Disciplines of a Godly Leader
Julian Ervin
Christ follower | Architect of High Performing Teams | Senior Transportation Leader | Diversity and Philanthropy Champion
Since becoming a Christ follower in 2012, I've learned that Godly leaders don't have much different routines than others, they simply build their foundation from the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
"Disciplines of a Godly Leader: a 7-day devotional" takes you through just a few of the things that I've learned about Godly leadership. You'll find the details of these disciplines are rooted in God's Word. Read it one day at a time or all at once, I pray you find some value in my experiences and learnings from the Bible!
Day 1: Godly Leaders
'Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.' Colossians 3:16-17
Good leaders just “get it.” They understand that sustained results are not accomplished by themselves alone, they are the product of a culture created by motivating those around you. They build teams that understand the vision and can execute the plan, all while constantly seeking to improve their skills.
But what makes a Godly leader different? What sets them apart from others?
A Godly leader can not only inspire, as stated above, but also lives the message of the gospel through their actions; pointing people towards Jesus by the way we respond, teach, and treat others. Their actions are rooted in God’s Word and driven by a desire to please God. In his instructions to Timothy, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. (1 Timothy 4:16).
I’d like to share a few disciplines that I’ve learned over the years, as my leadership has been transformed by following Christ and reading God’s Word. My prayer is that these disciplines will inspire you to dig deeper and set yourself apart from the worldly leaders you may have been shaped by in the past. The world needs more Godly leaders like you!
Question to consider:
Can you think of examples of worldly leadership vs Godly leadership?
How would you like to be more like Jesus in your leadership style?
Verses to reference:
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:16-17
'“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”' Jeremiah 1:5
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9
Day 2: Read God’s Word
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Hebrews 4:12
The great American leader Harry S Truman once said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” I’d like to introduce a similar quote that “all GODLY leaders are readers of God’s Word.” Whether you start or end your day with reading the bible, this is an important part of your leadership routine, as it gives us inspiration and instruction on the proper way to lead people.
Another of history's great leaders and followers of Jesus, the apostle Paul, knew this fact well and sought to teach his students the importance of following scripture. While writing to his protege Timothy, Paul instructs him, “You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (2 Timothy 3:15-16).
The Word of God is not only a leadership tool, it’s a weapon against evil. Ephesians chapter 6 introduces the reader to the “Armor of God,” which includes 7 pieces of armor used to fight “against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11). Most of the armor is defensive, except for the “sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17). Like sharpening your sword, reading scripture daily will help you strengthen your faith and defeat the devil and his lies. We can find instructions on how to act or respond in any situation. It can even help us determine the errors in our ways.
As leaders, we are faced with challenges all day; from our team, our peers, our goals, and our clients or customers. Our response to these challenges will help shape the culture that we build. In addition, as humans, leaders often battle against evil and lies; self doubt and stress are often examples of this. Having others rely on you in high stress situations can take a toll on your mental and spiritual wellness. By reading the Word of God every day and following it’s instruction, we become stronger, more Godly leaders. We learn to lead like Jesus and defeat the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world.
Find your routine, read the Word daily, and find the peace that comes with a sharpened sword!
Questions to consider:
How often do you read God’s word?
What verses can you recite that help you battle evil?
Verses to reference:
“You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:3-32?
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33
“Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:14-17
Day 3: Lead with a Servant Heart
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:25
In my 20+ years in leadership, I’ve displayed both sides of “self.” I spent the early years as a selfish leader. I was convinced that my success was determined by my actions alone; that my will and determination would drive my team to succeed. Needless to say, this was not the best approach to leadership. I was labeled as “cocky” and “intimidating” by my own team, and I could never achieve consistent results. It wasn’t until I became a follower of Christ and studied His actions and messages that I finally saw the fatal errors in my approach to leadership. I recognized that I needed to become a selfless leader, get behind my team, and serve them at every opportunity.
Our best example in the Bible is, of course, Jesus Christ. In perhaps the greatest example of selflessness, Jesus washed His disciples feet to help them understand how He wanted them to live their lives. Let’s take a moment to recognize how incredible this situation was. Jesus was hours away from being arrested, humiliated, tortured, and killed on the cross. His disciples had just finished selfishly arguing about which of them was the best. Jesus also revealed to them that one of them was going to betray Him. Instead of spending this time looking for pity, scolding His disciples for their selfishness, or trying to save Himself from His betrayer, He took time to serve and teach His disciples. He invested time in their development, knowing they would carry His message long after His death.
World renowned leadership author and educator Stephen Covey defined leadership like this, “Leadership is communicating to another person their worth and potential so clearly they are inspired to see it themselves.” By serving His disciples in the way He did, Jesus showed them that they had the potential to be great. The Lord of Heaven humbled Himself and washed their feet, and He is asking those of us called for His purpose to do the same.
Questions to consider:
What side of “self” do you lead with, selfishness or selflessness?
What does Jesus’ act of washing His disciples feet mean to you?
How can you humble yourself and serve your team?
Verses to reference:
““Do you understand what I have done for you?”he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:12-17
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14
“But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43
Day 4: Build a Foundation on Integrity
“But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them.” Isaiah 26:7
Integrity is an important factor in leadership. Leaders who have integrity encounter less obstacles because their team knows their intentions are genuine. Their approach is authentic, earning the trust of those around them. Your team will follow your lead if they believe in you. As the famous author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar said, “With integrity, you have nothing to fear, since you have nothing to hide. With integrity, you will do the right thing, so you will have no guilt.”
Many definitions of integrity judge your actions. They use phrases like “Do the right thing” and “Do what you say you will.” Godly leaders are also judged by what God has put in their hearts. The bible tells us that, “People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.” (Proverbs 21:2-3). When describing David’s qualifications, the Lord told Samuel “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7). When Godly leaders let the Lord guide their actions, they will lead with integrity.
Jesus tells us, “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell, the road that leads to destruction is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14). He showed us multiple times what the “narrow gate” looks like; leading with His heart and working to please God, not man:
What God has put in our hearts guides our responses and actions, and defines our integrity. If we spend time in God’s Word and study the actions of Godly leaders, like Jesus, we follow the Shepherd's voice down a path towards the narrow gate.?
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Questions to consider:
Do you allow the World to dictate your responses and actions or are you guided by what’s in your heart?
What other examples of integrity can you find in scripture?
Verses to reference:
“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:14-16
'Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.' Proverbs 20:6-7
'Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.' 1 Timothy 4:16
Day 5: Have a Clear Vision
'But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king. They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.' Nehemiah 2:17-18
Who are you as a leader? What do you stand for? Why are you here? The answers to these questions can create your vision as a leader. Your vision and how you communicate it will ultimately shape the culture of where you lead. You are telling your team what matters the most to you, and asking them to believe in this and follow your lead.
Nehemiah had a very specific and quite monumental task at hand. He was led by the Spirit of God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after it had been destroyed by the Babylonian empire (see Nehemiah ch.1). His vision was clear and he was focused on doing what was right and pleasing to God. With the Lord behind him, Nehemiah overcame many obstacles:
Because of his clear vision, Nehemiah designed a plan and accomplished the goal of rebuilding the wall. It would have been easy for him to give up, but he kept his focus on God and continually asked Him for guidance.
Godly leaders like Nehemiah know that our visions must be led by God and come through prayer and submission to Him. We cannot do God’s will if we do not ask Him for clarity and divine intervention. Whether your vision includes consistency in a process, driving results in specific metrics, increasing your client base, or something else, start with prayer and keep your eyes focused on the vision God gives you!
Questions to consider:
Who do you want to be as a leader? Have you prayed to God for clarity?
How will you respond when you face opposition or encounter obstacles?
Verses to reference:
'I replied, “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall.”' Nehemiah 2:20
Read Nehemiah Ch 2-5
Day 6: Communicate Effectively
'An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing.' Proverbs 13:17
In yesterday’s conversation, we looked at vision as a discipline of leadership. Your vision cannot come to life if it is not communicated effectively with those who will help execute it! Communication is such an important discipline for leaders. The most effective communicators can speak to multiple people, of diverse backgrounds, and get the same message across. In our leadership lives, this can be a group of employees, investors, parents, students, volunteers, members, and more! If your vision is clear, they should all know their role in accomplishing it. Effective communication also includes listening and acting on feedback. If you trust your team, you can trust them in making decisions and suggestions.
In my experience as a leader, I’ve displayed both sides of communication; strong and poorly executed. When well executed, the team was able to work together towards a common goal, even if their roles were different. I had leaders who mapped out the plan, employees who executed the plan, and myself to follow up on it all. In the best cases, I allowed the team to make decisions on their own, as long as it got us closer to our goal. Eventually, they were leading themselves and I was able to help them along with gentle, strategic course correction. When poorly executed, however, the results were quite different. Once, as a new leader, I failed to establish and communicate a vision. I did not seek the team’s feedback on the direction we were taking the business. I simply allowed everyone to “do their job,” thinking it would equal success. We were a mess. No one worked together and results suffered. I honestly never recovered from that and ended up leaving the company. I often look back on that opportunity and wonder what could have been if I had just understood the importance of effective communication!
We have a great example in scripture of effective communication during the early church. One needs to look no further than the book of Acts for effective communication and Godly leadership. The apostles' vision was clear: Spread the Good News! It was given to them by Jesus Himself (See Matthew 28:18-20 & Acts 1:8).
With this vision, the apostles set off to build the church, through speaking, listening, and acting on the feedback they received:
With effective communication, a Godly leader can see their vision come to life. The apostles witnessed the beginning of a Church that is now over 2000 years old and the largest religion in the world, with over 2 billion believers. Perhaps your role is not as impactful as that, but you should go after your vision with the same effective communication as they displayed!
Questions to consider:
Do you display effective communication (speak, listen, and act) in your current role?
How can you improve on any, or all, of these?
What other communication styles can you find in scripture?
Verses to reference:
'Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. ' James 1:19
'Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.' Colossians 4:6
'And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”' Matthew 12:36-37
Day 7: Stay Disciplined
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.” Matthew 7:13
Author and motivational speaker Darren Hardy defined success like this in his book, “The compound effect:” “Success is not doing 5000 things right, it’s doing half a dozen things really well, repeated 5000 times.” Over the past 6 days we’ve discussed some disciplines that, when repeated, will help you build the culture God desires for you as a Godly leader. By no means do I believe that these are the only disciplines a Godly leader should follow. These are just a few that have made an impact on my life and growth as a leader.
On day two, we discussed the importance of reading your Bible. There you will find other examples of disciplines and motivation from Godly leaders. Whichever disciplines you choose to incorporate into your routine, the important thing is to do them consistently, with all of your heart. It pleases God to lead this way and He will be with you along the journey.
In Matthew 7, Jesus tells us that the path to God’s kingdom is through a “narrow gate”? (verse 13). He tells us that “only a few will ever find it” (verse 14). To be one who passes through the narrow gate, you must be disciplined in your walk. Look to your Bible for examples of disciplined leaders:
I pray that you will find your disciplines as a Godly leader and use them to grow yourself and others.
Questions to consider:
How will you change the way you lead based on biblical disciplines??
Verses to reference:
“All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadow boxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
“Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”” 1 Timothy 4:7-8
“When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.” Luke 4:13