Empowering Leadership Through Shared Responsibility and Honest Testimony

Summary

In Exodus 18, we witness a pivotal moment for Moses and the Israelites—a pause in the journey marked by both family reunion and spiritual insight. After a year apart, Moses is reunited with his wife and sons, thanks to his father-in-law Jethro. This reunion takes place at the very mountain where God first called Moses, reminding us that God’s story is woven through both our victories and our hardships. Moses shares not just the miracles but also the struggles of the journey, modeling honesty in testimony and inviting us to praise God for both deliverance and presence in difficulty.

Jethro’s response is twofold: he praises God, recognizing Yahweh as the one true God, and then he observes Moses’ leadership. Jethro sees that Moses is overwhelmed, carrying a burden too heavy for one person. He offers wise counsel: delegate responsibility to trustworthy, God-fearing leaders so that the community’s needs are met and no one burns out. This is not just about efficiency, but about spiritual health—ensuring that everyone has a part to play and that leadership is sustainable.

The heart of this passage challenges us to examine the burdens we carry. Are we shouldering responsibilities God never intended for us? Are we doing for others what God has called them to do? True leadership, as Jethro teaches, is not about doing everything ourselves, but about empowering others, creating environments where people can grow, and being willing to receive feedback and adapt. This is as true in the church as it is in our families and workplaces.

We are reminded that God’s design for community is shared responsibility. Each person has a role, and the body of Christ flourishes when everyone is empowered to serve according to their gifts. Sustainable leadership means recognizing our limits, raising up others, and focusing on what only we can do—especially the spiritual leadership that cannot be delegated. Ultimately, we are delivered not just to serve, but to dwell with God, creating spaces where all can encounter His presence and rest in His finished work.

Key Takeaways

- God invites us to honest testimony, not just about our victories but also our hardships. Sharing both the miracles and the struggles allows others to see God’s faithfulness in every season, and it cultivates a culture of gratitude and praise that drowns out grumbling. True praise and worship are rooted in remembering both what God has done and who He is. [06:10]

- Carrying burdens God never intended for us leads to exhaustion and stifles the growth of others. Sometimes, our desire to be needed or our inherited systems keep us from releasing responsibilities. Spiritual maturity involves discerning what is ours to carry and what must be entrusted to others, so that the whole community can thrive. [16:32]

- Healthy leadership is about giving the work back to the people without abandoning them. This means creating a “holding environment” where others can take risks, grow, and even fail safely, all while being supported. Leaders must articulate vision and values, set boundaries, and resist the urge to fix every problem themselves, especially when facing complex, adaptive challenges. [20:12]

- The qualifications for leadership in God’s community are rooted in character: fearing God, being trustworthy, and hating dishonest gain. Skills and experience matter, but spiritual integrity is paramount. Leaders who are not swayed by emotion, favoritism, or personal gain are essential for justice, unity, and the flourishing of the body. [24:25]

- Sustainable ministry and community life require humility to recognize our limits and the courage to raise up others. Delegation is not abdication; it is an act of faith and obedience, trusting that God will expand the capacity of the whole body. When each person does their part, no one is overlooked or burned out, and together we create space to dwell in God’s presence. [27:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Series Introduction: Delivered to Dwell
[00:27] - God’s Miracles and Israel’s Complaints
[01:05] - Testing in the Wilderness
[03:11] - Jethro’s Arrival and Family Reunion
[05:24] - Worship on Holy Ground
[06:10] - Honest Testimony: Miracles and Hardships
[07:54] - From Complaining to Praising
[08:27] - The Difference Between Praise and Worship
[10:36] - Jethro’s Confession of Faith
[12:33] - Jethro’s Concern for Moses’ Leadership
[15:25] - The Problem of Unsustainable Workloads
[18:12] - Leadership: Giving the Work Back
[20:12] - Creating a Holding Environment
[24:25] - Qualifications for Godly Leadership
[27:47] - Sustainable Leadership and Shared Responsibility
[30:24] - Removing Barriers to Growth
[31:51] - Receiving Feedback and Adapting
[33:07] - Delivered to Dwell: The Heart of Community
[34:32] - Communion and Closing Prayer
[36:42] - Next Steps and Benediction

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Exodus 18 – Delivered to Dwell

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### Bible Reading

- Exodus 18:1–27 (Main passage)
- Acts 6:1–7 (Parallel example of delegation and qualifications for leadership)
- Leviticus 19:15 (On justice and impartiality in leadership)

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### Observation Questions

1. When Moses reunites with his family and Jethro, what does he share about the journey from Egypt? Does he only talk about the miracles, or does he include the hardships as well? ([06:10])
2. What problem does Jethro notice about Moses’ leadership when he observes him serving as judge for the people? ([12:33])
3. According to Exodus 18, what specific qualities does Jethro say are necessary for those who will help Moses lead and judge the people? ([24:25])
4. In Acts 6:1–7, what was the issue the early church faced, and how did the apostles address it? How is this similar to what happened in Exodus 18?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Moses chose to share both the miracles and the hardships with Jethro, instead of just the “highlight reel” of victories? What does this say about honest testimony in our faith communities? ([06:10])
2. Jethro tells Moses, “What you are doing is not good.” What was unhealthy about Moses’ approach, and how might this apply to leadership in the church today? ([15:25])
3. The sermon mentions that spiritual leadership cannot be delegated, but other responsibilities can. Why is it important to know the difference between what we must carry ourselves and what we can entrust to others? ([23:54])
4. According to both Exodus 18 and Acts 6, why is character (like fearing God, being trustworthy, and hating dishonest gain) more important than just skills or experience in leadership? ([24:25])

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### Application Questions

1. Moses was honest about both his victories and his struggles. When you share your story or testimony, do you tend to focus only on the good parts? What would it look like to be more open about your hardships so others can see God’s faithfulness in every season? ([06:10])
2. Are there any burdens or responsibilities in your life right now that you might be carrying, but God never intended for you to carry alone? How can you discern what is yours to carry and what should be shared or delegated? ([16:32])
3. The sermon talked about the temptation to be needed and to do everything ourselves. Can you think of a time when your desire to be needed kept you from letting others step up and use their gifts? How did that affect you and those around you? ([13:52])
4. In your family, workplace, or church, are there areas where you need to “give the work back to the people” and create a safe environment for others to grow, even if it means letting them risk failure? What would that look like practically? ([20:12])
5. The qualifications for leadership in God’s community are rooted in character. If you are in a position of influence, how are you cultivating these qualities in yourself and others? Are there areas where you need to grow in fearing God, being trustworthy, or resisting dishonest gain? ([24:25])
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of receiving feedback and being willing to adapt. How do you typically respond to feedback or criticism? Is there a recent example where you either received feedback well or struggled with it? ([31:51])
7. Sustainable leadership means recognizing your limits and raising up others. Is there a specific area in your life where you need to ask for help or empower someone else? What is one step you can take this week to move toward shared responsibility? ([27:47])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God for wisdom to know what burdens to carry and what to release, for humility to receive feedback, and for courage to empower others so that together you can create space to dwell in God’s presence.

Devotional

Day 1: Are You Carrying Burdens God Never Asked You to Carry?
Many of us find ourselves exhausted, overwhelmed, and stretched thin because we are carrying responsibilities that God never intended for us to bear alone. Like Moses, we may feel needed and even validated by meeting everyone’s needs, but this can quickly lead to burnout and frustration for ourselves and those around us. God’s design is not for one person to shoulder every burden, but for us to discern what is truly ours to carry and what must be entrusted to others. When we release what is not ours, we make space for others to step into their calling and for the community to flourish together. [02:33]

Exodus 18:13-18 (ESV)
The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone.”

Reflection: What is one responsibility or burden you are carrying right now that you sense God may be inviting you to release or delegate? How can you take a step today to trust Him with it?


Day 2: Praise and Worship—Recounting God’s Faithfulness and Adoring Who He Is
There is a powerful difference between praise and worship: praise is joyfully recounting all that God has done, while worship is adoring God simply for who He is. Both are essential to a vibrant spiritual life. When we practice gratitude and praise, we drown out the spirit of grumbling and complaining that so easily takes root. Worship, on the other hand, anchors us in awe and reverence, reminding us that even if God did nothing more for us, He would still be worthy of all honor. In every season, let your heart be filled with both praise for God’s mighty acts and worship for His unchanging character. [09:26]

Psalm 103:1-5 (ESV)
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Reflection: Take a few minutes today to write down three specific ways God has been faithful to you, and then spend time praising and worshiping Him for both what He has done and who He is.


Day 3: Godly Delegation—Raising Up Qualified Leaders
Healthy leadership is not about doing everything yourself, but about raising up and empowering others who are trustworthy, fear God, and are content with their portion. God’s work must be done God’s way, which means sharing responsibility with those who are spiritually mature and of good character. When we delegate to the right people, we not only lighten our own load but also create opportunities for others to grow and serve. This is how the body of Christ functions best—when each part does its work and no one is overlooked or overburdened. [24:25]

Exodus 18:21-23 (ESV)
Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.

Reflection: Who in your life or community could you encourage, empower, or invite into greater responsibility this week? What is one practical way you can support their growth?


Day 4: Expanding Capacity Through Doing Hard Things Together
Growth—spiritually, emotionally, and mentally—comes when we step out of our comfort zones and do hard things together. God often calls us to expand our capacity, not by taking the easy path, but by facing challenges that require resilience, learning, and faith. In a healthy community, we create a “holding environment” where it is safe to take risks, make mistakes, and develop new strengths. As we share the load and support one another, we become more able to love God and others deeply, and to meet the real needs around us. [21:18]

Philippians 4:13 (ESV)
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Reflection: What is one area where you sense God is inviting you to stretch or grow? How can you step into that challenge today, trusting Him to expand your capacity?


Day 5: Dwelling in God’s Presence—Not Just Doing, But Being
It is easy to become so busy serving and meeting needs that we forget the most important thing: dwelling in God’s presence. Like Martha, we can be distracted by many good things, but God invites us to be like Mary—choosing to sit at His feet and be with Him. The heart of our calling is not just to do for God, but to be with God, to rest in His finished work, and to let His presence shape our lives and community. When each of us does our part and abides in Him, the body of Christ flourishes and no one is left behind or burned out. [33:27]

Luke 10:41-42 (ESV)
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Reflection: Set aside intentional time today to simply be with God—without an agenda or task list. How does dwelling in His presence change your perspective on what truly matters?

Quotes