Day 1 – The wise leader develops both short range and long range plans. Read Genesis 3:15.

Adam and Eve had made a decision to disobey a direct command from God and eat the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. In their shame, they confessed their sin to God and God pronounced judgment for their act of direct defiance. Some of God’s judgments were fulfilled immediately and some would be fulfilled in the future.

Every great leader will develop the ability to embrace change. Read John 1:1-18.

Jesus understood what it takes to lead while embracing change. In the beginning He was with God and was God and was treated as the sovereign of the universe. He left heaven where He led as God and experienced the change of becoming a leader in the form of a human infant, child, adolescent, young adult, and mature man. Jesus went from all creation knowing He was the sovereign ruler where He led with absolute power at His disposal to leading others that only saw Him as an uneducated carpenter from northern Israel with no authority and no power.

Leaders may have great power at their disposal but are still expected to act as servants to those on their team. Read Luke 22:24-30.

Jesus was having His final meal with His disciples just prior to His arrest, mock trial and execution. The Bible tells us He was eager to eat this meal with His friends so He could enjoy some close fellowship and help them understand His immediate future and some of what was in store for them over the next few days. But, during the meal “…a dispute arose among them to which of them was considered to be the greatest” (v. 24). Jesus used this discussion to shape their perspective. He helped them to understand that the power structure in the kingdom of God is radically different from what the world perceives as power.

The wise leader understands the power of attitude? Read Luke 6:17-42.

One of Jesus very first acts after selecting His team of 12 disciples was to instruct them about attitude. The common thinking of the day was that the poor had done something wrong or they would not be poor, those suffering or hungry or mourning were somehow crossways with God or they would not be in their situation and that visa versa the rich has somehow pleased God and received special favor. Jesus was quick to instruct them not judge or you will be judged and examine their own personal shortcomings before they examined the shortcomings of others. The attitude of Jesus’ closest followers would be critical if they were to adopt His core truths concerning the people He was sent to rescue from Satan’s grip.

A leader’s attitude is determined by their perspective. Read Matthew 20:1-16.

In His public ministry, Jesus’ primary method of teaching was through parables (short case studies). His parable always fit the situation and His audience could transfer the principles if they gave careful thought to the situation and Jesus’ story. In today’s verses Jesus’ direct point deals with God’s grace to give the same reward to a person who serves their whole life in His service and to someone who comes to believe and serve later in life. However, within the parable there is a second truth about attitude toward any given circumstance that leaders can apply to their personal growth.