1. Seeing Leadership Differently
What is Christian Leadership?
PDF resource download
Leadership is not first about a role, it’s about intentional influence that helps move something forward: leaders notice, care and act.
Many people do not see themselves as leaders because they hold false assumptions about leadership, or feel a sense of inadequacy, or uncertain what it involves. This session gently challenges the myths that leadership belongs only to certain kinds of people or particular roles.
By the end of this session participants will have:
Understood a working definition of leadership shaped by Matthew 20:20-28.
Identified common assumptions that prevent people from seeing themselves as leaders.
Reflected on their own self-talk about being a leader.
Be sure to read the guide on how to lead the course well and/or watch the introductory leader’s video.
It would be great to send people an email or WhatsApp ahead of the session with the following information. Please tailor accordingly.
Hi,
We’re really looking forward to seeing you at [TIME] on [DATE] for the first session of our Growing as Leaders course. We’re meeting at [VENUE].
This session is about Seeing Leadership Differently. For those who like to prepare a little before a session, you might like to read Matthew 20:20-28, and reflect on this question: When you hear the word leader who or what comes to mind?
Any questions or concerns do be in touch. See you [DAY].
[YOUR NAMES]
Follow these steps on how to run the session:
Take a few minutes to welcome people, give an overview of the course and this session and get people to introduce themselves to one another (ideally in a creative and fun way!).
Then in pairs/triplets discuss some or all of these questions. Choose what will work best for your group and gauge the energy in the room:
When you hear the word leader who or what comes to mind?
What makes someone a good leader – in just three words (don’t overthink it!).
Who are the leaders in your church, and why do you associate them with leadership?
Share insights and note any common themes.
Bible focus – Matthew 20:20-28. Direct people to the relevant page in the notebook or session guide where the key points of the video are summarised. Point out that they can use the QR code to re-watch the video after the session if that is helpful.
Invite them to continue in their pair/triplet and discuss:
What stood out for you about Christian leadership from the video?
Where do you see people intentionally influence others in daily life?
What do you make of the definition of leadership (see above)?
What prevents people seeing themselves as leaders?
Again, direct people to the relevant page in the notebook or session guide where the key points of the video are summarised. After the section on seven common reasons why people don’t see themselves as leaders pause the video for a minute to give people a chance to reflect on the question on the screen.
Then continue the video.
Invite them to briefly reflect on the seven common reasons in groups of four:
Which of the common reasons do you most relate to? What would you add?
Then invite them to consider the leadership swimming pool picture:
Which person are you and which person would you like to be? What would help you to get there?
What is your inner self-talk about leadership?
Alternatively, you could discuss the first question and then invite them to reflect personally on the last one.
Watch the story of a leader who didn’t see herself as a leader and what helped her become one. (Alternatively, if you have someone in your church who could tell this story, even better. Either invite them to join the group – and perhaps interview them – or ask them to make a short video on their phone.)
Summarise the session and invite people to respond to the following questions. Be sure to give time for the final question. It helps participants reflect on the session and identify a possible next step.
What’s been most helpful for you in this session?
What’s on your mind that you would like to mention or note for a further discussion?
What is God inviting you to take away from this session, and what one thing might you do about this?
Point out the ‘Before next time’ and ‘Go deeper’ sections in their course notebook/session handout, ideally mentioning one of two things you have found helpful and ensuring everyone know how to access them through the QR code or web address.
Finally pray together in whatever way works in your context. You may like to use this prayer:
Amen
Please make sure you complete the feedback form straight after the session. It helps us to improve the course for future users.
Take a few minutes to review the participant feedback and discuss with your co-leader any tweaks to running the next session.
Send out a follow up email or WhatsApp the day after the session. Here’s a template. Please tailor accordingly.
Hi,
Thanks for coming along to the first session of our Growing as Leaders course last night. We hope you found it interesting and helpful. You’ll find in course notebook/session handout guide links to the videos if you would like to watch them again. There are also links to the Go Deeper material for those who want to explore things further.
If you didn’t complete the feedback form at the session please take a few minutes to do it now. It will help us shape how we run the course in the future. Here’s the link.
Any questions or concerns do make contact. Otherwise see you next week.
[YOUR NAMES]
2. Discovering What You Bring
3. Joining in God’s Work
4. Following: The Leader’s Priority
5. Modelling: The Leader’s Practice
