GODLY LEADERSHIP 2 – SERVANTHOOD
SERVANT-LEADERSHIP
OBJECTIVES: At the end of this lesson, the students must be able to:
1. Explain the concept of servant-leadership as exemplified by Jesus
2. Understand what it takes to be a servant-leader
3. Exercise leadership by serving others
FOUNDATIONAL SCRIPTURE
John 13:3-5
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.
INTRODUCTION
Godly leadership is different from the world’s style of leadership in many
ways. Biblical leadership is leading by serving others while worldly
leadership is leading by letting others serve you. Many leaders in the
world want to exercise authority over people but few want to excel in
humble service for them.
THE WAY TO GREATNESS
The disciples were arguing among themselves for positions of honour in
God’s Kingdom. This race for position, power and prestige is the world’s
way of seeking greatness. Jesus rebuked this mindset and showed His
followers that the way to greatness is servant-leadership. If you want to
get ahead of others, put them first. Greatness for God is not in how
faithfully the followers serve the leader but how the leader faithfully
serves the followers.
MATTHEW 20:25-28
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.”
Godly leadership is servant-leadership. This term is actually an oxymoron
which means the words have opposite meanings. For how can the
concepts of servant and leader be the same? Servant-leadership is leading
by serving. It is not the kind of self-serving way of leadership that is
common in the world. The servant-leader’s occupation is not gaining
power, wealth and fame. Oftentimes he may even have to give up his
rights, privileges and desires to be able to serve God and others.
1 PETER 5:2-4
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.
JESUS OUR MODEL
Jesus, the greatest leader the world has ever known, perfectly exemplified
the concept of servant-leadership in John 13:1-17. In this last supper
scene, Jesus took the opportunity to model what Christian leadership is all
about. God the Son took the role of a servant – wrapped the towel around
his waist, bent down before His followers and washed their dirty feet. This
must have shocked them but the shock was needed to forever imprint in
their minds and hearts the example of servant-leadership.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A SERVANT-LEADER:
1. A SERVANT LEADER IS MOTIVATED BY LOVE.
John 13:1b
Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
A servant-leader is not motivated by desire for personal gain. His
service to others is fuelled by love for God first and love for others. His
heart is to care for them and not to use them for his own benefit and
advancement.
2. A SERVANT LEADER IS SECURE IN HIS IDENTITY.
 John 13:3
3
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and CONCLUSION
that he had come from God and was returning to God; Godly leadership is defined by the Christ-like servant-leadership modelled
by our Lord Jesus Himself. This is the kind of leadership we are to model to
Jesus knew who He was, where He came from and where He was those whom we are called to serve. In this way, we will be teaching them
going. This is why He was secure enough to do the work of a house how to be servant-leaders themselves.
servant. Leaders who think they are too important to serve others are
actually very insecure in their identity. ASSIGNMENT
Read Philippians 2:3-8. Write down why Jesus is the greatest leader.
3. A SERVANT LEADER IS CONCERNED OF OTHERS’ NEEDS.
John 13:4 MINISTRY
4
so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped Pray that in leading others, you will be motivated by love, secure in your
a towel around his waist. identity, humble in your attitude, concerned for others’ needs and that you
will teach by being an example of servant-leadership.
No one from among the disciples was concerned enough to meet the
need for their dusty feet to be washed first before eating. They were
waiting for someone to be concerned about their own need for feet
washing. It was Jesus their Master who took the initiative.

4. A SERVANT LEADER IS HUMBLE IN HIS ATTITUDE.

John 13:5
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.

It takes a humble heart to be a servant-leader. It would have been

normal if the disciples washed Jesus’ feet since He was their Master.
Instead it was Jesus who bent his knees to wash the feet of His
disciples, one of whom will later betray Him and ten of whom will later
desert Him.

5. A SERVANT LEADER TEACHES BY EXAMPLE.

John 13:15
15
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

A servant-leader strengthens what he teaches to his followers by his

own demonstration of it. He does not exempt himself from practicing
what he preaches. Jesus gave discipleship lessons to His disciples in
the unconventional classroom of everyday life.