Teamwork
God has a remarkable way of bringing together very different people, each with unique gifts, backgrounds, and skill sets—and forging them into teams. These teams lead ministries, life groups, churches, even movements.
Throughout Scripture, we see many examples of this, one of the greatest being the twelve disciples Jesus chose as His first apostles. They came from different tribes, professions and were very different personalities, yet through relationship with Jesus, they were formed into a unified team that truly turned the world upside down.
God-forged teams are powerful, but they are not without challenge. When we fully trust God—choosing to live by biblical principles such as preferring one another, striving to maintain the bond of peace, and remaining totally dependent on the Holy Spirit—teams become extraordinarily effective. Unity and diversity working together is both beautiful and powerful. However, teams are also fragile. Issues arise when biblical principles are replaced by insecurity, ambition, or self-interest. This is why we must remain aware, intentionally nurturing and developing team relationships by God’s grace, never taking one another or the team dynamic for granted.
In the life and kingship of David, we see a powerful example of God-created team unity—particularly in 1 Chronicles 12. Here, men from every tribe of Israel come together to affirm and pledge their allegiance to David as king over the whole nation.
Yet strength and military skill alone were not enough to establish Israel’s future. Strategy, wisdom, and discernment were totally essential.
1 Chronicles 12:32
“From Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command.”
The Sons of Issachar offer timeless lessons for every leader and every team.
They understood the times because they possessed spiritual discernment, wisdom, and a deep knowledge of God’s Word. This allowed them to recognise both political and spiritual shifts discerning that it was the right moment to support David as king.
Their insight was not merely about backing a dynamic rising leader—it was about recognising what God was doing and aligning themselves fully with His purposes. They helped guide Israel through a critical season of transition.
The Sons of Issachar were renowned for:
• Understanding the Times They discerned spiritual, political, and historical seasons—knowing when to act and when to wait.
• Strategic Thinking They offered timely counsel that helped unite the nation under David.
• Biblical Wisdom Their discernment flowed from a deep knowledge of God’s law and Word.
• Trusted Leadership Their brethren followed them closely, reflecting the high level of trust placed in their wisdom.
What Every Team Needs:
Every God-created team benefits from these same qualities:
• A Culture of Discernment Seeking the “Issachar anointing” to understand cultural, political, and spiritual trends—leading from God’s future, not reacting to current circumstances.
• Proactive Strategy and Action Applying divine wisdom to respond effectively, pivot when needed, and advance confidently.
• Total Alignment with God Not asking God to bless our plans, but recognising His sovereign movement and aligning wholeheartedly with His agenda.
None of these principles are new. They are simple, timeless, and God-given. And yet, we still experience friction and disunity within teams. Perhaps the simplest principles are often the hardest to live out consistently?
Let us seek to be like the Sons of Issachar—not necessarily powerful, famous, or mighty; but wise, effective, and deeply relevant within every God-formed team. They were known for connecting divine truth with real-world decisions, choosing wisdom over trends, and honouring God at crucial moments.
What will we be remembered for?
Ivan Parker