Nehemiah: BUILDING BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP ©Chadwyck Cobb 2016 Truthbase.net - God wants all Christians to become Godly leaders (to bring His people to a place of blessing)
Christians should all endeavor to be godly leaders: other-centeredly serving the needs of others and bringing them closer to Christ. 2 Tim 2:2, Eph 4, 5:1, 1 Pet 4:10, Mt 28:19, 20:26, Heb 13, Lk 9:23, Titus 1:7 (1 Tim 2:12) - Biblical Leadership requires much more than influence – are you developing yourself?
Defined: Biblical leadership is using the talents and opportunities God has given you to positively influence others to follow Jesus Christ and do God's will. - Is predicated on knowing God and His way (discernment of God’s will)
- Requires other centeredness and high degree of self-awareness
- Examples of Biblical Leadership in Nehemiah – Are you missing out on opportunities to lead?
Nehemiah: Motivated by future reward to accomplish earthly tasks: “Remember Me” 5:19, 13:11, 22 (6:14, 13:29) Chp 1 :2 Seeks to be informed (not prideful). :4 Develops themselves in advance. :11 Forsakes worldly pleasure. Chp 2 :4 Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. - Works gradually and shrewdly. :3 when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste.
- Times things right (and plans while they wait) :7 “…let letters be given to me” (Luke 14:28)
- Works within the existing authority structure. :9 Now the king had sent…horsemen with me. (Ezra 8:22)
- Visibly seeks the betterment of God’s people. :10 Sanballat and Tobiah…were deeply disturbed…
- Clear and actionable goals. :17 “Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem,…no longer be a reproach”
Chp 3 :5 Keeps track of effort of those under them. (Tekoites) :28 Gives personal ownership of tasks. Chp 4 :4 Withstands opposition without fear. :15 Plans for contingencies. :21 Actively grows followers. Chp 5 :7 Confronts sin. :10 Does not force change. :11-12 Makes plans for restitution and incentives to obey. Chp 6 :6 Is not shaken by false accusations – but uses them to prompt reflection. 11: Tests personal motivation. :16 all our enemies & nations…were disheartened for they perceived that this work was done by our God. Chp 7 :2 Actively delegates. :5 Willing to take on tasks outside their experience. :65 Looks to God for answers. Chp 8 :4 Surrounds self with other godly leaders. :3 the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. Chp 9 :16 Confess the sins of the people. :21 forty years You sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing… Chp 10 :29 Institutes biblical order. …took an oath… to observe & do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord. Chp 12 :31 Gives praise to God. :43 Emotionally sensitive to the people’s needs. :44 Adheres to all God’s commands. Chp 13 :6 Completes the task. :10 Rights wrongs: (Temple, Portion, Sabbath, Other Wives, Priesthood, Ceremony) - What is NOT Biblical leadership? Common pitfalls and general limits on leadership
Not an authoritative role (but the actions and love) Not expressing one’s own vision (but God's vision) Not self-centered seeking that ignores your "underlings" (but a deep understanding of their needs) Not easy (development and trust building takes time) Not always free of confrontation (but “tough love”) Not glamorous or free of risk (but an act of obedience) Not about the task (but your followers & God's will) Not occasional tasks (but an ongoing mindset) Not a position of isolation (but requires delegation, trust, and communication) Not micromanagement (but empowerment) Not "because I told you” (but "what’s God’s will?”) Not “I’m a leader” (but “I am Christ’s servant”) - Why don’t Christians Lead?
- Fearful of the unknown - Isaiah 41:10
- Fearful of others - Galatians 1:10
- Feeling without skill - Philippians 4:19
- Cannot find followers - Luke 5:1-11
- Wrong timing - Galatians 6:9
- In a restrictive authority structure - 1 Peter 3:1
- Questions?
- How do service and leadership relate? What are the limits of serving or leading? Can you fully embody both?
- Why does God have leadership, if we are all supposed to follow Him? What about earthly governments?
- How should you lead when you have unskilled followers? What about when you are the unskilled one?
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