“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Describe what makes teams effective
- Identify your strengths on a team
- Show leadership as a team member
Lesson Notes
Why Teams Matter
Most work is done in teams. Paul compares the church to a body with many parts, each needed (1 Corinthians 12). Workplaces work the same way.
Healthy Teams
Healthy teams have trust, clear goals, clear roles, open communication, and members who keep commitments. Unhealthy teams have gossip, blame, cliques, and unclear expectations.
Leading From Where You Are
- Keep your commitments.
- Encourage others by name.
- Offer help before being asked.
- Bring solutions, not just complaints.
- Stay positive under pressure.
- Include people who are left out.
Team Roles
People bring different strengths: organizing, encouraging, creating ideas, finishing details, solving problems. Knowing your strengths helps you contribute; valuing others' strengths builds unity.
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Team | A group working toward a shared goal |
| Trust | Confidence that others will do what they say |
| Informal leadership | Influence without a title |
In-Class Activities
Team Challenge
In groups, complete the instructor's timed challenge (e.g., build the tallest paper tower with limited supplies). Afterward, discuss who led, how, and what helped or hurt the team.
My Team Strengths
Circle your top two strengths: organizing, encouraging, idea-making, detail-finishing, problem-solving, peacemaking. Give an example of each.
Assignment: Leading Without a Title
This week, practice three “leading from where you are” actions in class, work detail, or your unit.
- Describe each action and the result.
- Write which felt most natural and which was hardest.
Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.
Reflection Journal
Ecclesiastes 4:9 says two are better than one. Is it hard for you to trust or depend on others? Where has being on a team (or a lack of one) shaped your life?
Prayer focus: Ask God to make you a trustworthy teammate and to bring you people to build with.
Weekly Reading & Devotions
One Body, Many Parts
Paul compared the church to a body: many parts, each one needed (1 Corinthians 12). Workplaces are the same. The organizer, the encourager, the idea person, the detail finisher, and the peacemaker all matter.
Healthy teams have trust, clear goals and roles, open communication, and members who keep commitments. Unhealthy teams have gossip, blame, cliques, and unclear expectations. One person can shift a team's culture more than most people realize.
You can lead without a title by keeping your commitments, encouraging others by name, offering help before being asked, bringing solutions and not just complaints, staying steady under pressure, and including people who are left out.
For some women, trusting a team is hard. Past betrayals teach us to rely only on ourselves. Healthy teams can be part of healing, as trust is rebuilt one kept promise at a time.
This week, look for one way to lead from where you are.
Think About It
- What role do you naturally play on a team? ______________________
- What makes it hard for you to trust others? ______________________
- How could you lead without a title this week? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 6
Two Are Better
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.— Ecclesiastes 4:9 (KJV)
We accomplish more together than alone. God designed us for partnership.
Reflect: Who is your partner in growth?
Pray: Lord, give me good partners.
Do: Work with someone on a task today.
Many Members
For as the body is one, and hath many members… so also is Christ.— 1 Corinthians 12:12 (KJV)
Every member matters. Your gifts are needed, and so are others'.
Reflect: What part do you play in the body?
Pray: Lord, help me value every member.
Do: Thank someone for their unique contribution.
Stir Up Love
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.— Hebrews 10:24 (KJV)
Good teammates spur each other on. Encouragement is contagious.
Reflect: Who can you spur on this week?
Pray: Lord, make me an encourager.
Do: Encourage one person by name today.
Consider Others
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.— Philippians 2:3 (KJV)
Humble teams outperform proud ones. Valuing others builds unity.
Reflect: Where does pride hurt your teamwork?
Pray: Lord, give me humility with others.
Do: Let someone else take credit today.
Bearing With One Another
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another.— Colossians 3:13 (KJV)
Teams are made of imperfect people. Patience and forgiveness keep them together.
Reflect: Who do you need to be patient with?
Pray: Lord, help me bear with others.
Do: Let go of one small offense today.
Module Quiz
- 1.
Which is a sign of a healthy team?
- 2.
Leading without a title includes:
- 3.
1 Corinthians 12 compares the church to:
- 4.
Every team member brings different strengths.
- 5.
Name two things that damage a team.