Professional Documents
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LEADERSHIP
Member’s Book
SERVANT LEADERSHIP
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SERVANT LEADERSHIP
Table of Contents
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES .............................................................7
A Biblical Paradox....................................................................................................... 9
A Lowly Task .............................................................................................................10
Stewardship and Sacrifice .........................................................................................11
Faithfulness and Submission....................................................................................12
God - the Ultimate Authority ..................................................................................13
The Proper Use of Authority...................................................................................14
The Delegation of Authority ...................................................................................15
BIBLICAL EXAMPLES........................................................................... 17
Introductory Remarks...............................................................................................19
Isa Masih – The Best Example................................................................................20
Joseph – God Was With Him..................................................................................21
Moses – Facing the Impossible ...............................................................................22
Joshua – Hungry for God ........................................................................................23
Samuel – Serving the People....................................................................................24
Nehemiah – Faithfully Rebuilding ..........................................................................25
THE CHARACTER OF A SERVANT................................................. 27
The Character of Isa .................................................................................................29
Six Aspects of Isa’s Character..................................................................................30
Character Development............................................................................................31
Focus on Character, not Skills .................................................................................32
Specific Character Traits...........................................................................................33
Serving and Loving the Believers ............................................................................34
“Word Pictures” of Character .................................................................................35
MENTORING ........................................................................................... 37
What is Mentoring? ...................................................................................................39
Old Testament Examples.........................................................................................40
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FUNDAMENTAL
PRINCIPLES
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Meditate upon and apply these Scriptures to your life this week:
1. Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
2. John 13:5 – “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.”
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A Biblical Paradox
“Servant” and “leader” sound like opposite things. How could one
person be both a servant and a leader at the same time? Readers of the
Bible discover many paradoxes. A paradox is a truth that seems to be
contradictory. For example, consider these statements: The way to
conquer is to surrender; the way to gain is to lose; it is better to give
than to receive; the way to be honored is to humble oneself; life comes
through death. These all seem to be paradoxes.
The Biblical concept of the leader as a servant is such a paradox.
Although it is contrary to the world's logic, it is not contrary to the
truth. God's Word says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but
in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12).
The prophet Isaiah wrote, “‘For My thoughts are not your
thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the
heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your
ways and My thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Therefore,
we must take care to learn God’s ways, not the ways of the world.
Otherwise, we will be going against God and will not do His will.
The world's pattern of greatness is the normal way for man. Isa's
disciples were no exception. In Mark 9:33-35, they were discussing
among themselves who was the greatest among the twelve disciples.
Evidently, each man thought that he himself was the greatest.
However, Isa declared, “…If anyone wants to be first, he must be the
very last, and the servant of all” (verse 35).
Later, James and John asked Isa for the right to sit in the seats of
highest honor in His kingdom. The other disciples were jealous and
angry (Mark 10:35-41). Isa corrected all of them, saying that their
thoughts and desires were like the world's standards. This was not
God's viewpoint. Isa said, “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants
to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants
to be first must be slave of all” (Mark 10:43-44).
How do you usually think about the words “servant” and “leader?”
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A Lowly Task
It is in the Gospel of John that we really begin to understand the
meaning of these words “servant” and “leader.” During the time of
Passover, Isa was eating with His disciples. After the meal, He took
the bread and wine and established the “Lord's Supper.” The harmony
of the meal was broken. Luke tells us that strife broke out among
them regarding who should be considered the greatest (Luke 22:24).
Peter tried to impress the others with his claim as to why he should
be considered the greatest. He boasted, “Lord, I am ready to go with
You to prison and to death” (Luke 22:33). However, Isa emphasized
that He, their leader, became their servant, and that leaders are
chosen from among those who have a servant heart.
Isa then showed in a very powerful way that the way to greatness is
to serve others. He laid aside His outer garments, picked up a towel
and put it around His waist. He poured water into a basin and began
to wash the disciples’ feet. He then wiped them dry with the towel
(John 13:3-17). The Master of the entire universe cheerfully humbled
Himself to perform the lowest task of the very least of servants.
This time, Isa's message got beyond their ears and into their hearts.
The next day He was crucified. After being raised from the dead on
the third day, Isa appeared repeatedly to His disciples. He assured
them that He was alive and would always abide with them, even after
He physically ascended into heaven. Thereafter, the disciples were a
transformed people. They had servant hearts. To such servants, the
Lord will commit Himself and His program of salvation.
God calls us to be servants. “Servant” describes a person's
character, not his position or ability. Even the word “leader” does not
emphasize position, but rather function. The leader's role is a trust
from God. It does not give special status. Being a servant is the only
way to a life full of meaning. Isa Masih leads His flock as a loving,
serving Shepherd. When we, the church, love and follow Him as our
Servant Leader, God’s power is released through us. Do you now
better understand the words “servant” and “leader?”
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Discussion Guide
1. Discuss with your house church group why followers of Isa will
often follow the world’s pattern for greatness instead of the
example given by Isa Himself.
2. Discuss with your house church group the last paragraph of “A
Lowly Task,” especially the phrase that “the leader’s role is a trust
from God.”
3. Is the principle of stewardship important for the house church as
a body or just for individual believers only?
4. Ask your house church group if anyone would like to share their
testimony of sacrifice for the sake of Isa.
5. With your house church group, discuss the relationship of the
words “faithfulness” and “perseverance.”
6. In your house church, to whom do you submit?
7. First study, and then discuss Romans 13:1–7 and Hebrews 13:7,
17 with your house church group.
8. Authority is to be invested in others. By delegating authority,
Moses could take the people of Israel much further than if he kept
all control himself. People often think of authority as a position to
be preserved. In fact, it is the opposite. Authority is a resource to
be used up in empowering others to act more effectively. Using
Exodus 18 as your text, discuss these ideas with your house
church group.
9. Discuss with your house church group this question: Do we reveal
an “independent spirit” if we always want to do the work
ourselves and refuse to delegate to others? [John 14:12-13] Isa
always depended upon His Father.
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BIBLICAL
EXAMPLES
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Meditate upon and apply these Scriptures to your life this week:
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Introductory Remarks
The Bible has many examples of people who are Godly and
effective servant leaders. Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samuel,
Deborah, Ruth, David, Jeremiah, Esther, and Nehemiah are just a few
from God's listing of people with a servant’s heart.
Joseph, the slave who became prime minister of Egypt,
demonstrated one of the clearest examples of humility and
servanthood in the Bible. Though he had reason to hold a grudge
against those who caused him to suffer, he was not bitter. He is a great
example of forgiveness. Servants of God bear suffering gracefully.
This allows God to work through them (Romans 8:28-29). In addition,
Joseph organized Egypt to prepare for and overcome seven years of
hard famine. No obstacle or personal suffering could defeat his trust in
God. He was a great example of faithfulness.
Barnabas is another example. He had a ministry of encouragement
to discouraged believers. First, he befriended Saul, the former
persecutor of the church. Then, he vouched for this new believer to
the Twelve. The church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch to
encourage and to train the new Gentile converts there. After a brief
stay in Antioch, he went to Tarsus to find Saul. He brought him to
Antioch to assist him in the training ministry.
After over a year in Antioch, Barnabas and Saul were sent out by
the Church. When they left, Barnabas was the leader. However, along
the way Saul [now called Paul] became the chief speaker and the
leader. Barnabas was not jealous. The student now was “greater” than
his teacher. Later, Barnabas worked with John Mark, who had failed
earlier on a missionary trip. Barnabas gave John Mark another chance.
He encouraged and trained him. He enabled Mark also to become
“greater” than his teacher.
Joseph and Barnabas are only two examples. Take a few moments
today to think about John the Baptist’s words of John 3:30: “He must
become greater; I must become less.” Are you becoming “less”?
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Discussion Guide
1. With your house church group, discuss the subject of the humility
of a good servant leader. Discuss Joseph’s growth in this virtue
and Barnabas’ humility as he worked alongside of Paul and John
Mark. What can we learn from these two examples?
2. Have your house church group discuss “He leads by love and
devotion. He does not lead by force or power.” Is this possible
when so many seek power?
3. Is it possible that God is more active in our lives when we are
suffering and need His presence? Could it be that the bad times in
our lives are actually the best times? Is this what we read in James
1:2–12? Discuss these questions and this Bible passage with your
house church group.
4. Does the study of Exodus 2–4 help you personally? Discuss with
your house church group how the study of Moses may [or, may
not] help us when God asks us to do something that seems
impossible.
5. Read Joshua 1:1-9. From what you have studied, was Joshua
prepared to lead the nation after Moses died? In this passage, what
was the LORD encouraging Joshua to do? How does this speak to
you personally?
6. Discuss with your house church group the important events of
Samuel’s life. Discuss Samuel’s understanding of the meaning of
servant leadership.
7. Of the six steps in “Nehemiah’s process,” which one is the most
difficult for you personally to do?
8. Discuss with your house church group any similarities that you
may see among the five servant leaders that you have studied in
this unit.
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THE
CHARACTER OF
A SERVANT
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Meditate upon and apply these Scriptures to your life this week:
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Character Development
Isa Masih has the kind of character that is essential for all servant
leaders. As a leader, you will discover and develop the character
required for true leadership. Isa is your model of the true servant.
Character and integrity are the foundation stones of our ministry as
believers. Both are essential for servant leadership. Without integrity,
churches and church leaders give off no light in this sinful world.
As long as believers remain in this world, God will develop their
character. Paul wrote to the Romans that, “…we also rejoice in our
sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3,4). These
verses describe the path of character development. That path will lead
us through trials. Trials come because of the believer’s commitment to
obey God. Trials will produce endurance. Endurance will produce
character. We need endurance to do God’s will. As character
develops, hope is experienced.
Many think that believers do not suffer or have trials and problems.
Isa’s life here on earth reveals that is wrong thinking. The Bible says,
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Isa Masih will be
persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Troubles may even increase for
believers who live according to God’s ways. Being a Godly servant
leader may result in stress that other believers do not experience.
Trials that believers endure result in closer identification with the
Lord. Isa warned His first disciples that, “If the world hates you, keep
in mind that it hated Me first” (John 15:18). We believers should not
expect better treatment than Isa received. Remember His words: “A
student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is
enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his
master…” (Matthew 10:24–25).
In spite of the world’s hatred, Isa wants His church and His servant
leaders to develop His character. Privately reflect on the things that the
Lord has brought into your life to develop your character to be more
like His character.
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If you are a leader, do you deeply care for the people whom you are
leading? Are you willing to sacrifice your own comfort to meet their
needs? Today, read John 13.
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Discussion Guide
1. “Character determines the kind of leader you will be.” Discuss this
statement with your house church group. Is this always true? What
does Scripture tell us?
2. Discuss this question with your house church group: “Can a
person be an effective servant of God if he does not show all of
the six aspects of Isa’s character?”
3. Discuss with your house church group 2 Timothy 3:12. Do you
think that troubles will increase for those who are trying to live
according to God’s principles?
4. Discuss with your house church group how you can most
effectively train each other to develop Godly character, rather than
simply developing skills.
5. Does your house church have elders? If so, did you consider the
character traits listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 as you chose the
men who serve as elders? Discuss this with the church.
6. Discuss with your house church group the following question:
How can we know if we truly care deeply for others and are
willing to sacrifice for their needs?
7. Discuss the four “word pictures” [teacher, soldier, athlete and
farmer] with your house church group. Which of these could be
most effectively communicated in your culture? Which might be
the least effective?
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MENTORING
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Meditate upon and apply these Scriptures to your life this week:
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What is Mentoring?
In the New Testament passage that we often call “The Great
Commission” (Matthew 28:19–20), Isa urges all believers to “go and
make disciples.” The objective is not that we attract our own disciples,
but that we attract new followers of Isa. The book of Acts tells the
story of how those first century believers obeyed that command.
Closely related to the idea of making disciples is the mentoring of
leaders. However, neither discipleship nor mentoring was invented by
the early church. The principles involved had been around for many,
many years. For example, Moses mentored Joshua and left behind a
well-trained, qualified servant leader. Mentoring involves working
honestly and openly before others in a way that allows them to see not
only what one does and how, but also to understand why.
Beginning with Acts 9, Saul’s conversion starts a “chain” of
mentoring that extends through the rest of the New Testament. We
shall observe this in more detail later, especially as we consider the
example of Barnabas (page 42).
The concept of mentoring is as old as Homer’s poem “Odyssey”
(Homer was a famous Greek poet who lived in the 9th century BC). In
the poem, Odysseus entrusts to his friend, Mentor, the education of
his son Telemachus. Thus, the word “mentor” came into being.
Perhaps we would define the word “mentor” in this way:
“A trusted counselor or guide. Typically, an older, more
experienced person who gives valuable wisdom to someone younger.
Mentoring involves a voluntary investment of time in others for their
growth, development and success.”
The task of mentoring is rooted in faith in the value of the other
person. The goal of mentoring is the building up of the one being
mentored, whether or not the mentor himself (or herself) benefits.
Therefore, mentoring often requires loving sacrifice.
Are you familiar with mentoring? At this time, are you mentoring
someone? Is someone mentoring you?
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Discussion Guide
1. With your house church group, discuss the difference between
“making a disciple” and “mentoring.” Do you think these two
ideas are very similar, or very different?
2. [For personal thought: Is there anyone you could serve and
mentor — especially someone younger — by sharing your
friendship, experience and knowledge? Reflecting on your spiritual
growth, can you identify those who “mentored” you? Have you
thanked them?]
3. Discuss with your house church group the various aspects of
mentoring, from the viewpoint of those being mentored – Moses,
Samuel, Elisha and Joash.
4. Discuss with your house church group the “Four Key Elements
of Godly Mentoring.” Would you add any elements? Which ones
seem to be the most important in your particular culture? Why?
5. Share with your house church group the particular aspect of
Barnabas’ ministry that you admire the most. Invite others to
share their thoughts, ideas and feelings about Barnabas and his
ministry.
6. Discuss the following question with your house church group:
“How can we, disciples of Isa Masih, most effectively carry out
the command of 2 Timothy 2:2?”
7. In the Old Testament, look at Joel 1:3. Compare the prophet’s
words to the command of 2 Timothy 2:2.
8. Discuss this idea with your house church group: The difference
between the elders’ ministry and the members’ ministry is not in
“importance” but “type.”
9. Discuss with your house church group this question: “Why did
not Isa choose some rabbis and priests to be among His twelve
disciples?”
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Doctrine Bible
2. Pastoral Letters
1. Servant Leadership
(1 - 2 Timothy, Titus)
3. Personal Evangelism I
4. Romans
(The Camel Method)
5. Personal Evangelism II
6. Theology of Genesis
(Chronological Storying)
7. Believer’s Lifestyle 8. 1 Corinthians
9. Spiritual Warfare 10. Ephesians
11. Church Planting 12. The Gospel of John
13. Doctrine of the
14. Acts 1 – 12
Holy Spirit
16. Acts 13 – 28
15. Bible Interpretation
(The Ministry of Paul)
17. Doctrine of Salvation 18. Exodus
20. The Journeys of Jesus
19. The Godhead
(Synoptic Gospels)
21. Spiritual Disciplines 22. Galatians
23. Old Testament Survey 24. Hebrews
25. Stewardship 26. Psalms
27. Personal Evangelism III
A program of:
CASALT: Servant and Leadership Training
February 2005
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