Servant Leadership: Embracing Jesus' Example in Uncertainty
Summary
In times of uncertainty and challenge, decisive and compassionate leadership is essential. Whether you're leading in the marketplace, your community, or your family, Jesus offers guidance that can transform your leadership. The story of Jesus, as recounted by Simon Peter and documented by John Mark in the Gospel of Mark, provides profound insights into leadership and discipleship. Jesus' message was clear: "The Kingdom of God has come near," inviting us to embrace a new worldview and set of values.
As Jesus journeyed with his disciples, he challenged the status quo of leadership. He rebuked the religious leaders for prioritizing traditions over God's commands and called his followers to a different kind of leadership. When Peter recognized Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus affirmed this and declared the foundation of a new movement, the church. However, Jesus also prepared his disciples for the reality of suffering and sacrifice, emphasizing that following him would require denying oneself and taking up one's cross.
Jesus' teachings on leadership were revolutionary. He taught that true greatness comes from serving others, not from seeking power or authority. This upside-down Kingdom values humility and service over dominance and self-preservation. Jesus exemplified this by stopping to help a blind man, Bartimaeus, even as he was on his way to Jerusalem for his most significant mission. This act illustrated that sometimes following Jesus requires us to stop and serve those in need.
The challenge for us today is to become "not so with you" leaders, who leverage our power and resources for the benefit of others. This is the essence of the law of Christ: to love as we have been loved. As we navigate through crises like COVID-19, the decisions we make will shape the stories we tell in the future. Let us ensure that our stories are worth telling by choosing to follow Jesus' example of servant leadership.
Key Takeaways:
1. Decisive and Compassionate Leadership: In challenging times, leadership requires decisiveness and compassion. Jesus' teachings remind us that true leadership is not about gaining power but about serving others and leading with integrity. [00:08]
2. The Kingdom of God is Near: Jesus' message that the Kingdom of God is near invites us to embrace a new set of values and a new worldview. This requires turning away from self-centeredness and aligning our lives with God's purposes. [01:21]
3. The Cost of Discipleship: Following Jesus involves sacrifice and self-denial. It means taking up our cross and being willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel. This path leads to a life of purpose and significance. [05:15]
4. Servant Leadership: Jesus redefined greatness as serving others. True leaders use their power and resources to uplift those with less. This is the essence of Jesus' upside-down Kingdom, where the last shall be first. [15:25]
5. Living a Story Worth Telling: The decisions we make today will shape the stories we tell in the future. By choosing to follow Jesus' example of love and service, we can ensure that our lives are stories worth telling. [09:04]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - The Need for Leadership
- [00:44] - The Story of Jesus
- [01:21] - The Kingdom of God
- [02:18] - Who Do You Say I Am?
- [03:27] - The Cost of Following Jesus
- [05:15] - Deny Yourself and Follow
- [06:38] - Living with Purpose
- [07:32] - The Temptation of Fear
- [08:10] - Will You Follow Me?
- [09:04] - Writing Our Stories
- [10:10] - Journey to Jerusalem
- [11:23] - A Request for Greatness
- [14:54] - Not So With You
- [16:42] - Encounter in Jericho
- [19:20] - What Do You Want Me to Do?
- [21:16] - Becoming a Leader Worth Following
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Mark 8:34-35 - "Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.'"
2. Mark 10:43-45 - "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Observation Questions:
1. What did Jesus mean when he said, "The Kingdom of God has come near"? How did this message challenge the existing worldview of the time? [01:21]
2. How did Jesus respond to Peter's recognition of him as the Messiah, and what did he say about the future of his movement? [02:41]
3. What was the reaction of the disciples when Jesus spoke about his impending suffering and death? How did Peter respond to Jesus' prediction? [04:14]
4. How did Jesus redefine greatness in his Kingdom, and what example did he use to illustrate this teaching? [15:25]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to "deny oneself and take up one's cross" in the context of following Jesus? How might this look in a modern-day setting? [05:15]
2. How does Jesus' teaching on servant leadership contrast with the leadership styles commonly seen in the world today? [14:54]
3. In what ways does the story of Bartimaeus illustrate the values of Jesus' upside-down Kingdom? How does this story challenge our priorities? [18:07]
4. How can the concept of "living a story worth telling" influence the decisions we make in times of crisis, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic? [09:04]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you had to make a decisive and compassionate decision. How did Jesus' example of leadership influence your actions? [00:08]
2. What are some practical ways you can embrace the values of the Kingdom of God in your daily life? Consider areas where you might need to turn away from self-centeredness. [01:21]
3. Identify a situation where you might need to "deny yourself" for the sake of following Jesus. What steps can you take to align your actions with this call to discipleship? [05:15]
4. Think of a person or group in your life who could benefit from your resources or influence. How can you serve them in a way that reflects Jesus' teaching on servant leadership? [15:25]
5. Consider the story you are currently writing with your life. What changes might you need to make to ensure it is a story worth telling in the future? [09:04]
6. How can you incorporate the question "What can I do to help?" into your leadership style or daily interactions? What impact might this have on those around you? [22:41]
7. Reflect on a recent decision you made out of fear. How might you approach similar situations differently by choosing to follow Jesus' example of love and service? [07:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Leadership Through Service
In times of uncertainty, true leadership is marked by decisiveness and compassion. Jesus exemplified this by teaching that leadership is not about gaining power but about serving others with integrity. His life was a testament to leading with a servant's heart, prioritizing the needs of others over personal gain. This approach challenges the conventional view of leadership, urging us to lead with empathy and selflessness. As we navigate through crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, we are called to make decisions that reflect Jesus' example of servant leadership, ensuring that our actions are guided by love and compassion. [00:08]
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you serve today, and how can you do so with genuine compassion and integrity?
Day 2: Embracing the Kingdom of God
Jesus' proclamation that "The Kingdom of God has come near" invites us to adopt a new set of values and a transformed worldview. This message calls us to turn away from self-centeredness and align our lives with God's purposes. Embracing the Kingdom of God means living by principles that prioritize love, justice, and humility. It challenges us to evaluate our lives and make changes that reflect God's values, moving away from worldly pursuits and towards a life that honors Him. This shift requires intentionality and a commitment to living out the values of the Kingdom in our daily interactions and decisions. [01:21]
"And he said to them, 'The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.'" (Mark 4:26-27, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can better align with the values of the Kingdom of God today?
Day 3: The Cost of Discipleship
Following Jesus involves a willingness to embrace sacrifice and self-denial. Jesus taught that being His disciple means taking up our cross and being prepared to suffer for the sake of the gospel. This path, though challenging, leads to a life of purpose and significance. It requires us to let go of our own desires and ambitions, choosing instead to follow Jesus' example of humility and obedience. The cost of discipleship is high, but the rewards are eternal, as we find true fulfillment in living a life that honors God and serves others. [05:15]
"And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'" (Mark 8:34, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can practice self-denial today in order to follow Jesus more closely?
Day 4: Redefining Greatness
Jesus redefined greatness by teaching that true leaders are those who serve others. In His upside-down Kingdom, greatness is not measured by power or authority but by humility and service. Jesus demonstrated this by stopping to help those in need, even when He was on His way to fulfill His most significant mission. This act of compassion illustrates that true leadership involves using our power and resources to uplift those with less. As followers of Jesus, we are called to embody this servant leadership, prioritizing the needs of others and seeking to make a positive impact in their lives. [15:25]
"But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all." (Mark 10:43-44, ESV)
Reflection: How can you use your resources and influence to serve someone in need today?
Day 5: Living a Story Worth Telling
The decisions we make today will shape the stories we tell in the future. By choosing to follow Jesus' example of love and service, we can ensure that our lives are stories worth telling. This involves making intentional choices that reflect our commitment to living out the values of the Kingdom of God. As we navigate through life's challenges, we are called to write a narrative that honors God and inspires others. By living a life of love, service, and integrity, we can leave a lasting legacy that points others to Jesus and His transformative power. [09:04]
"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: What is one decision you can make today that will contribute to a life story that honors God and inspires others?
Quotes
"Jesus would say, 'The time has come. The Kingdom of God has come near.' Which means you are never far. Repent and believe the good news. And as we've said throughout this series the idea of repenting here wasn't a negative it was a positive. It meant to turn forward and to turn and face this extraordinary new world order. This new world view and face this new set of values and embrace it for your life." [00:77:243]
"He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and this was the shocker, and that he must be killed and then after that rise again in three days. This was so confusing because they've just announced that they believe he's the Messiah and the Messiah can't be killed." [00:209:141]
"Whoever wants to be my disciple or my follower, must deny themselves, say no to themselves, and take up their cross and follow me. And the crowd, you could've heard a pin drop at this point. Basically, he was saying, 'This isn't going to be fun anymore. This isn't going to be a parade anymore. This isn't going to be a festival anymore. From now on, if you follow me to Jerusalem, it's gonna cost you something.'" [00:311:510]
"But he says, 'Whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will ultimately save it.' And in this moment he was inviting them. And I think in this moment he invites us to live and lose our lives with purpose. So, suddenly Peter and the boys have a decision to make. Do we just stay up north and fish our lives away and die as old men in our beds forgotten or do we accept an invitation to live on purpose?" [00:407:273]
"Will we be consumed with preserving our lives? And that is always the temptation, right? We're always tempted to just work towards preserving our lives. Will we simply live to preserve our lives? Lives that in the end we will not preserve. Will we continue to say, 'Yes,' to our fear? And what happens when you say yes to fear? Fear always invites us to follow the path of self-preservation." [00:447:045]
"Jesus pauses, looks at that group of men and women, and he says, 'Not so with you. Not so with you. That's not how my administration's gonna operate. I am not that King. This is not that Kingdom. I am the King who has come to reverse the order of things.' And then he says this. 'Instead, instead of how you've seen it work everywhere else, instead whoever wants to become great,' and it's fine to want to be great." [00:901:499]
"And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. And before they can object, I think Jesus turns and he stares south towards the city of Jerusalem and then he takes all their excuses away. And takes my excuses away as well and he says this. 'For even,' talking about himself, 'For even the Son of Man did not come to be served. James and John, you wanna be served? Do you think you're greater than me?'" [00:942:574]
"He stopped to actually illustrate his message. He stopped to illustrate what his Kingdom would look like. He stopped to illustrate that he was introducing an upside-down Kingdom where the people with the power and the resources would use those power and resources for those who had less power. And perhaps no resources. He's on his way. Think about this. He is on his way to his most important appointment." [01:080:278]
"Sometimes following Jesus requires stopping. Sometimes following requires stopping. And Mark tells us that Jesus stopped and said, 'Call him.' And so they did. What a day for this guy, right? Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and he came to Jesus. And then (laughs) one of those extraordinary statements that no one would dare put in Jesus' mouth. These are the kinds of statements that make me believe that the gospels are reliable accounts of actual things that actually happened." [01:112:877]
"Help me to see me the way you see me. Help me to see my family the way you see my family. Help me to see our churches the way you see our churches. Help me to see the people around me because if I could see as you see I would be far more inclined to do as you say. And if I could see as you see, I would be less inclined to see things that look like sacrifices as sacrifices. Because obedience is never a sacrifice." [01:226:358]
"He's going to lead us to leverage our power and our resources for the benefit of those with less power and fewer resources. This is always the direction Jesus is going to lead us in. This is simply another application of the law of Christ to love as we've been loved. Because Peter, this is amazing we're gonna get to this next time. Peter will eventually find himself in the back of a crowd watching this play out in real time." [01:306:905]
"And when you leverage your power and when you leverage your resources, for the benefit of those with less power and fewer resources, you are not far from the Kingdom of God. And here's how I know that. For even the Son of Man, for even the Son of Man, did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. And when you lead from that posture, you are indeed a leader worth following." [01:398:162]
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