SESSION 2
SERVANT LEADERSHIP
READING:
THE WORLD & LEADERSHIP
Tim Hawkins’ Leaders Who Will Last (Ch. 6 – Parts paraphrased or removed)
We live in a crazy world. There are some people whom we place on a pedestal—worshipping and honouring them with an almost god-like status. There are others whom we more or less ignore, and who rarely get any recognition from us. But here’s the crazy bit! Sometimes the most valuable people are the most ignored!
Who do we turn into heroes? Who gets god-like recognition wherever they go? Who gets paid mega-bucks and lives a life of fame and glory?
Usually a musician—or an influencer—or an athlete!
And good luck to them! But sometimes if you check out their lifestyle—when you look at the way they live, when you see what their moral standards are, you might think these are the absolutely worst idols to have as role models for our young people. Some of them jump in and out of bed with assorted partners from within the human and animal kingdom; some of them use language which focuses your attention on all the vilest acts of degradation; some of them treat others in a way which suggests they’re just objects to be used.
Do you get my drift? They are good at their chosen profession (music, sport, whatever), and we turn them into idols, whether they deserve it or not.
On the other hand, there is a different group of people in our world who are extremely valuable in what they do—and yet rarely ever get noticed, and are often under-paid and under-appreciated. Nurses are a good example. Where would we be without them? Yet none of them ever gets a mention. Absolutely vital to our health and well-being. Often sacrificial in their tasks. If you’ve ever been in hospital, you know the great work they do. Usually underpaid. Often unappreciated. No glamour lifestyle. No mega-bucks. No celebrity status. Yet incredibly valuable.
It’s a crazy world we live in—where some people are exalted and others are ignored.
How we think about leaders can vary between these two extremes. In some cultures, leaders are exalted and revered. They carve huge likenesses of their leaders into the sides of mountains. Successful leaders are honoured. They are addressed with respectful titles. They are powerful and influential. A cut above the rest of humanity.
At the other extreme, there is the cynical attitude that many of us show. We make fun of our leaders. We pull them down at every opportunity. We love to see them fail. We resent it when they tell us what to do. The thought that we would ever carve huge likenesses of our leaders into the side of a mountain is ludicrous! “Who do they think they are? They’re no better than anyone else!”
Yet even in our sceptical western culture, there is real status in being a leader. The CEO of a large multi-national company will have a million-dollar-plus salary. The managing director of a firm will have a huge office with plush leather chairs. The chairman of the board will have the key to the executive washroom. School principals will have their own reserved parking space. Mayors have fancy chains they wear around their necks.
Instant status. Instant recognition. Buried deep within our psyches is the notion that “leaders really are more important”.
The main goal of this reading is to help you reflect on how our world views leaders and influential people in our world.
Here’s a few questions to help you think:
1. What ‘leaders’ currently have a strong influence over young people?
2. How is leadership abused?
3. What types of leaders do Australian’s like? Hate?
4. Do you aspire to be a leader one day? If yes, why? If no, why not?
TAKEAWAY THOUGHTS FROM THE READING
Apprentices of Jesus are learning to lead others like Jesus led. Jesus eventually sent his disciples out on their own, but expected them to lead in the way He taught them to lead so they would show others the love of God through their leadership.
Jesus taught servant leadership. Servant leadership is not a common style of leadership in today’s world – so we need to work harder to lead in the way Jesus wants us to lead.
Servant leadership is not about building influence or making yourself as the leader well known.
What ideas come to mind when you consider the phrase ‘Servant Leadership?’
It is important to look through the Bible to help us understand how JESUS teaches servant leadership to His disciples. Let’s read through these passages and unpack the concept of servant leadership.
READ John 13 NLT
HELPFUL POINTS & CONTEXT TO CONSIDER (JOHN 13 NLT)
John 13 is the first chapter of the Farewell Discourse of Jesus in the Gospel of John. John presents a ‘fly on the wall’ perspective of the Last Supper and contains very intimate conversations between Jesus, His disciples, and prayer with His Father.
The job of washing visitors feet before dinner was the job of the household servant. Travellers would come into a home with muddy feet from their daily travels and a servant would clean their feet to make sure the house stayed clean. It was also common for dinners to take place while sitting down on the floor and reclining, so clean feet would be preferred when you would be sitting very close to other people’s feet while eating. Jesus’ actions would have been culturally very unusual.
John uses symbols and metaphors to provide extra layers of meaning that can be missed on the first reading. In this Chapter, the ‘washing of the feet’ is not just a symbolic act of Jesus’ servant heart but a future reminder of the power of His blood to ‘wash’ the disciples of their sin.
READ Mark 10:35-45 NLT
HELPFUL POINTS & CONTEXT TO CONSIDER (MARK 10:35-45 NLT)
Mark 10:35-45 has one of Jesus’ most famous statements: “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a random for many.”
This is a parallel story also told in Matthew 20:20-28 with slight variations of perspective. Reading the version in Matthew would also be useful to explore the concept.
The passages starts with the older brother James and the younger brother John (the writer of John’s Gospel) arguing over places of honour. It is likely James & John’s mother wanted her sons to be in a high position and the brothers were influenced to ask.
There was frequent fighting between disciples over positions of privilege that Jesus addresses with the need for the disciples to learn humility and servanthood. Jesus regularly taught that power is not to be used to ‘lord over’ others but power used in a Godly way should serve and build up others.
WANT TO GO DEEPER?
You could read a little deeper into why John 13 is such an important passage of Scripture. A short commentary by Don Carson is linked here —> John 13 Don Carson Reading
Reflection QUESTION:
What are servants? (John 13 & Mark 10 Passages + bible)
At our next meeting we will discuss this question together. Think about some of the actions you’d expect from someone who serves the team they lead: working with others in their role, doing the hard jobs, asking questions that show care and love.