Trail Boss | Week 3: How to Handle Authority

Welcome to the Chaser–a few questions after the weekend service to start conversations and push a little deeper. Go on. Dive in.

1. Welcome back to the final week of Trail Boss. You’ve had two challenges so far–following directions from someone you trust, and obeying all traffic laws for a week. Debrief time. How did it go?

2. Authority can be really good for us, when it works well. Let’s start there. Share a story of triumph–a time when you had authority and were basically awesome. (It could be at work, leading a class project, or babysitting the heck outta the kids from down the street.)

3. Managing authority is tough. Jesus was great at it because he surrendered himself to the humility it required. We’re probably not as good as Jesus. Probably. Share a time when you’ve made a mistake while in authority. What happened? What was the outcome? Does it still have impact today?

4. Let’s take a mulligan after that last question, eh? You’re going to use your authority to build up someone around you. Specifically, the person sitting on your right. Think of 5 positive, powerful traits that you see in them. Then, someone start sharing and keep going until everyone has sat under these truths.

5. I surrender all. (Don’t worry, we’re not gonna make you sing. Unless you’re into that.) What’s something weighing on your mind this week? What would it look like for God to have authority over that situation? Share it with your group. Once everyone is finished, take turns praying for each other–specifically for God to make the burden light.

More from the Weekend

Serve humbly. We’re okay with serving others if we’re going to get credit or accolades for it, but that’s not the goal for today. Today, it’s not about us. This week, find an authority over you and come up with a way to serve them—without them knowing. This is between you and God; the goal isn’t that you get recognition for it.