Leaders Teach with Authority
Dec 19, 2009 Leadership Lessons of Jesus
They were astonished at His teaching because, unlike the scribes,
He was teaching them as one having authority. – Mark 1:22
Where did Jesus get His authority? Without a complete, drawn-out theological discussion of the Trinity, the simple answer is from God. (Matt. 28:18) In an earthly sense, Jesus could teach with authority because he knew the Scriptures, but the Pharisees knew every point of The Law too. So what gave Jesus the edge? “It was because Jesus was himself the Son of God that his every word was absolutely authoritative.” (p. 12)
Wait a minute, we aren’t Jesus; what authority do we have to speak/lead?
Matt. 28:18-20
In Bible College, they taught that you have to identify what the word therefore is there for. In verse 19 Matthew writes, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” So because Jesus had (and has) authority, He has appointed us as Christians to lead others in the same manor. No we are not Jesus, and we don’t have anywhere near the level of authority; but we have the authority to baptize in His name, and teach them everything He has already commanded.
This is both a huge honor and a huge challenge. We can’t live up to Jesus’ example, but we must do everything we can to get as close as possible. That is why it’s called The Great Commission.
——————————————————————————————————————————-
“As important as it is to know what you’re talking about, it is perhaps even more important to be what you’re talking about.” (p. 13) What do you think the author meant by those words?
“A leader who speaks of what he knows and lives what he speaks will attract willing followers; those unwilling to be led will be so uncomfortable that they will be very willing to get out of the way.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why or Why not?
What should leading with authority do to our self-esteem?
As scary as it is to lead sometimes, we are not leading by our own authority, but authority from the Creator of the universe! That should give us a level of confidence that the ‘average Joe’ just doesn’t have. Talk about a leg up on our competition!
What are some practical applications of this lesson? In other words, in what ways can you use what was talked about to improve your leadership skills? (Can be specific or general)
A call to leadership
Dec 13, 2009 Discussion Topics, Leadership Lessons of Jesus
Is there such thing as a “special calling” for those in leadership? I’ve often argued against it, believing that often those claiming a “special calling” of God upon their lives have used it inappropriately to guilt others into following them. I confess that’s a bit too cynical–I do in fact believe God can write a special purpose on the heart of individuals, but I believe it is more personal and subject to fallible human interpretation than some would like to believe.
Yet between us and God, we have to seek the Lord’s will for our lives, and look for affirmation or denial of what that will is. The book Leadership Lessons of Jesus calls that “laying out the fleece,” an apt use of Gideon’s test of whether God was behind him or not:
Judges 6:36-38 – Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised-look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water.
Then there is the idea of a “general calling” rather than a “special calling.” I am definitely more comfortable with the scriptural application of this principle. All are called to study the Word like the Bereans. All are called to ministry. All are called to service. We are each to find our niche and opportunistically look for ways to live out our calling as believers.
Questions for discussion
- What is the difference between a “special calling” and a “general calling?”
- Can you think of examples in scripture supporting a special calling? Was it a personal conviction only, or a conviction that came with the authority to carry it out?
- God blesses each of us with unique gifts or talents. Are you gifted in a particular area? Are you using that gift?
- In areas where you think God has given you a special gift or talent, do you feel called to step out in front and lead? Did Moses.
- Is “laying out the fleece” something we ought to be doing today or was this a situation unique to the Old Testament era? Was Gideon’s test commendable or a sign of weak faith?
Scriptures to consider
- Judges 6:36-38 – Gideon laying out the fleece
- Romans 12:5-7 – Gifts and talents
- Ephesians 4:1 – General calling
- Acts 16:9 – Special calling
Tags: Calling, Gifts, Leadership
Who speaks for you?
Dec 6, 2009 Discussion Topics, Leadership Lessons of Jesus
This lesson deals with the fact that for leaders to be leaders, there necessarily must be followers. To use a business management analogy, you can’t have “all chiefs and no Indians.” I know, this is politically incorrect, but it makes a great point.
Jesus had people following him: his disciples. His disciples, chosen by Jesus to carry his message to the world, in turn had followers of their own. They led, and people followed. There is a caveat, however:
1 Corinthians 1:11-14 – My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
The caveat is that a leader who is following the example of Jesus and his disciples shouldn’t be leading in order to amass the greatest number of followers to himself. He should be leading to amass the greatest number of followers to Jesus. When a leader’s “followership” becomes a cult of personality, it detracts from what should be the primary mission.
Rather than urge his followers to follow him per se, Paul urged them to follow his example:
1 Corinthians 11:1 – Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
1 Corinthians 4:16 – Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
Philippians 3:17 – Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
So as Christian leaders, whether we’re leading an organization, a ministry, a family, or just a group of friends, we should seek to lead by example.
The book uses the example of John the Baptist as a spokesperson for Jesus who was trustworthy and loyal, never putting himself between the people and the leader he advocated for. Here are some questions to consider about the concept of “Who speaks for you?”
- Is it a worthy aspiration to want to have followers? What are the benefits and dangers?
- As a person who is going to lead people in any setting, do you need to care about what other people say about you?
- Why do others’ opinions of you affect your ability to lead? What are the dangers in caring too much about what other people think of you?
- There is a story about a politician who looked out his office window to see a parade going by in the streets below. He quickly interrupted the meeting he was having and told his staff he needed to get out in front of the parade because his followers needed him to lead them. What is the difference between a politician and a leader?
Tags: Leadership
The Leadership Lessons of Jesus
Dec 6, 2009 Discussion Topics, Leadership Lessons of Jesus
The following is the chapter list of a great little book on leadership called “The Leadership Lessons of Jesus: A Timeless Model for Today’s Leaders.” I’d like to use this topic list as a study outline for discussion over the course of our Edge meetings on Sundays.
Better yet, I’d like to have each of the guys step up to lead some of these discussion. There are 52 lessons here to give a lot of great insight into the qualities of godly leaders and becoming a person who can influence the world for Christ.
- Who speaks for you?
- A call to leadership
- Temptation is part of leadership
- Leaders call followers
- Leaders teach with authority
- A leader takes care of his people
- Leadership requires discipline
- Leaders care
- Leadership and timing
- Leaders should expect the unexpected
- Leaders are teachers
- Choosing a team
- Eating with the troops
- Facing opposition
- A new way of thinking
- Leading with and through traditions
- Unwarranted attacks–be ready!
- The inner core
- Leaders plan
- Strategic withdrawal
- The place
- Authority, the stuff of leadership
- Painful attacks on your leadership
- Leaders tell stories
- Unity, a leadership requirement
- Leaders are often unappreciated
- Special relationships
- You win some: You lose some
- Truth and timing
- Leadership expectations
- Publicity, public relations, and leadership
- Evaluate
- A leader is faithful
- Little things–important things
- Leadership calms the storm
- Flexibility
- Publicity
- Decisive action
- Leadership is expensive
- Preparing successors
- Practical vision
- The best and the worst
- The use of authority
- Leadership teams
- Misinformation
- Facing a loss
- Visible leadership
- A leadership retreat
- Capturing unplanned moments
- Boldness builds leadership
- Establishing order–a priority
- Leaders pray in gratitude
So we’ll start this week with topic #1, Who speaks for you?
Tags: Leadership