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Table of Contents
ABUNDANT OF WISDOM
Foreword------------------------------------------------------------------i
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
A Wise Leader------------------------------------------------------------12
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
Lesson 5
Situational Leadership----------------------------------------------------33
Lesson 6
Lesson 7
1. 1. Opening
Two women had a dispute over a baby. Both went before King Solomon to
obtain justice.
The first woman said: “This baby was born to me last night; but this second
woman claims the baby is hers. We both gave birth at almost the same time
in the same house. But this woman’s baby died because she lay on top of him.
This woman then exchanged her dead baby with my baby.”
The second woman said: “I did not! It is my baby who is alive and her baby
who is dead”.
King Solomon surprised the women with his decision. He requested a sword
to cleave the baby in two so that each woman could have half the baby.
The first woman was willing to give the living baby to the second woman
because of her compassion towards the child.
But the second woman agreed with the king’s decision to cleave the baby in
two.
From the reactions of the two women, the king knew who the real mother was
and who had lied. In the end, he gave the baby to the first woman because he
was convinced the first woman was the real mother.
This solution recorded in the Bible shows the strength of extra ordinary
wisdom in obtaining a solution to a complex problem.
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace
-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit,
impartial and sincere.” (James 3: 17)
2.2 The Gift of Wisdom often together with other spiritual gifts
“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart, and united in love, so
that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that
they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all
the treasures of wisdom (Sophia) and knowledge (gnosis).” (Col. 2: 2-3)
“Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl
who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal
of money for her owners by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the
rest of us, shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who are
telling you the way to be saved.’ She kept this up for many days. Finally,
Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the
name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the
spirit left her.” (Acts 16: 16-18)
The Bible demonstrates the distinguishing of spirits, but in a way that is not
from God.
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether
they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that
acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every
spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of
the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the
world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because
the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are
from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the
world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to
us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we
recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.” (1 John 4: 1-6)
King Solomon was very aware of the importance of wisdom, especially in his
position as a King who must govern with astuteness and fairness.
Solomon was aware of his youth and the complex difficulties of leading the
nation of Israel. (1 Kings 3: 7-9)
Even Moses, as well as the judges and the prophets whom the Lord sent in
the long history of Israel had difficulty overcoming the complex problems of
the nation.
It’s the same for believers now. The problems and challenges and the needs
of this modern age are not easy. The modern person faces problems with a
high level of complexity and only godly wisdom is able to resolve them
completely.
The world’s wisdom often seems effective in the beginning, but in the long
term so many side effects occur that the world’s solution often meets with
total failure.
“We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God,
that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we
speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the
Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the
Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are
foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are
spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things,
but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: ‘For who has known the
Godly wisdom (Sophia) originates from the Lord, and as a result exceeds the
world’s wisdom (sunetos). Stephen’s wisdom exceeded all the intelligence of
worldly people.
“Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen
(as it was called) – Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of
Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not
stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.” (Acts 6: 9-10)
God gives to His children who cling to Him gifts which can not be imagined
by mankind. In the story of Joseph, when Joseph receives the full trust of
the Pharaoh, Joseph was not only able to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh,
but afterwards was given a full mandate to organize the affairs of all Egypt.
Joseph used the wisdom he received from the Lord. He had the idea to store
the surplus from the harvest during the seven years of abundance to be used
during the seven years of famine that would follow.
Wisdom doesn’t only include the supernatural inspiration to interpret
dreams, but can also take the form of a bright idea which didn’t occur to
anyone else.
The bright idea mentioned above was actually a healthy mind solving the
problem.
Older people are thought to have more wisdom than the young; but it is not
always wisdom from God.
“Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring
understanding? To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and
understanding are his.” (Job 12: 12-13)
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How
unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!” (Romans
11: 33)
Godly wisdom belongs to God; as a result we must ask God for it..
4.1 We can find wisdom outside of the Lord, but that wisdom is, of course, .
4.2 Every child of God has already received , and already has the
foundation to receive godly wisdom.
• .
First we need to believe that godly wisdom is a spiritual gift which operates
supernaturally and originates from the Holy Spirit. Our minds were given to us
from the Lord, so wisdom can also operate naturally. Joseph’s story reminds us
that when Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream that was a supernatural gift,
because no one else was able to interpret it. (Gen. 41: 16, 25, 38, 39) But
when Joseph decided to store the surplus from the harvest during the time of
abundance for the future famine, that was the mind God gave to Joseph and
also can be given to others (Gen. 41: 33, 39).
• Have the .
The Lord will give His spiritual gifts to whoever has the desire and the need for
His good gifts. For example: King Solomon desired and very much needed
wisdom from God because the problems he faced as king could not be
overcome through his own intelligence.
• .
Ask and don’t stop learning. Wisdom will not “fall from heaven” if we don’t
have the desire to always learn new things. Of course, we must pray
• .
After you receive wisdom, you need to continue practicing and using it.
The goal is not only to maintain wisdom but also to become sharper. Just
as all the talents that were not developed were taken back by the Giver.
“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest
where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well
then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that
when I returned I would have received it back with interest. Take the talent
from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’” (Matt. 25: 26-28)
When we use our gifts they become sharper. If you are bold enough to use
your gift more and more often, you will more frequently recognize wisdom
from the Lord, your own thoughts, and what is false.
• Take .
Follow up often determines your success if you have received the Lord’s gift
of wisdom. If you have already been told something by the Lord, then take
the time to act and work hard. Like Joseph who worked hard after his wise
words, he actually worked to complete his plan. He began going around the
land of Egypt gathering the grain (Gen. 41: 46-49).
Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and he was
powerful in speech and action (Acts 7: 22).
Many believers wrongly apply the verse in God’s word which says “do not
rely on the strength of man” and they do nothing. But actually if we have
already received a vision or revelation from the Lord and don’t do anything,
that is the same thing as faith without works which is dead.
An Illustration:
The next day, the first student recounted his dream: he met an old man who
looked like Moses who gave him a walking stick. The second student had a
dream someone like Elijah gave him two robes. The third student said in
the night he had a dream he was hungry and met Jesus, then Jesus said,
“You are hungry. There is a meal in the refrigerator, so just eat it.” So he
immediately awoke and ate the food . . . .!
Action is the key word here. Wisdom without hard work doesn’t benefit
God’s kingdom or our individual lives
5. Closing
“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior
wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to
know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I
came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message
and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a
demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s
wisdom, but on God’s power. We do, however, speak a message of wisdom
among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age,
who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom
that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not
have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen,
no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those
who love him’ – but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who
among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him?
In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God,
that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we
speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the
Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the
Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are
foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are
spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things,
but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: ‘For who has known the
mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.
(1 Cor. 2: 1-16)
“To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another
the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit” (1 Cor. 12: 8)
“Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and
miraculous signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from
members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called) – Jews of Cyrene
and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began
to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the
Spirit by whom he spoke.” Acts 6: 8-10)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all
without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1: 5)
“Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear
brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes
the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters
contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and
unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own
destruction.” (2 Peter 3: 15-16)
1. What do you trust more right now: the world’s wisdom (experts) or godly
wisdom?
__________________________________________________________________
3. From what you have heard in today’s lesson, has the desire and need for
godly wisdom emerged?
__________________________________________________________________
4. Do you want to ask God for godly wisdom later during prayer time?
__________________________________________________________________
5. If you already have godly wisdom, do you want to use it and practice it in
your life?
__________________________________________________________________
For those who want prayer to receive the Gift of Wisdom, please come to the front.
1. Opening
The objective of lesson 2 is for every class participant to become a leader full of
wisdom.
A businessman who just repented was very happy when he heard the Scripture
which says that one day is the same as a thousand years with the Lord (2 Peter 3:
8). That night he prayed like this: “Lord, if one day is like a thousand years,
what is the value of one cent in heaven?”
The Lord answered, “One cent is the same as one million dollars in heaven!”
So the businessman continued his prayer, “Your servant doesn’t ask much, Lord.
I only ask that You send one cent to my bank account. Thank you. Amen.”
The Lord: “I will immediately make the transfer.”
The moral of this story is that we certainly have a type of wisdom, in the sense
of cleverness like a snake and the innocence of a dove. But don’t boldly test the
Lord with human wisdom.
So, a leader must have wisdom from the Lord and use it for life in this world.
Don’t do the opposite, use worldly wisdom to test God or to manipulate others..
2.1.2. Wisdom means when making a decision we consider the important elements
such as: Love and Justice, which are authentic characteristics of God.
“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and
all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God.
You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.”
(Luke 11: 42).
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and
they know that you have sent me.” (John 17: 25).
“For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man
he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him
from the dead.” (Acts 17: 31).
2.1.3. Wise people often become counselors; they are often asked for their advice.
Because people with godly wisdom automatically have godly character, the
character of Christ in their life, they often act as advisors.
“To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.”
(Job 12: 13)
“and said: ‘Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and
power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and
deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the
discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in
darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, O God of my
fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to
me what we asked of you; you have made known to us the dream of the
king.’” Daniel 2: 20-23)
2.2. The wisdom of Christian leaders than the wisdom of other types of
leaders.
2.2.1. Hikmat pemimpin kristen berasal dari Allah bukan dari filosofi dunia.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but
to us who are being saved by it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1: 18)
“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the
Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand
them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor. 2: 14)
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is
written: ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness’” (1 Cor. 3: 19)
2.2.2. A Christian leader must be smarter and more creative than other leaders,
because we are the Lord’s witnesses.
2.2.3. We are made in the likeness and image of HIM (Gen. 1: 26). We know our
God is the God who is the Most-intelligent, the Most–wise, the Most-creative
and the Most-other things. We as His special creation, created in His likeness
and image must have His character.
2.3.1. Humans who are full of wisdom but misuse their intelligence are more
dangerous than stupid men.
2.3.2. Many disasters will occur when there are wise leaders who are disobedient
and do not fear the Lord.
“Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own
sight.” (Isaiah 5: 21)
• Many world philosophies are unregenerate and not in line with God’s desires.
• Experience does not always produce godly wisdom.
• A wise leader is not someone who only delivers words of wisdom but doesn’t
act
• A wise leader can and must make changes in the best direction. But
something must happen, not only “talk” about changes.
• Wise decisions must be implemented well.
• Moses learned all the wisdom of Egypt; he was called a person who had
power in words and actions (Acts 7: 22).
• God’s wisdom is confirmed by His works (Matt. 11: 9).
4. Closing
An illustration:
A group of tourists from Indonesia were in a village in Japan famous for its many
elderly; most were over one hundred years old.
They could see a large number of the inhabitants of that village were already very
old. But there was one person whose hair was completely white and his face was full
of wrinkles so it seemed he was extremely old. So they asked this old man what was
his secret for long life. The old man answered: “I never forbade myself anything my
whole life. I ate whatever, including pig fat, goat meat, durian fruit and other stuff.
The same with sports; I was very lazy. I also have 12 wives.”
All the tourists were shocked, and then one person asked, “How old are you
grandfather?”
His answer: “Who’s the grandfather? I’m 26 years old!”
The moral of this story: Don’t evaluate people based on their appearance. People
who seem old and wise can be stupid and evil. People who seem rich and bona fide
(genuine) can be thieves and liars.
A heart that adheres to the Lord plus godly wisdom is the best combination to
become a successful leader.
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because
they have to say something.”
Plato quotes (Ancient Greek Philosopher He was the world's most
influential philosopher. 428 BC-348 BC)
“Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living;
the other helps you make a life.”
Sandra Carey quotes
“We seem to gain wisdom more readily through our failures than
through our successes. We always think of failure as the antithesis of
success, but it isn't. Success often lies just the other side of failure.”
1. According to you (and others), are you a leader who has God’s wisdom or not?
_________________________________________________________________
2. How do you know if you are a leader who has God’s wisdom or not?
_______________________________________________________________
1. Opening
1.2. An illustration
The moral of this story is that ability and skill in communication do not always
belong to the smart or eloquent person. But rather the strength of the message
being delivered helps the person to make a decision in accordance with our
desires. We can communicate powerfully to cause another person to make a
decision in line with our desires, if we have a brilliant ideas and godly wisdom.
Jack in the illustration above is the Lord’s child who is aware of his natural
weakness, a stutter. But he didn’t surrender; he depended on the Lord and
requested gifts of Him; he requested wisdom from the Lord as Solomon did. Then
he succeeded more than the others who used their natural skills.
When Moses received a task from the Lord to free his nation, he confessed that he
was not an eloquent speaker. Why did Moses bring up this weakness to the Lord?
There’s a large possibility he knew that as a leader the power of communication
was absolutely necessary.
“Moses said to the Lord, ‘O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor
since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.’ The Lord
said to him, ‘Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives
him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak
and will teach you what to say.’ But Moses said, ‘O Lord, please send someone else
to do it.’” (Ex. 4: 10-12).
This event doesn’t resemble the illustration above. If you feel you don’t have
power in your communication, you don’t need to be afraid.
Surrender that to the Lord. When He calls and chooses you for a ministry task,
then He is the God who completes us and He will make your communication
powerful.
“To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ. Amen.” (Romans 16:
27)
“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel – not with words of
human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (1 Cor. 1: 17).
“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel – not with words of
human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (1 Cor. 1: 17).
Other words which still relate to wisdom are smart, educated, able to understand,
learned, astute which in the Greek is sunetos (mentioned 4 times in the New
Testament). These terms in the context mentioned above most often mean human
wisdom or the world’s wisdom as compared with the communication of the gospel
by Paul which originates from above. Take a look at 1 Cor. 1: 19 – 2 Cor. 2: 5
which states that the weakness of God is stronger than the strength of men. In
this context, God better appreciates the person who has godly wisdom rather than
position, influence, and esteem.
“For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the
intelligent I will frustrate.’ Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is
the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him,
God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who
believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom” (1 Cor. 1: 19
– 22).
“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the
weak things of the world to shame the strong.” (1 Cor. 1: 27).
“So that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Cor. 2:
5)
The godly wisdom referred to above can be obtained through the Holy Spirit, just as the
apostle Paul and Moses obtained it.
Everything has already been prepared by Him for those who are called and chosen by
God to become spiritual leaders.
Moses received an education in Egypt as the foundation for the wisdom he would need
for his future. Although all Egyptian knowledge can be categorized as science and the
world’s wisdom, these things were still important for the sake of balance in Moses’
wisdom in the following days.
Solomon, of course, had already obtained the best education when King David was in
power, because he was the king’s son. David prepared him specifically, because he
promised to Bathsheba that their child would become his successor, the next King.
“The king then took an oath: ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of
every trouble, I will surely carry out today what I swore to you by the Lord, the God of
Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my
place.’” (1 Kings 1: 29-30).
The final message of David before he died was significant. He left a message for
Solomon to continue in the anointing of the king which David had received from the
prophet Samuel. The Lord completed Solomon with wisdom, especially wisdom in
powerful communication.
Student’s Edition 20 Abundance of Wisdom - 3
It was the same with Paul. He received the best education when he became a member
of the Pharisees.
“Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called
out in the Sanhedrin, ‘My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on
trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead.’” (Acts 23: 6)
And Paul also received education under the leadership of the High Priest Gamaliel
while he was still named Saul:
“’I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I
was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous For God as any
of you are today.’” (Acts 22: 3)
3.1. It is the Lord who gives you through the Holy Spirit
Remember everything the Lord has already provided for you in the past.
Nothing you learned in the past is in vain. The Lord has a purpose and plan for
everything to be used in the future in your ministry.
3.2. The Lord your basic capital. Then you work together with the Lord by
receiving it by faith.
Remember Moses’ cane which the Lord provided long before Moses was sent; it
was in his hand all that time. The cane was literally a shepherd’s crook, and the
Lord transformed it into a shepherd’s crook in the spiritual sense, giving Moses
the authority of a shepherd over the nation of Israel.
Isn’t He Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides?.
The Lord will provide the necessary capital in His time. The Lord Himself will
complete you with all the gifts, abilities, and people you will need as a leader.
But it doesn’t all just fall from heaven. You need to do your part; continue to learn
new things and don’t ever stop learning. We can learn in various ways:
Don’t hesitate to begin practicing what you learn. Do it by faith and little by little
it becomes part of your strengths. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, especially in
the early stages of learning.
The gift of wisdom is like other spiritual gifts – it requires practice so that it can
become a tangible strength. It is like the gift of healing when it is first applied: in
the beginning the sick person you pray for dies instead. Don’t be afraid to try
again; but continue to learn from the mistakes you make.
The power of communication has a huge impact in the life of a leader. You will
receive glory upon glory from others who are influenced by the power of your
communications. But remember: don’t steal the Lord’s glory but rather return all
of it to the Master.
Your charismatic leadership is not for your own importance but rather to succeed
in your ministry as a leader chosen by God.
4. Closing
It’s important for leaders to have communication skills, not only good communication
but also the power to change situations and the people who are led.
Leaders who have vision but are weak in their communication will often experience
obstacles in fulfilling their vision.
If the vision is from the Lord, then the Lord will provide the “capital” for you. But there
is a part you need to do, you need to sharpen your skills through a process of continuous
learning.
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than
silver and gold. Proverb 22:1
He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
Proverb 22:11
Pay attention and listen A wise man has great For though a righteous
to the sayings of the wise; power, and a man of man falls seven times, he
apply your heart to what knowledge increases rises again, but the
I teach. strength. wicked are brought down
Proverbs 22: 17 Proverbs 24: 5 by calamity.
Proverbs 24: 16
3. What is your plan for the future? How will you continue to improve your
communication skills?
____________________________________________________________
5. Will you promise to return all the glory to Him who made you a charismatic
leader?
____________________________________________________________
Those who want prayer to receive power in their communication, please come to the front!
1. Opening
The objective for lesson 4 is for every participant to have the desire and the ability
to develop the leaders around them. This means the participants will not only
become successful leaders themselves, but also will succeed in developing others
who they mentor to become successful leaders. In other words, the leader will
carry all his sheep to the peak with him.
1.2. An illustration
The Lord used Jethro, Moses father-in-law, to remind his son-in-law to develop the
leaders beneath him. This benefitted both Moses and the congregation of Israel.
The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood
around him from morning till evening. When his father-in-law saw all that Moses
was doing for the people, he said. ‘What is this you are doing for the people? Why
do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till
evening?’
Moses answered him,’ because the people come to me to seek God’s will. Whenever
they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and
inform them of God’s decrees and laws.’
Moses father-in-law replied,’ What you are doing is not good. You and these people
who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you
cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may
God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring
their disputes to him. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to
live and the duties they are to perform. But select capable men from all the people –
men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain – and appoint them
as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges
for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the
simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because
they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able
to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.’
Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. He chose capable
men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands,
hundreds, fifties and tens. They served as judges for the people at all times. The
difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.
Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own
country. (Ex. 18: 13-27).
From that event, we can learn that developing the leaders around us, as well as
developing other leaders, is also important for our effective leadership on the
whole.
2.1. Ex. 18: 21 – Through the delegation of tasks, we develop possible leaders
The verse above clearly teaches us to help the people around us to become leaders
also.
A good leader is happy to delegate his tasks to others. He can then do other
things which are more important.
Many people don’t know to do this because they are afraid if they develop leaders
then their position will be threatened.
Actually, if the people who support us succeed at becoming leaders, then many of
our tasks will be lightened and the results of group work are increasingly
productive.
The small minded leader will work alone and make himself a “one man show” and
not give others the opportunity to develop.
If he succeeds, he will enjoy success alone. But if he fails, he will blame others for
their incompetence.
This type of leader will not last long; especially if he is not quick to change and
become aware of the lesson of Moses
“I’m the leader, follow me” “Here’s the goal, let’s go”
“The leader knows best” “Two heads are better than one”
Owns the the vision Transfer the ownership (sense of
belonging) to those who execute the
work.
Develop their own leadership Develop others’ leadership too
Responsible to raise his leadership Responsible to raise new leaders
Needs to be needed Wants to be succeeded
Wants to be recoqnised Wants to be replaced
Focus on the weaknesses of the Focus on the strengths of the people
people
Keeps the power for his own Willingness to transfer the power
Keeps the followers as followers Train the followers to be leaders
Holds on to position Let go of position
Spends time with people Invests time with people
Trains the people directly Trains the leaders to train the people
Ask people for little commitment Ask people for much commitment
Gets whiners Gets winners
Has high expectation of himself and Has high expectation of himself and
low expectation of others low expectation of others
Lead his people the same Lead each person differently/
personally
Impact only the people he can touch Impact people beyond himself and
his time
Waits for a good momentum/ Momentum maker: Do things that
opportunity start momentum/opportunity
Going somewhere Persuades others to go with him
Influences them under him Influences everyone
Attract and build team of the same Attract and build team of different
people people
One of this type: Visionary; Develop all ten characteristics
Directional; Strategic; Managing;
Motivational; Shepherding;
Teambuilding; Enterpreuneral;
Rengineering; Network buliding
Ask for sacrifice of others Sacrifice himself for others
Equip people to do their work Equip people to lead
Has low believe in people Has high believe in people
• L. from .
As a good leader, we need to always learn, learn and learn. Don’t ever stop
learning. Become an eternal student in the best meaning of the term..
• E. from .
• A. from .
Good leaders always have a positive attitude. Don’t become a leader who is
controlled by the situation or people around you.
• D. from .
Good leaders always have dreams. Leaders who don’t have dreams seldom
have vision. Don’t be afraid to fail. You don’t need to kill yourself if a dream
fails.
• E. from .
A good leader likes to compliment for a task a well-done and doesn’t look for
mistakes.
We can always find the good and the strengths of others as a source for our
compliments. Treat others as VIPs if you want to be treated as a VIP.
• R. from .
Responsibility always begins with the leader; so become a leader who accepts
responsibility.
Success and failure are a team that constitutes the responsibility of the
leader.
Good leaders are trusted and are prepared to take responsibility for the final
result.
Good leaders who want to become great leaders must be bold to invest their very
valuable time to develop the leadership of others around them.
The goal is that you don’t have to perform all the responsibilities yourself. This
means you are maturing leaders who will train many others.
The Lord Jesus concentrated on maturing the 12 disciples and no more. For
most people, Jesus limited His time so that not too much time was wasted. He
knew His time on earth was brief. We can imagine the outcome for the 12
disciples who were preparing to become apostles if they had not received enough
attention from Jesus.
Jesus knew His priorities, spending time together with His 12 disciples..
Great leaders climb the mountain of success together with their team; they don’t
want to succeed alone.
Many leaders are successful but lonely, because everyone else is left behind.
This leader has the potential to not be liked by his team.
This type of leader gets a star for effort from the people he leads.
Leadership like this will not last because sooner or later the leader will be left
behind by his team.
If his team does stay with him, they usually form a team with many problems
who always complain and have low morale.
Don’t hesitate to share your successes with others; as a result they will become
dedicated leaders.
How about you? Are you happy to share your blessings with your team? Or are
you happy to enjoy your blessings alone?
The primary task of a great leader is to prepare from the beginning for the next
generation; most leaders are too late in doing this. Then a crisis in leadership
occurs.
While a great leader still has influence and impact even after his time of
leadership, he trains a capable successor to maintain continuity.
Don’t be afraid to do this; only small minded leaders are threatened by the
“crown prince” below them.
There is always a risk in preparing your successor; but great leaders are not
afraid to assume a risk like this for the sake of the next generation, for the sake
of a more important goal than your personal importance.
Great leaders are clearly not focused on position, status, and authority..
Here is a real act of a modern leader who wanted to share his success with his team:
Andrew Carnegie was one of the most successful men in America. He became the owner
of the largest steel factory. Among his workers were 43 millionaires. We know in that
era, millionaires were still rare. A journalist once asked Andrew Carnegie how he was
able to employ 43 millionaires. Carnegie said that those individuals had not yet become
millionaires when they started working for him. But they became millionaires after they
worked for him. The next question asked by the journalist was, “How did you develop
these people so that they became so valuable and you paid them so much?” Carnegies’
answer was he was happy to cause his team to reach the height of success with him. He
would be sad if he alone enjoyed success, when actually those successes were the results
of the whole team.
Are you convinced they worked with total dedication for Carnegie?
4.3. Have an altar call for those who desire to become great leaders
“I know what I have given you. I do not know what you have received”
Antonio Porchia quotes (Italian poet, 1886-1968)
“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”
Walter Winchell quotes
“I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.”
Abraham Lincoln quotes (American 16th US President (1861-65), who
brought about the emancipation of the slaves. 1809-1865)
“A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public
opinion”
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage
to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Reinhold
Niebuhr quotes (American theologian, 1892-1971)
“A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he
spoke the more he heard; Why aren't we like that wise old bird? Edward H”
2. According to you, how well have you been able to overcome your own ego?
_______________________________________________________________
3. Are you prepared to invest more of your valuable time in developing leadership
candidates?
_______________________________________________________________
Come to the front for prayer if you want to become a Great Leader who develops other
leaders.
1. Opening
1.2. An Illustration
A Confused Leader:
In 2001, Sir Alex Ferguson was the manager/coach of the soccer team
Manchester United. When he was faced with a leadership challenge, he failed
miserably. At that time, MU’s position was 7th in the premier league standings,
their lowest ranking in the past 11 years. Ferguson’s leadership was being tested.
Was he a real leader? No. His decision to fire team captain Jaap Stam was a
result of confused leadership because he didn’t know his team well. This
confusion was seen even when he had to handle a problem with Fabien Barthez,
who continued to make mistakes.
The implication was that MU was without a captain, so the players turned to
David Beckham or even Roy Keane. In the long term small kings emerged like
what happened at Chelsea when there was a conspiracy between Vialli and Zola
to eliminate Gullit.
On that occasion, Ferguson was perhaps not a fool. If he had been a fool, he
could never have had such spectacular achievements. However, if he continues
in confusion and blunders, he could deservedly be called a foolish leader.
Once again, human nature is sometimes trapped by the fame of the past. We
forget the world has already changed and the team has also. There are only two
choices for leaders: learn and master or the losses eaten by time.
2. Biblical Foundation
• With Peter, Jesus spoke directly. Peter was a fit for that style because he
represented the average fisherman who was uneducated and a bit rough.
“Jesus turned and said to Peter, ’Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling
block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of
men.’” (Matt. 16: 23)
When Jesus asked Peter a question, he always answered directly without niceties.
“Peter answered him, ‘We have left everything to follow you! What then will
there be for us?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all
things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have
followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or
children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will
inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are
last will be first.’” (Matt. 19: 27-29)
• Other disciples such as John approached Jesus more sensitively and gently,
according to John’s personality.
“One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.
Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, ‘Ask him which one he
means.’ Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’” (John
13: 23-25)
• With Judas, Jesus spoke sternly because He knew Judas had the potential to get
off track.
But even when He reprimanded individuals, Jesus didn’t clearly state His
reprimand because not everyone needed to know. And only those who were
involved understood Him.
“As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. ‘What you are
about to do, do quickly,’ Jesus told him, but no one at the meal understood
why Jesus said this to him.’” (John 13: 27-28)
• With Thomas, Jesus offered proof for his doubts. This was an approach which
touched his character, because Thomas always asked for proof. Jesus caused
Thomas to repent of his doubting attitude.
“Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your
hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to
him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20: 27-28)
Jesus also made changes in His style of leadership when His disciples began to
grow more mature.
• After Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus softly dialogued with him, because at
that time Peter’s heart was very sad as a result of his “failure”. Jesus knew the
situation, so Jesus used sentences which encouraged his heart and repeatedly
delivered his message for a more thorough repentance of Peter.
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ’Simon son of
John, do you truly love me more than these?’ “Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know
that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’ Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of
John, do you truly love me?’ He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love
you.’ Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’ The third time he said to him,
‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him
the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you
know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when
you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when
you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you
and led you where you do not want to go.’” (John 21: 15-18)
A style of leadership is a pattern of behavior which is used by the boss towards his
subordinates as experienced by his subordinates.
So it’s not what the leader thinks he does; but the perception of his subordinates.
What is more important than the objective reality of the leader is the subjective
perception of the subordinates. More than the basic perception of the subordinates,
they will respond to the style of leadership of the boss.
And the response of the subordinates, how they perceive and carry out their behavior,
forms the output from that style of leadership.
Because of that it’s very important for the leader to learn to know his subordinates and
understand what their perceptions are of his style of leadership.
Leaders need to learn to adjust themselves in the sense of adjusting their style to become
someone who can have a positive influence on their subordinates.
Many leaders often experience struggles with their subordinates, because they only
have one style of leadership and can not change to adjust to the needs.
As a matter of fact, we know that every person has his own perceptions and
characteristics.
There are also people at the beginning of their careers here, at a low level of
competence and also at a low level of commitment, because they don’t yet love
their work.
With this foundation of knowledge, the leader can more easily adjust his style of leadership
to every individual below him.
• Towards D1 - .
The leader needs to give many opportunities to train in skills and still watch
over the zeal to work or within a framework of guarding work enthusiasm. If
Here the commando style (telling) will become the most effective and
efficient style. The worker involved will need clear and direct direction.
This style of leadership is called the Directing Style, a lot of direction without
a lot of pushing for enthusiasm
• Towards D2 - .
The leader still needs to continue training for competence, because although
there is an improvement, the competence level is still not yet enough to
complete tasks well and within time limits. The result is young workers fall
into frustration.
So continue to use the style of telling and once in a while give freedom. Then
slowly release the person.
This style of leadership is called the Coaching Style, with lots of direction
and a push for enthusiasm, too. This also includes planting self confidence in
the person involved, that he can and is capable.
• Towards D3 - .
Here the leader begins to decrease the training for competency, because the
person has already entered a skilled stage.
But the leader needs to raise the amount of moral support and enthusiasm.
In this stage, the worker begins to enter a period of saturation and boredom.
Because the challenges have already been surpassed by the level of work
skills, he can even complete his work with his eyes closed.
This style of leadership is called the Supporting Style, where the leader
pushes for more enthusiasm and motivation in his subordinate who already
has achieved a high competence level, but has begun to feel saturated.
• Towards D4 - .
Here the leader needs to reduce his level of involvement in moral training
and work training, because the subordinate has already achieved a level of
competency and commitment which is very high.
This leadership style is called the Delegation Style, where the leader already
completely trusts/delegates a certain task to his subordinate. Delegation by
a leader to a subordinate at this highest form can be the delegation of both
tasks and authority. Most leaders who are able to delegate tasks and
authority still hold onto it themselves. Although the final responsibility is
always on the leader’s shoulders, the authority to take important actions can
be delegated to subordinates who are already trustworthy, who have proven
their competence and commitment.
Another important factor which must become material for choosing a leadership
style is the individual temperament of each subordinate.
3.3.1. .
3.3.2. .
• To become a leader:
Unless he can develop the characteristics of a choleric, the phlegmatic is
not fit to become a leader or he will be a weak leader. If he must lead, the
phlegmatic needs to work hard to develop some choleric temperament, so
that he can be firmer and more decisive.
3.3.3. .
• To become a leader:
If he becomes a leader, the sanguine will choose an approach which
motivates and pushes his subordinates; he is an excellent
ENCOURAGER. That is the strength of the sanguine as a leader.
3.3.4. .
Use the rational approach and lots of facts (1 ,2, 3 . . .), don’t chit chat
in approaching a melancholy. Also, pay attention to details; be
systematic in your presentation and use good grammar.
• Appropriate work:
Among others: IT, Personnel Dept. or Finance Dept. The field of law
is also a fit. All tasks which require specialization are appropriate for
the melancholy.
• To become a leader:
When in a position of leadership, the melancholy needs to develop some
sanguine characteristics to raise his effectiveness in communication with
his subordinates as well as to upgrade his relationships.
4. Closing
It is not easy to become a situational leader, because every individual tends to have a
specific style of leadership all his own. When a situation requires a leader to change his
natural style, it isn’t easy.
But this is the difference between good leaders and great leaders.
4.3. Have an altar call for those who have a desire to become situational leaders
• He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of
men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecc. 3: 11).
• Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; if one falls
down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
(Ecc. 4: 9-10).
• Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to
take warning. The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born
in poverty within his kingdom. (Ecc. 4: 13-14).
• Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer
the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. (Ecc. 5: 1).
• Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied
with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them? (Ecc. 5: 10-11).
• Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy
them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work – this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on
the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. (Ecc. 5: 19-20).
• I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men: God gives a man
wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not
enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous
evil. (Ecc. 6: 1-2).
• A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of
birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the
destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter,
because a sad face is good for the heart. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but
the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. (Ecc. 7: 1-4).
• Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. Do not
say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is not wise to ask such questions.
Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. Wisdom is a
shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the
life of its possessor. (Ecc. 7: 9-12).
• All this I tested by wisdom and I said, ‘I am determined to be wise’ but this was beyond
me. Whatever wisdom may be, it is far off and most profound – who can discover it? (Ecc. 7:
23-24).
• If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring
success. (Ecc. 10: 10).
2. Do you think you are able to adjust your leadership style in different situations?
_______________________________________________________________
3. Are you prepared to study the level of competency and commitment of your
subordinates so that your leadership can become increasingly effective?
_______________________________________________________________
4. Are you prepared to learn the temperaments of your subordinates, so that your
leadership is increasingly effective?
_______________________________________________________________
For those who want prayer to become a leader who can adjust his leadership style to different
people and situations, come to the front!
1. Opening
The lesson 6 objective is for every class participant to become a leader who
motivates his subordinates to become leaders.
1.2. An Illustration
“When I first arrived, there was a male nurse named Floyd. He was large and
never smiled. One day Floyd came in with the breathing machine. He said that I
must blow and exhale as hard as I could repeatedly. The machine has a small ball
that rises when I blow. Floyd attached a small picture of a hula dancer to the
machine’s pipe. “Ok, kid,’ he said, ‘If you really blow hard, we can lift the grass
skirt of the hula dancer.” And still not smiling, he left.
I was shocked that a nurse would do something so stupid to motivate a very weak
person. But I laughed very hard and promised to blow that skirt up. Finally, I
succeeded in doing it, and the machine was then confiscated for awhile. I laughed
and laughed and showed it to my male cousins, because it was impossible to show
that to my parents. Clearly my lung capacity was drastically improved. Then, I
had to have radiation and chemotherapy, and my hair began to fall out. One day
Floyd entered my room carrying a box with a wig in it - a gift, ugly, of some
unknown color and a lollipop and he said, ‘You get to choose, kid. Wear this piece
of junk or become like Kojak (a well known bald detective from films in the 1980’s).
You can wear this wig while eating your lollipop, but imagine how ugly you will
look. Or you can become bald and still eat the lollipop just like Kojak. Then he
placed the wig and lollipop in my lap and left without smiling. But I laughed
boisterously and couldn’t stop. He taught me to face something by making it so
funny that I was motivated to face all the bad things. After that event, it was never
an issue for me whether I had hair or not. I continued to imagine Floyd while
wearing that ugly wig and I forgot my sadness.
Now Bobby is a healthy teen with acne and a second hand truck given to him by his
uncle. He even has a girlfriend. Bobby is now known as the happiest youth in the
city; in fact, prior to this he was depressed and very serious and had a tendency
toward melancholy. He is not just healed of his deadly illness, but has also
experienced a drastic change in his attitude. All of this happened because of one
person who motivated him. (Adapted from: Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul)
2. Biblical Basis
How did Jesus motivate His disciples? Actually, it was very simple, with Love.
Briefly, Jesus led His disciples by Love so that they were always motivated to
serve in the Lord’s work.
Motivation is not always done gently, because occasionally we also need a stern
attitude or even anger to motivate someone at a certain time.
Didn’t Jesus become hugely angry when He saw God’s temple used as a robber’s
den by many people? But we know that Jesus’ anger at that time was to change
people’s behavior. He was motivating people who were doing wrong through love.
Love is able to overcome everything.
Many leaders are capable of making their subordinates productive but not happy.
Often this can be achieved through force and threats.
There are also many leaders who are capable of making their subordinates happy
but not productive. This happens to leaders who are too “good”, so that their
subordinates aren’t pushed to achieve objectives.
The “love” which is used here often gives the perception of a leader who is weak.
Gentleness in its application often produces weak leadership.
Motivational leaders are leaders who can give compliments at the right time in
exactly the right amount.
Compliments given at the wrong time become ineffective. Too many compliments
often lose their value and don’t motivate people but make them egotistical and
arrogant.
In fact, a compliment is free; but many leaders prefer to show appreciation in the
form of money. Financial incentives impact motivation very temporarily. Even
pay raises don’t guarantee the improved performance of the receiver.
As a leader, what is meant by doing good here is to lead well. If we already know
that we must apply good leadership and don’t do it, the Bible says that is sin. As a
leader, you don’t just need to but must lead your subordinates well.
And when you sow good leadership to your subordinates, then you will, of course,
reap good leaders who will be birthed from among them.
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever
sows generously will also reap generously.” (2 Cor. 9: 6)
If you succeed in motivating your subordinates, you will also be motivated by them
A LEADER IS A GOOD
ENCOURAGER
Why is God’s Word always able to give us strength? Because all the promises in
God’s Word are yes and amen to those who believe. The Lord never, once again
never, violates the promises He has spoken, because the Lord can not lie.
You need to become the head of a family who keeps his promises to his wife and
children, before you can lead others who are not your family.
There are still many leaders who can not keep their promises to their own family,
so they have difficulty in fulfilling their promises to others.
Violating your promises will become a counterproductive factor towards all your
successes and the effectiveness of your leadership in general. Maybe you have
already succeeded in developing leadership factors which you have learned in
various seminars you have attended, but one failure to keep a promise and it’s as
if everything is lost.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will
bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15: 5).
This is the task and the challenge for shepherds and leaders to mobilize the lay
people to take part in the work of ministry with total commitment and high
enthusiasm.
Basically, believers are happy to serve the Lord. Because of that, we as leaders
should not hold back or hesitate to ask the lay people to take part in ministry.
What often worries and prevents us from asking the lay people to serve is the
wrong assumption that as businessmen they are already too busy. Once again,
that is relative. I mean, that is not totally correct. Businessman also need
another life, a social life as a balance to their work. Not too many people work so
hard that they don’t have other interests besides work.
Businessmen who have caught and understood the Lord’s heart will have a high
level of commitment to serving in the Lord’s work, which for them is the business
of the Lord.
And once businessmen who love the Lord dive into ministry, they will do more
things more effectively because they understand business. (THEY MEAN
BUSINESS).
A successful program in any area always requires human resources and funding.
After you succeed in mobilizing the lay people to serve, then the second thing
which is no less important is the mobilization of funding. If there is funding
without human resources there is no hope of success. What is even more tragic is
human resources without funding.
The challenge for leaders in the 21st century is how to motivate people to
financially support ministry. The ability to attract funding is a special gift; but
every leader needs to learn how to do it well. A leader can not yet be called a
leader if he is not able to find the funding to support his programs.
The primary thing a leader must do to attract funding is: share his vision with
the right people. This must be done consistently and tirelessly, because fund
raising in general is a long term project, not an event but rather a way of life.
The Lord Jesus gave us an example of how He built relationships from the
beginning of His encounters with His disciples. In their ministry, Jesus never
forgot to continue to give a push to His disciples.
Don’t try to please everyone; you will fail. And that is not what is meant by
motivation; rather understand the needs person by person. Every person’s needs
are different. Something which motivates one person may not motivate someone
else.
A leader is happy and successful when he makes others happy and successful.
A good leader is a leader who succeeds in achieving his objectives together with
his team.
A great leader is a leader who besides succeeding together to achieve success, also
succeeds at helping every person achieve their own objectives.
3.3. Show .
Appreciation doesn’t have to be in the form of money. More often it is in the form
of an acknowledgement. But people still appreciate when there is an
acknowledgement and a financial incentive or some other type of bonus.
Incentives in the form of cash should be avoided except for groups who have still
not met their needs in terms of standard of living.
3.4. Give .
More than money or other things, the character of man basically likes to be
complimented and/or praised. Compliments both motivate enthusiasm and have a
longer impact on someone than any incentive.
There isn’t anyone who doesn’t like to be praised and appreciated for his work; in
fact, people work primarily for praise not money.
There are many examples of people who have high salaries but aren’t happy
because they lack appreciation. The thing that most disappoints people is when
the success of their hard work is expected because they have already been paid!
If you already do the things mentioned above, but you don’t keep your promises,
then the success of your motivational program will experience failure. Be careful
about making promises. What you already promised should be fulfilled or there
will be consequences. The price of holding onto a promise is very expensive if it is
not fulfilled. To restore trust is difficult and takes time.
An unfulfilled promise wounds people. Any leader can make a promise; but a
great leader can also fulfill it. Violating promises is a violation of integrity which
destroys credibility and a leader’s reputation.
Someone who is still in the same position, while his salary has increased, will still
feel unappreciated and not trusted by his boss.
A person is prouder to talk about his heavy responsibilities rather than his high
salary.
A person is also prouder of valuable achievements in the form of high status and
large responsibility. Someone who receives a position easily- for example because
of a family relationship- will not always be proud of that. He is aware that it is
not an achievement.
Mankind in general wants to be excellent and succeed. The task of the leader is to
develop excellence in the people around him. The method is by creating an
environment where they can feel safe and supported and ready to do their best so
that they can achieve the established objectives. This responsibility is a noble
task which should not be violated. The ability to lead others to their full potential
is an honor, which may not be taken lightly. As a leader, the lives of others are in
our hands. We need to have gentle hands and always be ready to support.
Give responsibility to the future leaders whom you educate and give your trust to;
the people who have potential will tend to guard that trust. Take the risk that
there will be some who can not guard the trust that has been given. Take the
positive view: recognize the few you know who can be promoted and the ones who
are not yet ready.
Becoming a motivational leader requires creating objectives for all the leaders who long
to realize a large vision with the full support of the people around them.
When the situation requires a leader to change his commando style to become a
motivator, this should not be difficult.
But here is the challenge: to improve as a good leader to become a great leader.
4.3. Have an altar call for those who desire to become motivational leaders
4.4. Meditate on the wise quotations below during the week to come.
“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the
goals, adjust the action steps.” Confucius quotes (China's most famous
teacher, philosopher, and political theorist, 551-479 BC)
“In quiet moments when you think about it, you recognize what is
critically important in life and what isn't. Be wise and don't let good
things crowd out those that are essential.”
“For the wise man looks into space and he knows there is no limited
dimensions.”
“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's
character, give him power.” Abraham Lincoln quotes (American 16th
US President (1861-65), who brought about the emancipation of the
slaves. 1809-1865)
“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are
always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.”
Bertrand Russell quotes (English Logician and Philosopher 1872-1970)
“Wise are they who have learned these truths: Trouble is temporary.
Time is tonic. Tribulation is a test tube.” William Arthur Ward quotes
(American dedicated scholar, author, editor, pastor and teacher)
4. Are you known as a leader who controls his words/keeps his promises?
________________________________________________________________
5. Are you willing to give more responsibility to the leaders below you?
________________________________________________________________
For those who want prayer to become motivational leaders, come to the front!
1. Opening
The lesson 7 objective is for every class participant to become a capable Shepherd in
administering the sacraments in the Lord’s church.
1.2. An Illustration
A Child Dedication
A young Pastor from Java named Jack was dedicating a child for the first time
at a church in Sumatera. When he wanted to pray for the child and his parents,
he was confused because he forgot to ask the name of the baby being dedicated.
While whispering to the baby’s mother he asked, “What is this child’s name,
Mom?” The answer sounded like” in the skirt”. Since this was not clear to
Pastor Jack he asked again, “What? That wasn’t clear!”
The answer came the second time, “in the skirt.” Then Pastor Jack began to pray,
“Now in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I bless you, in the skirt . . . “
The baby’s mother started to cry, because she felt offended by the pastor’s prayer
calling her child Angel by the name “in the skirt”. She meant the baby’s name
was attached to the baby’s skirt. This was done to make it easy for the pastor.
But the pastor didn’t understand.
Know that the very first time you administer the sacraments you will be nervous!.
The lesson we can learn from this story is that we need to prepare everything in
ministry beforehand, especially the very first time. The first time requires
preparation and more complete study.
2.1. _______________________
The Lord Jesus instituted Holy Communion as He approached His crucifixion. This
is our example for making it one of the sacraments in the Lord’s church. He
commanded His disciples to always take Holy Communion as a remembrance of
Him. This means we always remember His sacrifice poured out for the redemption
of all our sins.
“And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is
for you; do this in remembrance of me..’ In the same way, after supper he took the
“Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, ‘This is the blood
of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these
words.’” (Ex. 24: 8)
This means the redemption from sin which the Lord prepared for His people was
renewed by the Lord Jesus, the blood of animals became the blood of Jesus
Himself. And now we take Communion by using bread and wine which
represent or become the symbols of the body and blood of Christ.
Let’s learn to not judge others who are different in their practice of Holy
Communion..
2.2. _______________________
The Lord loves children just as much as He loves any person. This means He
doesn’t differentiate on the basis of age. Jesus longs for every child to know and
love Him from a young age. He also blesses the life of every person from their
creation.
“After the crowd has been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand,
and she got up.” (Matt. 9: 25).
“Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them
and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus
said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom
of heaven belongs to such as these.’ When he had placed his hands on them, he
went on from there.” (Matt. 19: 13-15).
The Lord Jesus taught adults to have a humble attitude and the heart of a small
child as a part of their repentance. Jesus even taught that when we welcome
small children like Jesus welcomes them, this is the same as welcoming Jesus
Himself.
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child and had him stand among them.
And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little
children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever
humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And
whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.’” (Matt. 18: 1-
5).
Because of that, the church is responsible to teach children from the time they
are small, so that they will come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as soon as
possible. So they can accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior and accept
the grace of eternal salvation found in Him. A small child can praise the Lord,
and can also memorize verses. All these acts will become the foundation for
their repentance.
“But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things
he did and the children shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of
David, they were indignant. ‘Do you hear what these children are saying?’ they
asked him. ‘Yes,” replied Jesus, ‘have you never read, From the lips of children
and infants you have ordained praise?’” (Matt. 21: 15-16).
(Because baptism is a seal for those who have experienced new birth and have
accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.
Small children don’t yet have an adult awareness of these things. They are not
able to accept and understand the full concept of the gift of Salvation and the
work of Jesus on the cross.
They are baptized after they experience personal repentance/new birth in their
life. A child can only understand these concepts from about 9 years old and up.
Small children below the age of 9 years old we dedicate to the Lord. Dedicating
even younger children is better.
But if the child is already 9 years old and is convinced that he really
comprehends the gift of Salvation/Sola Gratia, we can baptize him.)
2.3. _______________________
Our God is a God who is happy to make Covenant bonds. The reason is because
He is happy blessing His people, those who don’t violate the covenant He has
spoken.
So the covenant which exists is between the Lord and His church. The
congregation is responsible to do their part and the church in this is represented
by the Shepherd who is also responsible to perform his ministry well.
For example, Holy Communion is a promise between the Lord and His
congregation, where the Lord promises to save us and He already did so through
the death and resurrection of Jesus. And we are responsible to take Holy
Communion regularly as a sacrament to remember His work of redemption.
A more complete analysis is given in the lesson in You are Bearing Fruit about
the House of Covenant.
The Lord Jesus gave an example and He was baptized by John the Baptist. It is
not by chance that all four of the gospels mention this event. Matthew 3: 13;
mark 1: 9; Luke 3: 21; and John 1: 31.
A more complete analysis can be seen in lesson 4 about Water Baptism in You
Are Saved
2.5. _______________________
The Lord Jesus was happy to attend and bless weddings. John 2: 1-2.
Since Adam and Eve were created, God designed the institution of marriage.
The first institution the Lord created is this institution of marriage. The Lord
created it because He wants to sanctify it and bless every marriage.
As a result, the church does Wedding Ceremonies with the same objective.
There are three conditions which must be met by every couple to enter into
marriage. They are:
Without the agreement of the parents, both bride and groom will enter into
marriage to experience many extra problems and it is not the optimal
blessing
• Communion is only for those who have repented and experienced new birth.
• For those above the age of 9 years old, who already understand the meaning
of repentance and new birth.
• Forgive everyone who has caused you hurt before taking part in Holy
Communion.
The bread is a symbol of the body of Christ which was broken for us and the wine is
a symbol of the blood of Jesus which was poured out for the redemption of all
mankind’s sins.
Basically, the ministry of the sacrament of the dedication of children is _______ for
the child and his parents with a blessing from the Lord.
3.3. Covenant
• God’s Word
God’s word is delivered as a message from the Lord for both bride and groom
to help them in their married life together. Of course, don’t preclude the
possibility that the Lord also will speak to everyone present, both those who
are already married and those who are not yet married.
• Holy Communion
The sanctification of their marriage begins from this day until death separates
them.
• The Blessing
The pastor blesses them with a prayer of blessing for the husband and wife.
• The Declaration of thanks from the bride and groom to both sets of parents.
The Bible teaches children to respect their parents and parents to bless their
children.
• Closing Prayer
4. Closing
Every prospective Shepherd can administer the sacraments well. If the Lord calls you
and chooses you to enter into the ministry of a shepherd, be obedient.
Don’t be afraid or worried that later you can not do things like the sacraments just
because you have never done them before.
4.2. Have an altar call for those who decide to enter into the ministry of a shepherd.
4.3. Impart authority to perform the sacraments in the ministry of a shepherd to those who
are ready.
Pastor Jack had 40 years serving the Lord as the Pastor of a congregation and couldn’t
count the number of couples he had already married. He was precise and always
prepared everything well. He always memorized the names of each couple so that he
could pronounce their names completely and correctly during the marriage ceremony.
But he also carried his notes with him.
On one occasion, Pastor Jack had to simultaneously marry three couples and he began to
forget the names. Right as the service began, Pastor Jack suddenly forgot everything
and he did not have his notes. So for the sake of those still arriving, he said something
like this: “Everyone who wants to get married today, please come to the front!”
The Pastor was very shocked when 10 people came to the front: 5 single women who
didn’t yet have partners and 5 widows who wanted to remarry. It seems they
misunderstood the Pastor’s words.
From this illustration, we know that complete preparation is everything for those who
administer the sacraments. If not the results can be fatal!
1. Are you ready to enter into the ministry of a Shepherd, either full time or part
time as a professional person who becomes a licensed Pastor?
_______________________________________________________________
2. Are you ready to accept the authority to administer the sacraments to the Lord’s
congregation?
_______________________________________________________________
For those who want prayer to become a Shepherd who has the authority to administer the
sacraments, come to the front!