Leading Like Christ: Embracing Jesus' Leadership Styles

Devotional

Day 1: Servant Leadership: Prioritizing Others' Well-being

True leadership involves serving others and prioritizing their well-being. Jesus exemplified this by washing His disciples' feet, showing that no task should be beneath a leader. This model teaches us to share power and put the needs of others first, fostering a culture of humility and service. Jesus' act of washing His disciples' feet was a profound demonstration of servant leadership. In a society where leaders often seek power and authority, Jesus turned this notion upside down by performing a task typically reserved for the lowest servant. This act was not just about cleanliness but about showing love, humility, and the importance of serving others.

In our personal and professional lives, adopting a servant leadership style means putting the needs of others before our own. It involves listening, empathizing, and taking action to support those we lead. By doing so, we create an environment where people feel valued and respected, which can lead to greater collaboration, trust, and overall success. Reflect on how you can serve those around you today, whether it's through small acts of kindness or significant gestures of support. [39:13]

John 13:14-15 (ESV): "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you."

Reflection: Think of a specific way you can serve someone in your life today. How can you prioritize their well-being and show them the love of Christ through your actions?

Day 2: Transformational Leadership: Inspiring Growth and Innovation

Jesus inspired His followers to achieve more than they thought possible, transforming ordinary people into dedicated disciples. This style emphasizes personal growth and development, encouraging innovation and a shared vision. Leaders should aim to leave a lasting impact, motivating their teams to grow and excel. Jesus' transformational leadership was evident in how He called His disciples to follow Him and become "fishers of men." He saw potential in them that they did not see in themselves and guided them to become leaders who would carry on His mission.

In our lives, transformational leadership means inspiring and empowering others to reach their full potential. It involves setting a vision, encouraging innovation, and fostering an environment where people feel motivated to grow and excel. By focusing on personal development and a shared vision, we can create lasting change and make a significant impact on those we lead. Consider how you can inspire and support someone in their personal or professional growth today. [47:26]

Matthew 4:19-20 (ESV): "And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him."

Reflection: Identify someone in your life who you can encourage and support in their personal growth. What steps can you take to help them achieve their potential and pursue their goals?

Day 3: Relational Leadership: Building Authentic Connections

Effective leadership is not just about tasks and goals but about building authentic connections and understanding the personal lives and traumas of those we lead. Jesus invested time in relationships, fostering a sense of belonging and community. Leaders should prioritize empathy and genuine relationships to create a supportive environment. Jesus' relational leadership was evident in how He interacted with His disciples and the people He encountered. He took the time to listen, understand, and connect with them on a personal level, showing compassion and empathy.

In our leadership roles, relational leadership means valuing and investing in the people we lead. It involves building trust, showing empathy, and creating a sense of community. By understanding the personal lives and challenges of those we lead, we can provide better support and create a more cohesive and motivated team. Reflect on how you can build stronger, more authentic connections with those around you today. [55:26]

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (ESV): "So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."

Reflection: Think of someone you lead or interact with regularly. How can you invest in building a more authentic and empathetic relationship with them today?

Day 4: Visionary Leadership: Envisioning a Compelling Future

Jesus had a clear and compelling vision for His mission, knowing where He was going and how to get there. Visionary leaders inspire and motivate their teams by envisioning a future and creating a plan to achieve it. This style provides direction, motivation, and momentum, helping teams see the bigger picture and work toward common goals. Jesus' visionary leadership was evident in how He communicated His mission and purpose to His disciples, inspiring them to follow Him and carry out His work.

In our leadership roles, visionary leadership means having a clear vision and effectively communicating it to those we lead. It involves setting goals, creating a plan, and motivating others to work towards a common purpose. By providing direction and inspiration, we can help our teams stay focused and driven, even in challenging times. Reflect on your vision for the future and how you can inspire others to join you in achieving it. [01:08:56]

Habakkuk 2:2-3 (ESV): "And the Lord answered me: 'Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.'"

Reflection: What is your vision for the future in your personal or professional life? How can you clearly communicate this vision and inspire others to join you in achieving it?

Day 5: Inclusive Leadership: Valuing Diversity and Building Bridges

Jesus actively sought to include and value diverse perspectives and backgrounds, breaking down barriers and building bridges. Inclusive leadership recognizes and appreciates differences, enriching the community and reflecting the heart of Christ. Leaders should strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued and included. Jesus' inclusive leadership was evident in how He interacted with people from all walks of life, including those who were marginalized and overlooked by society.

In our leadership roles, inclusive leadership means actively seeking out and valuing diverse perspectives. It involves creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and appreciated, regardless of their background or differences. By fostering inclusivity, we can build stronger, more vibrant communities that reflect the love and acceptance of Christ. Reflect on how you can promote inclusivity and value diversity in your interactions and leadership today. [01:14:09]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: How can you actively seek out and value diverse perspectives in your community or workplace? What steps can you take to ensure that everyone feels included and appreciated?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the multifaceted leadership styles of Jesus Christ, emphasizing how His example can transform our personal, professional, and spiritual lives. We began by celebrating recent church events and upcoming activities, including the Global Leadership Summit, which has significantly influenced our church's dynamics. We also took a moment to pray for our community, especially for those grieving or in need of support.

The core of our discussion focused on five distinct leadership styles exemplified by Jesus: servant leadership, transformational leadership, relational leadership, visionary leadership, and inclusive leadership. Each style offers profound insights into how we can lead more effectively in various aspects of our lives.

Servant Leadership: Jesus demonstrated that true leadership involves serving others. Unlike traditional models that focus on power and authority, servant leadership prioritizes the well-being of those being served. Jesus exemplified this by washing His disciples' feet, showing that no task should be beneath a leader.

Transformational Leadership: Jesus inspired His followers to achieve more than they thought possible. He transformed ordinary people into dedicated disciples who went on to change the world. This style emphasizes personal growth and development, encouraging innovation and a shared vision.

Relational Leadership: Jesus valued relationships deeply, investing time in building authentic connections. Effective leadership is not just about tasks and goals but about understanding and empathizing with the personal lives and traumas of those we lead. This approach fosters a sense of belonging and community.

Visionary Leadership: Jesus had a clear and compelling vision for His mission on earth. He knew where He was going and had a plan to get there. Visionary leaders inspire and motivate their teams by envisioning a future and creating a plan to achieve it. This style provides direction, motivation, and momentum.

Inclusive Leadership: Jesus actively sought to include and value diverse perspectives and backgrounds. He broke down barriers and built bridges, showing that leadership should be inclusive of all people, regardless of their differences. This approach enriches the community and reflects the heart of Christ.

By understanding and embracing these leadership styles, we can become more effective leaders in all aspects of our lives, reflecting the heart of Christ in everything we do.

###

Key Takeaways

1. being. Jesus exemplified this by washing His disciples' feet, showing that no task should be beneath a leader. This model teaches us to share power and put the needs of others first, fostering a culture of humility and service. [39:13]
2. Transformational Leadership: Jesus inspired His followers to achieve more than they thought possible, transforming ordinary people into dedicated disciples. This style emphasizes personal growth and development, encouraging innovation and a shared vision. Leaders should aim to leave a lasting impact, motivating their teams to grow and excel.

3. Relational Leadership: Effective leadership is not just about tasks and goals but about building authentic connections and understanding the personal lives and traumas of those we lead. Jesus invested time in relationships, fostering a sense of belonging and community. Leaders should prioritize empathy and genuine relationships to create a supportive environment.

4. Visionary Leadership: Jesus had a clear and compelling vision for His mission, knowing where He was going and how to get there. Visionary leaders inspire and motivate their teams by envisioning a future and creating a plan to achieve it. This style provides direction, motivation, and momentum, helping teams see the bigger picture and work toward common goals.

5. Inclusive Leadership: Jesus actively sought to include and value diverse perspectives and backgrounds, breaking down barriers and building bridges. Inclusive leadership recognizes and appreciates differences, enriching the community and reflecting the heart of Christ. Leaders should strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued and included.

### [39:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[23:33] - Upcoming Events and Announcements
[24:49] - Global Leadership Summit
[26:09] - Prayer and Reflection
[28:33] - Introduction to Leadership Styles
[30:34] - Understanding Leadership in Everyday Life
[32:52] - Jesus as the Perfect Example of Leadership
[34:14] - Five Leadership Styles of Jesus
[35:19] - Servant Leadership
[39:13] - Transformational Leadership
[47:26] - Relational Leadership
[55:26] - Visionary Leadership
[68:56] - Inclusive Leadership
[74:09] - Embracing Diversity and Inclusion
[82:06] - The Inclusive Nature of Jesus' Ministry
[84:03] - Final Reflections and Call to Action
[85:57] - Invitation to Accept Christ and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What specific act of servant leadership did Jesus perform in John 13:1-17, and what was its significance?
According to Matthew 20:28, what was Jesus' primary purpose in coming to earth?
In Luke 4:18-19, what are the key elements of Jesus' mission, and how do they reflect visionary leadership?

Interpretation Questions

How does Jesus' act of washing the disciples' feet in John 13:1-17 challenge traditional views of leadership? [41:21]
What does Matthew 20:28 reveal about the nature of true leadership according to Jesus? [39:48]
How does Jesus' mission statement in Luke 4:18-19 serve as a model for visionary leadership in our own lives? [01:08:56]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you had to serve others in a way that felt humbling. How did that experience shape your understanding of servant leadership? [41:21]
Jesus emphasized personal growth and development in His followers. What steps can you take to encourage personal growth in those you lead, whether at home, work, or church? [45:49]
Building authentic relationships can be challenging. What practical steps can you take this week to invest more time in building genuine connections with those you lead? [56:13]
Visionary leadership involves having a clear plan and inspiring others to follow it. What is one area of your life where you need to develop a clearer vision and plan? How will you communicate this vision to those involved? [01:08:56]
Inclusive leadership values diverse perspectives. How can you actively seek to include and value different viewpoints in your team or community? [01:14:09]
Jesus' leadership styles were multifaceted. Which of the five leadership styles (servant, transformational, relational, visionary, inclusive) do you find most challenging to implement, and why? [35:19]
Think of a specific person or group in your life who feels marginalized or excluded. What actions can you take to make them feel more included and valued? [01:14:09]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "As Christians, we are blessed with the perfect, perfect example of leadership in Jesus Christ. Let the church say amen. His leadership is multifaceted, encompassing various styles that we can learn from and apply to our lives. I love the summit because it gives us tools, not just for our Christian lives, but also for our professional lives. And I think we ought to apply the Bible and God's word to every aspect of our lives." [32:52] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus was such a servant leader that he was willing to give his life. I know when I counsel young couples about to get married. I always get to a point in the in the marriage counseling. So if you think about getting married and brothers, it's for the brothers. We get to a certain point in the marriage counseling. I asked the brothers is a scripture. In Ephesians say you ought to love your wife. Like God loved the church and and gave his life for ask the brothers." [40:33] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus fundamentally. I ought to be help me. Holy Ghost. I'm not going to be but thank God. I'm not what I used to be. He has strength. I say Jesus has transformed my life and I've been changed by the blood of the lamb. He's about transformation. Tell somebody he's about transformation. Transformation. Leadership is about inspiring and motivating people. Watch this to achieve more than they thought was possible." [46:26] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Jesus' relational approach fostered a sense of belonging, community among his followers. He shared meals. He ate with them. He engaged in personal conversation. You should care how someone's doing. We should pray for the Smiths because they're grieving. They're going through a loss. We should rejoice when someone gets a scholarship to the University of Utah. We should rejoice when others rejoice. We should sorrow when others will sorrow. Relationships are about people. Jesus was concerned about personal lives. And he was present in their lives." [01:01:31] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "For God so love now just touch yourself and say that's me yourself and say he included me he gave his only begotten son watch this here's another inclusive word that whosoever believeth in me shall not perish for God did not send his son to the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved give God praise for that truth we're on our way home stand with me you want to leave like Jesus you got to be inclusive." [01:22:06] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Jesus' leadership style was fundamentally rooted in servanthood. I want you to think about this for a minute. Servant leadership. Jesus modeled it as you lead your organization. As you lead your team. As you lead your family. As you lead your children. As you lead your marriage. Are you practicing servant leadership? With a fundamental root of your actions is servanthood." [38:08] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus transformed ordinary people into dedicated disciples who went on to change the world. I don't know about y'all but I'm glad he still uses ordinary people. Come on. Give God praise for that. Oh, yes, he does. Yes, he does. You may not be the smartest and the brightest. You may not be the cutest. You may not be the sexiest but he can use ordinary people. He is in the business of transforming. He was a transformer. He was a transformational leader." [49:33] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus was relational leader. He understood that effective leadership. Watch this. Don't miss this. Wake up. For those who are not relational, this is, this is, you got to get this right. Jesus was relational. And he understood that effective leadership is not always just about task and goals. I want that to sink in because I'm like that. Like, like, like, just, just get the job done. we ain't got to talk and laugh. And Kiki, you ain't got to invite me to your house. I don't need none of that. I like you. We good." [58:12] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Jesus had a vision he saw beyond the present as leaders you must have a clear vision that aligns with god's purpose as ask god god i want to be in your will i want to be i want to be following the purpose you've made for my life and when we do that we're inspired proverbs 29 18 says this where's the where there is no vision the people perish you guys come on up jared a compelling vision provides direction motivation and momentum vision moves us forward helping people to see the bigger picture and work toward a common goal if you're leading you got to help people see the bigger picture." [01:13:33] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Jesus' relational approach fostered a sense of belonging, community among his followers. He shared meals. He ate with them. He engaged in personal conversation. You should care how someone's doing. We should pray for the Smiths because they're grieving. They're going through a loss. We should rejoice when someone gets a scholarship to the University of Utah. We should rejoice when others rejoice. We should sorrow when others will sorrow. Relationships are about people. Jesus was concerned about personal lives. And he was present in their lives." [01:01:31] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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