Leadership Study 0 Biblical Leadership

Biblical Counseling 2

Discipling Check-list Sort out responsibilities. Get specific details. Stress what rather than why for data. Distinguish presentation, performance, and preconditioning problems. Talk not only about problems; talk also about God’s solutions.

Discipling Check-list Check Motivation (ultimately it must be loving obedience: because God says so). Insist on obedience to God regardless of how one feels. Think through or write out an agenda Give concrete assignments at every session. (Explain “how to”) Check on assignments given last time

Authority in Counseling Counselors who exercise the authority of God, are not authorities in their own right We make many kinds of statements, we must know what is biblically binding Which statements are proper and which are improper uses of counseling authority

Authority in Counseling 1 “Confess this sin to God and forsake it.” 2 “Sell your car and pay off the loan.” 3 “You must study the Scriptures and pray regularly.” 4 “Every morning you must read the Bible one-half hour and pray for twenty minutes.” 5 “One way to begin to implement the commandment to ‘love your neighbor’ is to make a list of items you know will please her and do one each day this week.”

Authority in Counseling 6 “You must break off that homosexual relationship today!” 7 “Tranquillizers will do you no good; don’t take any more.” 8 “Your worry must go; you are going to have to learn how to focus your concern on today rather than on tomorrow.” 9 “Catch up on your ironing by our next time together.” 10 “Obey God’s command, whether you feel like it or not.”

Biblical Leadership

Matthew 28:18-20 Q: What does Jesus want everybody to become? Q: Which is the more popular term – Disciple or Christian? The word “Christian” is used only 3 times in the NT. It was the name those in the world gave the disciples (Acts 11:19-26), seven years after the church began. The word “Disciple” is used over 270 times in the NT. Jesus defines the term disciple throughout his ministry. Jesus came to make disciples. Only disciples will be saved.

Matthew 20:25-28 Q: How does Jesus define ‘True Greatness”? Q: Which is the more popular term – Servant or Leader? The word “Leader” (Greek hegeomai – ‘one who rules’) is used only 5 times in the NT, referring to those within the church. Jesus uses it only once in Luke 22:26 – ‘The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the “one who rules” like one who serves’ The word “Servant” (With it’s associated forms of ‘service’ and ‘to serve’) is used 60 times in the NT in reference to those inside the church. Jesus defines the term servant through his personal example and teaching True greatness can only come from becoming a servant. Leaders in the church must be servants.

The Heart of Servant Leadership Jesus is teaching about the difference between leadership in the world and in the Kingdom of God. In the World, the Leaders: A) Lord it over their People, B) Exercise Authority over their People “Not so with you” – this is not the way it will be in God’s Kingdom “whoever wants to become great”  “must be your servant” – gk. Diakonos (This is the servant of a king, minister) “whoever wants to be first”  “must be your slave” – gk. Doulous (Slave, an owned person)

The “Greats” were all servants Luke 1:38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. Phil 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, Heb 3:5 Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes 2 Pet 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ Jude 1:1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called Rev 1:1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God …made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

The “Greats” were all servants The bible describes all these people as servants (Slaves, doulos) for God Q: Do you really see yourself as a slave for God?

The Heart of Servant Leadership 2 Corinthians 4:5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants (doulos) for Jesus' sake. We are supposed to preach Jesus as Lord and ourselves as slaves to our people Q: Do you see yourself like this? Do you treat your people like this? We must have a biblical conviction about leadership. We are first slaves to God, second slaves & servants to our people We must kill selfish desire and work as a team, a family, a body, a household

The Heart of Servant Leadership Philippians 2:3-11 Jesus gave us the ultimate example of Servant Leadership leading to greatness To lead us to God, he became our slave, taking the very worst for us, and he was exalted to the right hand of God This is the image of true servant leadership we need to have

Justification of Servant Leadership Ephesians 4:11-16 v11 Leadership is a gift given by God to help serve the people of God. E.g. Exodus 18 (Moses & Jethro) It was given to better meet the needs of the people, and give them a way to handle problems that came up. God appoints these leaders (Acts 13:1, 1 Corinthians 12:28) Romans 12:6, 8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift …is leadership, let him govern diligently Leadership is a gift that God has given to certain people Like any other gift, it is discovered through trial and error & it must be developed Leadership must be understood as a fulfilling a service for God and others

The Purpose of Leadership is: v12 Paul’s goal was the maturity of the church (2 Cor 13:9) To prepare (equip, train) God’s people for works of service 2 Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. The word of God helps to equip the saints. Q: How? 2 Tim 2:21 Titus 3:14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.

Equipping The noun “equipping” occurs only here in the NT, but the verb occurs 13 times. Here is a survey of these uses which will show what the leaders are to do for “the saints”: 1.      To teach (Luke 6:40) 2.      To equip with everything good (Heb 13:21) 3.      To supply what is lacking (1 Thess 3:10) 4.      To prepare for use (Heb 10:5) 5.      To form, mold, and shape (Heb 11:3) 6.      To mend and repair [nets] (Matt 4:21, Mk 1:19) 7.      To correct faults (2 Cor 13:11) 8.      To restore a fallen brother (Gal 6:1) 9. To bring into functioning harmony (1 Cor 1:10) 10. To mature [bring to strength] (1 Pet 5:10)

Service This word for “service” originally meant serving at a table. In the N.T. this kind of service includes such things as: 1.      Providing food (Luke 8:3) 2.      Waiting tables (Acts 6:2) 3.      Meeting physical needs of those who are hungry, thirsty, lonely, naked, sick, or in prison (Matt 25:44) 4.      Delivering famine relief money (Rom 15:25) 5.      Serving as a deacon (1 Tim 3:10) 6.      Proclaiming the Word of God (1 Pet 1:12)

Service Two-thirds of the sixty-six uses of “service” or “to serve” in the N.T. have to do with meeting physical needs. Therefore, the key to gaining the right focus on ministry is to stop thinking of serving the “church program” and to start thinking about serving the needs of people.

The Purpose of Leadership To build up (strengthen) the body of Christ 1 Corinthians 14:12 Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. God is building us (1 Peter 2:5) The church needs building up (1 Corinthians 14:5, 12, 26, 2 Corinthians 10:8, 13:10, Ephesians 2:21, 4:12, 16)

The Goal of Leadership is: v13-14 To Achieve  Unity in the Faith of the Son of God  Unity in the Knowledge of the Son of God Spiritual maturity (Christ-like Character) Unity of the Christian faith is in Ephesians 4:3-6

The Goal of Leadership We can always know Jesus better (Ephesians 1:17, Philippians 3:10) Maturity of thought (1 Corinthians 14:20) Paul worked to bring everyone to maturity (Colossians 1:28) How we gain maturity (Hebrews 5:14) The body of Christ, the church, is the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 1:23)

The Goal of Leadership To Remove  Spiritual immaturity a) Lacking Conviction on the truth (moving from doctrine to doctrine) b) Being easily tricked by deceitful men We must no longer be children (1 Cor 14:20) Doubting makes us tossed like waves (Jam 1:6) We must beware of the schemes of men (2 Corinthians 11:3) The devil’s schemes to harm immature believers (Ephesians 6:11)

The How of Leadership is: v15-16 By speaking the truth in Love (individuals will grow) → Christ is the Source of a believer’s growth and also the Aim and Goal of his growth By each part doing it’s work (the church will grow)

Responsibilities of Leadership 1 Peter 5:2-3 All servant leaders have basic responsibilities that applied differently to different groups 1) Be Shepherds to those under your care A Shepherd cares for, feeds and tends his flock The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were: -to feed the flock and keep them nourished -to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep -to defend the sheep from attackers -to heal the wounded and sick sheep -to find and save lost or trapped sheep -to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.

Serve as an Overseer An Overseer looks after and directs his flock The church is considered the flock of God (John 21:15-17) Titus 1:7,9 Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work …He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Serve willingly, not under Compulsion Not by force, but voluntarily (Having a heart towards God, Godliness) Philemon 8-9, 14 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. …But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. Paul did not want Christians to do anything out of compulsion

Serve eagerly not greedily The motive must not be what you can get out it, but what you can give Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Luke 17:10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" Some leaders serve only themselves (Ezekiel 34:2-6) and are hired hands (John 10:11-13)

Serve as an example, not a taskmaster Do not lead like the world i.e. Lording it over people, taking advantage, exercising authority We must not ‘rule over’ those we shepherd as the world does (Ezekiel 34:4, Matthew 20:25)

Serve as an example, not a taskmaster Become a model of the faith that will inspire others to follow John 13:15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Jesus was an example for us Paul called other to follow his example (Phil 3:17, 2 Thes 3:9) Heb 13:7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. We must be examples that other can follow (1 Timothy 4:12, Titus 2:7)

Conclusion How Biblical leadership works (Numbers 9:15-23) God makes the decisions and the Leadership follows

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