One of the most fundamental leadership truths is that your team will do what they see you model. Read Ezra 9:1-10:44.

After a journey of several months Ezra and the other Jewish exiles arrived in Jerusalem from Babylon. Their first acts were to be accountable to the local officials for the money and gifts they had been given for the city and temple and then to make proper offerings to God at the temple for a safe trip and for His favor. Within just a few days of viewing Ezra’s leadership, knowing Ezra was a teacher of the law and seeing his dedication to give offerings and make sacrifices some of the leaders approached Ezra with a problem. Those most responsible for religious leadership, the priests and Levites, had not kept God’s law to stay separate from those who worshiped false gods and had actually taken pagan wives and allowed their sons to marry women who worshiped false gods. Read more »

Christian mentors must take care to help those they mentor establish the right core values. Read 2 Chronicles 24:15-19.

Jehoiada the priest has been instrumental in protecting the lineage of David; God’s chosen royal line that would eventually produce Jesus as Messiah. He hid Joash, a member of the royal line, from the Queen Mother Athaliah when she took power in Judah by murdering all her grandsons. Jehoiada hid Joash in the temple for seven years and eventually led a group of temple and palace guards to overthrow Athaliah and establish Joash as king. Read more »

Leadership is not only a privilege but also a responsibility. In Scripture, leaders are given influence as stewards to manage the resources that are owned by the Lord. When a leader builds into the lives of others and participates in the development of their potential, a leader is acting as a faithful steward of divine responsibility. Read 1 Chronicles 18:14-17.

David understood that he was the steward of human gifts and talents. He gave appropriate responsibility and authority to people of proven commitment and ability. Read more »

Leaders can set dynamics in motion, both positive and negative, that continue to influence the world long after they are gone. Read 2 Kings 21:1-9.

Hezekiah prayed to God while he was on his death bed and received an extra 15 years of life. Prior to this life extension the Bible gives only a glowing report of Hezekiah’s actions. It was during these 15 years that Hezekiah became prideful and had to be rebuked by God through the prophet Isaiah. It was also during those 15 years a son named Manasseh was born. At Hezekiah’s death, Manasseh became king of Judah. Manasseh was 12 years old when he became king and he ruled in Jerusalem over the nation of Judah for 55 years. Read more »

Leaders do more than merely point people in the right direction; they create conditions that will empower them to do the job. Read 2 Kings 2:7-15.

Elisha boldly asked Elijah for a double portion of the older prophet’s spirit. In doing so, he would assume the position of Elijah’s firstborn son. God granted his request when Elisha was allowed to pick up the cloak that dropped down from his mentor Elijah as he was being carried up to heaven by the hand of God. Read more »