LEADERSHIP LESSONS:

A
BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE

PREPARED BY:
ADEGBOYEGA ADEBAJO
JUNE 2007
SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP

„ FAITH – Belief in God.

„ STRENGTH OF SPIRIT – Facing

challenges.

„ CHARACTER – Integrity & Trust,

Confidence, Fortitude
 THE LAW OF PROCESS
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPS DAILY NOT IN A DAY
(GENESIS 37:1 – 50:22)

„ If you continually develop your leadership skills

over time, it inevitably grows.
„ Although some individuals have greater natural
gifts than others, nearly all leadership skills.
„ Leadership has so many facets: respect,
experience, emotional strength, people skills,
discipline, vision, momentum, timing – the list
goes on.
„ The good news is that you can grow your
leadership ability to lead. Regardless of your
starting point, you can improve.
 THE LAW OF PROCESS
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPS DAILY NOT IN A DAY
(GENESIS 37:1 – 50:22)

„ Joseph was a cocky kid; fathers favorite;

received special treatment – rubbed it in.
„ Had a vision (dream) – to become a
leader; boasted.
„ Didn’t know how to work well with
others.
„ He lacked experience, wisdom and
humility – three qualities gained over
time.
THE LAW OF PROCESS
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPS DAILY NOT IN A DAY
(GENESIS 37:1 – 50:22)

„ Phase 1: I don’t know what I don’t know –

Everyone starts out from a state of
ignorance – Joseph didn’t understand his
family dynamics.

„ Phase 2: I know what I don’t know –

Leadership can be difficult and carries the
weight of responsibility – Jospeh had a life
changing incident; suffered betrayal and
learnt lessons of human nature – Result =
molded character with patience and
humility; deepened his faith.
THE LAW OF PROCESS
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPS DAILY NOT IN A DAY
(GENESIS 37:1 – 50:22)

„ Phase 3: I know and grow and it starts to

show – Those who show great skill when
opportunities arise have paid the price of
preparation. Josephs’ hard-won wisdom and
discernment made him perform with
excellence.

„ Phase 4: I simply go because I know – he

executed a master plan for the 7 years of
plenty and that of famine.
 THE LAW OF A POSITIVE
SELF IMAGE
MOSES’ LIFE MISSION AND HIS FIVE BIG EXCUSES
(Exodus 3:11 – 4:14)

1. Who am I? (3:11). – feeling of

inadequacy; unqualified => “It doesn’t
matter where you are. I am with
you”(3:12).

2. Who are you? (3:13). – lack of intimacy;

couldn’t relate to the source => “I AM
WHO I AM. I AM ever present. I AM
everything you need” (3:14).
 THE LAW OF A POSITIVE
SELF IMAGE
MOSES’ LIFE MISSION AND HIS FIVE BIG EXCUSES
(Exodus 3:11 – 4:14)

3. What if they don’t listen? (4:1). – feeling

of intimidation; worry of what other
would think => “When I’m finished,
they’ll listen”(4:2-9).

4. I’ve never been a good speaker (4:10). –

lack of confidence; unsure
communication skills => “Guess who
made your mouth” (4:11,12).
 THE LAW OF A POSITIVE
SELF IMAGE
MOSES’ LIFE MISSION AND HIS FIVE BIG EXCUSES
(Exodus 3:11 – 4:14)

5. I know I can find someone else (4:13). –

Compared to others; decided others
were better => “Ok. I will let Aaron go
with you……but I am still calling you to
go”(4:14).
We all can easily come up with excuses
that will justify why we should stay in
our comfort zones….A positive self-image
that will drive you to assert yourself.
THE LAW OF NAVIGATION
PLAN AHEAD
(Exodus 5:1)

„ P – Predetermine your course of action.

„ L – Lay out your goals.
„ A – Adjust your priorities.
„ N – Notify key personnel.

„ A – Allow time for acceptance.

„ H – Head into action.
„ E – Expect problems.
„ A – Always point to your successes.
„ D – Daily review your progress
THE LAW OF SACRIFICE
ABRAHAM PAYS A PRICE
(GENESIS 22:1 – 18)

„ Did you know that God provides tests as

measures of progress as proving ground for
every person He calls to lead? Genesis 22
begins with a divine test. Leadership tests
differ but all have a few things in common:
„ Testing at each stage of groth.
„ The goal is to pass the test .
„ Testing always precedes promotion.
„ Self promotion or by others cannot replace
divine promotion.
„ Promotion requires sacrifice.
THE LAW OF PRIORITIES
REDEEM YOUR TIME
(Ephesians 5:15-17)

„ Because activity is not necessarily

accomplishment, you must:
– Analyze your lifestyle (Eph. 5:15).
– Utilize the present (5:16).
– Prioritize what is important (5:17).

„ While every Leader, every day, gets the

same amount of time, not every leader gets
the same result.
WORK ETHIC
YOU ARE NOT WORKING FOR PEOPLE
(Ephesians 6:5-9)

„ The principles Paul taught to owners and

slaves apply today to employees and
employers.
¾ We aren’t to be people pleasers (Eph6:6).
¾ We aren’t to work while others watch, then
slack off when alone. We are to render
service as though we are working for God
who watches always (Eph 6:7).
¾ Not only does God watch, but He rewards
everything good we do (6:8).
• People may forget how fast you did your
last job, but they will remember how well
you did it.
THE LAW OF TIMING
THERE IS A SEASON FOR EVERYTHING
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

„ There exists an appointed time for

everything under heaven.
„ We may not control the timing; we can
recognize the timing.
I. Recognize timing you cannot change.
II. Accept and cooperate with the timing.
III. Align with timing outside your control.
IV. Natural things happen at their own time.
V. We can do nothing better than to be
good and happy.
 A SUMMARY
1) Do not neglect your spiritual life.
2) Seek to understand the natural laws.
3) Strive to grow into a Leader.
4) Remember growth is a process.
5) Develop a positive self-image.
6) Seek direction that you may also give
direction.
7) You are called upon to sacrifice.
8) Order your priorities….and stay focused.
9) Some things will happen in their own time;
be prepared.
10) Imbibe the right work ethics.