Making good decisions has special requirements for a Christian leader. Read Proverbs 1:1-7.

For the Christian leader making good decisions includes elements beyond accurately analyzing and processing information and temporary success or failure. To bear the name Christian along with the title leader they must also consider fairness, honesty, and morality as part of each decision. The book of Proverbs isn’t a decision-making textbook, but it was inspired by God and written by King Solomon of Israel, a leader who over the centuries has become known as the wisest man to have ever lived.

Day 2 – A leader’s character is forged as much in failure as in success. Read Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75 and John 21:1-19.

When Jesus was arrested and standing trial before the Jewish religious leaders, Peter, one of His closest friends and a trusted disciple, was standing with others outside the court chambers to listen to the proceedings. Peter had promised Jesus he would stand by Him no matter the circumstance but now, when the powerful religious leaders were seeking to destroy Jesus and anyone that associated with Him, his character was facing a serious challenge. When the others outside the court chamber bluntly asked Peter if he was one of Jesus’ disciples, Peter denied it and even denied ever knowing Jesus. Peter’s character failed in just about every way possible. In His great love for Peter, God used even Peter’s horrific denial of Christ to help him develop the strong character he would need to lead the early church.

A leader without commitment, defined as devotion and dedication to the cause, person or relationship, will find excuses for failure. Read Proverbs 26:13-16.

The unflattering words about the sluggard in these verses reveal the sad state of those who live without commitment. For the individual described in these verses any excuse will do to keep from putting in the work to accomplish the goals. Leaders must strive to provide themselves and their teammates vision and goals that are motivating and to which they will commit themselves.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts,” Winston Churchill. David’s moral failures in seducing another man’s wife and then finding a way to cause that man’s death could have derailed his leadership of Israel but his failure was not final. Read 2 Samuel 12:13-31.

David demonstrated several actions and attitudes that can help any leader survive a major failure: