1. An attribute of a leader What does it take to be a godly leader?

2. Open Share a story of a leader in your reading or coming across in your life. Share a story of a leader you have had at school or your youth cycle.

3. Dig Who is a leader? What’s not a godly leader? Read Ex. 32:1-6;21-24 Key verse: I Corinthians 13: 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Read I Thessalonians 3 1) A godly leader is the one that cares and loves others beyond themselves. Paul in v1 couldn’t stand it any longer and he chose to be left at Athens and sent Tim back to Thessalonika.

4. Continued.. His desire was to send Tim there to strengthen and encourage the suffering church in their faith in v2. (He won’t keep Tim with him to serve him, but just think about the church needs.) I Cor.13:5: Love seeketh not her own. Seeketh – seteo – plot, seek, desire Own –heautou – alone ourselves So, it means always thinking others above ourselves. Question:how does it apply to us as a godly leader in our youth group?

5. Continued.. 2) Another attribute of a leader is not parade nor puff up himself, but always uplift others. Paul addressed Timothy as brother and not the young one (and we all know Tim was treated like a son to Paul, but in here he was addressed as brother). I Cor 13:4 vaunteth not itself is not puffed up. Vaunteth – parade, showing off, puff up. In here, Paul lifted Timothy as being equal to himself. Like Christ, he acted as a servant and watched the disciples’ feet. And he told them they’d to do the same. He also taught the disciples to give water to the least of these ones and said that was done as if they did it to the Lord. Question:how does it apply to us as a godly leader in our youth group?

6. Continued.. 3) A godly leader always serves others instead of gaining reputation, respect etc for themselves. As in here, Paul sent Tim was to encourage and strengthen the Thessalonians church v2 and v3 so that none would be troubled by the trials they faced. Again the above is found also in I Corinth 13: 5 – seeketh not her own. Christ did the same. When he came and lived for 33 years, he eventually died on the cross for our sins. He served from life to death. That’s his mission for his life. Question:how does it apply to us as a godly leader in our youth group? 4) A godly leader protects others – bear all things. In v4, Paul told them that they would face trials. I Corinth 13:7 – beareth all things. Indeed, as Paul had told them about the trouble they faced, it did happen.

7. Continued.. Paul’s mind and thought were always with the Thessalonians even he was not physically be able to be with them. Question:how does it apply to us as a godly leader in our youth group? 5) A godly leader watches out for the snare of the devils and he also understands the spiritual warfare. He prepares for it with the spiritual armor and warns other for it. In v. 5, Paul was concerned about their faith and bewared of the tempter’s work. Question:how does it apply to us as a godly leader in our youth group?

8. Continued.. 6) Another godly leader attribute is rejoicing with those who are rejoice; crying with those who are suffering. Paul got the news back from Tim about the good news and he was encouraged (v6-7). Paul also mentioned his existence was largely depending on the Thessalonians’ standing firm on the faith in v. 8. Paul and the rest thanked the Lord because of all the joy the Thessalonians had in the presence of the Lord in v.9 Question:how does it apply to us as a godly leader in our youth group?

9. Continued.. 7) A godly leader is a prayer warlord. Paul kept on praying for the Thessalonians that he would be able to visit them and bring them more words so as to strengthen their faith in the Lord in v. 10. He earnestly prayed to the Lord to clear the way to see them in v.11. And also he prayed for their love towards each other, which might be overflowed. And in closing of the chapter, he prayed to the Lord to strengthen their hearts so that they might be blameless and holy before the Lord, when he would come back in the Millennium. Question:how does it apply to us as a godly leader in our youth group?

10. To sum up an attribute of a godly leader 1) A godly leader is the one that cares and loves others beyond themselves. 2) Another attribute of a leader is not parade nor puff up himself, but always uplift others. 3) A godly leader always serves others instead of gaining reputation, respect etc for themselves. 4) A godly leader protects others 5) A godly leader watches out for the snare of the devils and he also understands the spiritual warfare. He prepares for it with the spiritual armor and warns other for it. * 6) Another godly leader attribute is rejoicing with those who are rejoice; crying with those who are suffering. * 7) A godly leader is a prayer warlord