Leading God’s People
God’s Way
Lesson 17 – The Law of Victory
The Law of Victory
Leaders find a way for the team to win
Proverbs 11:14
For lack of guidance a nation falls, but
many advisers make victory sure.
1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the
runners run, but only one gets the prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)
a) Where there is no guidance or wisdom a
nation, or a team, falls. But, where
there is Godly, wise leadership, victory
is sure. What are you doing in your life
to grow in wisdom?
b) Paul said when we run a race we should
run in such a way as to win. In other
words, we should think like a winner
and expect to win. Do you think like a
winner or a looser? How can you think
more like a winner?
Our Story in History
David
Israel
Jesus
Northern Kingdom
of Israel taken into
captivity by Assyria
c. 722 BC
Southern Kingdom
of Judah taken into
captivity by Babylon
c. 586 BC
Josiah
Judah
750
700
650
Josiah becomes King
of Judah at age 8,
after his father Amon
died c. 640 BC
c. = circa (about)
600
550
Josiah is killed in
battle against
Egypt. He ruled in
Jerusalem for 31
years. c. 609 BC
Scriptures to Read
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2 Chronicles 34:1-33
2 Chronicles 35:1-27
Josiah Purges Judah
And Jerusalem
Naphtali
Zebulun
Sea of
Galilee
EPHRAIM
Samaria
Jerusalem
JUDAH
Jordan River
MANASSEH
In the 8th year of his
reign, at the age of 16,
Josiah began to seek the
Lord
In the 12th year of his
reign, at the age of 20, he
began to purge Jerusalem
and Judah of all worship
of idols and false gods.
Dead Sea
Josiah Purges all
Israel
NAPHTALI
ZEBULUN
Josiah also went
throughout Israel and
destroyed all traces of
idol worship and
collecting an offering to
rebuild the temple.
After he was done he
returned to Jerusalem
MANASSEH
Jordan River
Sea of
Galilee
EPHRAIM
Samaria
Jerusalem
JUDAH
Dead Sea
Josiah Commissions the
Repair of the Temple
Josiah sent his officials
to begin repairing the
temple. While they
were doing that, they
found the Book of The
Law and brought it to
Josiah.
Wall of the city in Josiah’s time
Present day wall of Old City
Meters
Josiah Has the Law
Read to the People
Josiah had the Book of
the Law read before all
the people. This lead
to repentance and
revival amongst the
people.
Wall of the city in Josiah’s time
Present day wall of Old City
Meters
Josiah Celebrates the
Passover
After Josiah read the Law
before the people, he
realized that they had
neglected to celebrate the
Passover as the Lord had
said. So, on the
fourteenth day of the first
month. Josiah celebrated
the Passover according to
the directions that God
gave Moses.
Wall of the city in Josiah’s time
Present day wall of Old City
Meters
Josiah is Killed in Battle
Carchemish
King Neco of Egypt was on
his way to fight Carchemish
on the Euphrates. King
Josiah went out to meet
him in battle, even though
Neco said he did not want
to fight Josiah. But, Josiah
insisted, and was hit by an
arrow in battle. He died on
the way back to Jerusalem.
Jerusalem
Egypt
Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)
a) Even as a young man, Josiah sought the
Lord to walk in his ways. What are you
doing in your life to seek the ways of
the Lord, and to find out His will and
purpose for your life?
b) Josiah initiated reforms that led to the
breakthrough that Israel needed to
experience victory. He was always
looking for a way to help the nation win.
What are you doing to help your team
or organization experience victory?
What Do We Learn From Josiah?
1. Victory is preceded by a breakthrough.
2. Victory is possible despite impossible
circumstances.
3. A leader’s first victory is over himself.
4. The people’s victory follows the leader’s
breakthrough.
Victory is preceded by a
breakthrough
Breakthrough precedes victory. Josiah did
five things to ensure breakthrough:
1. He modeled openness and teachability
2. He created a hunger for change and
renewal
3. He initiated reforms which led to
breakthrough
Victory is preceded by a
breakthrough
Breakthrough precedes victory. Josiah did
five things to ensure breakthrough:
4. He understood the root issues that
would bring victory
5. He demonstrated commitment to
getting the job done
Victory is possible despite
impossible circumstances
Success has nothing to do with luck,
talent, or the family we are born into.
Like most of the rest of us, Josiah had
to overcome many obstacles:
1. His age
2. A horrible family background
3. The absence of a positive role model
4. The miserable spiritual condition of the
nation
Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)
a) Breakthrough is often what makes the
difference between being successful or
not. Have you every experienced a
breakthrough that led to a victory in
your life?
b) Success has nothing to do with luck,
talent, or the family we are born into.
Josiah had to overcome many obstacles
before he was successful. Do you push
through obstacles until you see success,
or do you accept defeat?
A leader’s first victory is over
himself
How does a leader go about seeking the
first victory over self? Here is what
Josiah did:
1. He remained open and teachable
2. He removed obstacles from the past
3. He realized what he needed to give and
gave it
4. He recognized the key to victory
5. He retained a personal commitment to
succeed
The people’s victory follows the
leader’s breakthrough
Leaders must help their people to have
breakthrough. Here are some things
you can do:
1. Understand breakthrough timing
2. Pray for a breakthrough
3. Become a breakthrough person
4. Find breakthrough leaders
Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)
a) The first battle every leader must win is
the battle with himself. You must learn
to lead yourself before you can lead
others. Are you taking responsibility for
winning the battle over yourself?
b) A leader must also help his people to
experience breakthrough and victory in
their lives. Are your people winning or
losing? Are you helping them to
experience breakthrough and victory?
Homework – Scriptures to Read
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1
1
1
1
1
Kings
Kings
Kings
Kings
Kings
1:28-40
3:1-28
4:1-34
5:1-12
9:15-26