bible study
Leadership d
LESSONS FROM A
King Linda Himes
C
hildren love to play ‘follow the leader’. I remember, as a child the many hours of laughter, as our appointed leader led us skipping, hopping, running, jumping or tumbling around our neighbourhood. It was fun to imitate the leader but then it was my turn to lead and I was unsure of so many things. When do you run and for how long? How many times do you jump before you start skipping? Tough decisions! God calls us to be leaders in our homes, churches, communities and our world. If we are to influence people for him, we must live a life worth following. Who do we look to for examples of leadership? The Bible is full of both good and bad leaders from whom we can learn. Let’s look at King Jehoshaphat for some principles of good leadership.
Leaders Must be Courageous
It is not unusual for leaders to lead under less than ideal circumstances. That was the case with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah (2 Chronicles 20 NIV 1984). He received word that three armies were on their way to make war with him, and they were already very close. Even though he was the king, his reaction was what you would expect from anyone outnumbered three to one. He was alarmed. However, his actions were not what you would expect from a king. He should have been calling his troops together to prepare to fight the enemy. Instead, ‘Jehoshaphat resolved to
‘Remember that God is
more powerful than you no matter what
your position’
enquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah’ (v3).
1. How do you see courage displayed by the king’s actions?
2. What important lesson can you learn from his example?
Leaders Must Maintain an Active Prayer Life
Once his people were gathered at the temple of the Lord, he stood and prayed. His prayer is a good pattern to follow (v612): ‘O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in Heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you’ (v6). King Jehoshaphat first worshipped God by recognising that while he is the ruler
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