Essentials Of The Faith / Adult Sunday School Class / Christian Leadership

Leadership & Vision (Part 1)

SECTION SEVEN: THE LEADER AND VISION
taken in part from John Maxwell 'Be all you can be'

Read: Proverbs 29:18

I. The Importance of Vision in a Leader.

 History is full of examples of people who had many great accomplishments, but failed after they lost sight of their vison.

    1. When Alexander the Great had a vision, he conquered countries,
        but when he lost his vision he couldn't conquer a liquor bottle.
    2. When David had a vision, he conquered Goliath;
        when he lost his vision he couldn't conquer his own lust.
    3. When Samson had a vision, he won many battles,
        when he lost his vision he couln't win a battle  with Delilah.
    4. When Solomon had a vision, he was the wisest man in the world,
        when he lost his vision he couldn't control his own desire for foreign women.
    5. When Saul had a vision, he could conquer kings,
        when he lost his vision he couldn't conquer his  own jealousy.
    6. When Noah had a vision he could build an ark and keep the human race on track,
        when he lost his vision, he got drunk.
    7. When Elijah had a vision, he could pray down fire from heaven and chopped off the heads of false prophets,
        when he lost his vision, he ran from a woman.

Quote: 'It is the vision that keeps us focused on the tasks at hand' John Maxwell.

Question: What is spiritual vision?
                 How is it applied to the church?..to leadership?

II. How to be a man of vision: Nehemiah
Read: Neh. 1:3-4

Question: What the first element necessary to be a leader with Vision?

    A. A passion for the people and their situation

Read: Neh. 1:4-11, 2:4
Question: What the second element necessary to be a leader with Vision?

    B. Seeking guidance from God in Prayer and Fasting.

Question: What the third element necessary to be a leader with Vision?
Read: Neh. 2:13-18

    C. Continue with a careful study of the situation.

Question: What are the three key elements of developing a vision for God's work.

         -Passion for the people, Prayer and Fasting, Preparation