Treasured Ministries

Offering women a biblical solution for inner healing

Leaders

7 Virtues of Biblical Leadership

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What Is Biblical Leadership?

Biblical leadership is a process of using the Word of God to renew your mind in order to lead well. It is about coming alongside those you are leading in a way that encourages spiritual growth by using Christ-centered kingdom principles. It is not about having the right answers but connecting others to Christ so that he can reveal plans and purposes. 

What Does Biblical Virtue Mean?

Biblical virtues are more than mere characteristics. They are how we respond to our circumstances based on a mind-set that is established by Christ. 

In essence, to live a life that is aligned with biblical virtues is to remember your core identity in Christ. It is to identify the truth about how God sees you, then agree with it in your heart. 

The more you connect with the Word, the more those biblical virtues blossom in your life. Because the Word of God is a seed (Luke 8:11) that gives life when planted, it establishes roots in our hearts that heal our hurts and give us the mind of Christ when nourished.

Our old way of thinking is made new, and God begins to reveal his path and purpose for our lives. 

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”—Proverbs 4:23

Biblical leadership isn’t about perfecting your thoughts so that you lead well. It is about allowing Christ to shape your thought life to reflect his heart so that he can use you to lead well.

Easier said than done, am I right?

I want to reassure you, Treasured One, that biblical leadership is a process, not a destination. It’s just a matter of being in a place where you can allow God to transform your purpose—one bold, brave, beautiful step at a time.

How to Create Connections through Biblical Leadership

Many women have the heart to serve and create connections that strengthen others, but it can be hard finding the balance between staying on task and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in a group. 

I’ve discovered that the key to finding the balance and creating connections in a group has a framework that guides me through a process and gives room for me to hear the Holy Spirit’s voice as to when to pause and when to move. 

Step 1. Pray for the group. For any group you are about to start, or are already leading, pray without ceasing! Pray that the Lord reveals the women he wants you to reach out to. Pray those women are eager to connect to his Word and join with others for spiritual nourishment.

Step 2. Pray about what Bible study resource to use. Pray for guidance as to what God wants you to use to nourish the group. As you discern which resource to use for your group, have faith that it will be speaking to the hearts of the women in your group.

Step 3. Point to Jesus. As leaders, we can get caught up in the lie that we are to know all the answers. But we don’t! In fact, we shouldn’t. Our role in biblical leadership is to point others to God’s Word so that they can deepen their relationship with Jesus. It’s the work of the Holy Spirit to reveal places that need the light of Jesus. 

For a comprehensive guide to leading a small group, click HERE for the FREE Nourish Together Group Leader’s Guide!

7 Virtues of Biblical Leadership

Biblical leadership is grounded in the Word. As Jesus taught… 

“’Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.’”—John 15:5

Compassionate—A biblical leader must have compassion for those who are hurting. Her tenderheartedness will be noticed by others and open up doors of communication and trust within the group. 

“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.”—1 Peter 3:8

Courageous—A biblical leader relies on God’s strength. She has faith that God has equipped her for a purpose, and that is where she rests. 

“Now may the God of peace… may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”—Hebrews 13:20a, 21

Trusting and Safe—A biblical leader cultivates trust and safety among those in the group. She also trusts in the purpose that God has laid on her heart to lead. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”—Proverbs 3:5-6

Faithful—A biblical leader will be faced with doubt. She will wonder if leading is truly how God wants to use her in this season of life. When this happens, she is faithful to return to the Word. She bends her knees in prayer and asks God for strength in her time of need. She asks the Holy Spirit to push back any lies from the enemy that cause her to doubt. She recalls God’s faithfulness, and this strengthens her own.  

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”—1 Corinthians 10:13

Spirit-Led—A biblical leader is sensitive to the Spirit. She sets her mind on things of the Spirit and allows him to guide her, pausing when he says and moving forward as he directs. 

“’But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”—John 14:26

Christ-Focused—A biblical leader uses her position to connect others to Christ. Her focus is helping others connect to Jesus’s words so that their lives are transformed—just as hers has been. 

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”—Colossians 2:6-7

Prepared—A biblical leader is prepared by planning, but also able to navigate when plans get changed. Part of being prepared is to have a framework that provides guidance, but a leader will also patiently walk with those she is leading and wait upon the Lord for direction. 

“Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.”—2 Timothy 4:2

Remember…

Biblical leadership is a process, not a destination. You don’t have to walk alone in leadership. This is why we’ve created a guide to help you lead a Bible study group with confidence. Download our FREE Nourish Together Group Leader’s Guide HERE!

It will walk you through how to prepare and choose the best resources for your group while also providing ways to nourish your soul through the process! Leaders are whom God uses to nourish others. We want to help you do just that. 

Finding Balance in a Busy World

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You know how finding time to get everything done is a challenge?  Some days I wish I could add more hours to my day.

Leaders living with intention and focus maximize their time.

Living in a Busy World

But in our world this is not easy. Our information age clutters our minds with information. Each day we are presented with many options to choose from of how to spend our time. Saying “no” vanishes from our vocabulary as if it’s a four letter word!

Women are busy. Some days just looking at my calendar makes me feel Claustrophobic.

How about you? Have you ever felt that way? Are you feeling that right now?

This week was one those weeks that was completely unproductive. I was not able to get back with people who called me. There was no personal satisfaction in completing my to-do list – IT GREW! Like walking on a treadmill with the highest incline, I felt like I was striving hard yet could not see myself really going anywhere. Frazzled, weary, and worn out with no traction to reach my goals, I was frustrated.

God Wants Us to Release Clutter

Our bodies are not designed to carry the weight of craziness that is going on in our world.   God does not expect us to carry every load.  Releasing loads helps us to carry what matters most to God’s heart and live with intention.

Releasing clutter creates room to receive God’s best so you can live directed instead of distracted and make a difference.

Understand this principle of releasing to receive and live with joy. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is sending out His disciples, and He gives them these important instructions:

“The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.” Luke 10:1-4

Using this passage, the Holy Spirit highlighted four areas in my life to release to receive God’s best:

  • Release stuff. The disciples were being told to leave everything behind. Too much stuff clutters our lives. There is a joy in releasing things so that you can receive more time in your life. Pick a closet and get going!
  • Release good works that may not be God’s work. Stuff was not the only thing the disciples were asked to leave behind, they had to leave their prior obligations to pursue their God-given purpose. Release obligations in your life that may be good things, but might not be your God thing. So often we take up so much in the name of “good” we lose hold of the what God actually wants us to be holding and working on.
  • Release tasks through delegation. The disciples were sent out two by two. Give things to other people who will be able to do the job better and with their full heart. I have to keep learning this one – you know to take off my self-sufficient super woman cape and live in community like God has called us to do! Delegation is wisdom not weakness.
  • Release Social Media until you reach your first goals of the day. Jesus told the disciples “And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.” That instruction caught my attention. Was Jesus saying that they were supposed to be anti-social? NO! Jesus was not advocating to be anti-social but He was telling His disciples to live with focus so they could reach their destination. Often my phone with tweets, Facebook posts, Instagram, texts that can derail me. Little yesses can lead to large distractions. The Lord used this passage to say to me: in the morning put your phone away, spend time in my presence, accomplish your first priority to do item and then get your phone!

Wise women live with intention by releasing to receive. Learn more by listening to today’s audio message below.

Subscribe to our Podcast HERE.

Blog written by Aliene Thompson. Aliene Thompson is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the Author of the Nourish Bible Study Series. © 2019 Treasured Ministries.

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