21 Lessons From The Greatest Leadership Book I’ve Ever Read Part 1

Have you ever read a book that completely changed how you view leadership?  I’ve read several like that in my life.  However, the great leadership book I’ve ever read is the Bible.

The Bible is a living, breathing document which provides the lens of how I view my life.  There was once a person named Paul who was mentoring a young man named Timothy.  He wrote him two letters full of instruction.  Throughout the letters, Paul teaches Timothy several things about leadership and the value of the Bible.  The following are just some of those lessons from the first letter to Timothy:

1. You should teach from nothing else.  All other teachings are merely fables.  Chapter 1:3-4
2. The Bible’s teachings are entrusted to us. 1:11, 6:20.  This is a bookend principle of this first letter.
3. Desiring to be a teacher is a good work. 3:1
4. It is partially written so we may know how to conduct ourselves. 3:15
5. In the latter days, many will depart from the Christian faith and its teachings. 4:1  Side question -  do you think we are there?
6. The Bible nourishes you. 4:6
7. Godliness learned from the Bible is profitable for all things, both now and in the world to come. 4:8
8. Biblical maturity is not age-specific. 4:12 NextGen leaders, this should encourage you.
9. The Bible deserves our attention. 4:13
10. The Bible is not to be neglected. 4:14
11. The Bible needs to be meditated on. 4:15
12. We should show progress in our biblical maturity. 4:15
13. Following the teachings of the Bible will save not only ourselves, but God will use our lives to help save others. 4:16
14. The Bible teaches us how to honor and serve the elderly, specifically widows. 5:3-16
15. Leaders in the church (elders) who labor in the Word and doctrine receive a double honor. 5:17
16. The Bible teaches how to serve under those in authority. 6:1-2
17. The Bible’s words are wholesome. 6:3
18. Keeping faith in the Bible’s words is a fight worth fighting. 6:11
19. You should keep the Bible’s words in a way that is blameless. 6:14
20. The Bible teaches financial leaders what to do with their resources and how to live a life that is truly life. 6:17-19
21. Focus on the Bible and avoid profane and idle babblings and false contradictions called knowledge. 6:20

Whether you believe the Bible’s teachings or not, if every leader practiced the 21 items listed, their leadership success and influence would flourish and grow exponentially. 

That’s my challenge to all leaders.  Take the next 21 days, and practice the corresponding number on that day.  After three weeks, let us know if the truths listed improved your leadership and quality of life.  Let me know how it goes.

Your friend,

Brian

P.S. Don’t you just love the language – blameless, honor, wholesome, profane, idle babblings, life that is truly life.  Don’t you wish people still talked descriptively like that?

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