Session #2, Handout

Session #2 notes: I Am Here to Lead as Christ Led

 

2 helpful books:

   Anderson, Dr. Daniel L.. Biblical Slave Leadership: A Stewardship from Above to Lead from Below. Regular Baptist Press.

   Bremner, Dave. Images of Leadership:Biblical Portraits of Godly Leaders. Oasis International Ltd.

 

Images:

Shepherd

Servant

Steward

Definitive thoughts:

Significantly, the English words “shepherd,” associated with caring for sheep and  “pastor,” associated with caring for people come from the same Greek word, ποιμήν, poimen. See John 10:2, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Peter 5:1-4. The linkage between caring for sheep and caring for people is also found in the Old Testament. See Ezekiel 34:2, for example.

In the world in which the New Testament was written, much of the work was done by slaves.

A slave/servant’s time was not his own. In many ways he/she was not his/her own.

A Steward is someone who cares for the property, or looks after the interests, of another.

She/he is accountable to perform the assigned tasks in such a way as to achieve the owner/master’s goals.

Basic application:

A Godly, Biblical leader must not use his/her position selfishly. Rather she/he must focus on the welfare and development of those being led.

A Godly, Biblical leader must focus on obedience, before and above commanding.

A Godly, Biblical leader must not allow personal plans or desires to keep him/her from leading in the direction of God’s plans.

Standard of success:

If those being led are not growing and moving toward greater responsibility themselves, the leader is failing. Success lies in enabling those being to greater levels of service and in the development of new leaders.

The pattern found in Christ’s work with the 12 and 2 Tim. 2:2 applies.

If the “leadership” one is offering is not causing both the leader and the led to grow in their conformity to God’s will, the leader is failing. Success lies in obeying God in leadership and leading others to obey Him in their service.

The desired outcome of a Godly, Biblical leader is the accomplishment of God’s plan.

Greater levels of leadership are accompanied by greater levels of accountability. Luke 12:48, James 3:1, 2 Cor. 11:28, 1 Tim. 3:5

Key passage:

Philippians 2:2-5

Mark 10:42-45

Hebrews 10:7

Key Concept:

Love

Sacrifice

Faithfulness

Bremner:

“The relationship between shepherd and sheep illustrates the relationship God has with his people, and sets the example that God has designed and commanded everyone who leads in his kingdom to follow” (21)

“The core of being a servant who leads is a deep unfeigned humility. It turns its back on selfish ambition and dedicates itself to the good of the followers.” (34)

“Jesus . . . is the perfect steward, faithfully and fully completing his assignment, declaring his work on earth finished, and then ascending to the right hand of the Father, where he intercedes for the saints.” (39)

Anderson:

“. . . it is impossible to be a leader without allowing time for the process to occur. As a person is given opportunity to lead, there will be the development of those being led. Biblical leadership is not about advancing the leader’s personal agenda, nor will it come at the expense of the ones being led. Leading is not about the leader!”(431/2013, Kindle)

“Contrary to the norm of Jesus’ day (and, might I add, the norm of our present day), a leader must go down to lead. This is neither a superficial humility nor a self-defacing demeanor. Scripturally, the only viable understanding of the leader’s function is that he is a slave. Biblical leadership is unconditionally and totally obligated to the God Who has placed a stewardship of leading upon the life of that leader. Leaders are obligated to be slaves!” (420/2013

 Kindle)

Commenting on Matthew 20:21, “to qualify for the solicited leadership roles: (1) the leader-to-be must be . . . willing to face death; and (2) he must be identified with Christ through baptism, or immersion, in suffering . . .. Sitting at Christ’s right hand is a leadership role that must be divinely given—a stewardship from God.” (285/2013 Kindle)

 

 

Noteable Biblical examples, other than Christ:

Moses, Peter,

Barnabas, Timothy

Paul, Nehemiah

Definitions:

Anderson, “Biblical Slave Leadership is a stewardship from and to God requiring the surrender of one’s life to God for the development of others in the will of God.” (336/2013 Kindle)

Bremner, “What does leadership look like in the kingdom of God? [I]t looks . . . like a shepherd caring for his flock of sheep . . . a dedicated servant of the master, serving those entrusted to him, [and] . . . a steward of someone else’s wealth and resources, but how dedicates his very life to caring for them on hehalf of the true owner.” (17)

Anderson, Dr. Daniel L.. Biblical Slave Leadership: A Stewardship from Above to Lead from Below. Regular Baptist Press. Kindle Edition.

Bremner, Dave. Images of Leadership: Biblical Portraits of Godly Leaders. Oasis International Publishing.

I             Shepherd

1.       What passages in the Bible speak of shepherding? Don’t spend too much time on this one.

2.       In the passages you identified, what leadership principles do you see?

3.       Identify anyone in the Bible, or with whom you are acquainted, who lives out one or more of the principles you identified. Don’t use names if it might embarrass someone—“A relative of mine,” or, “a teacher in a school I attended”—will work.

Ezekiel 34:1-10, 23, John 10:1-16, 1 Peter 5:1-5

Good Shepherding:                                                          Bad Shepherding:

                                                         

 

 

 

How do we in our ministry apply the good side of shepherding, and avoid the bad shepherd faults?

 


(The world's typical model of leadership is on the left, the leader at the top, telling others what to do. The picture on the right is more Biblical and models the servant image. The leader is at the bottom supporting the team, asking "How can I supply what you need to succeed?"


II            Servant

                                         

(See the article on “The Biblical Basis for Christian Leadership” on the Blog             

“As your leader, I want to provide for you that which you need to succeed. What do you need?”

·       Trust
John 15:15
What are somethings that erode trust?

·       Care/love/kindness
The sheep follow because they know the shepherd. The bad shepherd can only drive them.

·       A climate of holy boldness, courage, the opportunity to fail, the assurance that one will not be judged solely on the basis of his/her worst day and his/her best day won’t be soon forgotten.

·       Appropriate empowerment

·       Two way accountability.

 

III           Steward

              1 Cor. 4:1-2, Matt. 25:14-30, John 17:4, Heb. 10:7, 13:17

·       “entrusted”

·       “each according to his ability”

 

·       “put his money to work,” and, “gained.”

 

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