Exhortation is a part of every leader’s tool kit. Christian leaders find confidence when they base the foundation of their exhortation on truths from God’s word. Read Jeremiah 1:16-19.

Jeremiah had to confront some powerful people about their sin. He was asked to exhort kings, priests, and city officials. He was told upfront that they would fight against him but that they would not overcome. Exhortation is a tough task, but when a leader stands on God’s moral principles they have an objective basis for exhortation.

It cannot be stated too strongly or too often that living a godly life and demonstrating godly leadership requires extraordinary courage. Read 1 Kings 17:1 and 18:16-40.

Elijah was a prophet of the one true God and he lived in the northern kingdom during the time of King Ahab’s rule. Since Ahab had chosen to serve other gods, there was continual conflict between Elijah and Ahab. Even though Elijah knew he served the one true God, he was also aware that prophets then, as Christians are today, can be martyred for the one they serve. Once Jezebel, Ahab’s wife, had imported prophets of the god she served from her home country of Tyre, the conflict between Elijah, God’s spokesperson, and Ahab escalated.

Leaders will either develop self-discipline or lose their right to lead. Read Judges 16:1-20.

In The Maxwell Leadership Bible, Maxwell discusses “Self-Discipline, Samson Had It, Then Lost It”:

Discipline does not automatically make someone a leader, but no one can long remain a leader without it. More government leaders have failed from poor discipline than poor policies. More pastors have failed due to bad discipline than bad theology. More business leaders have sabotaged their careers from lack of discipline than by lack of cash flow.

Most leaders do not have the problem of attracting too many volunteers! Read Judges 7:1-25.

To make sure He would get the glory from the victory over the Midianites, God led Gideon in an exercise to eliminate all but 300 warriors of the army that had assembled from several tribes. Some lessons that leaders can learn from this reduction of troops:

The story of Deborah is one of courage, singleness of purpose and quiet confidence in God’s revealed will. As a prophetess, Deborah led Israel with the strength and wisdom that came from a deep relationship with God. Read Judges 4.

Israel faced an intimidating enemy. Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army, had 900 iron chariots and other armaments heavy enough to crush any and all of Israel’s weapons. From a human point of view, Israel didn’t stand a chance.