PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

2 Peter 1:5-10; 2 Peter 3:18

The greatest price of leadership is personal development. The leadership that refuses to pay the price of personal growth will soon forfeit his/her leadership role. Personal development is the primary growth. This price of leadership cannot be paid in once and for all. Never, it must be paid progressively and gradually. As a matter of fact, is a long life process?

The day your personal development stop, that day your leader stops.

 However, to some leaders, this price of personal development is too much for them to pay, the more reason they are losing their leadership. This personal development or lack of it will show area of your life. Your home, leadership, relationship, ministry and future will be affected positively or negatively by personal growth.

Biblical Foundations

o   That I may know – Philippians 3:10

o   Forgetting those things that are behind – Philippians 3:12-15

o   We commanded to grow in grace – 2 Peter 3:18

o   Apostle Paul always prayed for his under leader to be filled with all the fullness of God – Philippians 1:17, 18; 3:16-19

o   Paul charged Timothy, stir up the gift of God in him – 2 Timothy 1:6

Defining Personal Development

For better understanding of this subject, the following meanings will help.

·         Character building, working on your weak areas.

·         Self-improvement.

·         Reaching forth beyond yourself.

·         Removing the lid or the ceiling that stops you.

·         Large bigheartedness.

·         Attaining God’s fullness.

·         Moving from grass to grace, to glory, and to glory.

·         Complete change.

·         Moving from survival to stability, to success, to significance.

It also covers: Spiritual maturity, Emotional maturity, mental maturity, and Social maturity.

Hindrances to Personal Development

ü  Glorification of ignorance.

ü  Laziness.

ü  Complacency.

ü  Pride and arrogance.

ü  Lack of clear cut vision.

ü  Discouragement.

ü  Wrong view about ministry.

ü  Negative mentality.

ü  Dependence on the degree or certificate.

ü  Wrong association.

How to Embark On the Journey of Personal Development

Personal development is a journey and not destination. It is a process and not a program. It is what you do daily. It is what you work out in your life every day.

A.      Discover God’s vision for your life and pursue it.

B.      Develop a deep and regular prayer life – Luke 1:35

C.      Work at improving yourself, strive to become better and better by the day.

D.     Read, study, read and read again – 1 Timothy 4:13

E.      Be current and informed.

F.       Move with men of great purpose.

G.     Don’t be satisfied with average.

H.     Have seasons of waiting upon the Lord.

I.        Always take heed to yourself. Be watchful and careful – Acts 20:28