MODULE 5

THE STRATEGY OF INFLUENCE FOR GROWTH (PART 3)

Jesus Christ: The Master Builder of Transformational Influence

“Great movements are not built by chasing crowds; they are built by intentionally developing people.”

Key Scriptures

• Mark 1:16–20
• Mark 2:15–17
• Matthew 28:18–20
• Acts 4:13
• Luke 16:10
• Zechariah 4:10
• 2 Timothy 2:2

Learning Objectives

At the end of this module, participants should be able to:

• Understand how Jesus built a movement that transformed the world.
• Apply biblical principles for building lasting influence.
• Appreciate the importance of starting small and growing strategically.
• Learn how to develop ordinary people into extraordinary leaders.
• Create a sustainable leadership strategy that produces generational impact.

Introduction

In the previous modules, we examined the lives of Joseph and David.

Joseph showed us how influence grows through faithful service, excellence and a trustworthy reputation.

David taught us how leaders discover and develop greatness in ordinary people.

Now we come to the greatest leadership example of all—our Lord Jesus Christ.

Although He is the Son of God, Jesus did not bypass God’s principles. He demonstrated that lasting influence is built through intentional processes rather than instant success.

God’s principles do not change.

Whoever aligns with them experiences lasting fruit.

1. Jesus Built According to Divine Principles

The Kingdom of God operates by principles.

There is God’s way of building influence.

There is God’s way of developing leaders.

There is God’s way of transforming nations.

Jesus followed these principles perfectly.

He did not rely on shortcuts.

Neither should we.

Game Changer Principle

God’s promises are fulfilled through God’s principles.

2. Jesus Built Through Funnel-Shaped Growth

Every lasting movement begins with focused investment.

Jesus did not attempt to gather thousands before building leaders.

He began with one relationship at a time.

From a few disciples…

To twelve…

To seventy…

To one hundred and twenty…

To thousands…

Eventually, the Gospel spread throughout the nations.

This is the principle of funnel-shaped growth.

Rather than trying to influence everyone at once, strategic leaders intentionally develop a small group of committed people who multiply the vision.

Healthy growth is usually gradual before it becomes exponential.

Small beginnings should never be despised.

3. Jesus Started with What Was Available

Jesus did not wait for ideal conditions.

He did not search for the most educated scholars or the wealthiest citizens.

He chose ordinary fishermen, tax collectors and common people.

They were available.

They were teachable.

They were willing.

Many leaders delay their vision because they are waiting for perfect resources.

God often asks a different question:

“What have I already placed in your hands?”

The miracle usually begins with what is already available.

4. Great Dreams Begin Small

Every great organisation was once small.

Every international ministry was once local.

Every global company began with a single idea.

Every movement begins with faithful obedience.

Many people become discouraged because their beginning appears insignificant.

Yet Scripture reminds us:

“Do not despise the day of small beginnings.”

The size of your beginning does not determine the size of your destiny.

Faithfulness does.

5. Build with the People God Has Already Given You

Jesus built His ministry among ordinary people.

The poor.

The forgotten.

The overlooked.

The rejected.

Many leaders spend too much time trying to impress influential people while neglecting those already within their reach.

Often, the people God uses to fulfil your vision are those already connected to your life.

Your greatest supporters may not be the most famous.

They may simply be the most faithful.

Game Changer Principle

Do not overlook familiar relationships. God often hides extraordinary opportunities in ordinary people.

6. Solve Real Human Problems

Jesus did not merely gather followers.

He solved problems.

He healed the sick.

He restored the broken.

He taught truth.

He fed the hungry.

He gave hope to the hopeless.

People followed Him because He brought solutions.

Strategic leadership is not about attracting attention.

It is about creating value.

Influence grows where problems are solved.

Ask yourself continually:

“What burden has God called me to lift?”

7. Develop World-Class People

Acts 4:13 describes Peter and John as “unlearned and ignorant men.”

Yet the religious leaders marvelled because they recognised that these ordinary men had been with Jesus.

Jesus did not inherit an exceptional team.

He developed one.

He invested time.

He corrected.

He encouraged.

He challenged.

He empowered.

Leadership is measured not only by personal success but also by the quality of people you develop.

Game Changer Principle

The greatest leaders are remembered less for what they accomplished and more for the people they raised.

8. Leadership Is Multiplication

Jesus could have done ministry alone.

Instead, He trained others to continue His mission.

He built a movement rather than a personality.

He created disciples who became disciple-makers.

The true measure of strategic leadership is multiplication.

If your work depends entirely on your presence, you have built a project.

If others can continue the vision after you, you have built a movement.

Characteristics of Leaders Who Build Lasting Movements

Such leaders:

• Start small without despising humble beginnings.
• Build with available resources.
• Develop people intentionally.
• Focus on solving meaningful problems.
• Create systems that outlive them.
• Invest in long-term growth.
• Multiply leaders rather than merely gathering followers.
• Build for future generations.

Self-Assessment

Rate yourself from 1–10.

• I am faithful in small beginnings.
• I intentionally develop people.
• I solve real problems for others.
• I build with what God has already given me.
• I invest in long-term growth rather than quick success.
• I am creating a leadership legacy.

What area requires improvement?

Group Discussion

1. Why did Jesus begin with a few disciples instead of large crowds?
2. What lessons can we learn from Jesus’ approach to leadership development?
3. Why do many leaders ignore the people already around them?
4. How can we build movements that continue beyond our lifetime?

Practical Activities

Activity 1: Start Where You Are

List every resource God has already placed in your hands.

Include:

• Skills
• Relationships
• Knowledge
• Opportunities
• Available finances
• Time

Write a practical plan to begin using them immediately.

Activity 2: Develop One Leader

Choose one individual and intentionally invest in their growth over the next month.

Teach.

Coach.

Pray.

Encourage.

Give responsibility.

Evaluate progress.

Activity 3: Problem-Solving Exercise

Identify three pressing needs within your family, church, workplace or community.

Design one practical solution you can begin implementing this month.

Personal Reflection

• Have I been waiting for ideal conditions before acting?
• Am I building a crowd or developing leaders?
• Who are the ordinary people God has entrusted to me?
• If I were absent tomorrow, would my vision continue?

Memory Scripture

Acts 4:13

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John… they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

Key Takeaways

• Jesus demonstrated God’s timeless principles for building influence.
• Lasting movements begin with small, faithful beginnings.
• God often works through ordinary people who are available and teachable.
• Leadership is measured by the people you develop, not merely the followers you gather.
• Sustainable influence comes from solving real human problems.
• True strategic leaders build movements that outlive them.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Jesus Christ as the perfect model of strategic leadership. Teach me to value people the way He did and to invest faithfully in those You have placed around me. Deliver me from despising small beginnings and help me to build patiently according to Your principles. Make me a leader who raises other leaders, solves problems and leaves a legacy that transforms generations. May my life become a testimony of faithful stewardship and lasting influence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Leadership Challenge

For the next thirty days, intentionally apply the leadership model of Jesus.

• Invest deeply in one person.
• Solve one meaningful problem each week.
• Build consistently with the resources you already have.
• Resist the temptation to despise small beginnings.

Ask yourself daily:

“Am I building for today, or am I building a movement that will impact generations?”