Leadership: How Jesus LedSample

There are so many aspects of Jesus’s life, relationships, and character that we can learn from. We are going to take a closer look at examples in the Bible about who Jesus was as a leader, and how we can model ourselves after Him. It is about so much more than what He did, but how He did it. Let’s take a look!

Jesus prioritized time alone with God.

Throughout the Gospels, we read about different times when Jesus went off alone to be with His Father. There are different reasons why He chose to do this; sometimes He went away to spend time in intercessory prayer for others or to prepare for something big that was coming. There are times when He took His grief and wrestling to God and times when he needed to be refreshed and recharged. In all of these, the core message that we can take away is that continual communion and connection with God is vital in healthy leadership.

“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.” Matthew 14:23 NIV

“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” Luke 6:12 NIV

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16 NIV

“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” Luke 22:39-43 NIV

You may have heard it said that “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” And if we as leaders are pouring into the lives of others, we need to make sure that (1) what we are pouring is of God, not just our own good thoughts or ideas, and (2) that we actually have an overflow to pour from so that it doesn’t drain us! This spiritual "filling up" can be found by taking time to be with God—to get His direction and input; to hear His plans and desires; and to draw refreshment, strength, and encouragement from Him!

How are you doing in spending time with God? Take some time to reflect. Do you spend time with Him only when you need something, or is it a friendship that you tap into continually?

How can you be intentional to spend time with God each day over the next week? Maybe you want to commit to sitting down and reading the Bible each morning or simply having a conversation with Him in your heart as you walk through the grocery store.

Apart from the everyday moments, how can you also create space in your life to spend quiet time with your Father and just listen? Listening to what He has to say can help us to gain His perspective on our lives, cover us with peace and strength, and allow us to be filled up so that we can pour out into others.