Teachers and Leaders Who Change the World Have Three Core Qualities
Who has inspired you to change?
Was it a teacher who took you under their wing, noticing your work and taking the time to give you the attention you needed? Great coaches see all their players' potential and care about their wellbeing. Sometimes it's a pastor, who patiently answers questions, or whose messages filled inspire a closer walk with God, greater trust, and inspire the courage to cast aside the sins that are holding you back.
The inspiration of these leaders is no accident. They're motivating because insomuch as they're patterned after the Greatest Leader, they breathe more abundant life into those under their care.
But leadership doesn't stop with receiving and growing under great leadership. We too are called to be leaders like this. As we enter the world of Christianity, as we receive the great love that has been offered us and grasp the greatness of the grace that we have received, we enter a royal priesthood and become ministers of his grace to the world.
What kind of leaders will we be?
We can look to the leaders around us and we can look to the greatest leader of all, God himself.
Walk in Love
1 Corinthians 13 describes the love of God. If you have received this love, if his love has ever washed over you, this description will make sense. Patient, kind, sacrificial, and slow to anger. It is this love that governs all that our Lord does. We must receive it fully in order to have it to give. Read 1 Corinthians 13 » and take time to consider his great love for you and all of us.
Listen & Assess
Assessment is a critical step to teaching. Learning where a student is and responding thoughtfully to their current understanding and abilities is the key to good teaching. God always assessed his students first. He knew that the Pharaoh that Joseph was working for was teachable and held integrity. He rewarded Pharaoh with the knowledge that he was the Living God and that he had the power to provide for the future. Moses' Pharaoh on the other hand, proved to be power hungry and fear driven. After many chances, he faced dire consequences.
God knows where each heart is. He has already assessed everyone around us. The only way we can build the kingdom effectively is to act in love, with patience and kindness, and consider what God is having us do with a listening ear both to him and to the people we've been given.
Teach with Patient Wisdom
If you read through the Old Testament, observe and watch how God taught those who were listening.
- He first revealed himself and laid out instructions.
- Then he shared the hope that was offered through obedience to those instructions.
- Warnings for disobedience spelled out the consequences that would follow.
- Rewards or consequences followed obedience or disregard
- Hope and forgiveness were offered upon true repentance and dismay.
- These steps have been repeated and repeated throughout history. They also represent a deft management plan for any nation, corporation, classroom, sports team, or organization.
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
If the Lord is patient, let us also step back, and take the time to proceed with wisdom and purpose. Considering our words, and speaking with gentleness.
The Exception of Authority
There were times in history when God was furious. Times when he held back his hands even in his wrath, and times when he rained down judgment. Rape, habitual thievery, child sacrifice, incessant violence are some of the things that have incurred the terrifying wrath of God. The God of heaven has sometimes confronted people like this and called people to repentance, and other times wiped out entire nations. He's done it himself and he's called the governments of nations to do so. Condemnation and judgement are his place, not ours, and his prophets are called clearly. Do not default to this condemnation, but default to the care and kindness that Christ demonstrated his entire life.
““But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.””
At the Wisdom of God Corporation, we have received the great love and mercy of God. We have been broken by the world, faced the consequences of our own actions, and built up by the patient teaching and discipline of God. We have received this through his revealed Word, through the Holy Spirit, and through his people, which have all conspired to help us walk in newness of life. If you would like to join us in our commitment to share the truths we have learned with the world, sign up for our newsletter today and join the project to share good news with the world.
Featured Photo by Justyn Warner on Unsplash