Teamwork: Body Building with Divine Purposes

Teamwork, by its very nature, focuses on task accomplishment through the various contributions of each team member. God’s way, however, is not man’s way (Isaiah 55:8-9); so it should not be surprising that teamwork in the Body of Christ is more significant than simply a group effort to reach a goal. Biblical teamwork, like other facets of Body life, will bring glory to God (1 Corinthians 10:31), enhance Christ-like development in each team member, and exhibit loving interdependence between team members (Ephesians 4:15-16). These and many other characteristics set biblical teamwork apart from committee meetings and decision-making practices dominated by corporate positions, agendas, and strong personalities. Biblical teamwork would include scriptural study, spiritual giftedness, prayer, and submission one to another.

  • Teamwork should foster Christ-like transformation in team members, since God’s plan for each believer is to become more like Jesus (Romans 8:29).
  • Team efforts can be catalysts that alert team members to where they must die to self in order to grow in Christ (for example: Colossians 3:8-9, 12-13).
  • Team members know that believers are “under construction.” As a result, it is gracious to bear with one another (Colossians 3:13) and to overlook one another’s faults (Proverbs 19:11). Yet, when a teammate is overtaken in a fault (violating Scripture with no repentance, especially in the context of teamwork), those growing in Christ are to first examine their own lives (Matthew 7:3-5) and then restore their teammate (Galatians 6:1-2). Assigning responsibilities, meeting deadlines, and accomplishing goals as a group are to facilitate, not hinder, the Christ-like development of each team member.
  • Team members recognize the giftedness that each member brings to the process (1 Corinthians 12:4-7) and, as a result, will gratefully yield to each person’s area of divine enablement. When team members submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21), Christ is honored; and no gift or gifted person receives attention and praise that should go to the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:31).
  • Team members esteem others as more important than themselves (Philippians 2:3), minimizing the tendency for anyone to seek prominence (Matthew 23:11-12) or “lord” a position over others (Matthew 20:25-26).
  • Team members give input from various perspectives and giftedness, all of which can be biblically accurate. Team members will prayerfully consider these insights to discover God’s wisdom on any matter (James 1:5).
  • Teamwork leads to decisions grounded in Scripture, which are applied according to biblical guidelines, not natural preferences (2 Timothy 2:15).

The Body of Christ is designed to grow. Biblical teamwork enhances that growth.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Isaiah 55:8-9, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

1 Corinthians 10:31, So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Ephesians 4:15-16, Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Romans 8:29, For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Colossians 3:8-9, 12-13, Now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices … Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Proverbs 19:11, Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Matthew 7:3-5, “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Galatians 6:1-2, Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Ephesians 5:21, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:31, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Philippians 2:3, Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Matthew 23:11-12, The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Matthew 20:25-26, But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant…”

James 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

2 Timothy 2:15, Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

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Teamwork: Body Building with Divine Purposes © 2008 WordTruth, Inc—http://www.wordtruth.net
Verses from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version © 2001Version by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers