Assuming LeadershipAssuming LeadershipTaking Responsibility and Initiative Taking Responsibility and Initiative

in Accomplishing a Great Taskin Accomplishing a Great Task

Lessons from the actions of Gideon Lessons from the actions of Gideon Judges 6:1 – 8:27Judges 6:1 – 8:27

Bible Study PassageBible Study Passage

1.1. Judges 6:1-18Judges 6:1-18

2.2. Judges 6:19-27Judges 6:19-27

3.3. Judges 6:28-35Judges 6:28-35

4.4. Judges 6:36-7:8Judges 6:36-7:8

5.5. Judges 7:9-23Judges 7:9-23

6.6. Judges 7:24-8:3Judges 7:24-8:3

7.7. Judges 8:4-12, 22-27Judges 8:4-12, 22-27

Come up with 2-3 Come up with 2-3 insights you can insights you can share with the share with the large group about large group about what this passage what this passage teaches you about teaches you about leadership.leadership.

GROUP 1GROUP 1 Judges 6:1-6 – Judges 6:1-6 – Israel enslaved to MidianitesIsrael enslaved to Midianites

A Time of DesperationA Time of Desperation Judges 6:7-10 – Judges 6:7-10 – God sends a prophetGod sends a prophet

But he is not the delivererBut he is not the deliverer Judges 6:11-18 – Judges 6:11-18 – God calls GideonGod calls Gideon

Gideon sees himself as the least in Manasseh (v.15)Gideon sees himself as the least in Manasseh (v.15) God sees him as a valiant warriorGod sees him as a valiant warrior

Leaders recognize that God has called them Leaders recognize that God has called them to this task at this time.to this task at this time. Do you accept the call to step forward?Do you accept the call to step forward?

GROUP 2GROUP 2 Judges 6:19-24 – Judges 6:19-24 – Miraculous burning of offeringMiraculous burning of offering

Gideon met with GodGideon met with God He marked it so he would not forgetHe marked it so he would not forget

Judges 6:25-27 – Judges 6:25-27 – Gideon tears down altarGideon tears down altar First steps – tenuous & fearful but First steps – tenuous & fearful but obedientobedient Boldness in not lack of fear, but acting faithfully Boldness in not lack of fear, but acting faithfully

even when fearful!even when fearful! Leaders act even when fearful.Leaders act even when fearful.

Will you implement the plans God has given you Will you implement the plans God has given you despite any fears you may have?despite any fears you may have?

GROUP 3GROUP 3 Judges 6:28-32 – Judges 6:28-32 – Townsmen angry at GideonTownsmen angry at Gideon

At first, his leadership was questioned!At first, his leadership was questioned! Judges 6:33-35 – Judges 6:33-35 – Gideon filled with the SpiritGideon filled with the Spirit

A remarkable transformationA remarkable transformation Burdened over the nature of the situationBurdened over the nature of the situation Filled with the SpiritFilled with the Spirit He took the He took the initiativeinitiative – no one else would – no one else would

A Spirit-filled, person who conveys the great A Spirit-filled, person who conveys the great need can rally others to the cause!need can rally others to the cause! What kind of transformation do you need?What kind of transformation do you need?

GROUP 4GROUP 4 Judges 6:36-40 – Judges 6:36-40 – Gideon puts out a fleeceGideon puts out a fleece

Doubts came but God continued to confirm HimselfDoubts came but God continued to confirm Himself Judges 7:1-8 (verse 2) – Judges 7:1-8 (verse 2) – From 32,000 to 300 menFrom 32,000 to 300 men

It is not by might nor by power, but by His Spirit – Zech 4:6It is not by might nor by power, but by His Spirit – Zech 4:6 Humility – God gives grace to the humbleHumility – God gives grace to the humble God will God will NOT NOT provide miraculous results to those who will claim provide miraculous results to those who will claim

credit, even subtly!credit, even subtly! Gideon had to make tough decisions (32K to 300!)Gideon had to make tough decisions (32K to 300!)

Came as a result of Came as a result of listening listening to Godto God

Godly leaders humble themselves before God.Godly leaders humble themselves before God. Leaders make tough decisions Leaders make tough decisions based onbased on listening to God. listening to God.

How do you regularly humble yourself to listen to and act on How do you regularly humble yourself to listen to and act on what God says? Despite the objections of some?what God says? Despite the objections of some?

““The fear of man brings a snare…” (Prov 29:25)The fear of man brings a snare…” (Prov 29:25)

GROUP 5GROUP 5 Judges 7:9-14 – Judges 7:9-14 – Gideon hears a Midianite dreamGideon hears a Midianite dream

God will continue to give you confirmation of His God will continue to give you confirmation of His desire to reach your people!desire to reach your people!

Judges 7:15-23 – Judges 7:15-23 – Blowing trumpets, smashing jarsBlowing trumpets, smashing jars Modeled: “Do as I do.”Modeled: “Do as I do.” ““A sword for the LA sword for the LORDORD and for Gideon” and for Gideon” (vv 18, 20)(vv 18, 20)

Intense loyalty Intense loyalty Gideon’s cause fulfilling God’s causeGideon’s cause fulfilling God’s cause

Leaders instill loyalty in others as they rally Leaders instill loyalty in others as they rally others in following God’s cause.others in following God’s cause.

Leaders model what they expect others to do.Leaders model what they expect others to do. Do you have the confidence to rally others knowing Do you have the confidence to rally others knowing

that this is GOD’S cause?that this is GOD’S cause?

GROUP 6GROUP 6 Judges 7:24-8:1 – Judges 7:24-8:1 – Ephraimites upset!Ephraimites upset!

You will be questioned and spoken ill of even in the You will be questioned and spoken ill of even in the midst of your victorymidst of your victory

Judges 8:2-3Judges 8:2-3 Gideon humbled himself in his interaction with othersGideon humbled himself in his interaction with others He was able to bring peace and move forwardHe was able to bring peace and move forward

Leaders move forward in spite of criticism.Leaders move forward in spite of criticism. What will you do when you are criticized by others?What will you do when you are criticized by others?

Leaders learn the interpersonal skills needed to Leaders learn the interpersonal skills needed to handle various situations.handle various situations. What are the skills you need to learn?What are the skills you need to learn?

GROUP 7GROUP 7 Judges 8:4-12 – Judges 8:4-12 – No help from Succoth & PenielNo help from Succoth & Peniel

“…“…weary yet pursuing.”weary yet pursuing.” (verse 4) (verse 4) A leader keeps the momentum going even when…A leader keeps the momentum going even when…

Exhausted (v.4)Exhausted (v.4) Unaided (vv 5-9)Unaided (vv 5-9) Great victories are under his belt (7:25)Great victories are under his belt (7:25)

Not satisfied with less than complete victoryNot satisfied with less than complete victory Are you one who will keep going until victory?Are you one who will keep going until victory?

Judges 8:22-27 – Judges 8:22-27 – Gideon’s fallGideon’s fall Leaders are subject to the fall of pride – Leaders are subject to the fall of pride – “yet” “yet” v.24v.24 Leaders can idolize their victories – v.27Leaders can idolize their victories – v.27 If you had a CPM, what temptations would you feel?If you had a CPM, what temptations would you feel? How are you guarding yourself from falling?How are you guarding yourself from falling?

For you, which ones are the For you, which ones are the greatest challenges in greatest challenges in

tackling the task God has tackling the task God has given you?given you?

LESSONS & APPLICATIONLESSONS & APPLICATION

Birth of a LeaderBirth of a Leader

Spiritual leaders are born in encounters with Spiritual leaders are born in encounters with GodGod Often in the midst of dry periods of timeOften in the midst of dry periods of time A sense of call on their lifeA sense of call on their life God has spoken, I must act!God has spoken, I must act! E.g. Moses (backside of the wilderness – Ex 3:1), E.g. Moses (backside of the wilderness – Ex 3:1),

Jesus in the wilderness, Saul to PaulJesus in the wilderness, Saul to Paul

Initiative & ResponsibilityInitiative & Responsibility Leaders are those who take responsibility and Leaders are those who take responsibility and

initiative to fulfill God’s mission (and to lead initiative to fulfill God’s mission (and to lead others to do the same)others to do the same) They do not wait for others to prompt them but They do not wait for others to prompt them but

make decisions with the information at hand.make decisions with the information at hand. You are free to fail, but not free to not try.You are free to fail, but not free to not try.

Are you an initiator, or do you wait for others Are you an initiator, or do you wait for others to act?to act?

Can you take responsibility for what appears Can you take responsibility for what appears to be an impossible situation?to be an impossible situation?

TransformationTransformation

Every proven leader goes through a Every proven leader goes through a transformation from lack of confidence to bold transformation from lack of confidence to bold leadershipleadership Filled with the Holy SpiritFilled with the Holy Spirit Seeing yourself as God sees youSeeing yourself as God sees you Seeing that God has chosen youSeeing that God has chosen you Burdened for the lostBurdened for the lost

Can you see that God has chosen you for this Can you see that God has chosen you for this role at this time? You are God’s person!role at this time? You are God’s person!

Boldness & AssertivenessBoldness & Assertiveness

Leaders demonstrate boldness even when they Leaders demonstrate boldness even when they are unsure or fearfulare unsure or fearful Their greater fear is disappointing God!Their greater fear is disappointing God! For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast

of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.not preach the gospel. 1 Cor 9:16 1 Cor 9:16

Even if you lack confidence, will you boldly Even if you lack confidence, will you boldly begin to implement what the Lord has shown begin to implement what the Lord has shown you?you?

SteadfastnessSteadfastness

Leaders push forward even when they are Leaders push forward even when they are questioned or mocked by othersquestioned or mocked by others Every leader will be questioned!Every leader will be questioned! When you go against the status quo, expect When you go against the status quo, expect

backlash.backlash. Are you willing to push forward when others Are you willing to push forward when others

begin to question you? They will!begin to question you? They will!

HumilityHumility

Leaders receive grace as they humble Leaders receive grace as they humble themselves.themselves. They recognize that the victory is the Lord’s onlyThey recognize that the victory is the Lord’s only Serving the desires of God and the needs of othersServing the desires of God and the needs of others

ServanthoodServanthood Servant of Christ first; then a servant of othersServant of Christ first; then a servant of others

Will the Lord need to humble you, or will you Will the Lord need to humble you, or will you humble yourself?humble yourself?

Tough DecisionsTough Decisions Leaders make tough decisions. They respond Leaders make tough decisions. They respond

to God’s commands, not people’s wishes.to God’s commands, not people’s wishes. The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts

in the Lord will be exalted.in the Lord will be exalted. Prov 29:25 Prov 29:25 1 Corinthians 4:1-41 Corinthians 4:1-4

Can you make tough decisions?Can you make tough decisions? To make team changes?To make team changes? To not cave in to pressures from others?To not cave in to pressures from others? Especially the expectations of others?Especially the expectations of others? Stand on your own, not on others?Stand on your own, not on others?

Instill Confidence & LoyaltyInstill Confidence & Loyalty Leaders step forward and model what they Leaders step forward and model what they

want in others; this instills loyalty in others.want in others; this instills loyalty in others. They instill confidence in othersThey instill confidence in others They are not afraid or shirk back when others give They are not afraid or shirk back when others give

them their loyalty.them their loyalty. They are able to live with the tension between They are able to live with the tension between

“follow God and follow me.” (1 Cor 4:16, 11:1, “follow God and follow me.” (1 Cor 4:16, 11:1, You also became imitators of us and of the Lord . . .You also became imitators of us and of the Lord . . . (1 (1

Thes 1:6)Thes 1:6)

How will you have to step out to instill loyalty How will you have to step out to instill loyalty & confidence in others?& confidence in others?

Effective Interpersonal SkillsEffective Interpersonal Skills Leaders exhibit skills in being sensitive to the Leaders exhibit skills in being sensitive to the

needs of others and adapting their responses to needs of others and adapting their responses to their needs.their needs. E.g. leading only 300: “Look at me & do likewise”E.g. leading only 300: “Look at me & do likewise” E.g. settling disputes: “What was I able to do in E.g. settling disputes: “What was I able to do in

comparison with you?”comparison with you?” Do you know how to interact with others in Do you know how to interact with others in

various types of situations?various types of situations? E.g. SLIIE.g. SLII Leading nationals, company people, GCCs?Leading nationals, company people, GCCs?

Sustain MomentumSustain Momentum

Temporary leaders give up at partial goals. Temporary leaders give up at partial goals. True leaders press forward to sustain True leaders press forward to sustain momentum even when weary.momentum even when weary. Or, even when others would be satisfied with Or, even when others would be satisfied with

where things arewhere things are Can you continue to move forward and not be Can you continue to move forward and not be

satisfied with partial successes?satisfied with partial successes? There will be times when you are weary of the There will be times when you are weary of the

vision and the work!vision and the work!

Sustained by GodSustained by God

Spiritual leaders are sustained through Spiritual leaders are sustained through weariness and doubt by on-going encounters weariness and doubt by on-going encounters with God.with God.

What is in place in your weekly habits that What is in place in your weekly habits that will help you stay attune to God’s voice and will help you stay attune to God’s voice and be nourished by him?be nourished by him?

Guard Against TemptationGuard Against Temptation

Leaders guard themselves from temptations, Leaders guard themselves from temptations, especially those that beset leaders in particular:especially those that beset leaders in particular: PridePride Idolizing victoriesIdolizing victories Greed or hunger for controlGreed or hunger for control Etc.Etc.

Suppose you were blessed with a great CPM.Suppose you were blessed with a great CPM. What would be the temptations you would feel?What would be the temptations you would feel? How will you guard yourself?How will you guard yourself?

Will You Step Forward?Will You Step Forward?

God’s plan for Israel at that time might have God’s plan for Israel at that time might have failed (been delayed) a generation if Gideon failed (been delayed) a generation if Gideon had not stepped in.had not stepped in. The story of the Book of JudgesThe story of the Book of Judges

God’s plan for you people may be delayed if God’s plan for you people may be delayed if you do not step forward. Will you?you do not step forward. Will you? E.g. The Call of 1900E.g. The Call of 1900