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As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
In this session, you will explore the responsibility to develop other leaders and what the Bible has to say about the type of servant-leader that Jesus desires for the church.
What brings you joy? The life of John the Baptist can teach us about real joy.
Read John 3:27-30.
27 To this John replied, ‘A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.28 You yourselves can testify that I said, “I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.”29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.30 He must become greater; I must become less.’
John had the right perspective. He knew who he was and who Jesus was. He had learned the source of joy. John says, “The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is now complete.” His joy was complete was because he stood next to the Bridegroom and heard Him speak. Real joy is found next to Jesus, listening to His voice. John also knew that after he heard Jesus speak, he could only obey. John knew it was all about being Jesus-centered and not me-centered. John said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Joy is about dying to ourselves and becoming obedient to His will. John was a great example of this. He learned the source of real joy in submitting to Jesus.
Review: The Four Responsibilities of a Leader
Read your assigned verses and then tell the group:
13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him.14 He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
4 He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.
An important responsibility of leaders is to look for other people to develop as leaders. Jesus intentionally developed others and sent them out to continue the work of expanding God’s Kingdom. Paul also followed this example of developing a network of leaders to help in the work. Biblical leaders serve others by identifying and empowering them to lead.
Read your assigned verses and then tell the group:
20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
21 “What is it you want?” he asked.
She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”
22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
“We can,” they answered.
23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”
24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Worldly leadership looks for power, respect, pleasure, titles and it wants to be the focal point. Worldly leaders control those they oversee and often do not do what they teach. Biblical leadership serves others like Jesus did. It is interesting that Jesus washed the feet of Judas Iscariot too. He loved his enemy. Biblical leaders put their member’s needs before their own needs and empower them to serve Christ. They empty themselves and humble themselves by sacrificing their desires for power, position and popularity. Godly leadership leads by example instead of leading by controlling people and telling them what to do.
Version 2.10
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