THE QUESTION
Where do leaders come from?
See You at the Pole
A small group of teenagers in Texas came
seeking God in 1990. The students were broken
before God and burdened for their friends.
Compelled to pray, they drove to three different
schools that night. They went to the school
flagpoles and prayed for their friends, schools,
and leaders.
Students throughout Texas would follow their
example and meet at their school flagpoles to
pray simultaneously. Before long, the whole
nation would join in. On Sept. 11, 1991, at
7 a.m., one million students gathered at school
flagpoles all over the country. Now, more than
3 million students from all 50 states participate
in See You At The Pole. In addition, students in
more than 20 countries take part.4
A REVOLUTIONARY LEADER
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GREAT AMERICAN
LEADERS
ABRAHAM LINCOLN 1809–1865
Sixteenth U.S. President and member of U.S.
House of Representatives
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GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER
1864–1943
Scientist, botanist, educator, inventor
(over 300 uses for peanuts), and Director of
Agriculture at Tuskegee
Some
leaders
rise up.
DOUGLAS MACARTHUR 1880–1964
American general, United Nations general, and
Field Marshall of the Philippine Army; fought in
three major wars
The Lord replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun,
a man who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands
on him.” Numbers 27:15-21
JOSHUA: The Chosen Leader
Son of Nun; successor to Moses as leader
of Israelites. Leader of Moses’ army
(Ex. 17:8-13); Moses’ servant on Mt. Sinai
(32:17). Scouted Canaan and, along with
Caleb, recommended invasion (Num.
13:30-14:38). Chosen, commissioned,
and encouraged by God (Num. 27:15-23;
Joshua 1:1-9). Conquered Canaan (Josh.
2-11) and distributed the land (Josh.
12-21). Renewed the covenant and
charged the people (Josh. 23-24).1
Leaders are not
born. They are
made. They
are made just
like anything
else...through
hard work. 2
VINCE LOMBARDI
ROSA PARKS 1913–2005
Civil rights activist and the “Mother of the
Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement”
THOMAS JEFFERSON 1743–1826
Author of The Declaration of Independence,
third U.S. President, and founder of
The University of Virginia
Biblical Leaders
Who Were Chosen
•JOSIAH: Became king at age 8
• SOLOMON: Young when he
demonstrated a gift of discernment
• MOSES: Led Israel out of Egypt at 80
• DANIEL: Age 14 when in the lion’s den
•JEREMIAH: Called by God at age 14
• EZEKIEL: Prophet by 22 years old
•JEROBOAM: Became king at age 15
• UZZIAH: King of Judah at 16
• PAUL, THE APOSTLE: In his early 30s
when converted
• HEZEKIAH: Became king at age 25
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Some leaders
are chosen.
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Christmas night, 1776, was dark and ice cold on the water when a desperate
commander, General George Washington, crossed the Delaware River
with two thousand tired and hungry men. Nine hundred enemy combatants
would become prisoners just minutes after Washington and his men landed
in Trenton. The weary soldiers found food, ammunition, and rest once
they landed. This victory, and the ones that would come days later, gave
Washington a renewed hope—hope that he was doing the right thing. What
was at stake? Independence—ours to be exact.
At the time, I was the king’s cupbearer. […] The
king granted my requests, for I was graciously
strengthened by my God. Nehemiah 1:11b–2:8
NEHEMIAH:
THE RISING LEADER
Cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Babylon (Neh. 1:11);
obtained permission for, planned, and supervised
rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls despite opposition
(Neh. 2-6); Appointed governor of Judah
(5:14); Dedicated the wall (12:27-43).3
To be able to lead
others, a man must be
willing to go forward alone.5
HARRY TRUMAN
6 Ways to Fake Being a Leader
1. S
tart a Facebook fan page of yourself
and like all of your own posts.
2. Q
uote yourself at least twice a day
in conversation.
3. Give your opinion to everyone. Don’t
wait for them to ask for it.
4. Pretend you’re an expert
on everything.
5. If someone tells you something
positive on Twitter, retweet it.
6. Blog about how awesome you are at
least 5 times per week.
THE POINT
God can use anyone to be a leader.
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MIDWEEK
THE QUESTION
What is God looking for in a leader?
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1
2
God is looking
for a person
of integrity.
Read 1 Kings 9:1-5.
While the world may not place much value on
integrity, God has always desired that we walk
with integrity. On a scale of 1 (no integrity) to 10
(full of integrity) how would you rate yourself in
walking/living with integrity? Explain.
God is
looking
for a
person of
godliness.
Reread 1 Kings 9:1-5.
How would you define godliness?
Godliness is more than just
having a desire to be like Jesus;
it is an all-out effort on our part
to live like Him.
How would society define integrity?
God is
looking for
a person of
obedience.
Why is obedience
so important
to God?
Review 1 Kings 9:1-5.
God promises to bless us if we
will follow all of His commands—
if we will obey Him.
Why would God want leaders
to demonstrate godliness?
What will you do this
week to walk with
integrity? What will
you do this week to
walk with godliness?
What will you do
this week to walk
in obedience to the
commands of God?
Memorize:
As for you, if you walk before Me as
your father David walked, with a heart of integrity and in
what is right, doing everything I have commanded you, and
if you keep My statutes and ordinances, I will establish your
royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised your father
David. 1 Kings 9:4–5
THE POINT
God wants leaders
who walk in truth and
righteousness.