds them back. It’s what they think they’re not.
1. Believe in people
2. Be present and help People
3. A Person of Influence Has Faith in People
Most people don’t have faith in themselves
Difficulties seldom defeat people; lack of faith in themselves usually does
Most people don’t have someone who has faith in them
Emphasize people’s strengths
Be in the Trenches with Others
“Pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayer and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the lord’s people” Ephesians 6:18 NIV
4. A Person of Influence Listens to People
“No Man would listen to you talk if he didn’t know it was his turn next.” - Edgar Watson Howe
My leadership became more effective the less I talked and the more I listened
“A fool is in love with his own opinion, but wisdom means being teachable” Proverbs 12:15 TPT
1. Listening Shows Respect
“Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery.” - Dr. Joyce Brothers
When we don’t pay attention to what others have to say, we send a message to them that we don’t value them
“the first duty of love is to listen”
Be impressed and interested, not impressive and interesting
2. Listening Builds relationships
“everyone needs someone who he feels really listens to him.” - C. Neil Strait
Our connection with God is a relationship not a one-way request line
Look at the person speaking!
Don’t interrupt
Focus on understanding
Determine the need in the moment
Check your emotions
Suspend your judgment
Always make listening a priority
5. A Person of Influence Seeks to Understand People
“The biggest mistake you can make in trying to talk convincingly is to put your highest priority on expressing your ideas and feelings. What most people really want is to be listened to, respected, and understood. The moment people see that they are being understood, they become more motivated to understand your point of view.” - David Burns
As believers we don’t justify sin
“Half of the controversies and conflicts that arise among people are caused not by differences of opinion or an inability to agree, but by their lack of understanding for one another.”
Everybody needs somebody
Everybody needs Grace
INFLUENCE
“In the same way, let your light shine before others…” Matthew 5:16 NIV
Influence: the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something…
“…so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their
praise to your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16 TPT
You have influence
“If your life in any way connects with other people, you are an influencer.” – John Maxwell
On average, most people will influence around 10,000 others in an average lifetime
Your influence matters
What type of power are you giving your influence?
Positive and Negative
Positive Influence: the impact of a person, group or situation that motivates, encourages, or inspires others to make positive changes or decisions in their lives. It can lead to the growth, development and the well-being of individuals and communities
Negative Influence: the impact of a person, group or situation that encourages or leads others to make harmful or undesirable decisions or actions in their lives. It can result in harm, discouragement, and/or deterioration of individuals and communities
Love
“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal “1 Corinthians 13:1 NLT
“Love is patient and kind, Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT
An Influencer is patient and kind
An Influencer is not jealous, boastful, proud, or rude
An Influencer does not demand their own way
An Influencer is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged
An Influencer does not rejoice about injustice
An Influencer rejoices whenever the truth wins out
An Influencer never gives up and never loses faith
An Influencer is always hopeful
An Influencer endures through every circumstance
The Character of a Positive Influencer
“Now, the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “did God really say, ‘you must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” The woman said to the serpent, “we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘you must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it or you will die.”
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the women. For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it…” Genesis 3:1-6 NLT
HOW TO NOT BE A NEGATIVE INFLUENCE
1. Remind Ourselves of Who We Are
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 NLT
Who You Are Determines What You Do
2. Speak Positively About People and Circumstances
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
“With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My Friends, this cant go on. A spring doesn’t gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? Apple trees don’t bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don’t bear apples, do they? Youre not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you? James 3:10-12 MSG
3. Have integrity with People
Commit Yourself to honesty, reliability, and confidentiality
Exemplify Humility
“Your boast becomes a prophecy of a future failure. The higher you lift up yourself in pride, the harder you’ll fall in disgrace.” Proverbs 16:18 TPT
Major in the Minor things
4. Keep the main thing the main thing
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations” Matthew 28:19 NLT
HOW TO NOT BE NEGATIVELY INFLUENCED BY OTHERS
1. Inspect Your Environments
Is this helping or hurting me walk in my God given calling?
There are environments that we can put ourselves into that are not conducive to the growth that God desires us to have in our lives
“Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.” Proverbs 13:20 MSG
“….Bad Company corrupts good character” 1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV
2. Make a Plan to Change and Change
“your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” – Jim Rohn
3. Make the change despite criticism
“There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” – Aristotle
“I will forgive their wrongdoing, and I will never again remember their sins” Hebrews 8:12 CSB
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 NLT
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16 NLT
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal 1 Corinthians 13:1 NLT
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16 NLT
We are multipliers!
We are a Great Commission Church which means we are multipliers.
Individually, we are all responsible to disciple those younger in their faith and invite those far from Jesus into a life-giving community.
Corporately, we are called to plant churches, pastor cities, and father and mother leaders to multiply the Kingdom impact.
We are multipliers!
God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Ephesians 3:10 NLT
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” Matthew 16:13-19 NLT
1. A PERSON OF POSITIVE INFLUENCE BREAKS THE DISEASE OF ME.
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:12-13 NLT
But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43-45 NLT
2. A PERSON OF POSITIVE INFLUENCE WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO SEE THEIR LOVED ONES HEALED
Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:2-5 NLT
“Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” James 4:4 NLT
“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered — how fleeting my life is. Psalms 39:4 NLT
(God) who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4 NLT
Then Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches.” He also asked, “What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”Luke 13:18-21 NLT
We are multipliers!
We are a Great Commission Church which means we are multipliers.
We are multipliers!