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The Leadership ChallengeSample

The Leadership Challenge

DAY 12 OF 50

  

Challenge 12

GIDEON: POWER IN WEAKNESS

READ: Judges 6:1—7:25

Forty years after Israel’s deliverance under Deborah, the nation has turned away from God again and are oppressed by a new enemy, the Midianites. After several years, the people finally call out to God, and the Lord raises up another judge. This one is a reluctant leader named Gideon, whom we meet threshing a tiny harvest out of sight of the enemy—not your typical candidate for a leadership position. Nevertheless, the angel of the Lord appears to him, hails him as a mighty warrior, and calls him to be Israel’s military leader. Gideon’s dialogue with God’s messenger doesn’t give us much hope in his future leadership. He tells the angel that he is the least-regarded member in the weakest tribe of Israel. The angel of the Lord reminds him that the God who is calling him will be with him and will empower him for the task.

Effective leadership isn’t about brute power or personal charisma, especially for the Christian leader. In fact, the apostle Paul reminds us that God’s power is perfected in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). As we make ourselves available to the Lord, he will empower us for our roles. In our reading, how does Gideon gain confidence? How does God show that the victory is his work, not that of Israel’s army? How does Gideon’s story encourage you in the challenges you face as a leader?

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About this Plan

The Leadership Challenge

The Bible doesn’t discuss leadership like a popular business book. However, since God is the creator of everything that exists as well as the rules and processes by which everything works, the Scriptures do provide principles and examples that give us insight and wisdom into effective leadership. The social and cultural backgrounds of the Bible are different than ours, but the Scriptures contain truth that transcends time and space.

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