It is one thing to have a vision; it is quiet another for a leader to be able to communicate that vision to others to enable them to embrace and internalize it. Read 1 Chronicles 28:1-21.

When God provided David with a vision of the Jerusalem temple, he wanted to be personally instrumental in making that dream a reality. But the Lord told David that the job of building the temple would be given to his son and successor Solomon. David chose not to view himself as having been cut out of the action. Instead, he energetically undertook his new charge – that of communicating the vision for the temple in a manner that would infect Solomon and enlist his unwavering support. Read more »

A leader’s legacy is remembered several ways. There are those on our team and in future generations that will remember our personal weaknesses, others will remember our successes, and still others will keep memories of our civil or religious achievements. As we enter the book of 1 Chronicles to view leadership principles it is important to know that whereas the books of 1 and 2 Samuel and 1and 2 Kings taught us principles of the personal weaknesses of Israel’s leaders, 1 Chronicles looks at the priestly perspective of David’s reign and stresses that leaders of purpose, vision and integrity leave a lasting legacy. Look through 1 Chronicles 1-9 and search for names you recognize from other Bible accounts.

The first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles furnish a genealogy of Israel’s leaders. The genealogies take up almost a third of the book! The amount of space given the lineages of these Jewish leaders in this God-inspired book, the best seller in all human history and the single most important book in a Christian’s life, gives some indication of the value God puts on family, past tradition, and legacy. There are some things we can learn from this record of Jewish leaders: Read more »

Burt Nanus wrote in Visionary Leadership, “Vision is central to leadership. It is the indispensable tool without which leadership is doomed to failure.” Read 2 Kings 6:8-17.

The king of Aram had pursued Elisha into Dothan, surrounding him with an army large enough to frighten Elisha’s servant. Elisha simply prayed that God would show the servant the true situation. Perspective separates leaders from followers more than any other characteristic. Leaders have to see things others don’t. Their vision must transcend the “what’s now” and enter into the “what’s next.” Seeing what’s next is part of what sets a person apart as a leader. A visionary leader can rise above the tyranny of the urgent and accomplish or focus on the really important. Read more »

Effective leaders are always on the lookout for good people. Virtually every leader carries around a mental list of what kind of people they would like on their team. It would surprise some leaders to discover that the teammate they get has less to do with what the leader wants and more to do with who the leader is. In most situations a leader draws people to them who possess the same qualities that the leader has. Read 2 Kings 2:1-15.

Elijah had a charismatic personality that affected all those around him on every level. Remember the lessons from 1 Kings 18 when Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal, he connected with the people of Israel. He didn’t just sit idly by while the prophets of Baal did their incantations to call down fire on the sacrifice; he taunted them and made sarcastic remarks concerning Baal napping. When the time came for Elijah to implore God to bring the fire to ignite the wood on the sacrifice he poured water on the wood and made a display that won the people’s hearts. And, when he called for the execution of the false prophets, the people were captivated and on his team. Read more »

A leader’s vision unites their team. Read 2 Samuel 5:1-12.

The nation of Israel was energized under David’s leadership. All twelve tribes were united under one leader. They found a national identity: “We are your own flesh and blood” (v. 1). The people knew that God had anointed David and by uniting under David’s leadership they were actually uniting as God’s people. Read more »