A Three-Fold Process Of Leadership Development

Hebrews 13:7 – “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”

According to this verse, what are the things that aspiring leaders do?

1. They call to remembrance the example of former leaders who’ve impacted their own lives.
2. They are men of the Book of God. They are not only burdened to know it for themselves, but to communicate its truths to others.
3. Consider… They spend time in meditation and reflection upon what other leaders have done to facilitate their own growth in grace and resolve to do the same for others.
4. This passage does not call aspiring/emerging leaders to imitate other leaders, but it challenges us to imitate the faith of those who led us. Why is this important?

Key Question: What is your personal plan on how you are going to grow as a leader this Fall?

• Personal formation – The process by which we align our lives and character with the Word of God. “Considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7c). The leaders of these early Hebrew Christians left a legacy worth following: godly conduct and great faith. Perhaps the chief of these leaders would be the Apostle Paul. Charles Spurgeon, the English pastor of the 19^th century, has wisely declared that “it would be greatly for the profit of us all if we chose our leaders rather by their piety than by their cleverness” (Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, vol. 2, p.241). It is character, not competency, that counts most when it comes to serving as a leader in Christ’s church.

 Questions: What one thing is God asking me to do in order to stretch my capacity to trust Him? Is there one character flaw in my life that I want to see God change?

• Theological formation. The process whereby we structure our thinking according to God’s Word and pursue the mind of Christ. What did these first century leaders do for these Jewish believers? They spoke the Word of God to them (13:7b). The word for “speak” here means to use words in order to declare one’s mind and disclose one’s thoughts.” In order to do this well, we must know what we believe and why?

Question: What one subject or area of theology am I weak in and to which I need to give concerted study and attention?

• Leadership skills formation. The process by which we begin learning the requisite abilities and practical skills for leading God’s people well. “Remember those who led you” (13:7a). Before you can lead others, you must learn to manage yourself.

Question: What one leadership skill do I need to cultivate most in my life right now?