Rodney D. Bullard - Heroes Wanted: Why the World Needs You to Live Your Heart Out

I would like to acknowledge my original heroes: my heavenly Father, whose mercies are new to me every day; my parents Rev. James and Peggy Bullard, whose support is beyond measure; Silvette and Brendan, who climb mountains daily; and Hope Lyda, who worked mightily to help me shape this book, showing her heroism on every page.

Rodney D. Bullard is the Vice President of Community Affairs at Chick-fil-A, Inc. and Executive Director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation. He leads the companys corporate community and philanthropic strategy, which is focused on fostering youth and furthering their educational opportunities. He has been proud to serve in previous roles with the US Air Force, NASA, and the US Department of Justice. A worldwide speaker, Rodney is an alumnus of the Air Force Academy, Duke Law, University of Georgia, and Harvard Business School. Rodney and his wife, Silvette, have one son and make their home in Atlanta, Georgia.

To contact Rodney or to inquire about speaking engagements, visit:

hero-wanted.org

The history of struggle is rich with stories of heroes and heroinessome of them leaders, some of them followers, all of them deserve to be remembered.

NELSON MANDELA

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it.

ISAIAH 30:21

T his book is designed for individual exploration, small groups, and classes. The best way to absorb and apply the principles is for each person to individually study and answer the questions for each chapter at the end of the book, then discuss them in either a class or a group environment. The interaction will stimulate insights and applications.

Order enough copies of the book so that each person in your group has his or her own copy.

A recommended schedule for a small group or class might be as follows:

PERSONALIZE EACH LESSON

Dont feel pressured to cover every question in your group discussions. Pick out three or four that had the biggest impact on you, and focus on those, or ask people in the group to share their responses to the questions that meant the most to them that week.

Make sure to personalize the principles and applications. At least once in each group meeting, add your own story to illustrate a particular point.

If you look at a passage from the Bible, make the Scriptures come alive. Far too often we read the Bible like its a phone book, with little or no emotion. Paint a vivid picture for people. Provide insights about the context of peoples encounters with God, and help those in your class or group sense the emotions of specific people in each scene.

FOCUS ON APPLICATION

The questions in the Reflection and Action Guide and your encouragement for group members to be authentic will help your group take important steps toward applying the principles theyre learning. Share how you are applying the principles you learn each week, and encourage them to take steps of growth as well.

THREE TYPES OF QUESTIONS

If you have led groups in the past, then you already understand the importance of using open questions to stimulate discussion. There are three types of questions: limiting, leading, and open . Many of the questions in the Reflection and Action Guide are open questions.

Limiting questions usually focus on an obvious answer. For example, asking What does Jesus call Himself in John 10:11? wont stimulate reflection or discussion. If you want to use questions like these, follow them with thought-provoking open questions.

Leading questions require the listener to guess what the leader has in mind. For example, you could ask, Why did Jesus use the metaphor of a shepherd in John 10? (Jesus was probably alluding to a passage in Ezekiel, but many people dont know that.) The teacher who asks a leading question has a definite answer in mind, but group members may find it hard to figure out that answer, which may frustrate them. Instead of asking this kind of question, you should just teach the point, then ask an open question about the point you have made.

Open questions usually dont have right or wrong answers. Instead, they stimulate thinking, and they are far less threatening because the person who is answering doesnt risk ridicule for being wrong. These questions often begin with Why do you think? or What are some reasons that? Other open questions are How would you have felt in that situation? and What meant the most to you as you read this, and why?

PREPARATION

As you prepare to teach this material in a group or class, consider these steps:

1. Carefully and thoughtfully read the book. Make notes; highlight key sections, quotes, and stories; and complete the Reflection and Action Guide questions for each chapter. This will familiarize you with the entire scope of the content.

2. As you prepare for each weeks class or group, read the corresponding chapter again and make additional notes.

3. Tailor the amount of content to the time allotted. You may not have time to cover all the questions, so pick the ones that you feel are most pertinent.

4. Think of stories from your own life that will help personalize the message and add impact.

5. Before and during your preparation, ask God to give you wisdom, clarity, and power. Trust Him to use your group to change peoples lives.

6. Most people will get far more out of the group if they read the chapter and complete the reflection questions for each week.

Who are the heroes in your life?

When have you been compelled by a heroic call to reach out or step up?

Go to hero-wanted.org and share your stories.

Lets celebrate and honor the heroes and heroic moments of life. These stories will inspire, challenge, and connect us. Visit today.

The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the worlds deep hunger meet.

FREDERICK BUECHNER

We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

EPHESIANS 2:10 NASB

God breathes through us so completelyso gently we hardly feel ityet, it is our everything.

JOHN COLTRANE

W hat do I need to do to save the world?

One day, young Gregory Ellison asked his Aunt Dottie this question. Even as a child he perceived the weight of the difficulties experienced by his neighbors and community. He saw young men and women dropping out of school; he witnessed the devastation of homelessness and the random ravages of crime.

Her response was so simple and profound that it guided this boys hero heart toward purpose. That day, Aunt Dottie turned to her sensitive nephew and said, I dont know how you can change the world. All I know is how to change what is three feet around me.

That compelling answer transformed into a calling.

Ellison earned a PhD from Princeton, became a professor at Emory University, and created the powerful grassroots initiative Fearless Dialogues. This unique organization creates safe spaces and invitations for individuals and groups from all walks of life to genuinely engage with others and view each person, each encounter as significant. One way this becomes real and influential is through the 3-Feet Challenge inspired by that heartfelt answer years before.