President Harry Truman made a famous statement that indicated the buck stopped at his desk. He was ultimately responsible for the decisions of both the military and civilian leaders that surrounded his presidency. Responsibility is the ability to meet obligations; the act of being accountable; a duty of trust. A leader can share responsibility and a wise leader will delegate responsibility and authority for areas assigned to other leaders but the ultimate responsibility for results cannot be given away. Read 2 Chronicles 20:1-25.

Jehoshaphat had assumed the responsibilities of king of Judah. He had sent leaders to teach the people from the Book of the Law and had appointed some trusted leaders to administer the law and settle disputes. Just as Jehoshaphat was finishing his reforms to strengthen Judah’s internal governing structure, Judah was threatened by an army made up of a three nation alliance. Reports of this huge army’s activities and advance frightened Jehoshaphat. Read more »

Some reading this leadership study began influencing people in their teen years and now have decades of leadership experience. God gifted us with experience and expects us to use that experience to become the best leader we can be and thereby bring honor to His name. Generally with experience comes stronger, more well rounded leadership and fewer mistakes, but there is a danger for the Christian leader that comes with experience—when we become leadership professionals, we tend to rely on our own knowledge, wisdom and experience rather than continuing to look for a fresh touch from God in our daily leadership life. Read 2 Chronicles 14-16.

Early in the leadership life of King Asa of Judah, Asa used his God-given abilities and position to influence the people of Judah to follow the Lord and trust Him. He served his subjects by fortifying their towns and protecting them with a strong military force. God honored his prayers of dependence by giving him victory when his army was outnumbered and, from every human standpoint, should have been defeated by a vast Cushite army. Asa led reformations for God in the Southern kingdom of Judah in such a way that his influence spread beyond his own borders and many individuals living in the northern kingdom, under totally different leadership, were impacted and entered into a renewed covenant with the one true God. Read more »

When a leader has the wrong decision at the wrong time, it will equal a disaster. When a leader has the wrong decision at the right time, it will equal a mistake. When a leader has the right decision at the wrong time, it will look like an error in judgment. When a leader has the right decision at the right time, it will equal a success. Read 2 Chronicles 13:4-18.

Abijah replaced his father Rehoboam as king of Judah in the eighteenth year of the split kingdom. Jeroboam, king of the northern ten tribes quickly declared war on Judah hoping to exploit the new king and gain the rich southern part of Israel. Read more »

Even the most devout Christian leaders will experience times in their leadership when there appears to be no hope for success based on all our previous leadership experience. Every leader will discover there are times when it is hard to trust God. Read 2 Kings 18 and 19.

Hezekiah was 25 years old when he became king of Judah. He was a leader dedicated to God’s lifestyle principles for the people of Judah. According to 18:3-4a, “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done. He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles.” Read more »

Leadership by its very nature requires action, and taking action requires courage. Courage is needed for something as simple as making a leadership decision—you may be wrong and lose face or worse cost someone some money or their job; or a leader may be asked to lead when people’s lives, including their own, may be on the line. Read 2 Kings 11:1-21.

Jehu, future king of the northern kingdom, Israel, murdered Joram, King of Israel, to ascend to the throne. Ahaziah, King of Judah, the southern kingdom, happened to be a guest at Joram’s palace when Jehu assassinated Joram, so Jehu killed him also. Second Kings 11:1 says, “When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family.” This power hungry woman wanted the throne and was willing to kill all her grandsons in order to have it. Enter the scene, two leaders with great courage: Read more »