6 x 5

I recently had the privilege of listening to the president of Freed-Hardeman University, David Shannon, speak at the annual Leadership Workshop hosted by the Briensburg church of Christ in Marshall County, Kentucky. During brother Shannon’s presentation, he suggested that every Christian would do well to have three lists of people with five names on each list. 

I would like to share his idea with you. I suppose you could say that I would like to share our idea with you. Since hearing brother Shannon, I actually separated one of his lists into two lists and have added an additional list of my own.

I’m thinking that it might be good for each of us who are Christians to carry some small note cards with us and/or to have them in some location where they can easily be found. Each of those cards could contain five names. 

I’m also thinking that it might even be a good idea if none of the names on any of those cards would be the names of family members. This might make the exercise a little more challenging, but it might also have the potential to make it more rewarding.

Here are the lists of five names suggested by president Shannon (and me):

• Five people who influenced/taught/encouraged you in order for you to be a Christian
• Five people who continue to influence/teach/encourage you to be faithful to the Lord and His church

(Question – Do any of the people on these first two lists know about your appreciation for them? If not, do you not think that it is time that you told them?)

• Five people on whose lists you think your name would appear because you were instrumental in helping them to become a Christian
• Five people on whose lists you think your name would appear because you continue to encourage them to remain faithful
• Five people who are not Christians and with whom you know you have some influence
• Five people who are your brothers and/or sisters in the Lord who need encouragement and with whom you have a relationship – or could develop a relationship – in order to be that source of encouragement

(Question – Have you spent any time talking about spiritual matters with any of the people on these last two lists?  If not, when do you plan to start?)

How about investing a little money for some note cards, notepads, etc.?

How about investing some meaningful time with precious souls who will be somewhere for eternity?

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AUTHOR: Jim Faughn