Sunday School Lesson on Leadership

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Sunday School Lesson On Leadership

These are the authors that are read by many today in the quest to become better lead-
ers. These writers speak powerfully to the con-temporary situation in which we are called to doministry.
The constant trend is to find fresh new princi-ples for leadership that will work in ourchurches. Is it possible, though, that the Bible it-self has value in teaching us how to be betterleaders? Is there guidance beyond basic biblicalprinciples such as prayer, service, and honesty?Let's look at examples of specific leadership ac-tions in the Bible that help us find our way intoday's world.

Gideon

The book of Judges tells of a God-ordainedleader named Gideon. Gideon was a reluctantleader, but was also faithful to his calling. Whenasked to assemble a military force to expel for-eign invaders, Gideon probably was dismayedwhen God kept shrinking his army (Judges 7:7).Leaders often desire a vast army of followers."The more workers, the more work done." "The bigger the church, the better the church." Yetthat is not the lesson that Gideon's story teaches.Gideon's mighty army was quickly diminishedby the Lord himself, for God directed Gideon tosend many troops home.

The principle here is that sometimes a smallgroup, chosen and focused, accomplishes greatthings. Those who work within smaller churchesmay take heart in this principle. Focusing on asmall, select group of potential leaders may havea big payoff in the long run. Don't despair if God has riot given you an army. Invest yourself in de-veloping that squad of willing workers you have.

Saul

As an apostolic leader, Saul always functioned with a handicap because he was not oneof the original twelve disciples of Jesus. Thiscaused some early Christians to cast doubts onhis authority.
Furthermore, many believe that there was adegree of rivalry between Paul and Peter in thefirst-century church. While many details arelacking, we are told of one of the flashpoints ofthis relationship from Paul's perspective in the book of Galatians: "But when Peter was come toAntioch, I withstood him to the face, because hewas to be blamed" (Galatians 2:11).

When Saul found a peer in gross error, whatwas he to do? He tackled the problem head-on byconfronting Peter personally. The principle forus today is that the best leaders do not avoidconfrontation. That does not mean that churchleaders are granted unlimited powers of criticismand control. We most choose battles wisely, real-izing that the purpose of confrontation is notdominance but redemption. In the church we donot challenge in order to crush and win; we con-front in order to correct and save.

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