Friday, November 26, 2010

Biblical Leadership W3 Acknowledging the True Leader - Judges 4-5

This is the 3rd week of our survey of leadership in the Bible.

The dilemma: The Israelites once again did evil in the eyes of the LORD. So the LORD sold them into the hands of Jabin, a king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth Haggoyim. Because he had nine hundred iron chariots and had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the LORD for help.

The Response: 1. Listen to God (v6)
2. Communicate God’s plan (v6)
3. Commit to the plan (v9)
4. Delegate / Don’t do it ALL (v6)
5. Encourage others (v14)
6. Give God the glory (v14-15)

The Result: The LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera alighted from his chariot and fled away on foot. But Barak pursued the chariots and the army as far as Harosheth-hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not even one was left. - 5:31 The land was undisturbed for 40 years.


What happens when leaders listen / don’t listen to God?
How did Deborah respond to Barak’s lack of confidence?
How important is it for a leader to be committed to the plan or organization?
What happens when the leader tries to do EVERYTHING?
What do you think of a leader who gives God the credit for success?

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Biblical Leadership W2 Leading the Congregation – Acts 6

This is the 2nd week in the study of Biblical Leadership. We will examine the leadership principles demonstrated by the disciples in handling a serious problem in the early church.

The dilemma: Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

The response: 1. Set Priorities
2. Make a plan
3. Communicate the plan
4. Get approval from the stakeholders
5. Follow through

The result: The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

How serious was the problem?
Have you seen this pattern used in other situations?
Why did it work in this situation?
Will this model work in every situation?
There was no opposition noted in this passage, how do you think the disciples would have responded to opposition?
Why is it important to get the approval of stakeholders?
What can we learn about leadership from the disciples?