Teamwork is all around us in life. We see it in marriages, businesses, neighborhoods, churches, etc. God loves to see Christians working together submitting to His will.
In Christianity there is one body, but there are many different functions. God has blessed us all differently. Some people are preachers, givers, singers, advice givers, prayer warriors, etc.
Some people are bolder, wiser, more confident, and have stronger faith than others. We all have different abilities, but our main goal is God and the advancement of His Kingdom. We fill in for our brothers where they need assistance.
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines teamwork as the work done by people who work together as a team to do something. Teamwork is generally understood as the willingness of a group of people to work together to achieve a common aim. For example we often use the phrase:” he or she is a good team player”. This means someone has the interests of the team at heart, working for the good of the team.
• Teamwork makes the dream work.
• Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success.
• “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
• T.E.A.M – Together Everyone Achieves Much More.
The power of achieving results – Ecclesiastes 4:9
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor."
When individuals work together, they can double their strength and get much more done as a team. They also reap the value of having worked in unison, thus creating harmony instead of disorder. Working as one people begins with the efforts of each person, as they work with another person.
Balance of power-Proverbs 27:17
"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."
A team has checks and balances, one person watches the other one's back. They help them if they falter or lose sight of the goal, just like in friendship. A good friend isn't someone who always agrees with you, what you do, or what you say. A real friend is someone that is willing to challenge you, to be better as a person. A team player encourages his fellow team mates to be better players. Teamwork and friendship both work in very similar ways.
Each Team player is unique-Peter 4:10
"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
Each person has something unique and special to offer as a human being, so we must recognize the many gifts that have been created through God's love, together our team has many options and great things to share with one another.
Team players know their positions-Ephesians 4:11
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers."
Just like the many cultures and peoples of the world have their great minds, speakers and teachers. So does each team have great players, some destined to greatness and some that will be leaders taking their team to high places. Teamwork relies on everyone knowing the position and fulfilling it.
Build on truth and love – Ephesians 4:32
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Teamwork also requires that we have unconditional expectations upon ourselves, because we have faith in God's love. Teams build upon a foundation of truth and love, so that they can achieve excellence. This loving truth is sustained by the forgiveness of God. So we must follow God's example and forgive one another.
Source of Inspiration – John 1:8
"We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth."
Our goal as a team is to emulate God's example. As team players, we should aspire to be more like God, so we can inspire others to seek the truth and love. This expands the ranks of teamwork throughout all human beings and the world we live in.
Respect Authority – Romans 15:5
"Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus."
Once we learn to love one another, we must remember to consider the various positions we have been in as a team player. When we see someone in a similar position, it is our duty to be patient with them and put ourselves in their shoes. This is another great lesson of how teamwork builds character and spiritual maturity.
Encouragement – Hebrews 10:24
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works."
Teamwork and encouragement go hand in hand. This is so simple, but a profound lesson within the Bible.
Members of one household – Corinthians 1:10
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
This is a scriptural instruction to recognize that we are all part of the body of Christ. We maybe single people within the vast world, but all of us are part of the greater whole. We share in the world that is made from God's love, thus we also share the same heart, faith and sit in the same places, when we judge one another or come together as a team.
Corinthians 12:14
"For the body is not one member, but many."
In essence, this is the simplest and clearest statement about teamwork in the Bible. The body of Christ, or the people that are the whole of humanity, are a team. The body is not supported by one person, but by all of us. We are one, we are strongest working together in unity. Teamwork is the key to living life in harmony, so that we can do God's will.
"Individual commitment to a group effort--that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work." --Vince Lombardi
"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." --Michael Jordan
"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results." --Andrew Carnegie
"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." --Helen Keller
"Remember, teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for invulnerability." --Patrick Lencioni
"I invite everyone to choose forgiveness rather than division, teamwork over personal ambition." --Jean-Francois Cope
"None of us is as smart as all of us." --Ken Blanchard
"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." --Henry Ford
"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself." --Henry Ford
"The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team." --Phil Jackson
"Collaboration allows teachers to capture each other's fund of collective intelligence." --Mike Schmoker
"It takes two flints to make a fire." --Louisa May Alcott
"Unity is strength. . . when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." --Mattie Stepanek
"To me, teamwork is the beauty of our sport, where you have five acting as one. You become selfless." --Mike Krzyzewski
"The best teamwork comes from men who are working independently toward one goal in unison." --James Cash Penney
