The Leadership ChallengeSample

Challenge 8

MOSES: PASSING THE BATON

READ: Deuteronomy 31:1–23; 34:1–12

In our last reading we saw how Moses’s disobedience led to his being banned from the promised land. While this was surely disappointing, Moses did not throw up his hands and abandon his post. He remained focused on the task at hand, leading God’s people and preparing to pass on his authority to Joshua. The people faced many enemies, and if he did not adequately prepare the new leader, Israel and God’s mission for them would be in jeopardy. Moses had been developing Joshua all along, but now he finishes faithfully and well, aiding Joshua in his transition. Part of this process was to renew the vision of God’s promise of a land of their own, and to rededicate the people to the demands of God’s covenant with them.

In a relay race, the passing of the baton is a make-or-break moment. Failure to maintain the pace, a bad handoff, or a dropped baton can mean disaster for the team. Effective team leaders prepare the next generation of leadership. What do we learn from our reading about how Moses prepared Joshua? How is Moses described at the end of his life? What will you do to build future leaders for your team?