1. Jesus on Leadership Becoming a servant leader
Kingdom Impact
Kenya 2003
I am thrilled to be able to present the style of leadership that Jesus
illustrated for us in the Bible – servant leadership. It is a style that the church needs today, and without it the church cannot grow. …for the training of the saints in the work of the ministry, to build up the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:12)

2. Welcome! Please answer the following questions:
A. Who is the person (earthly) that has impacted your life the most?
B. What are 5 POSITIVE qualities of leaders you admire?
C. What are 3 NEGATIVE characteristics you have seen in some leaders?
Ask the group to answer the 3 questions, and then ask them to share. After they finish, explain that Jesus on Leadership helps us to establish the positive traits we desire.

3. “In too many churches today, head tables have replaced the towel and washbasin as symbols of leadership among God’s people.” “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” Mark 10:43-44
Read: “In too many churches today, head tables have replaced the towel and washbasin as symbols of leadership among God’s people.”
Ask: Would you agree with that statement? Say – Unfortunately, it is true in too many churches today.
Ask: Who would read Mark 10: 43-44? This describes a different leadership – the leadership that our Lord wants to see in His church.

4. Those who want to lead in the Kingdom of God must do so on bended knees, dressed as servants, satisfying the needs of those who follow. “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:20-21
Read: “Those who want to lead in the Kingdom of God must do so on bended knees, dressed as servants, satisfying the needs of those who follow.”
Ask: Who would read Philippians 1:20-21?
If we want to serve in the church, we must put on Christ – reflect His characteristics. Christ came to serve…and not to be served!

5. Servant Leaders: 7 Principles of Kingdom Leadership.
Leaders Who S.E.R.V.E.
How to E.Q.U.I.P. Others.
How to Serve in T.E.A.M. Ministry.
The study is divided into 4 sections. During this conference, we will look at the biblical principles in each section.
Read:
1) 7 Principles of Kingdom Leadership (Seven principles that our Lord modeled for us.)
2) Leaders Who S.E.R.V.E. (S.E.R.V.E. is an acrostic that indicates where the Lord works in us to shape us into the leaders that He wants.)
3) How to E.Q.U.I.P. Others. (We will look at 5 steps of preparation that the Lord took with His disciples.)
4) How to Serve in T.E.A.M. Ministry. (We will look at 4 principles of working as a ministry team within the church.)
Let’s begin with the 7 principles that our Lord modeled for us.

6. Principle 1: Humility
Servant leaders humble themselves and wait for God to exalt them.
Luke 14:7-11
The first principles is HUMILITY
Servant leaders humble themselves and wait for God to exalt them.
Ask: Would someone look up and read Luke 14:7-11

7. Humility
By example, Jesus taught humility. The final distinction will come from God.
Leaders without Jesus as their Master can only be self-serving, not serving to others.
As we heard in Luke 14: 7-11:
By example, Jesus taught humility. The final distinction will come from God.
Leaders without Jesus as their Master can only be self-serving, not serving to others.

8. Principle 2: Follow JESUS
Servant leaders follow Jesus rather than seek a position.
Mark 10:32-40.
The second principle is FOLLOW JESUS
This principles sounds “logical”, but leaders miss the mark because they seek positions of authority and power instead of following Jesus. Servant leaders follow Jesus rather than seek a position.
Ask: Who would read Mark 10:32-40, please?
Ask: What did James and John want? (Positions)

9. Follow JESUS
Servant leadership is not about position and power. Servant leaders follow Jesus as He serves others and suffers on their behalf.
You are great when you serve...you are first when you are a slave.
The Bible clearly teaches us:
Servant leadership is not about position and power. Servant leaders follow Jesus as He serves others and suffers on their behalf.
You are great when you serve...you are first when you are a slave.

10. Principle 3: Service
Servant leaders give up personal rights to find greatness in service to others.
Mark 10: 41-45
The third principles is SERVICE
Servant leaders give up personal rights to find greatness in service to others.
Ask: Someone to read Mark 10: 41-45
Ask: How did the other disciples reach to James and John? (They were angry because the also wanted positions of power.)

11. Service
When you make Jesus the Lord of your life, you become a servant to others.
To lead in the Kingdom of God is to serve others and to follow the King.
As we can clearly see, Jesus’ style of leadership is radically different from the leadership we see today. Jesus teaches:
When you make Jesus the Lord of your life, you become a servant to others.
To lead in the Kingdom of God is to serve others and to follow the King.

12. Principle 4: Risk
Servant leaders can risk serving others because they trust that God is in control of their lives.
John 13:3
The fourth principle is RISK
At first, this principle seems a negative. However, servant leaders can risk serving others because they trust that God is in control of their lives. The great thing about this principle is that when you confide in Christ 100%, you will be much more secure.
Ask: Would someone please read John 13:3?

13. Risk
Jesus knew Who was in control of His life and ministry – God, the Father.
The secret in risking servant leadership is the assurance that God is in control of your life.
Jesus knew Who was in control of His life and ministry – God, the Father.
The secret in risking servant leadership is the assurance that God is in control of your life.

14. Principle 5: Meeting Needs
Servant leaders take up Jesus’ towel of servanthood to meet the needs of others.
John 13:4-11
The fifth principle is MEETING NEEDS
Servant leaders take up Jesus’ towel of servant hood to meet the needs of others.
ASK: Would someone please read John 13:4-11?
There isn’t a more precious and beautiful painting of this principle than the one we see in John 13. Imagine…! Jesus, our Savior, tucking in his clothes, with the wash basin and towel, began to wash the dirty feet of His disciples. Even in this position of being on His knees, Jesus was teaching His disciples and us…to do the same and MEET NEEDS.

15. Meeting Needs
Your greatest test of leadership may be to wash the feet of those you know will soon betray you.
If you are not wearing a servant’s towel, kneeling at the feet of others, you are in the wrong place.
Your greatest test of leadership may be to wash the feet of those you know will soon betray you.
If you are not wearing a servant’s towel, kneeling at the feet of others, you are in the wrong place.

16. Principle 6: Delegate
Servant leaders share their responsibility and authority with others to meet a greater need.
Acts 6:1-6
The sixth principle is DELEGATE
It seems that this principle is difficult for many leaders in churches.
Ask: Why would some leaders find this principle difficult? (Listen to the answers)
Servant leaders share their responsibility and authority with others to meet a greater need.
Ask: Would someone please read Acts 6:1-6?

17. Delegate
The Apostles delegated authority so that the 7 could satisfy needs.
Jesus delegated authority to His disciples to satisfy the greatest need – Evangelize the world!
Servant leaders know that they are more efficient when they share the ministry with others, and work with them.
The Apostles delegated authority so that the 7 could satisfy needs.
Jesus delegated authority to His disciples to satisfy the greatest need – Evangelize the world!
Servant leaders know that they are more efficient when they share the ministry with others, and work with them.
If you are willing to delegate, you will find that God will multiply your ministry. If you do not delegate, your ministry will be limited.

18. Principle 7: Multiply
Servant leaders multiply their leadership by empowering others to lead.
Exodus 18:17-23
Servant leaders multiply their leadership by empowering others to lead.
Ask: Someone to read Exodus 18:17-23

19. Multiply
When leaders try to lead by themselves, alone, they burn themselves out, and discourage those around them.
Being responsible for a task does NOT mean that you have to do it alone.
Jesus multiplied His leadership by the power of the Holy Spirit in His followers.
When leaders try to lead by themselves, alone, they burn themselves out, and discourage those around them.
Being responsible for a task does NOT mean that you have to do it alone.
Jesus multiplied His leadership by the power of the Holy Spirit in His followers.
Ask: Of the 7 principles of our Lord, which one do you have most difficulty with?

20. A Biblical Perspective on How God Has Prepared You to S.E.R.V.E.
God has prepared you to be a leader who serves. (1 Peter 4:10)
God has prepared you to be a leader who serves.
Ask: Would someone please read 1 Peter 4:10?
S.E.R.V.E. is an acrostic that gives us easy way to know how God is preparing you to be leaders. Explain that the study has a profile S.E.R.V.E. for each participant. If a church uses this study, it is recommended that they keep a copy of the profile (page 84).

21. God Has Prepared You to S.E.R.V.E.
Spiritual gifts, those gifts God gives through His Holy Spirit.
Experiences, those events God allows which mold you into a servant leader.
Relational style, behavioral traits God uses to give you a leadership style.
Vocational skills, those abilities you have gained through training and experience which you can use in service to God.
Enthusiasm, that passion God has put in your heart for a certain ministry to others.
Spiritual gifts, those gifts God gives through His Holy Spirit.
Experiences, those events God allow which mold you into a servant leader.
Relational style, behavioral traits God uses to give you a leadership style.
Vocational skills, those abilities you have gained through training and experience which you can use in service to God.
Enthusiasm, that passion God has put in your heart for a certain ministry to others.

22. Spiritual Gifts
As a servant leader, God desires that you know how He has gifted you.
God gifted you for His glory, not your gain.
Each member has a place in the body, and every part belongs. The church is many members gifted by God, and united for service.
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)
Let’s look at the first setter – S (Spiritual Gifts)
As a servant leader, God desires that you know how He has gifted you.
God gifted you for His glory, not your gain.
Each member has a place in the body, and every part belongs. The church is many members gifted by God, and united for service.
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)
Explain that there is a spiritual gifts inventory in the study that the church and participants can use to help discern spiritual gifts.

23. Experiences
Servant leaders trust that God works in their personal history to bring about His plan for their lives.
God can take what has already happened in your life to help accomplish His will.
Spiritual markers remind you that God is at work in your history.
Servant leaders accept experiences in their lives as the raw material of God’s work as He shapes who they are.
You can have hope for the future when you realize God’s powerful presence in your past.
The second letter is E – Experiences
Servant leaders trust that God works in their personal history to bring about His plan for their lives.
God can take what has already happened in your life to help accomplish His will.
Spiritual markers remind you that God is at work in your history.
Servant leaders accept experiences in their lives as the raw material of God’s work as He shapes who they are.
You can have hope for the future when you realize God’s powerful presence in your past.
Explain that the study leads the participant in an exercise to help them chart their spiritual markers.

24. Relating to Others
God can use any relational style that is submitted to His will to serve His purposes.
God intentionally created a variety of styles, none being more important or more needed that another..
The fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) is always a vital part of a servant leader’s relationships.
The third letter is R – Relating to others
God can use any relational style that is submitted to His will to serve His purposes.
God intentionally created a variety of styles, none being more important or more needed that another.
The fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) is always a vital part of a servant leader’s relationships.

25. DISC: Relational Styles
Dominant: Works toward achieving goals and results; functions best in active, challenging environments.
Influencing: Works toward relating to people through verbal persuasion; functions best in friendly, favorable environments.
Steadiness: Works toward supporting and cooperating with others; functions best in supportive, harmonious environments.
Conscientious: Works toward doing things right and focuses on details; functions best in structured, orderly environments..
In your handouts, you will find the DISC – the meaning of the four basic styles of relationships. Explain that there is another tool in the study that helps you discover your predominant leadership style – another part of your profile.
Ask different people to read the meaning for each style:
Dominant: Works toward achieving goals and results; functions best in active, challenging environments. (Paul)
Influencing: Works toward relating to people through verbal persuasion; functions best in friendly, favorable environments. (Barnabas)
Steadiness: Works toward supporting and cooperating with others; functions best in supportive, harmonious environments. (Abraham)
Conscientious: Works toward doing things right and focuses on details; functions best in structured, orderly environments. (Moses)
Ask: By show of hands, which style you feel would be your relational style. Tell them which biblical person has the same style. Explain that Jesus is the ONLY person with all four styles.

26. Vocational Skills
A vocation is what you do to provide for your needs in society, recognizing God’s work in your life to lead you to that choice.
A vocational skill is any ability you have learned that enhances your calling in life.
Calling in the Bible is one’s position in Christ, not one’s position in the world.
Calling is God’s call to salvation in Christ Jesus and to a special mission in you life for His purposes.
God can use your skills for His glory.
The next letter is V – Vocational Skills
A vocation is what you do to provide for your needs in society, recognizing God’s work in your life to lead you to that choice.
A vocational skill is any ability you have learned that enhances your calling in life.
Calling in the Bible is one’s position in Christ, not one’s position in the world.
Calling is God’s call to salvation in Christ Jesus and to a special mission in you life for His purposes.
God can use your skills for His glory.

27. Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is a God-given desire to serve Him by meeting the needs of others.
Your God-given enthusiasm is sometimes your only source of joy in ministry.
What has God burned in your heart to do for His mission on earth?
The last letter is E – Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is a God-given desire to serve Him by meeting the needs of others.
Your God-given enthusiasm is sometimes your only source of joy in ministry.
Ask: What has God burned in your heart to do for His mission on earth? Tell them to write the answer down in their handouts.

28. How to E.Q.U.I.P. Others
Encourage others to become involved in ministry.
Qualify them for service.
Understand their needs.
Instruct them.
Pray for them.
The third section of the study will help us know how to E.Q.U.I.P. others for team ministry. In this section, we will see 5 things that our Lord did with His disciples to E.Q.U.I.P. them. Again, EQUIP is an acrostic that helps us to remember the steps.
Encourage others to become involved in ministry.
Qualify them for service.
Understand their needs.
Instruct them.
Pray for them.

29. 1. Encourage Them to Serve
Your job is to discover and identify people ready for service.
Jesus equipped His closest followers by encouraging them to count on His power while they served.
Servant leaders share their responsibility and authority with others to meet a greater need.
Servant leaders know the joy of finding their place of service and want others to share that joy.
Encourage others to become involved in ministry.
Ask: What are some ways to “encourage” people to become involved in ministry? Listen to the responses, and then explain:
Your job is to discover and identify people ready for service.
Jesus equipped His closest followers by encouraging them to count on His power while they served.
Servant leaders share their responsibility and authority with others to meet a greater need.
Servant leaders know the joy of finding their place of service and want others to share that joy.

30. 2. Qualify Them for Service
The ideal person…not the “perfect” person.
A servant leader qualifies those he equips by holding them up to standards of discipleship, and by testing their willingness to be a servant to others,
A servant leader qualifies those he equips by knowing their skills and giftedness related to the ministry he has asked them to do.
Use the Bible and pray.
Qualify Them for Service
Explain that our Lord chose His disciples. He called them. He also called them for who they were – imperfect men, who had a heat for ministry. They were ideal for that time and that purpose.
The ideal person…not the “perfect” person.
A servant leader qualifies those he equips by holding them up to standards of discipleship, and by testing their willingness to be a servant to others,
A servant leader qualifies those he equips by knowing their skills and giftedness related to the ministry he has asked them to do.
Use the Bible and pray.

31. 3. Understand Their Needs
Understanding their needs imply responding to them as well.
Spend time with the people so that you can understand their needs.
Observe them while they minister.
Listening is another way to understand the needs of the people you are preparing for ministry.
Understand Their Needs
Understanding their needs imply responding to them as well.
Spend time with the people so that you can understand their needs.
Observe them while they minister.
Listening is another way to understand the needs of the people you are preparing for ministry.

32. 4. Instruct Them
Followers need to know what is expected of them, and how to do the task assigned to them.
Jesus constantly taught His disciples using different ways and in different occasions.
Servant leaders equip those who follow them by instructing them in a variety of ways on different occasions.
Servant leaders equip others by instructing them in the specifics of their ministry.
Instruct them.
Explain that ALL followers need instruction so that they can understand the ministry and accomplish the task.
Followers need to know what is expected of them, and how to do the task assigned to them.
Jesus constantly taught His disciples using different ways and in different occasions.
Servant leaders equip those who follow them by instructing them in a variety of ways on different occasions.
Servant leaders equip others by instructing them in the specifics of their ministry.

33. 5. Pray for Them
Jesus made prayer for His disciples a priority (John 17: 6-19)
Servant leaders know that their power comes from God, not themselves.
No servant leaders should stand to lead until he kneels to pray with those he serves.
Prayer gives discernment, protection, and power to those who lead. Prayer is God’s answer to our weakness as leaders.
Pray for them
Jesus made prayer for His disciples a priority (John 17: 6-19)
Servant leaders know that their power comes from God, not themselves.
No servant leaders should stand to lead until he kneels to pray with those he serves.
Prayer gives discernment, protection, and power to those who lead. Prayer is God’s answer to our weakness as leaders.

34. How to Serve in T.E.A.M. Ministry
Togetherness.
Empowerment.
Accountability.
Mentoring.
The last section helps us look at four principles of serving in a T.E.A.M. ministry. Again, T.E.A.M. is an acrostic designed to help us remember the four principles.
Togetherness.
Empowerment.
Accountability.
Mentoring.

35. Team Ministry
Team ministry is a group of disciples bound together under the Lordship of Christ who are committed to the shared goal of meeting a particular need in the name of Christ.
First, let’s define a ministry team. The following definition can be used in any church:
Read: Team ministry is a group of disciples bound together under the Lordship of Christ who are committed to the shared goal of meeting a particular need in the name of Christ.
Please note the 5 elements of team ministry:
1. It is a group of “disciples” – those who are committed to learning from and following Christ.
2. They are “bound together”. There is unity – not division.
3. The leadership comes from the Lord. His Lordship in the lives of the disciples gives the unity and purpose to the team.
4. There is a “commitment” in the individuals and team. The commitment comes from the Lord.
5. Finally, they know what the need is. The goal is clear, and the team moves toward the goal in the name of Christ.

36. 1. Togetherness
Servant leaders serve best when they serve with others.
Team ministry occurs when there is a sense of unity – “We are in this together.”
Each person belongs, and each person is respected by the others.
Team members have a deep sense that they share a common and important reason for being together.
The first principle of serving is a T.E.A.M. ministry is Togetherness.
Servant leaders serve best when they serve with others.
Team ministry occurs when there is a sense of unity – “We are in this together.”
Each person belongs, and each person is respected by the others.
Team members have a deep sense that they share a common and important reason for being together.

37. 2. Empowerment
If team members are not empowered, the leader does all the work.
Empowerment is about giving team members authority and resources enough to do their work.
Every person has a place on the team, and each one can make a contribution toward the team’s goal.
Team ministry means all members contribute to the goal in their own ways.
Jesus empowered His disciples – Matthew 28:18-20.
The second principle is Empowerment – delegating the authority and responsibility to accomplish the task.
If team members are not empowered, the leader does all the work.
Empowerment is about giving team members authority and resources enough to do their work.
Every person has a place on the team, and each one can make a contribution toward the team’s goal. Every person counts…matters!
Team ministry means all members contribute to the goal in their own ways.
Jesus empowered His disciples (us) in the Great Commission – Matthew 28:18-20.

38. 3. Accountability
No group can become a team until it can hold itself accountable as a team.
Leaders are accountable to God for those in their care.
Team accountability can happen when team members become servants to the goal of ministry and slaves to those on the team to help them reach the goal.
Remember – Servant leaders follow Jesus rather than seek a position.
“Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.” (Mark 6:7)
The third principle is Accountability.
No group can become a team until it can hold itself accountable as a team.
Leaders are accountable to God for those in their care.
Team accountability can happen when team members become servants to the goal of ministry and slaves to those on the team to help them reach the goal.
Remember – Servant leaders follow Jesus rather than seek a position.
“Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.” (Mark 6:7)

39. 4. Mentoring
Servant leaders are mentors to persons with them in team ministry.
Mentoring is how the work of Christ is passed on to the next generation of servant leaders. To mentor is to multiply Christ in the life of others.
Leaders in team ministry guide where their team is going and model the Christian lifestyle they want their team members to follow. Their actions weigh as heavy as their words.
The fourth principle is Mentoring.
Servant leaders are mentors to persons with them in team ministry.
Mentoring is how the work of Christ is passed on to the next generation of servant leaders. To mentor is to multiply Christ in the life of others.
Leaders in team ministry guide where their team is going and model the Christian lifestyle they want their team members to follow. Their actions weigh as heavy as their words.

40. Next Steps for a Servant Leader
Make Jesus’ model of servant leadership the pattern for how you will lead.
Stay aware of how God is working in your life to mold you into a servant leader.
Continue to seek ways to E.Q.U.I.P. others for ministry.
Team with others in ministry.
How do you become a servant leader like Christ? Here are some next steps you need to take:
Make Jesus’ model of servant leadership the pattern for how you will lead. Stay away from the world’s model.
Stay aware of how God is working in your life to mold you into a servant leader. You MUST know that God is active in your life.
Continue to seek ways to E.Q.U.I.P. others for ministry. Remember the steps that Jesus took with His disciples
Team with others in ministry. In unity there is strength!

41. “True greatness, true leadership, is achieved not by reducing men to one’s service but in giving oneself in selfless service.” J. Oswald Sanders
Ask: Would someone please read this quote from J. Oswald Sanders?

42. The process of becoming a servant leader is a life-long process.
What has God told me in this conference?
How will I respond to God?
The process of becoming a servant leader is a life-long process. You must be patient, and daily reconfirm how God is actively working in you to make you the leader He wants.
There are two questions you must now answer. I would like for you to look at the two questions, and write at least one response in your handouts.
1. What has God told me in this conference?
2. How will I respond to God?
Ask: For 2-3 people to share what they have written down.
Lead the group in prayer, asking for God’s help in accomplishing His purpose in the livesof the participants.