Jesus Style Leadership 1 - Call & GraceSample

Grace Changes the Way We Lead

Leadership Lesson

Jesus-style leaders want followers to see and hear Jesus.

Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Comment

Paul was a prominent Jewish leader and scholar when he became a Christian. He had loads of leadership experience and ability. From the book of Acts and Paul’s letters, we know that he was an outstanding orator and a brilliant theologian. Paul was an impressive and gifted leader who could easily speak with “wise and persuasive words” (2:4). Yet in evangelizing the Corinthians, he chose not to rely on his experience or abilities but on God’s grace (as revealed in the gospel) and on the power of the Spirit. This was a scary choice for him. He went out on a limb. If God didn’t work, people would be completely unimpressed. Paul had nothing to fall back on. But he wanted the Corinthians to be captured by the grace of Jesus, not the abilities and power of Paul. This is a great example of how God’s grace impacts our leadership. We want those we lead to be impressed by Jesus, not by our abilities. Of course, this doesn’t mean that we don’t ever use our skills and gifts. But as we do, our ultimate motive is to draw people to Jesus not to us.

Prayer

Thanks for the gifts you have given me, but it’s so good that I don’t have to be smart or confident or impressive as I lead. In your grace, you will often do your best work through me when I am weak and unimpressive and deeply dependent on you. Please make me one of those leaders through whom your grace works powerfully.

Personal Reflection

Where is the Spirit’s power being seen through your ministry at the moment? What can you learn from Paul’s ministry to the people in Corinth? We all like to do well, but are you in danger of trying too hard to impress those you are leading? If you’re not sure, check with others.