Every competent leader knows the importance of building a team. Read 1 Chronicles 11:10-23.

The Bible offers an impressive list of military leaders connected to David, calling them his “mighty men” and describing several of their incredible exploits. David’s mighty men formed a loyal, committed and capable team who supported, encouraged and protected David in the years before and after he was anointed king of Israel. Read more »

Leaders must be teachable and surround themselves with individuals who are not afraid to give them counsel even when they are not in the mood to receive it. When they do, God is honored. Read 2 Kings 5:1-15.

Naaman was an outstanding military leader and had won the favor and respect of his king and commander in chief. Yet for all his strength and influence, Naaman suffered from the disease of leprosy. When Naaman learned of a Hebrew prophet named Elisha who might be able to help him, he requested and received permission from the king to contact Elisha concerning a miracle healing. Based on his position and his later reaction, his expectations were of some grand healing in the courts of a great man. Read more »

Jesus was a great servant leader, but He was also the Son of God. Do regular leaders, those of us that are ordinary in our gifts and talents, have a chance to measure up? Every Christian leader has the spirit of Christ in them and will make a choice concerning how to live and lead, serving others or serving self. Read 2 Kings 4:1-5:19.

Elisha’s ministry to the widow and to the Shunammite and her son are obvious examples of compassion and servant leadership. The same is true of the incidents concerning the stew pot, the feeding of the hundred and the healing of Naaman, the leprous commander of the Syrian army. Clear parallels exist between these miracles and those that Jesus performed. Read more »

Often leaders are isolated. Being too alone, too isolated, has a world of pitfalls for a leader. As we leave 1 Kings, it will benefit any leader to take one more look at the importance of developing interpersonal relationships. Read 1 Kings 19:19-21.

This passage marks a permanent transition in the lives of two men. When Elijah approached Elisha they both knew that their lives would never again be the same. Elijah became a mentor and Elisha his disciple. The relationship continued to grow until Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. After years of walking together, Elisha witnessed his master’s glorious departure, took up Elijah’s cloak, and inherited a double portion of his spirit (2 Kings 2:1-15). Read more »

The Bible is all about relationships. God is a personal being who has paid a great price to make it possible for us to enter a relationship with Him through the merits of Jesus Christ. He wants this relationship, in turn, to be made visible in our relationships with others. The leader that ultimately wins in this lifetime isn’t the one with the most toys but the leader with the best relationships. Read 1 Kings 19:19-21.

This passage marks a permanent transition in the lives of two men. When Elijah approached Elisha and threw his cloak around this young man, they both knew that their lives would change forever. Elijah had become a mentor and Elisha his disciple, and this relationship continued to grow until Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind three years later (see 2 Kings 2:1-15). Read more »