BEING LEADERS: THE NATURE OF AUTHENTIC

CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

Chapter 1 and 2

Discussion QuestionsWhat is leadership? Is it important to study leadership? Are you a leader? Is a Christian Leader Different from Non-

Christian Leader?

How is a Christian Leader Different from Non-Christian Leader?

8 Distinctive Biblical Leadership

1st- To be Christian leader, one must first be a Christian (page 15)

2nd - A Christian leader is a committed follower of Christ (page 15)

3rd- The Christian leader has divine revelation as a source of truth (pages 16-17)

*Special Revelation and General revelation

How is a Christian Leader Different from Non-Christian Leader?

8 Distinctive Biblical Leadership

4th- Christian leader has godly character (pages 18-19)

* 1Tim. 4:7, “Train yourself to be godly.”

5th –Christian leaders have pure motives (pages 19-20)

6th – Christian leaders lead by the power of the Holy Spirit (page 20)

* Zech. 4:6, “ Not by might nor power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty”

How is a Christian Leader Different from Non-Christian Leader?

8 Distinctive Biblical Leadership 7th- The Christian leader is a Servant Leader (page

21)

8th- The Gift of Leadership

***Complete the Christian Leadership Audit (Appendix A) page 173

Christian Leaders of the 1st Century Church

Assumption: The Early church was led by lay leaders

Assumption: The Early church was small like today’s churches

House churches had a singular pastor

The elders and pastors of church in the first century were likely pastor of house churches

Early churches were large in comparison to today's churches which average 90-100 people

The early church existed in two ways: house churches and citywide churches (page

The Responsibilities of Early Church Pastors

1. Basically the elders or pastors led the churches by exercising general oversight (page 26-27)

2. Pastors protected the congregation from false teaching (page 27)

3. Pastors taught the congregation (page 27)

4. Pastors directed their congregations. (page 28)

The Responsibilities of Early Church Pastors (page 28-29)

Read 1 Tim. 5:17 Greek word prohistemi- direct or

manage/ leadership/ shepherd Being a manager is also a qualification

for being an elder. All three function (protecting, teaching,

and directing) are under shepherding or leadership

A SERVANT LEADER

Chapter 2

What is Servant Leadership? (page 33) A biblical image that is most common and

dominant for leaders is that of a servant.

A Christian leader is a servant with credibility and capabilities, who are able to influence people in a particular context to pursue their God given direction.

Servant leaders display four characteristics: humility, service, focus on others, and love

Key Verses

Matthew 20:25-26/ John 13: 1-17 “But Jesus called them together and said,

You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their

authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever

wants to be a leader among you must be your servant…”

Humility (pages 34-35)

In Matthew 20:25-26, how does Jesus use a negative example to point out what good leadership does or does not do?

What do the Gentile leaders do that Christian leaders should not do?

What is Jesus trying to teach them?

Humility (page 35)

“ The ever present temptation for leaders is to allow their leadership to become an ego thing—an exercise of ego– to subtly and sometimes not so subtly dominate their followers. With subordinates, this involves making sure they know who is boss, using one’s authority to put them in their proper place. This kind of leader is careful to let others know as often as possible that he or she occupies a position of prominence and prestige and is someone special, someone to be treated with respect and admiration.”

Service (page 36-38)

In Matthew 20:26-28, what is Jesus teaching them about service?

What does service involve?

Explain the two words Jesus uses to express the idea of servanthood: diaknonos and doulos ( page 36)

Service (page 37)

“We’re obligated to serve him but, at the same time, we must be willing to serve him. In short, we willingly obligate ourselves to serve.”

Focus on Others (page 39-41) In Matthew 20:25-26 and John 13: 1-17,

who are the objects of the disciples service?

How were they to serve?

Explain this quote: “A real test of our servant leadership is our

attitude toward and willingness to serve not only others in general but those who serve with us in particular” (page 39)

Focus on Others (page 40)

“Instead of focusing on being over, they are to place themselves willingly under; and in so doing, they will become great. Thus the image of “servant” expresses

humility, and willing withdrawal from competition for status and power.”

Love (pages 41-42) In John 13: 1-17, how does Jesus

demonstrate love to the disciples?

Why does Jesus have patience with the disciples?

What lesson is Jesus trying to teach them?

How can this lesson be applicable today?

What Servant Leadership Isn’t (pages 43-48)

Misconception: Doing Ministry for Others (page 43)

Misconception: Being Passive (page 44- 45)

Pastors are responsible for ministry, but a primary thrust of ministry is to equip laypeople for service.

Servant leaders don’t rob people of the privilege do ministry. Instead they equip and encourage people to minister and train others.

Servant leaders don’t wait for someone to direct them.

Servant leaders are proactive risk takers.

The bible teaches about being proactive in Matt. 25: 14-30 (the parable of the talents)

What Servant Leadership Isn’t (pages 43-48)

Misconception: Focusing on Weaknesses

Misconception: Ignoring Own Needs

Leaders and pastors have human limitations and frailties

Paul acknowledges his own weaknesses in 2 Cor. 12:7-1

0n on hand servant leaders ae weak due their human frailty; but they are strong due to Christ’s presence

Today people expect the church to meet their needs.

Christ teaches that servant leadership is about humbly serving others, not ourselves, but there is problem if we focus exclusively on other’s needs. (page 47)