THE SPIRIT OF LEADERSHIP BY DR.MYLES MUNROE SCRIPTURE REFERENCES CHAPTER TWO

CLICK TO LISTEN TO CHAPTER 2 




CHAPTER PRINCIPLES

1. True leadership is an attitude rather than a title. It inspires rather than manipulates or controls.


2. Influence alone is not leadership. Leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration motivated by a passion, generated by a vision, produced by a conviction, ignited by a purpose.

3. Leadership is not a pursuit but a result.

4. Leader is not a label that you give yourself. Leadership is a privilege given by the followers.

5. Leaders inspire by expressing their inner passion, which then resonates with others and causes them to join in pursuing the leaders’ visions.

6. The source of inspiration is passion.

7. True leadership passion is the discovery of a belief, reason, idea, conviction, or cause not just to live for, but also to die, for, which focuses on benefiting mankind as a whole.

8. Passion comes from purpose.

9. True inspiration is not manipulation or brainwashing but an invitation to pursue something higher and better than one has had before, and in the process gain a sense of meaning and significance for one’s life.

10. Leaders are often ordinary people who accept or are placed under extraordinary circumstances that bring forth their latent potential, producing a character that inspires confidence and trust within others.

11. The greatest leadership seems to surface during times of personal, social, economic, political, and spiritual conflict.

12. Having followers is not a prerequisite for being a leader. The demands of leadership may require that you stand alone in the face of conflict, public opinion, or crisis.

13. Inspiration is the “divine deposit of destiny” in the heart of a person.

14. What you are gifted in often reveals what type of leadership you are meant to exercise and what domain you are to operate in.

15. True leaders discover keys to the nature of leadership from the examples of others, but they never try to become these other leaders. They use their own gifts and abilities to do what they are individually called to do.

16. Failing to discover or pursue your personal leadership potential will deprive your generation and succeeding generations of your unique and vital contribution to the world.

CHAPTER TWO
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

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MOSES

The account of Moses’s life is found in the book of Exodus.

MOSES [Mō′ zez]—DRAWN FORTH, TAKEN OUT OF THE WATER or A SON. The youngest son of Amram and Jochebed, of the family of Kohath (Exodus 2:10–21; Acts 7:20–38; Hebrews 11:24-25). 

The Man Who Was God’s Friend 
The great Hebrew leader and legislator was born at the time the king of Egypt had resolved on the destruction of every newly born male child among the Israelites. The story of his rescue from the water by Pharaoh’s daughter, of her adoption of him as her own son and his royal upbringing has charmed our hearts from earliest years.

It would take a volume in itself to fully expound the virtues and vicissitudes of Moses the historian, orator, leader, statesman, legislator and patriot. His greatest honor, however, was the privilege of being known as “the friend of God.” What holy intimacy existed between God and this prophet so supernaturally guided and aided in his life and labors! No wonder this mighty leader of Israel was David Livingstone’s favorite Bible hero! 

Moses lived for 120 years, a period divided into three sections of forty years each: 
  • The FIRST forty years—from his birth until the flight into Midian. As Pharaoh’s son, Moses learned how to be SOMEBODY. 
  • The SECOND forty years—from the flight into Midian to the Exodus. In desert places he learned how to become a NOBODY. 
  • The THIRD forty years—from the Exodus to his own exodus. As the leader of God’s hosts he learned that GOD WAS EVERYBODY — the One he could speak to face to face as a man speaks to his friends. 

The remarkable life of Moses can be viewed under three more aspects: 

I.  The moment when he turned fully to God. 

II. The moment when he absolutely broke with the world. The refusal and choice of Hebrews 11:24-25 must be carefully noted. It is not enough to refuse—we must choose. We must back up a negative with a positive. 

III. The moment when between himself and God there was the sprinkled blood, the blood of atonement. 
 
Further, Moses, the Law-giver in Israel, supplies us with a fitting type of Christ. 
Taken together we have these similarities which pastors can develop: 
  • Both were preserved from the perils of infancy (Exodus 2:2–10 with Matthew 2:14-15). 
  • Both were tempted but had mastery over evil (Exodus 7:11 with Matthew 4:1). 
  • Both knew what it was to fast for forty days (Exodus 34:28 with Matthew 4:2). Solitude was their strength. 
  • Both had power to control the sea (Exodus 14:21 with Matthew 8:26). 
  • Both fed a multitude (Exodus 16:26 with Matthew 14:20, 21). 
  • Both had a radiant face (Exodus 34:35 with Matthew 17:2). 
  • Both endured murmurings (Exodus 15:24 with Mark 7:2). 
  • Both were discredited at home (Numbers 12:1 with John 7:5). 
  • Both were mighty intercessors (Exodus 32:32 with John 17). 
  • Both spoke as the oracles of God (Deuteronomy 18:18 with John 7:46). 
  • Both had seventy helpers (Numbers 11:16, 17 with Luke 10:1). 
  • Both established memorials (Exodus 12:14 with Luke 22:19). 
  • Both reappeared after death (Matthew 17:3 with Acts 1:3). 

Moses gave us the first five books of the Old Testament, known as The Pentateuch. When Jesus said, “Moses wrote of me,” He set His seal to the Mosaic authorship of these books. Moses died in the plains of Moab. At the ripe age of 120 years, while yet “his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated,” God called His faithful servant to climb Nebo’s lonely mountain, where, upon its summit he was kissed to sleep by the angels and God buried him—the only man in the Bible to have God as his undertaker (Deuteronomy 34:6).

PAGE 60

Exodus 33:3

3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.”
PAGES 62–63

NEHEMIAH
The account of Nehemiah’s life is found in the book of Nehemiah.

NEHEMIAH [Nē he mī′ ah]—JEHOVAH HATH CONSOLED. 
1. A chief man who returned from exile (Ezra 2:2; Nehemiah 7:7). 
2. The son of Hachaliah and cup-bearer to king Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 1:1). 

The Man Who Had a Mind to Work 

Nehemiah and Hanani were the sons of Hachaliah (Nehemiah 1:1; 2:5; 7:2), and the references suggest that the family belonged to the capital. Nehemiah, although born in exile, grew up in the faith of Israel’s God.

Nehemiah’s name appears as a prince, not as a priest (Nehemiah 9:38; 10:1), and he was perhaps the chief man who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:2; Nehemiah 7:7). As the king’s cupbearer, he held a high place of honor in the palace of Shushan (Nehemiah 1:11), having confidential access to the king. His Persian name was Sheshbazzar (Ezra 1:8). He was one of the princes who signed the covenant (Nehemiah 9:38; 10:1). He became Governor of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 10:1). Josephus says that Nehemiah died of old age and that the repaired walls of the city constituted his best and most enduring monument. 

For his patriotic task (Nehemiah 1:1–4), Nehemiah was well qualified. As a true Israelite, he labored for the purity of public worship, the integrity of family life, the sanctity of the sabbath. Ezra was the student and preacher; Nehemiah, the soldier and statesman. He was courageous and God-fearing, and brought to his labors a noble disinterestedness, and unblemished rectitude, a dauntless spirit and unswerving loyalty to God. 

Alexander Whyte in his helpful essay of Nehemiah speaks of him: 

As a self-contained man. A man of his own counsel. A man with the counsel of God alone in his mind and in his heart. A reserved and resolute man. A man to take command of other men. A man who will see things with his own eyes, and without all eyes seeing him. A man in no haste or hurry. He will not begin till he has counted the cost. And then he will not stop till he has finished the work. 
While we are compelled to pass over a full exposition of the book of this patriotic Jew whose heart was stirred with sorrow over the derelict condition of Jerusalem, we must linger over some of its important aspects. 

I. He illustrates the strength which comes from an inspiring purpose and definite aim. Open opposition and underhanded wiles had to be faced, but undauntedly Nehemiah persisted in his task (Nehemiah 6:3). 

Among the hostile methods directed against his noble mission were: 
RIDICULE (Nehemiah 2:19; 4:2)
But Nehemiah prayed that such reproach might return to the reproachers which it did (Nehemiah 4:4–6).
 
FEAR (Nehemiah 4:7–23)
Enemies delivered an ultimatum but Nehemiah set a watch. Swords and trowels were united (Nehemiah 4:18). 

GUILE (Nehemiah 6:2–4)
Nehemiah knew that conferences were useless, and so shunned them. 

FALSE ACCUSATION (Nehemiah 6:5–9)
This patriot had no selfish motives behind his endeavors. 

TEMPTATION TO TEMPT GOD (Nehemiah 6:10–13)
Nehemiah refused to hide himself in the Temple as if he was doing wrong. 

CORRUPTION OF FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES (Nehemiah 6:17–19)
This was the meanest act of Nehemiah’s foes.

II. He sets forth the strength that comes from humble dependence upon God. True to God and his principles, Nehemiah surmounted all his enemies and obstacles. His sterling character stood the acid test, for he was a man of dependence upon God (Nehemiah 1:5–11), single-hearted in his devotion to God and his work, wise in taking proper precautions against surprise attacks, ever encouraging to those who labored with him. Making his prayer to God, Nehemiah knew that God would fight for him (Nehemiah 4:9, 20). 

III. He manifested the strength which comes from the sense of union and of fellowship. All classes of people, even the daughters, were ready to take their place around the damaged walls. High and low worked together for the accomplishment of a God-inspired task (Nehemiah 3:12). With scorn, Nehemiah rebuked the pride and negligence of the nobles “who put not their necks to the work of their Lord” (Nehemiah 3:5). 
Fulfilling their obligation by repairing “every man over against his house,” the willing-heart with one mind to work illustrates the chain of living Christian fellowship set forth in Ecclesiastes 4:9 and I Corinthians 12:4–7. 

Ecclesiastes 4:9
9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 
5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 
6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
3. A son of Azbuk and ruler of half the district of Jerusalem who repaired part of the wall—a common-sense enthusiast even as his illustrious namesake (Neh. 
3:16).

PAGE 63

3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”
PAGE 63 & 64

QUEEN ESTHER

The account of Queen Esther’s life is found in the book of Esther.

ESTHER 
THE WOMAN WHO SAVED HER NATION FROM GENOCIDE 

Scripture Reference — The Book of Esther 
Name Meaning — Esther was the Persian name of this descendant of Benjamin and is from “aster” meaning “a star” and implies, like Venus, that of “good fortune.” We refer to “the star of hope” — “the star of joy” — “the star of superiority,” and Esther was all these to her people for in “the splendid galaxy of Hebrew women of the olden time, no name stands more prominent or shines with a richer lustre.” Rabbi Jehudah affirms that Esther is “sether,” meaning “to hide,” because she was hidden in her guardian’s home and because her nationality was concealed (Esther 2:7).

Mordecai had made the girl promise that she would not reveal her nationality to the king — which she did not until the opportune moment came. Hadassah, signifying “myrtle” was Esther’s original name. The change of name from Hadassah to Esther may indicate the style of beauty for which this once captive, now a Persian queen, was famous for. She is revealed as “a woman of clear judgment, of magnificent self-control and capable of the noblest self-sacrifice.” 

The lines of Byron can be fittingly applied to Esther— 
She walks in beauty, like the night 
Of cloudless climes and starry skies; 
And all that’s best of dark and bright 
Meet in her aspect and her eyes. 
Family Connections — This last woman of the Old Testament of whom we intimately know nothing, was related to a family carried away captive with Jeremiah, about 600 B.C. and was born of this family preferring to remain in the land of captivity rather than return to Jerusalem. Esther was the daughter of Abihail who lived at Shushan, the Persian royal city. When her parents died she came under the guardian care of Mordecai, a palace official, to whom she was related by marriage. Mordecai had a deep affection for her and reared her as his own daughter. Esther was always obedient to her uncle and even when she became queen, sought his practical advice. She trusted this gentle Jew as her father. 

As Alexander Whyte expresses it, “Mordecai brought Esther up, and his one love in his whole life, after his love for Israel and for the God of Israel, was his love for his little adopted daughter. . . . He stood by and watched his sister’s child lifted up in a moment from her exile and poverty, and actually made the queen of the greatest empire then standing on the face of the earth.” 
The story of Esther as we have it in the book bearing her name is a romance of captivity in Persia, for a king set at nought Persian law and prejudice to make her his queen. The marriage of Ahasuerus to Esther, a Jewess, was against Persian law which held that one of the royal line must marry a wife belonging to the seven great Persian families. What Esther did and how she did it is described in ten intensely vivid chapters, and her story is one of great dramatic power in which “incident after incident is related until the climax of difficulty is reached and the knot is so tied that it seems impossible to escape. Then it is untied with wonderful dexterity.” 

A peculiar feature of the Book of Esther is that, with the Song of Solomon, it shares the distinction of not mentioning God or any divine name once throughout its pages. Yet the fast-moving action in this drama is eloquent with the overruling providence of God in bringing Esther to the throne for such a time. At times, God may appear as if He is hiding Himself, but seen or unseen He ever accomplishes that which is according to His will. Because of her beauty Esther became an inmate of the palace, and when courageous Queen Vashti was deposed, Esther was chosen to succeed her. The combined wisdom of Mordecai and Esther’s courage became the means of lightening the load of the Jews under Persian rule. With Mordecai, Esther shared faith in the high destiny of Israel as a nation. 

Haman, the chief court favorite, was the Jews’ enemy — the Old Testament Adolph Hitler — and conceived a plan to massacre the Jews en bloc. Exhorted by Mordecai, Esther revealed her Jewish nationality to the king, and this courageous action brought about a complete reversal of the decree. Haman was executed, Mordecai was honored by the king, and Esther’s position as Queen was considerably strengthened. It is because she saved the Jews from destruction that the Book of Esther is read every year by Jews at the Feast of Purim, held on the 14th day of Adar. We cannot but agree with the summary of Esther, as one of the most attractive women in the Old Testament that — 
 
As an historical character, Esther is the supreme heroine who delivers her nation from disaster: as a woman, she is that rare individual, a mixture of charm, strength and guile: a human being whose character is secure from the rot of wealth, prosperity and power. 
 
That Esther had great personal beauty goes without saying. Her dark, exotic features marked her out, and she was thus chosen as a candidate for the king’s favor who, when he saw her for the first time must have been captivated by her physical charms. But through her beauty there shone a radiance of personality and character which enhanced her beauty and gave it distinction in the eyes of Ahasuerus who chose her as his queen. Kuyper, who does not have anything good to say about Esther’s character when he deals with her in his Women of the Old Testament, confesses that Ahasuerus reckoned her to be the most beautiful of the maidens presented to him when seeking a successor to Vashti. The one thing about Esther we cannot understand was the way she exhibited the vindictiveness of the age and the country in her request that Haman’s ten sons should be hanged, and a day set apart when the Jews could take vengeance on the enemies who had sought to kill them. She had not learned to love her enemies. She lived on the other side of the cross and therefore was ignorant of its cry for the forgiveness of enemies. 

What are some of the lessons to be gleaned from the fascinating story of Esther? First of all, her record abides because she was one who kept her pledge. May such allegiance be ours! She dutifully obeyed her foster father. Having no natural father or mother to honor, she loved and was loyal to her guardian parent. How commendable it is when young people revere their parents and obey them in the Lord! Further, Esther loved and clung to (although she concealed) her despised but honorable descent. She was a true patriot and in the hour of crisis was not ashamed to own her race. The lesson to learn from the dramatic moment when she revealed her identity as a Jewess has been applied by H. V. Morton in this way — 
 
When a person has gone up in the world and has achieved a position of power and eminence, it requires strength and beauty of character for that person still to love and remember the simple people from whom he, or she, sprang. Humble girls have often married rich men and have forgotten their origin. They have, in fact, been ashamed of anything that might remind them of it. 
 
Witnessing to the rock from which she had been hewn, Esther dared to risk death for her people and so escaped dying with them. By her patriotism she won for her nation a great deliverance and God used her as an instrument of His providence for the working out of a glorious purpose. There had been preparations of humiliation and prayer and when the king held out his scepter and she approached to make her plea the cry was in her heart, “How can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?” 
How national life sorely needs godly patriots after this order? You may be tempted to sigh and say, “If only I were like Esther with great opportunities what would I not do to glorify God.” Realize that all around you, no matter how mean your environment may be, there are magnificent and unparalleled opportunities of serving God and a needy world that angels envy. Serve the Master to the limit of your ability where in His Providence He has placed you, and thus prepare yourself for a larger circle of service if such be His will. 
Leaders of women’s groups could elaborate on the following points while dealing with the story of Esther, the strong-minded woman of ancient history
 
FROM HER CHARACTER WE LEARN 

1.To seek divine guidance in times of difficulty (Esther 4:15-17). 

2.To obtain a knowledge of human nature, so that we may know how to take advantage of any circumstances which may favor our cause if it be a proper one. 

3.When there is a necessity, to be ready to renounce self and exert ourselves for the good of others. 

4.To value and seek the cooperation of fellow-believers. 
Dealing with the ultimate safety of the Jews which Esther secured, 
we learn 

1.To have unbounded confidence in God’s Providence—not to undervalue  small things. 

2.To acknowledge God as the Author of all mercies. 

Thinking of the reversal of fortune of Haman, which Esther brought about, we further learn

1.There is such a thing as righteous retribution. Haman himself received what he had proposed for others. He was paid back in his own coin. 

2.The transitory nature of earthly grandeur and the end of all ill-gotten earthly power and possessions.

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Esther 4:14
14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther 4:16
16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”

PAGES 65-67

KING DAVID

The account of King David’s life is found in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, and 1 Chronicles.

DAVID [Dā′ vid]—BELOVED. The youngest son of the eight sons of Jesse the Bethlehemite, the second and greatest of Israel’s kings, the eloquent poet and one of the most prominent figures in the history of the world (Ruth 4:17, 22; I Samuel 16: 13). 

The Man After God’s Own Heart 

Volumes have been written on the trials and triumphs of David, a mountain peak among Bible characters, who was carefully chosen as Israel’s second king by God Himself. David’s father, Jesse, was a man of no great rank who lived in the little town of Bethlehem. In his youth David was trained to tend his father’s sheep. 

Being the youngest of the family he was not brought into public notice, yet it pleased God to raise him from a low estate and set him upon the throne. He was overlooked by the prophet Samuel, but the prophet obeyed when God said, “Arise anoint him, this is he.” 

All we can do in this study is to offer a brief sketch of David’s eventful life. We view him as:
 
I. WARRIOR
David was courageous as a champion and a great soldier (I Samuel 17:40; II Samuel 5:7). His fight with Goliath the giant made him a marked man. He had not the training of a soldier. As yet he had not reached the years of manhood.
Dressed like a poor country shepherd lad, he had no weapons save his sling. Never were two warriors more unequally matched, but when David was victorious over Goliath there was no empty boasting, no reliance upon his own powers. God gave the victory and David gave Him all the glory. He became a man of war and because of that was not allowed to build the Temple (I Chronicles 28:3). 

II. AS A MUSICIAN 
Because he was a skillful player on the harp he found himself in the presence of the wretched king, Saul, who could only be soothed by David’s music. Poetic genius made him the sweet psalmist of Israel, and no poet has been so constantly used and quoted through the ages. His majestic psalms are the masterpiece of spiritual literature. 

III. AS A SAINT
David was accepted as a child of God. The general trend of his life was spiritual (I Sam. 13:14; I Kings 15:5). What other man has had the reputation of being known as a man after God’s own heart? Such an expression does not refer to any remarkable goodness in David, but to him as one whom God had chosen to be the ruler of His people. He was the man according to God’s special choice. His psalms of praise, worship and meditation indicate the God-ward direction of his life. 

IV. AS A SINNER
David violated a divine law (Deuteronomy 17:17; II Samuel 5:13), yielded to his gross sin in a period of ease (II Samuel 11) and was rebuked by the prophet Nathan (II Samuel 12). David stained his character by his sin against Uriah and by the deceitful way he gained this gallant soldier’s wife as his own. Such a grievous sin brought the bitterest anguish of heart. David’s confession was not a cold, formal acknowledgment of guilt, but a true and heartfelt humbling of himself before God and a deep cry for pardon and restoration to divine favor as psalms thirty-two and fifty-one clearly prove. 

V. AS A PROPHET
David had a prophetic gift given to few. He was one of those holy men of old moved by the Holy Spirit to set forth many glorious truths related to Christ as Savior and Messiah. When we come to the New Testament we find the Psalms quoted from more often than any other part of the Old Testament. 

VI. AS A TYPE
Not only did David prophesy about Christ, he resembled Him in many ways.

For example: 
  • Both were born in the humble town of Bethlehem. 
  • Both were of low estate on earth, having no rank to boast of, no wealth to recommend them to the world. 
  • Both were shepherds—the one caring for sheep, the other for souls.
  • Both were sorely oppressed and persecuted but opened not their mouths. 
  • Both came to kingship. David subdued his foes and had a kingdom stretching from shore to shore. Jesus was born a King, and is to have an everlasting Kingdom.

VII. AS A STAR 
Does not the children’s hymn urge us to be “a star in someone’s sky?” David has lighted many a spiritual traveler on the way to heaven. Glory alone will reveal what his psalms meant to Christ and to His followers in all ages. Yet he is nothing compared to the Sun of Righteousness Himself. None can compare to David’s greater son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died and rose again to become our Savior, Friend and King.

PAGE 66

1 Samuel 17:26
26 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

1 Samuel 13:14
14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”
PAGES 72-24

PAUL

PAUL [Pôul]—LITTLE. The great apostle to the Gentiles, whose original name was Saul, a grander title than that of Paul (Acts 13:9). 

THE MAN WHO FOUNDED CHURCHES

How impossible it is to sketch in a page or two the worth and work of the chief missionary of early Christianity! Whole volumes have been written on this expositor of a divine revelation, and the first and most prolific contributor to that marvel of literature, the New Testament. Dr. John Clifford suggests that the making of this remarkable man is revealed to us in six photographs, taken at different times, some by himself, others by the Evangelist Luke. They mark the successive stages of Paul’s growth and suggest the formative energies operative at the chief epoch of his career. (See Acts 7:58; 22:3; 26:4, 5; Romans 7; Galatians 1:13, 15; Philippians 3:5, for these epochs). 

Here is a brief summary of this energetic, commanding, masterful man, who is one of the great characters, not only in the Bible, but in all history. 

I. He was a native of Tarsus, and his father was a Roman
a fact significant in Paul’s labors (Acts 21:39;22:3,25;25:16). 

II. He was a Pharisee Jew
—a Pharisee by birth, son of Pharisees, and a Pharisee by belief, the hope and resurrection of the dead (Matthew 22:23; Acts 23:5-6; Philippians 3:5). 

III. He was a freeborn citizen of Rome (Acts 22:25,28). 

IV. He had had a strict religious training. Circumcision admitted him to the covenant relation of his fathers (Philippians 3:5). As a Jewish boy, he would memorize Scripture (Deuteronomy 6:4–9) and familiarize himself with Jewish history (Deuteronomy 6:20–25).
V. He was a tent maker by trade (Acts 18:3). 

A Talmudic writer asks, “What is commanded of a father towards his son? To circumcise him, to teach him the law, to teach him a trade.” (See I Corinthians 4:12; I Thessalonians 2:9; II Thessalonians 3:8).
 
VI. He had received a good education, finishing up under the great philosopher, Gamaliel (Acts 22:3).

As Paul quotes from the Greek poets, he must have been well acquainted with Greek philosophy and literature. Paul, however, studied not only in Jerusalem but also in “The College of Experience.” Knowledge comes not only from books, but from the responsibility and experience of life (Philippians 4:11–13).
VII. He had been a persecutor of Christ and of Christians (Acts 8:1–4).
Enthusiastically Paul endeavored to stamp out the Christian faith. There is no evidence, however, that he himself killed anyone. 

VIII. He became a new creature in Christ Jesus. 
The persecutor became a believer (Acts 9:3–9; 22:6–11; 26:12–18). Paul never tired of telling the story of his striking conversion on that Damascus road.

IX. He had ten years’ training for his remarkable work. 
In Arabia, Damascus, Jerusalem, Syria and Cilicia, Paul spent much time in the study of Scripture and in prayer, knowing that God had called him to function as a witness and minister of the truth (Galatians 1:15–24). 

X. He was a great missionary and church builder. 
Paul undertook three fruitful missionary journeys, the influence of which cannot be overestimated (Acts 13:1; 28:31). In all his travels, trials and triumphs, Paul was borne along by the one incentive—“To do the will of Him that sent me” (John 6:38; Acts 21:13, 14). 

XI. He was a heart-stirring preacher.
Three of his sermons are preserved for us in Acts and serve as models for preachers of all time. Paul relied upon Scripture and appealed to historical facts and prophecy. Ponder his sermon to Jews at Antioch (Acts 13:16–41); his sermon to Gentiles at Athens (Acts 17:22–31). 

XII. He was a most gifted writer. 
Of the twenty-seven books forming the New Testament, Paul was the author of fourteen of them, if we include Hebrews. How revealing are his valuable epistles! As Robert Speer puts it, “They show us his character with all its varied elements, his religious intensity, his originality, freshness and depth of thought, and his intellectual boldness and strength, while they reveal to us also his rich moral nature and his human heart enlarged by the grace of Christ.” 

Paul’s bodily size and appearance may have been against him, judging from a second century apocryphal description of him: “He was a man little of stature, partly bald, with crooked legs, of vigorous physique, with eyes set close together and nose somewhat hooked.” What he was in his appearance mattered little. Paul lived only to win others to Christ and to make Him known. If legend be true, at the end of his honored life, his foes led him out to the Appian Way where they severed his noble head from his frail body, and he died triumphantly for the Lord he dearly loved. 

To him life was Christ, and death a gain.

His purpose and passion can also be seen in the letters he wrote. See the books of 
  • Romans, 
  • 1 and 2 Corinthians
  • Galatians
  • Ephesians
  • Philippians
  • Colossians
  • 1 and 2 Thessalonians
  • 1 and 2 Timothy
  • Titus
  • Philemon

ROMANS

ROMANS-ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY

Righteousness with God is given freely (imputed) to all those who have faith in Jesus Christ for salvation according to God's eternal plan.


CHRIST IN ROMANS
In this letter to the Romans, Paul presents Christ as "a descendant of David according to the flesh and who has been declared to be the powerful Son of God by the resurrection from the dead according to the Spirit of holiness" (Romans 1:3–4). Through Jesus' death we are reconciled to God, and by His life we are saved (Romans 5:10).

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES 
IN ROMANS

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 1
MUTUAL ENCOURAGEMENT
Regardless of their positions, spiritual leaders are to function as members of the body of Christ who all need one another in order to continue to mature in Christ.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 2

STANDING STRONG

No matter what our circumstances, we should never allow shame and fear to keep us from being identified with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


ROMANS PRINCIPLE 3

SIN'S DEVASTATING RESULTS

In view of the power of sin, we should not be surprised how human beings progressively violate God's moral laws and suffer the consequences.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 4

SINS PERVASIVE IMPACT

Though we may assent to a high standard of righteousness, we are still not able to measure up to God's perfect requirements that make us free from sin.


ROMANS PRINCIPLE 5

A HEART EXPERIENCE
To have salvation, we must go through a born-again experience that renews our hearts.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 6

SALVATION THROUGH FAITH
Since we all fall short of God's perfect standard of righteousness, in order to be saved we must put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 7

GOD'S FREE GIFT
Since salvation is obtained by grace through faith, we are to believe God and receive salvation as a free gift.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 8

PEACE WITH GOD
When we are made righteous by faith, we are to have the full assurance of our salvation, now and eternally.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 9

GOD'S SAVING GRACE

To walk in God's will, we must believe that God's grace is far greater than the power of sin.


ROMANS PRINCIPLE 10
OUR NEW LIFE IN CHRIST

To walk in God's will, we should continually remind ourselves that we are dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.


ROMANS PRINCIPLE 11
THE APOSTLE'S TEACHING

To walk in God's will, we are to obey the pattern of teaching recorded in the Scriptures.


ROMANS PRINCIPLE 12
THE POWER OF SCRIPTURE

To help people overcome their sinful attitudes and actions, we should continually expose them to the Word of God.


ROMANS PRINCIPLE 13
INNER CONFLICT

Even though we sincerely desire to walk in God's will, we should expect inner struggles when choosing between doing right and doing wrong.


ROMANS PRINCIPLE 14
THE INDWELLING SPIRIT

When we face temptations to violate God's will, we are to draw on the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit to enable us to be victorious over sin.


ROMANS PRINCIPLE 15

DIVINE PRAYER
When we become discouraged, we should remember the intercessory ministry both of the Holy Spirit and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 16

SECURITY IN CHRIST
No matter the circumstances of life, we are to take comfort in the fact that we are secure in Christ, now and eternally.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 17

A COMPASSIONATE HEART

We should develop a passion for all people who need to hear the good news regarding the gift of salvation.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 18 

GOD'S SOVEREIGN MERCY
We must understand that God's elective grace is not only based on who He is, but is also directly related to His love for all lost humanity.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 19

HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY
We are to faithfully share with all people that they are responsible to respond to God's mercy and grace.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 20

THE GREAT COMMISSION

Regardless of God's future plan for Israel as a nation, our primary focus today should be on God's present plan for both Jews and Gentiles.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 21

CHRIST-CENTERED WORSHIP

In view of God's mercy, we are humbly to acknowledge His sovereign grace and worship Him by offering all parts of our bodies as a living sacrifice.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 22

A SERVANTS HEART
To live in God's will, we are to humbly serve one another within the body of Jesus Christ.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 23

SINCERE LOVE
To live in God's will, we are continually to demonstrate authentic love for one another.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 24

AVOIDING VENGEANCE
To live in God's will, we are to demonstrate Christlike love to our enemies.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 25

CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES
To live in God's will, we are to be good citizens.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 26

LOVING ONE ANOTHER
To live in God's will, we are to obey Christ's new command.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 27

WALKING IN THE LIGHT
To live in God's will, we are to walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 28

ACCEPTING ONE ANOTHER
To live in God's will, we are to avoid judging one another where God has given us freedom.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 29

PROTECTING ONE ANOTHER
To live in God's will, we are to avoid using our freedom in Christ in a way that causes another Christian to fall into sin.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 30

PURSUING PEACE

To live in God's will, we are to do all we can to create love and unity in the body of Christ.


ROMANS PRINCIPLE 31

TWO-DIMENSIONAL LOVE
To live in God's will, not only are we to accept one another, but we are to instruct one another.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 32

MATERIAL OBLIGATIONS
To live in God's will, we are to reciprocate materially when we have been helped spiritually.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 33

THE POWER OF PRAYER
To live in God's will, we are to pray for one another, particularly when we face difficult challenges in our lives.

ROMANS PRINCIPLE 34

A MODEL OF ENCOURAGEMENT
To live in God's will, we are to remember in a special way those who have encouraged us.

_________


1 CORINTHIANS

1 CORINTHIANS- ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY 
The many problems a congregation may have, whether doctrinal or practical, will be resolved as that church submits properly to the lord­ship of Christ and learns to love one another genuinely.


CHRIST IN 1 CORINTHIANS  
To a church fascinated by wisdom and power, Paul declares Christ to be both the power (1 Corinthians 1:18,24) and the wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:21,24,30) of God.


https://bhpublishinggroup.com/handbook/1CORINTHIANS


1 CORINTHIANS 

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 1

God's Grace

To explain and appreciate God's grace, we must understand the various ways this divine source is used in the New Testament.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 2

Divisive Behavior

Though it's natural to prefer certain spiritual leaders, we should not allow these preferences to create divisions in the church.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 3

Worldly Wisdom

We must continue to present the supernatural message boldly even though there are many educated people who consider salvation by faith in Christ foolishness.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 4

God's Wisdom

Though we may be considered unwise and even foolish by the world's standards, we must understand that by God's standards, we are wise and discerning.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 5

God's Power

When presenting God's truth, we should not depend upon our eloquence and personal strength but on God's presence and power.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 6

Spiritual Wisdom

When we study the Word of God, we are to rely on the Holy Spirit to open our minds to understand God's amazing plan of redemption as well as His will for our lives as followers of Jesus Christ.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 7

Becoming Like Christ

As Christ-followers, we should become mature and follow His example in all of our relationships within the church.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 8

The True Foundation

We are faithfully to build the church on Christ--who He is and what He taught.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 9

God's Direct Discipline

We should warn Christians who are dividing the church for selfish reasons that they may be directly and severely disciplined by God.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 10

Prideful Perceptions

To evaluate the maturity of our spiritual leaders, we must make sure we are spiritually mature ourselves.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 11

Self-Defense

When we are falsely accused, it is not wrong to defend ourselves, but we should also have someone who knows us well verify our true character.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 12

Church Discipline

For local churches to become mature in Christ, church leaders must exercise proper church discipline.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 13

Living Transformed Lives

When we become followers of Jesus Christ, we are no longer to function in the world as if we are still a part of the world.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 14

Using Freedom Responsibly

Though we live under grace, we are never to use our freedom in Christ to violate His will.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 15

The Gift of Sex

We are to view sex as a sacred gift from God to be used within the bonds of marriage.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 16

Mixed Marriages

Christians who are married to unbelievers should view their relationships as sacred.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 17

Equality in Christ

When we receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, we should serve God faithfully in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 18

Maintaining Priorities

Whatever decisions we make as believers, we should consider how these decisions will enable us to serve the Lord Jesus Christ more effectively.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 19

Using Knowledge Responsibly

As we grow in biblical knowledge, we are to use this knowledge in a loving, responsible way.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 20

Demonstrating Pure Motives

When engaged in evangelistic efforts, we must be cautious in receiving financial support from unbelievers as well as those who initially respond to the gospel.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 21

Freedom in Form

We should use a variety of means and methods to communicate the biblical message, but we are never to compromise biblical values.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 22

Lessons from Scripture

As we read the biblical story, we are to learn lessons that relate particularly to God's discipline on His people when they persistently violated His will.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 23

Interpreting Scripture Accurately

We must be careful not to superimpose on Scripture particular forms that are never spelled out in a definitive way.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 24

Avoiding Favoritism

When we participate in the Lord's Supper, we should reflect deep care and concern for all members of Christ's body.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 25

Unity in Christ

As members of local churches, we should be committed to manifesting the fruit of the Holy Spirit and becoming unified in Christ.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 26

The Way of Love

To create unity in our local churches, we must be committed to building up one another in love.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 27

Reflections of Love

To build up one another, we must demonstrate Christ's love in all of our relationships.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 28

Measuring Corporate Maturity

When measuring maturity in our local churches, we should use the Christlike qualities of faith, hope, and love--but especially love--as divine criteria.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 29

Articulate Communication

When speaking to one another and to God in services of instruction and worship, we should focus on clear and understandable communication.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 30

Proper Body Function

To produce spiritual maturity in our churches, we must create ways for the body of Christ to function in all of its parts--but always in productive and orderly ways.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 31

Resurrected Bodies

To have a complete understanding of our eternal hope, we must not only believe in Christ's death for our sins, but in His bodily resurrection.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 32

Generous Giving

As true followers of Jesus Christ, we should be generous with our material possessions, giving regularly, systematically, and proportionately.


1 CORINTHIANS PRINCIPLE 33

Mutual Loyalty and Support

Spiritual leaders should be supportive of their fellow servants, especially when they become vulnerable to criticism from immature Christians.



2 CORINTHIANS


2 CORINTHIANS-ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY

True Christian ministry, although it may have to be defended against false attacks, is commissioned by Christ and empowered by His Spirit.


CHRIST IN 2 CORINTHIANS 
Jesus Christ, God's Son, is not an ambiguous, fickle word from God, not "yes and no" but "yes." Conformity to Christ's image is the goal of the Christian life. Christ, working through the Spirit, brings this about.

https://bhpublishinggroup.com/handbook/2CORINTHIANS


LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES OF 

2 CORINTHIANS 1


2 CORINTHIANS 1

A Perspective on Suffering

With God's help, we should view our afflictions as opportunities to encourage and comfort others who are suffering.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1261/


2 CORINTHIANS 2

Prayer and Protection

When comforting others who are suffering, we should combine our concern with corporate prayer.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1262/


2 CORINTHIANS 3

Transparent Communication

When our motives and actions are misunderstood, we should be open and honest with God, ourselves, and those who are confused or even critical.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1263/


2 CORINTHIANS 4

Spiritual Restoration

When we confront sin in the life of a fellow Christian, our primary goal should always be repentance and restoration.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1264/


2 CORINTHIANS 5

Concern and Anxiety

As brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, we should expect periods of anxiety that relate to the impact of sin on our relationships.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1265/


2 CORINTHIANS 6

Living Letters

We are to evaluate our ministry effectiveness by the Christlike changes that take place in people's lives.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1266/


2 CORINTHIANS 7

An Eternal Perspective

No matter what our circumstances in this life, we are to focus on God's grace and eternal values.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1267/


2 CORINTHIANS 8

Modeling the Message

To expose false religious leaders, we must first and foremost live authentic lives that demonstrate our faithfulness to Jesus Christ and His message.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1268/


2 CORINTHIANS 9

A True Test

To evaluate the depth of our commitment to Christ, we should consider the degree we are willing to endure discomfort as ambassadors for Christ.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1269/


2 CORINTHIANS 10

Proper Relationships

We should maintain spiritual fellowship with authentic spiritual leaders and avoid relationships with false prophets and deceptive teachers.

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2 CORINTHIANS 11

Positive Feedback

We should look for opportunities to give positive feedback to those who serve as our spiritual leaders.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1271/


2 CORINTHIANS 12

Models of Generosity

All local communities of faith are to be models of generosity to other churches.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1272/


2 CORINTHIANS 13

Motivated by Love

Though we have an obligation to be generous, our primary motivation for giving should be our love for God and for one another.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1273/


2 CORINTHIANS 14

Financial Integrity

When receiving and distributing financial gifts, every local church and parachurch ministry should entrust this responsibility to several trustworthy individuals.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1274/


2 CORINTHIANS 15

Financial Accountability

All of us--individually and corporately--should have a system of accountability to help us maintain our financial commitments to God's work.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1275/


2 CORINTHIANS 16

Guidelines for Generosity

To live in God's will, we are to follow biblical guidelines for using and sharing our material resources.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1276/


2 CORINTHIANS 17

Self-Defense

When we are falsely accused, it is not wrong to defend ourselves, but when we do, we should always reflect the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1277/


2 CORINTHIANS 18

Defeating Satan

We should be alert to Satan's continual evil efforts to destroy local churches and other Christian ministries.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1278/


2 CORINTHIANS 19

Servant-Leaders

Shepherds of God's people must become servant-leaders, following the example of Jesus Christ.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1279/


2 CORINTHIANS 20

Encounters with God

Believers are to be cautious about anyone's claims to have received direct messages in God's holy presence.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1280/


2 CORINTHIANS 21

A Pastoral Passion

All spiritual leaders in God's churches should have one major goal--to help all believers become mature in Jesus Christ.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1281/



GALATIANS


GALATIANS ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY
Sinners are justified (and live out a godly life) by trusting in Jesus Christ alone, not by keeping the law or by counting on good works.


CHRIST IN GALATIANS
Christ became a curse for us so that He could redeem us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13). Believers are crucified with Christ and yet they live. Christ Himself becomes their very life (Galatians 2:19–20).


https://bhpublishinggroup.com/handbook/GALATIANS


LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES 
IN GALATIANS

GALATIANS PRINCIPLE 1

God's Free Gift

When presenting the gospel message, we must make sure we clearly explain that salvation is God's free gift.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1282/


GALATIANS PRINCIPLE 2

Messages from God

If we think God has spoken to us directly, we must always verify our experiences by consulting the Scriptures and other mature Christian leaders.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1283/


GALATIANS PRINCIPLE 3

Doctrinal Compromise

Even prominent and sincere Christian leaders must be on guard against compromising the message of salvation because of social pressure.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1284/


GALATIANS PRINCIPLE 4

The Abrahamic Covenant

To communicate the gospel comprehensively, we must understand God's unconditional promise to Abraham.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1285/


GALATIANS PRINCIPLE 5

Justification by Faith

When explaining that salvation is a free gift, we must also clarify that this gift can only be received by faith in Jesus Christ

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1286/


GALATIANS PRINCIPLE 6

Unity in Christ

Regardless of our ethnic background, cultural upbringing, or gender, when we are saved we are to function as one unified family in Christ.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1287/


GALATIANS PRINCIPLE 7

A Pastoral Passion

To minister to people effectively, we must develop pastoral hearts.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1288/


GALATIANS PRINCIPLE 8

Bible Interpretation

We are free to illustrate biblical truths from scriptural incidents that do not teach these truths directly, but we should do so cautiously and sparingly.

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GALATIANS PRINCIPLE 9

Freedom to Serve

To be set free from the bondage of sin, we must become servants of God and one another.

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GALATIANS PRINCIPLE 10

Life in the Spirit

To experience true freedom in our relationships with one another, we must reflect the fruit of the Spirit.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1291/


GALATIANS PRINCIPLE 11

The Process of Restoration

As we live by the Spirit, we are to help our fellow Christians who are in bondage to works of the flesh to experience true freedom in Christ.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1292/


GALATIANS PRINCIPLE 12

Pure Motives in Ministry

To counter false teaching in the church, we must keep our motives pure.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1293/



EPHESIANS

EPHESIANS ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY 
In God's eternal plan God's great masterpiece the church has now been manifested, in which Christ is united with all the redeemed whether Jew or Gentile, transforming relationships in this life and lead­ing to a glorious future.


CHRIST IN EPHESIANS
Christ, through His death, brought peace between God and man and between Jew and Gentile. He is the cornerstone and head of the church, which is His body.


https://bhpublishinggroup.com/handbook/EPHESIANS

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES IN EPHESIANS


EPHESIANS PRINCIPLE 1

Communities of Faith

To apply most biblical exhortations in the New Testament effectively, we must think in terms of local churches.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1294/


EPHESIANS PRINCIPLE 2

Our Position in Christ

Because of our eternal hope and secure relationship with God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, we should never cease to praise and worship Him.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1295/


EPHESIANS PRINCIPLE 3

Measuring Corporate Maturity

When we evaluate the maturity of any local church, we should look for the ways believers are manifesting faith, hope, and love in their relationships with God and one another.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1296/


EPHESIANS PRINCIPLE 4

God's Gift

When we present the message of hope in Christ, we must make sure that all people understand that good works do not contribute in any way to their salvation experience.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1297/


EPHESIANS PRINCIPLE 5

Oneness in Christ

Regardless of our ethnic backgrounds, social status, gender, or race, when we become believers we are to function as members of one family.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1298/


EPHESIANS PRINCIPLE 6

Servants of the Gospel

As unified members of Christ's body, we are to serve God and one another, demonstrating to both the visible and the invisible world the message of God's love and grace through Jesus Christ.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1299/


EPHESIANS PRINCIPLE 7

Experiencing God's Power

To live in God's will as individuals and as communities of faith, we must not only understand God's power but we must experience this power.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1300/


EPHESIANS PRINCIPLE 8

Walking Worthy

When we truly understand what God has done for all of us in Jesus Christ, we should respond by living godly lives in love and unity.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1301/


EPHESIANS PRINCIPLE 9

Building Up One Another

To become mature in Christ as local communities of faith, we must all function as members of one another.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1302/


EPHESIANS PRINCIPLE 10

Walking in Newness of Life 

Since God chose each one of us to live holy lives, we are to become what He created us to be.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1303/


EPHESIANS PRINCIPLE 11

Walking in Love

Because of Christ's supreme act of love for us, we are to walk in love in all of our relationships.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1304/


EPHESIANS PRINCIPLE 12

Walking in the Light

Because of our new life in Christ, we are to illuminate the darkness created by sin.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1305/


EPHESIANS PRINCIPLE 13

Walking Wisely

To walk wisely, we must continually allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten our hearts to discover what God's will is, particularly as revealed through the authors of Scripture.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1306/


EPHESIANS PRINCIPLE 14

Walking in Love and Submission

To walk in God's will, we must practice mutual love and submission in all of our relationships.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1307/


EPHESIANS PRINCIPLE 15

Walking in God's Strength

To walk worthy of our great calling in Christ, we must rely on God's strength and protection.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1308/


EPHESIANS PRINCIPLE 16

God-Ordained Communication

To experience God's blessings in our lives, we must communicate with one another.

https://ssl.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/1309/


PHILIPPIANS

PHILIPPIANS ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY
Knowing Jesus Christ is much more joyful and important than any­thing else because God has exalted Jesus, the crucified Servant, with the name above every name.


CHRIST IN PHILIPPIANS
Christ, who existed in the form of God, emptied Himself of His privileges as God and became a human being and a slave. After this, God exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name. At the name of Jesus all creatures will bow and confess Him as Lord.


https://bhpublishinggroup.com/handbook/PHILIPPIANS


LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES IN PHILIPPIANS


PHILIPPIANS PRINCIPLE 1

Leadership Development

To produce mature and growing churches, we must make it a priority to mentor and develop qualified leaders.


PHILIPPIANS PRINCIPLE 2

Expressing Appreciation

Spiritual leaders should express sincere appreciation to those who partner with them in the ministry.


PHILIPPIANS PRINCIPLE 3

The Pure Gospel

When evaluating various ministers and ministries, we should first of all consider what is being taught regarding the deity of Jesus Christ and how to be saved.


PHILIPPIANS PRINCIPLE 4

Eternal Values

As those who are free to worship God and communicate the gospel, we should maintain an eternal perspective.


PHILIPPIANS PRINCIPLE 5

Mutual Support

When we face various challenges in life, we are to draw our strength not only from Christ's love and mercy, but from the love we have for one another.


PHILIPPIANS PRINCIPLE 6

Imitating Christ

To live worthy of the gospel, we must live in harmony with one another, demonstrating Christ's attitudes of unselfishness, humility, and self-sacrifice.


PHILIPPIANS PRINCIPLE 7

Exemplifying the Incarnation

To demonstrate to the world who Jesus Christ is, we are to work out our salvation.


PHILIPPIANS PRINCIPLE 8

Christlike Examples

To help Christians understand and imitate Christ's attitudes of unselfishness, humility, and self-sacrifice, we should expose them to spiritual leaders who model these qualities.


PHILIPPIANS PRINCIPLE 9

Made Righteous by Faith

To be faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ, we must never compromise the biblical teaching that we are made righteous by faith and faith alone.


PHILIPPIANS PRINCIPLE 10

Progressive Sanctification

To live in a manner worthy of the gospel, we must become more and more like the Lord Jesus Christ.


PHILIPPIANS PRINCIPLE 11

Standing Firm

No matter our circumstances in life, we are to stand firm in the Lord by being unified in our relationships, by seeking God's help though prayer, and by imitating Jesus Christ.


PHILIPPIANS PRINCIPLE 12

Eternal Rewards

Spiritual leaders whose material needs are being met by fellow Christians should serve Christ faithfully in order to add to their supporters' spiritual rewards in heaven.

_________


COLOSSIANS

COLOSSIANS ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY
Jesus Christ is supreme Lord of the universe and head of the church, and therefore He is the only One through whom forgiveness is possible, making legal obligations or philosophical studies irrelevant in matters of salvation.


CHRIST IN COLOSSIANS
Christ is Creator of all things, whether visible or invisible. He is the One who holds all creation together. The fullness of God lived in Him, and through Christ's death God reconciled everything to Himself.

https://bhpublishinggroup.com/handbook/COLOSSIANS


LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES 

IN COLOSSIANS


COLOSSIANS PRINCIPLE 1

TEAM MINISTRY

All spiritual leaders should endeavor to implement the team ministry model illustrated so often found in Scripture.

COLOSSIANS PRINCIPLE 2
REFLECTIONS OF MATURITY

Spiritual leaders' primary goal should always be to produce local churches that reflect faith, hope, and love.


COLOSSIANS PRINCIPLE 3
MODEL PRAYERS

We should consider how to use Paul's inspired pastoral prayers creatively as we pray for one another.


COLOSSIANS PRINCIPLE 4
PURSUING CHRIST FIRST

To walk in God's will, Jesus Christ must always be the central focus in our personal and corporate lives.


COLOSSIANS PRINCIPLE 5
OUR INDEBTEDNESS

We must never take for granted what others suffered in order to bring the gospel to us.


COLOSSIANS PRINCIPLE 6

GROWTH IN BIBLICAL TRUTH

We should become more and more grounded in God's message of salvation and sanctification so that we will not be led astray by false teaching.


COLOSSIANS PRINCIPLE 7

REFLECTING OUR POSITION IN CHRIST

When we are saved, we are to demonstrate spiritually, morally, and ethically who we are in Christ.


COLOSSIANS PRINCIPLE 8
MUTUAL INSTRUCTION

All Christians are to practice reciprocal instruction without violating the roles God has established within marital and family relationships.


COLOSSIANS PRINCIPLE 9

PRAYER AND EVANGELISM

As members of Christ's body, all of us should take seriously our individual responsibility to communicate the salvation message.


COLOSSIANS PRINCIPLE 10
PUBLIC APPRECIATION
As spiritual leaders, we should take advantage of opportunities to appropriately acknowledge and thank those who are members of our team.


1 THESSALONIANS


1 THESSALONIANS ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY
Whatever difficulties and sufferings believers experience in this life, the coming of Christ is the true hope of the Christian.


CHRIST IN 1 THESSALONIANS
Christ is a source of comfort because He is coming again. At His coming those who have died in Him will rise first. Then believers who are living will be caught up to join those who have died and be together with Him.


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LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES IN 1 THESSALONIANS 2


1 THESSALONIANS 1

Models of Maturity

As local churches, we are to become models of faith, hope, and love to other communities of faith.


1 THESSALONIANS 2

Mature Leaders

All spiritual leaders should model faith, hope, and love to those they lead.


1 THESSALONIANS 3

God's Household Model

For local church leaders to function effectively, they must understand God's plan for leadership in the family.


1 THESSALONIANS 4

God's Message

To help believers become mature, spiritual leaders must continually teach them God's divine message in Scripture in times of peace as well as persecution.


1 THESSALONIANS 5

Follow-up Communication

Spiritual leaders should develop a plan to be in contact with new converts to make sure they are growing spiritually.


1 THESSALONIANS 6

Faithful Intercession

To help new believers mature in their faith, spiritual leaders must consistently pray for their spiritual growth.


1 THESSALONIANS 7

Moral Values

Spiritual leaders should openly and forthrightly address and model God's will regarding moral purity.


1 THESSALONIANS 8

Economic Responsibility

To help believers become dynamic witnesses in this world, we must encourage them to practice a biblical work ethic.


1 THESSALONIANS 9

Understanding Doctrinal Truths

To help new converts have a clear understanding of the Scriptures, we should develop a plan to teach basic doctrinal truths.


1 THESSALONIANS 10

Christ's Return

The more we help Christians grow in faith, hope, and love, the more they will be ready for Christ's return.


1 THESSALONIANS 11

Relationships with One Another

To develop a mature church that exhibits faith, hope, and love, we must encourage all believers to participate in building up one another.


1 THESSALONIANS 12

Relationships with God

To produce a mature church, we must help believers engage in proper worship.


1 THESSALONIANS 13

Holistic Christian Living

Spiritual leaders should help all Christians live balanced and integrated lives that please God.



2 THESSALONIANS

2 THESSALONIANS ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY
Whatever difficulties believers face, they should stand firm and contin­ue living useful lives since Christ's return may be in the distant future.


CHRIST IN 2 THESSALONIANS
Christ came the first time as a baby. His Second Coming will be different. He will come with His powerful angels who will punish God's enemies, those who refuse peace with God made possible by the death of Christ.


https://bhpublishinggroup.com/handbook/2THESSALONIANS


LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES IN 

2 THESSALONIANS 1


2 THESSALONIANS PRINCIPLE 1

Clarifying Doctrinal Issues

Local church leaders should discover and address areas of spiritual weakness among their disciples.


2 THESSALONIANS PRINCIPLE 2

Preparation or Speculation

No matter what happens in the future, we are to encourage believers to stand firm in their faith, hope, and love, always being ready for Christ's return.


2 THESSALONIANS PRINCIPLE 3

Church Discipline

To help believers who are demonstrating economic irresponsibility, we are to exercise some form of church discipline.


1 TIMOTHY


1 TIMOTHY ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY
Whatever challenges Christian leaders face in life and ministry, they are to make progress in godliness and help maintain order in congrega­tional life.


CHRIST IN 1 TIMOTHY 
Christ's purpose for coming into the world is to save sinners. Paul said Christ took him as a worst-case scenario. He argued that if Christ can save him, He can save anyone.


https://bhpublishinggroup.com/handbook/1timothy


LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES IN 

1 TIMOTHY


1 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 1

Doctrinal Purity

To maintain doctrinal purity in the church, we must appoint leaders who are spiritually mature.


1 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 2

The True Gospel

When evaluating false teaching, our most important criteria should be the true gospel message.


1 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 3

Encouraging Our Leaders

We are to support and encourage our spiritual leaders as they confront those who are persuading people to violate God's will.


1 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 4

Prayer for Government Leaders

We are to pray regularly for all government officials so that we'll have a peaceful environment in which to worship God and communicate the gospel.


1 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 5

Gender Roles

To have a unified church that reflects the fruit of the Spirit, both men and women are to function as equals in Christ within the parameters of God's divine plan.


1 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 6

A Profile for Christian Maturity

Leaders who are appointed to serve in shepherding roles in the church are to be selected based on a comprehensive biblical criteria for measuring Christian maturity.


1 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 7

Qualified Assistants

Men and women who assist elders/overseers should, in essence, be just as qualified as those who manage and shepherd the church.


1 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 8

False Doctrine

When confronting false teachers, we should be specific regarding what makes their doctrine untrue.


1 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 9

Spiritual Disciplines

As servants of Jesus Christ, we should first and foremost train ourselves to be godly.


1 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 10

Modeling Godliness

To be able to communicate the message of godliness to all ages, we are to exemplify Christlike qualities consistently in our own lives.


1 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 11

Material Needs

When there are legitimate material needs among believers that cannot be met by family members, as a church we are to assist in meeting these needs.


1 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 12

Elder/Overseer Functions

Local church leaders should govern properly, providing adequate remuneration and protection as well as proper discipline.


1 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 13

Making Wise Decisions

When appointing spiritual leaders in the church, we are to develop a system that is fair, equitable, and discerning.


1 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 14

Materialistic Motivation

Christian leaders in particular must be on guard against the temptation to be motivated by materialistic interests.


1 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 15

Personal Discipline

Even if we are committed to doing God's will, we must still be diligent in training ourselves in godliness.


1 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 16

Being Generous

As Christ-followers, we should use material possessions to do God's work in this world.

2 TIMOTHY


2 TIMOTHY ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY
Christian leaders are to be unashamed of the gospel and to carry on faithfully with the message about Christ entrusted to them.


CHRIST IN 2 TIMOTHY
God's saving grace through Christ was not an afterthought, a response to unforeseen developments in the world. It was planned before time. Christ has abolished death and brought life and immortality through His death and resurrection.

https://bhpublishinggroup.com/handbook/2TIMOTHY


LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES IN

2 TIMOTHY


2 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 1

Deepening Relationships

As we get to know one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, our relationships should grow closer and deeper.


2 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 2

Identifying with Christ

With God's help, we should determine never to be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.


2 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 3

Mentoring Others

Spiritual leaders should develop a core of faithful men and women who can multiply their efforts.


2 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 4

Suffering for Christ

When we serve our Lord Jesus Christ faithfully, we should expect difficult challenges that may at times create intense times of persecution.


2 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 5

Focusing on Christ

To fulfill God's will in our lives, we must keep our minds focused on the Lord Jesus Christ--who He is, His ministry, and His promises.


2 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 6

Countering False Doctrine

Spiritual leaders must counteract the lingering influence of false teachers.


2 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 7

Able to Teach

When interacting with false teachers, we should initially respond with sincere patience and gentleness.


2 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 8

Standing Firm on Scripture

As people become more and more corrupt in their thinking, attitudes, and actions, we must continue to stand firm on God's message in the Holy Scriptures.


2 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 9

Fulfilling Our Ministry

Since we will all appear some day before God and Jesus Christ, we are to diligently fulfill our ministry.


2 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 10

Being Faithful

With God's help, our goal should be to live our lives without regrets.


2 TIMOTHY PRINCIPLE 11

A Loyal Friend

When even those we've loved and trusted fail to be true and loyal friends, we are to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ who will never forsake us.


TITUS

TITUS ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY
Whatever challenges they face in life and ministry, Christian leaders are to maintain order in the congregation, but only according to sound teaching.


CHRIST IN TITUS
Christ came to redeem human beings from lawlessness, to create a special people, eager to do good works now and to look forward to Christ's appearing a second time.


https://bhpublishinggroup.com/handbook/TITUS


LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES IN TITUS


TITUS PRINCIPLE 1

Trustworthy Coworkers

All spiritual leaders should have dedicated coworkers whom they can trust to fulfill difficult ministry assignments.


TITUS PRINCIPLE 2

Interpreting Scripture Accurately

When using the qualities Paul outlined for selecting leaders, we must be sure to define and interpret each quality accurately.


TITUS PRINCIPLE 3

Doctrine of Character

When using Paul's criteria for selecting spiritual leaders, we should allow a certain amount of freedom so as to be culturally relevant, but we should never compromise God's standards for maturity.


TITUS PRINCIPLE 4

Bold Confrontation

Spiritual leaders should confront false teachers with patience and gentleness, but when there is no positive response, they are to take more direct and decisive action.


TITUS PRINCIPLE 5

Knowing and Living

We must not assume that teaching believers biblical truths about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation, and the second coming of Christ will cause them to live in God's will.


TITUS PRINCIPLE 6

Motivated by God's Grace

To help Christians live godly lives, we should motivate them by clearly teaching the wonder of God's saving grace.


TITUS PRINCIPLE 7

Conquering Evil with Good

Without compromising our own faith, we are to do everything we can to demonstrate Christlike qualities to unbelievers.


TITUS PRINCIPLE 8

Ample Honorarium

As local church communities, we are to care for the economic needs of faithful men and women who have been appointed to serve us.


PHILEMON


PHILEMON ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY
Everyone who has repented of sin and come to Christ should be welcomed as a brother or sister, treated gently, and forgiven by other believers.


CHRIST IN PHILEMON
Christ's grace is offered to master and slave alike. In Christ master and slave become brothers.


https://bhpublishinggroup.com/handbook/PHILEMON


LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES IN PHILEMON


PHILEMON PRINCIPLE 1 

Confronting Sensitive Issues

To resolve certain problems, spiritual leaders must communicate with everyone in a local church.


PHILEMON PRINCIPLE 2

Demonstrating Wisdom

To carry out Christ's mission to the world, we must demonstrate wisdom toward all people.


PHILEMON PRINCIPLE 3

The Judeo-Christian Ethic 

Though God has not promised that we can significantly change our culture at large, as believers we are to be faithful in demonstrating biblical values.


PAGE 73


Romans 1:14
14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.


Romans 1:15
15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.


2 Corinthians 11:23-30
23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 
24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 
25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 
26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 
27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 
28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.


2 Corinthians 11:26
26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;


PAGES 73-74


2 Corinthians 11:27-30

27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 
28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.


PAGE 77
Ecclesiastes 3:2

2 A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;



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