Last week, we talked about how Jesus was 100% man when he was here on Earth, and this week we talk about the mystery that Jesus is also 100% God. How do we know that he is God? It wasn't just Jesus claiming that he is God - Scripture and God himself confirm it. What does it mean that Jesus was and is and will forever be God himself?

Because he was human, Jesus can empathize with us. Because he was human, Jesus knows what it's like to not have all the answers, but still submit to the will of God. Because Jesus was human, he knows what it's like to deny himself. All because he chose to become 100% man.

Members of a team have to give of themselves in order for that team to be successful. It's important that we willing to sacrifice our time, our talents and our treasure for the good of the group.

It's proven that employees that are recognized are more like to stick with a company and give their all to support it. It's no different in teams within the church. Recognizing the efforts of others is a great way to pay our debt to them, build the team's spirit and let them know exactly where they stand.

Communication is key in any relationship and is definitely important in a team. We're looking at 3 roadblocks to communication that any team needs to steer clear of. We must avoid presumption (assuming that everyone already knows the goal at hand), being impatient, and pride in order for communication within our teams to be successful.

Affirmation can be a powerful way to confirm someone's position in your team, encourage them to be dedicated to the task and breed a culture of "pay-it-forwardness" where people are affirming one another. Who can you encourage this week?

When we find ourselves on teams in life, we have to be loyal, consistent and show the people on our team that we can trust them if we want them to trust us. Any successful team establishes trust amongst the individual members. How can you inspire trust on the teams that you're on?

Successful teams are diverse but also inclusive. For our team (Christ's body) to be successful, we must accept our varied roles to serve the other parts. We need each other and we are in this together - we are many parts of the body, but we are altogether one. How can you make your team better?

Every team is made up of individuals who fill certain positions so that the team as a whole can find success. What spiritual gift has God given you and how can you use it to strengthen the team God has placed you in? How can you serve others to help achieve the collective goal?

Whether we are the ones doing the gossiping or the ones listening to the gossip or the ones being gossiped about, it's bad for everybody involved. How wonderful this world would be if we judged people by their own character and not what others have to say about them. We are better together when we refuse to tear others down with gossip.