Main Scripture Reference - Matthew 7:15-20
Other Scripture References: John 15:5-8; Galatians 5:22-23

INTRO–‘Who Influences You?’Read Matthew 7:15-20

In this Scripture passage, Jesus is clearly calling you to be strategic in identifying those people of good character and to purposely place yourself around them to influence your life. You need to witness quality living because humans seemingly need to witness good behavior before properly emulating it. Sports stars, musicians, leaders, and even pastors become skilled at what they do only when they spend time learning from other experts. And as a follower of Jesus you too need to place yourself around those who can inspire you in your life with Christ.

• Do you consciously make an effort place yourself around people who challenge you or inspire you with their lives? Is this easy or hard for you to do?


• Name one of your heroes. Why is this a person a hero to you and how has that influenced your life?

POINT 1 –‘Look For The Fruit’Read John 15:5-8 & Galatians 5:22-23

In finding a good mentor or people of influence your challenge isn' t trying to find someone you want to emulate, there are plenty of people you can follow. Rather the challenge is to be absolutely sure you are emulating the people who are successful in God' s eyes. The easiest way to tell who is not a good role model is by looking at the fruit that person is bearing. The fruit of a godly role model will emulate the fruit of God, namely the fruit of God' s spirit as outlined in Galatians 5. A person of Jesus will be connected to Jesus and through that vine will be a person of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. And the fruit they produce will look like the fruit that Jesus produced in his life on earth.

• are the current role models of our society and what kind of fruit are their lives producing?


• Looking at your own life, what kind of fruit are you creating? What kind of fruit would you like to leave for those who look up to you?

POINT 2–‘Different Times Different Seasons’

The second thing you need to carefully consider is that as you grow in your walk with Christ you might have to go and find a new mentor to challenge you in new and deeper ways. And life itself will naturally move you through different season and different challenges as you get older and it is imperative that you find those people who have successfully walked that road to help you thrive as well. The key is to continually push yourself to that next level of life both spiritually and in God' s calling on your life.

• Name some ways life has significantly changed for you in the past five years. What actions have you taken to find help for your new life changes and challenges?


• How are you allowing accountable relationships to keep you moving forward in your spiritual life? How can this group become intentionally accountable for each other?

ACTION STEPS –‘T.E.A.M.’

What a good mentor will do is help you understand that you have Talent and a limited time each day to develop it pushing you to become more disciplined in Exercising both time management and daily practice. They will also begin to really keep you Accountable in setting goals and reaching them providing the Motivation and encouragement to continue even when things get tough. The question is will you seek that person to help you.

• What are some of your talents and strengths? Name a few ways you are purposely developing those God- given gifts. How are you using them for God's purposes?


• Who kicks your butt or causes you to become more disciplined in your life? What areas in your life could use a little more discipline?


• What steps do you need to take in becoming a positive influencer for those around you as well as seeking other people to help strengthen your life and walk with Jesus?