Virtuous Woman - Serving & TeamworkSample

Leadership

Character Goal: Leadership is the ability to humbly guide others by being a Godly influence, serving and leading by example.

Biblical Character: Miriam

Scripture Readings: Numbers 12:1–16; Matthew 5:44-45

Discussion Questions:

• What do we know about Moses and Miriam? What are their roles?
• What do Aaron and Miriam do against Moses? Why?
• Have you ever spoken against someone in leadership (e.g. coach, team captain)? Why? What was the result? How could you have handled it differently? Would a different response have changed the result?
• What character flaws are revealed in Aaron and Miriam? What does this tell us about the dangers of leadership and position?
• Who heard Aaron and Miriam speaking against Moses? What does this tell us about God?
• Sometimes, we think we deserve to be something bigger for our team, play more, or even think we know more than the coach. What if everyone on your team thought that about themselves? What would be the result? How can you keep this from happening?
• Who does God defend? Why? What does this tell us about God and how He responds when those in leadership positions begin to act out of pride?
• Have you ever spoken against your coaches or someone in a leadership position above you? How does God feel about this? How should we act toward them?
• God places people in authority over us for our protection. Grumbling or complaining against someone in leadership (coach, teacher, parent, team captain, etc.) is really grumbling against God (v. 8). How does that change the way you think about complaining?
• What happened to Miriam? How does Aaron describe leprosy?
• What does Moses do? What does this tell us about him? Read and discuss Matthew 5:44–45.
• How does God respond to Moses’ prayer? When we speak against those in leadership, who are we ultimately speaking against?
• What is Miriam’s punishment? How does this affect the people of Israel? Miriam? What does this tell you about sin and pride?
• What do you think led Miriam to act in this way? How can we avoid some of the pitfalls of influence and position?
• In regards to those in leadership, how can we use our influence to glorify God?
• What does this story teach you about God? His Word? How can you apply these truths to your life?
• What is one thing I learned from this story that I can apply to my life before the next lesson?

Training for Godliness

In the story, Miriam takes her leadership role outside of the boundaries she has been given by God. Because she is successfully leading others in one area of her life, it seems she feels as if she might be able to take on some other responsibilities as well. Has this ever happened to you as a leader or as someone who is being led? How did you handle it? Are you influencing those you come into contact with for God, or are you influencing them to try and get something out of it for yourself? Give specific examples of godly leaders or character traits of godly leaders that influence others positively. How can you incorporate some of these same character traits into your own life and allow God to begin growing you in those areas until He is ready to increase your influence? Be certain that God will increase your influence in His time and by His methods for His glory!

Core Truths:

• Pride can creep into the hearts of leaders if they do not seek to remain humble.
• God hears us and is displeased when we speak against those in leadership positions.

Memory Verse: “Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.” Proverbs 31:23