Proverbs is all about the mind of a leader – how leaders think, how they perceive the future and their attitude toward wisdom. Read Proverbs 1:20-23.

Leaders think differently than followers. Good leaders see things before their team and they see beyond what their team sees. Whereas the team can focus on action steps that need to happen next week, the leader must think, envision, and plan well into the future. Read more »

In this first week of study in the book of Proverbs, it is helpful to look at a few definitions. The Proverbs has a lot of words that seem to line up with modern language but the meanings of some may have drifted for some of us. Browse through the book of Proverbs and look for words such as “the wise person,” “the fool,” “the sluggard,” “the mocker,” “the Harlot,” and “the wicked person.”

Proverbs 3:21(tlb) defines wisdom as “knowing and doing right.” That would mean the wise person in Proverbs seeks knowledge, understands what is learned and applies these lessons to life’s situations and circumstances. A wise leader reflects a love of God, a concern for other’s welfare and carefully chosen words. Read more »

Christian leaders must filter the counsel of their inner circle through the truth of God’s word. Read Job 24:25.

Job’s loss of family and possessions had him at a very vulnerable time in his life. Job’s friends believed he must have behaved treacherously to have met with such tragedy. At a time when Job most needed the love and encouragement of his friends, he received only their condemnation. Read more »

Effective leaders must exercise discernment when building and evaluating a team. Read Ezra 4:1-5.

The contingent of Jews who accepted the offer of Cyrus to leave exile in Babylon and return to Judah and Jerusalem to re-populate the land and rebuild the temple were now in the land and construction on the temple was well underway. During the 70-year exile absence of the Jews from the land others had moved into the area and for a generation established presence and ownership of the land. You can imagine the tension between the two groups as Jews struggled to establish control and those currently living there struggled to keep control. Read more »

Every leader will experience the joy and challenge of assuming a new position at some point during their leadership life. Read 1 Kings 2 and 3.

Israel was in a time of transition from David’s leadership to Solomon’s leadership. David had built on his predecessor Saul’s accomplishments and the nation had tremendous wealth, military power, respect and momentum. The time of transition from one leader to another presents one of the most challenging times to continue momentum. The challenge was to successfully take the reins from his father and ensure momentum continued through a smooth transition. Read more »