Lead Like Jesus Study Guide: Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time

The church I attend is currently conducting a study using this study guide and materials. The materials are well organized and informative, but more importantly, this study truly focuses on what Jesus said, and emulated for the saints to do. It is amazing to consider that such a basic instruction has to be given in any church. It seems to be of natural order in an intimate relationship with Christ that we would desire to follow his commands, and do as he did. We generally emulate the characteristics of our closest friend, or spouse, or parent. Why should we not do the same of Jesus, who is supposed to be first in our life. This study will truly help those who want to do just that, Make Christ first. We all actively lead someone, we should desire to lead as Jesus did.

I received this as a gift from one of the authors. This study guide was a good review of the theme after having the basic seminar, and two annual followup conferences, plus other on-going readings. Corporate Implementation This program has become a training tool growing throughout corporate America, according to reports I saw. When I was working in Richmond, Virginia, in 2003 or 2004, our work team went through the three-day seminar. Our agency was systematically providing the workshop for each work group in the company. The whole staff attended teleconference followups every few months. The basic seminar-workshop was a good experience. The format and practical application were very good. The workshop included discussion of relationships, working styles, understandings of authority and responsibility and a look at examples from the Gospels on encounters of Jesus with his disciples and others. Elementary But I remember thinking at the time how simple and elementary this was. I marveled and was puzzled that reports indicated this program was a revolutionary approach to work and interpersonal relationships. Even for churches and Christian organizations. The principles outlines and dealt with were very basic, things I remember learning as a child, at home and in Sunday School. This manual was a good review after having the basic seminar, and two annual followup conferences, plus other on-going readings. One thing that strikes me again about this is how basic and simple it is. It is somewhat puzzling that it seemed necessary for such a basic level to be given so much emphasis. All the programmatic approaches, structures and activities seem to distract from what seems to me to be a natural, deep level of intimacy with God and an active relational, enabling leadership. Reading the Gospels It was amazing that this program has been introduced now into Christian corporations, mission agencies and churches. Do Christians and church leaders not read the Gospels anymore? These things were obvious to me long ago just from reading the stories of Jesus and seeing how he handled situations, how he related to people. From early years I thought I was supposed to actually observe what Jesus did and listen to what he taught, then try to do it. When such a basic focus seems to be so wonderful and novel, it makes me wonder what people are learning in their churches these days. Do they actually study Jesus teachings? Do they actually study the events of his life and his encounters with people in the reported events? We should already know this, just from reading the gospels.