RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL SUNDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2020: POTENTIAL CHRISTIAN LEADERS
SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.
2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.
3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.
4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.
5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.
6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
MEMORY VERSE: But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. – Matthew 23:11
BIBLE PASSAGE: MATTHEW 20:25-28
Matthew:20.25
But Jesus called them to [Himself] and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.
Matthew:20.26
“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.
Matthew:20.27
“And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave —
Matthew:20.28
“just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Matthew:20.29
Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him.
Matthew:20.30
And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”
ALSO READ: OPEN HEAVEN 9 FEBRUARY 2020
ALSO READ: OPEN HEAVEN 10 FEBRUARY 2020
INTRODUCTION
Christian leadership van be described as ‘knowing where God want people to be and taking the initiative to use God’s methods to get them there in reliance on God’s power’.
Every believer in Christ must see himself/herself as a potential leader who carries the grace of God to lead others I’m the fulfilment of the divine mandate (Hebrews 5:12-14).
This mandate or assignment is to propagate the gospel and mature believers in the faith whose lives will glorify God (Mark 16:15,Matt. 28:19-20). Christian leadership is aimed not so much at directing people as it is at changing people.
It is therefore, important to understand what Christian leadership entails and how to harness the potentials in us as leaders ain any capacity (1Peter 5:1-4).
OUTLINES OUTLINES
1. ESSENTIAL OF CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
2. PREPARING FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
ESSENTIAL OF CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
There are some essentials of Christian leadership which make it a little different from the leadership theories and definitions of the modern world.
1. CALLING. Christian leaders are usually called by God. There are quite a number of examples of leaders in the Bible who received genuine call from God e.g. Moses , Gideon, Peter, Paul, etc. Any believer can be called for a specific purpose in God’s vineyard (Ex.3:1-4,10; Judg. 6:12-14; Matt. 4:18-19; John 21:15-17; ROM 1:1).
2. CHARACTER. This is a test of the real you from the inside. It refers to the set of moral qualities that distinguish you from others. These qualities includes honesty, courage, integrity, humility, perseverance and decisiveness. (Proverbs 4:23).
3. GIFT/POTENTIALS. These enhance the call and character of a leader in order to effectively achieve set goals of leadership (Proverbs 18:16).
4. KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS. These are corresponding complements to the calling , character and the gifting/potentials of a would-be leader (Exodus 18:19-24; Neh. 4:9-17). Leadership competencies are enhanced through knowledge and skills (Acts 22:3).
5. COMMITMENT. A potential Christian leader must develop sense of responsibility and commitment to impart lives positively. The concern should not be that of profit making (1Peter 5:1-4).
6. THE POWER OF CHRIST. The inner fuel, guide, and force at work through the Christian leader in advancing eternal results is the very power of Christ which is characterized by a walk of faith and the leading of the Holy Spirit (John 14:12; Romans 8:14; Col. 1:27; Phil. 2:13, Phil. 4:13).
PREPARING FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
There are certain things expected from Christian on preparation for leadership.
These include:
1. Ability to follow Christ and inspire others to follow Him as well (1Cor. 11:1).
2. Adopting the servant-leader model of leadership as exemplified by Christ. Christians should be service-oriented, willing and ready to go or do as commanded (John 13:12-15).
3. Being charismatic: good communication skill, ability to share visions with people and carry them along as well as manage material resources (Hebrews 2:2; Nehemiah 2:17-18; Nehemiah 4:15).
4. Being proactive and firm with decisions (1Samuel 25:14-19; Esther 4:16).
5. Having emotional intelligence: ability to manage emotions such as anger, anxiety, fear, excitement, etc. (Ephesians 4:26; 2Timothy 1:7).
6. Being a good role model: live an exemplary lifestyle (1Timothy 4:12).
7. Manifesting the fruit of the spirit and other Christian virtues such as integrity, compassion, empathy, confidentiality, etc. (Proverbs 11:3; Phil. 4:8).
CONCLUSION
Those who would lead God’s people must in addition exemplify sacrifice, devotion, submission and lowliness.
QUESTIONS
1. State six essentials of Christian leadership
2. What constitutes preparation for leadership?
Really insightful.