11.0.0 Spiritual Leadership
Christian people everywhere are crying out for spiritual leaders - men and women grounded in the Word of God, made wise by the experiences of life, and filled with the love and compassion of Christ. As culture continues to spin faster and faster, people often times get lost in the shuffle... like sheep without a shepherd. If you are a leader or an aspiring leader of any kind, you can help fill the void.
This 12-week course is based on the book They Smell Like Sheep by Dr. Lynn Anderson. The simple, biblical principles laid out in this course will equip you with the skills you need to shepherd a flock and will help shape your heart into that of a shepherd who smells like sheep. Shepherding is the kind of leadership Jesus used. While the term shepherd produces warm images of love, care and tenderness, it also describes a form of leadership that that is perilously protective, dangerous, dirty and smelly. "Shepherd" is something that every follower of Christ, the Good Shepherd, is called to become.
This study helps us reflect back to discover and identify the biblical leader for the future needs of the Christian community. The objective of the course is to concern, convict and confront us about where leadership has been, and will set a new standard for where the future leader must go.
This 12-week course is based on the book They Smell Like Sheep by Dr. Lynn Anderson. The simple, biblical principles laid out in this course will equip you with the skills you need to shepherd a flock and will help shape your heart into that of a shepherd who smells like sheep. Shepherding is the kind of leadership Jesus used. While the term shepherd produces warm images of love, care and tenderness, it also describes a form of leadership that that is perilously protective, dangerous, dirty and smelly. "Shepherd" is something that every follower of Christ, the Good Shepherd, is called to become.
This study helps us reflect back to discover and identify the biblical leader for the future needs of the Christian community. The objective of the course is to concern, convict and confront us about where leadership has been, and will set a new standard for where the future leader must go.
11.1.1 Section 1 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:
11.1.2 Section 1 Content
11.2.1 Section 2 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:
11.2.2 Section 2 Content
11.3.1 Section 3 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:
11.3.2 Section 3 Content
11.4.1 Section 4 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:
11.4.2 Section 4 Content
11.5.1 Section 5 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:
11.5.2 Section 5 Content
11.6.1 Section 6 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:
11.6.2 Section 6 Content
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:
- recognize the need for spiritual leaders in the church and in society
- understand the biblical models of shepherd, mentor and equipper
- discuss the validity of the shepherd metaphor to present day applications
- evaluate the role of shepherd as it is referenced in the old and new testaments
- recognize the ultimate role that God plays as the Good Shepherd
- discuss the role that old testament prophets, priests and kings played as shepherds
- illustrate the role that Jesus now serves as the Good Shepherd
- identify the traits and characteristics of a good shepherd
11.1.2 Section 1 Content
- Shepherds on the Hills of Bible History
- Shepherds Throughout History
- God as Shepherd
- Prophets, Priests, and Kings as Shepherds
- Jesus as Shepherd
- The Apostles as Shepherds
- Today’s Leaders as Shepherds
11.2.1 Section 2 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:
- evaluate the close relationship between a shepherd and his flock
- discuss the specific duties and roles a shepherd serves to those in the flock
- explain the importance of availability for a shepherd
- explain the importance of commitment for a shepherd
- explain the importance of trust for a shepherd
- recognize biblical models for leadership involving developing close relationships
11.2.2 Section 2 Content
- The Relational Basis of Shepherding
- The Biblical Shepherd
- The Contemporary Shepherd
- Relationships Require Availability
- Relationships Require Commitment
- Relationships Require Trust
11.3.1 Section 3 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:
- identify and discuss distorted leadership models
- value the view of leading others versus driving others in leadership
- recognize the importance of investing time and energy in others
- explain the significance of building trust and affection with those being led
- apply listening empathy skills to better understand those being led
- illustrate biblical examples of spiritual leadership embodied in Jesus Christ
- summarize the process and purpose of mentorship
- explain the example of mentorship that was provided as Jesus mentored the 12
- recognize the importance that mentorship plays in leadership development
11.3.2 Section 3 Content
- Distorted Leadership Models: Hired Hand
- Distorted Leadership Models: Cowboy
- Distorted Leadership Models: Sheriff
- Distorted Leadership Models: CEO/Chairman of the Board
- Fast-Lane Flocks and Cyber-World Shepherds
- Those Who Have Walked a Long Time in the Same Direction
- Mentoring Defined
- Spiritual Mentoring in Scripture
- Spiritual Mentoring in the Contemporary Church
11.4.1 Section 4 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:
- define and discuss personality characteristics of winsome leaders
- explain the importance of living as a good example to those we lead
- explain the importance of displaying strong moral character at all times
- understand how good leaders inspire others through hope
- discuss how good leaders lead, despite hardship and imperfections
- summarize the process that Jesus used to equip those around him
- define three different levels of relational intimacy Jesus had with followers
- discuss how highly Jesus regarded the act of leading, mentoring and equipping
11.4.2 Section 4 Content
- Winsome Mentors Attract Followers
- Strong Mentors Show Us How to Live
- Faithful Mentors Inspire Hope
- Flawed Mentors and a Flawless Messiah
- How the Chief Shepherd Equipped His Flock
- Jesus’ Style of Equipping
- Jesus’ Finished Work
11.5.1 Section 5 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:
- translate Jesus’ biblical example of leadership to today’s world
- define “shared life” as it applies to equipping and leading others
- recognize the importance of frequent and long term contact with those we lead
- explain how Jesus developed warm, loving relationships with others
- discuss how leaders should deal with their own emotions
- recognize the importance of integrity and consistency in leaders
- explain strategies to balance time and resources when dealing with people
- display God-valued character traits, including: consistency, self control and courage
11.5.2 Section 5 Content
- Equipping through the Shared Life
- Frequent and Long-Term Contact
- Warm and Loving Relationships
- Honest Exposure of Emotions
- A Variety of Shared-Life Experiences
- A Life of Integrity
- Time Balanced Between Problem and Possibility People
- Men of Character
11.6.1 Section 6 Objectives
By the end of this topic, students should be able to:
- explain the characteristics needed of leaders to lead with vision
- discuss the role that flexibility plays for leaders
- summarize the importance of including others in organizational leadership
- recognize the importance of recruiting and equipping future leaders
- discuss how good leaders can identify and train the next generation of leaders
- describe how leaders should deal with adversity and hostility
11.6.2 Section 6 Content
- Men of Vision
- Visionary Leadership
- Flexible Leadership
- Welcoming Leadership
- Multiplying Leadership
- Hostility-Absorbing Leadership
- Need Only the Perfect Apply?
- EPILOGUE