7. Leader Qualifications - Study Questions
This is the Study Guide for "Leader Qualifications" the article by Ken Boa. Read it first.
Appendix: Study Guide for
MEN7/52 Leadership Series
MEN 7/52 is a men's ministry of bible.org. Our desire is to see all men become true followers of Jesus Christ 7 days a week/52 weeks a year.
The Men’s Bible Study Leadership Series is presented by bible.org to help you build and fortify men in preparation for their roles as leaders in their families, churches, communities, and workplaces.
It is a leadership series because no matter what age or station in life a man finds himself, he is called to lead. Leadership hates a vacuum. If a man of God doesn’t stand up and lead, then someone else will and the consequences can be drastic for generations.
It is also a discipleship series because building men’s leadership requires ongoing personal relationships with someone who will shepherd and mentor them over the long term. Just as Christ lived in a community of relationship with His disciples, preparing them to lead, so too must we if we are to grow and be effective.
There are sixteen lessons that are designed to be conducted over a thirty-two week period. Your group should meet weekly at a specific time and place. First, participants should be expected to read all of the Scripture verses thoroughly, on a daily basis, and be encouraged to meditate on them. Second, they should read the article carefully and look for aspects of it that impact them personally. Third, they should complete the discussion questions thoughtfully, completely, and honestly, and diligently address personal applications. Finally, they should be prepared to share their answers during your group sessions.
The articles used in this series are written by Dr. Kenneth Boa. Dr. Boa is engaged in a ministry of relational evangelism and discipleship, teaching, writing, and speaking. He holds a B.S. from Case Institute of Technology, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, a Ph.D. from New York University, and a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford in England.
By the time your group has finished this series, relationships and spiritual bonds should have formed. Authentic spiritual interdependence will be experienced, and men will know they are not alone in being who and what God wants them to be. It will be critical for the group to either stay together for the next series, or to stay in close touch weekly to continue the shepherding experience and forming true Christian brotherhood.
Lesson 9
Leadership Development: Leader Qualifications
God’s leaders are holy, faithful men with hearts of humility.
Read “Leadership Qualities: Leader Qualifications” by Ken Boa and listen to his audio message online.
1. Beyond practicing good deeds, what qualifies someone to be a leader?
2. What is the “law of undulation”?
3. List the areas about which a leader must be passionate.
4. What areas of your life are you most passionate?
5. In order to develop a mindset of ministry, what must be the leader’s focus?
6. What areas of your life are parts of your ministry? Which ones are not?
7. How has this article impacted your view of yourself as a leader?
Read 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9
In his letters to Timothy and Titus, Paul is very specific about the kind of men who are to lead the local church. In essence, God’s true leaders must have His standards of holiness, character, and integrity. Their public and private lives must reflect these standards. They are to be men of faithfulness, honesty, holiness, and respectability.
8. Describe Paul’s feelings and thoughts about, Timothy. How does he address Titus?
9. What was it about Timothy that stood out in Paul’s regard for him?
10. List all of the characteristics that God requires of a leader, overseer, elder, and deacon.
11. Which of these characteristics is strongest in you?
12. Which ones are weakest and in need of transformation?
13. Why do you think Paul refers to “faith” so many times in these passages?
Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Samuel got a second opportunity to anoint a king. This time, God revealed to him the most important qualification for leadership.
14. When Samuel visited Jesse’s household to anoint a king, what was he looking for in a leader?
15. Why was David overlooked by both Samuel and Jesse?
16. What was the LORD looking for?
17. When you select a leader in your church, your community, your business, or in an election, what characteristics do you look for? Be specific.
18. What specifically is God looking for in you as a leader in your family, church, community, and workplace?
Read 1 Kings 11:1-8
The life of King Solomon teaches us a powerful lesson in faithfulness, loyalty, and obedience. We learn the consequences of allowing ourselves to be compromised by worldly influences.
19. King Solomon stands out in Scripture for his wisdom, as well as his achievements in business, poetry, literature, and so on. Yet the LORD promises to “tear the kingdom away” from him. Why?
20. How did Solomon become unfaithful to the LORD?
21. In today’s culture, how can a man become divided in his loyalty to God?
22. In what areas of your life do you find yourself with divided loyalties?
Read James 4:4-9
James gives us some straight talk about God’s leadership standards. God’s leaders are humble men who draw near to Him, resist evil, and are friendly only to Him and His people.
23. How does friendship with the world make us enemies of God?
24. Do you have worldly alliances or friendships that might make you God’s enemy?
25. In your own words, explain what is meant by being spiritually “double-minded”.
26. What does God give to those who resist Satan?
27. In order to draw near to God, what must you have?
28. If you are to be exalted, what does God require you to do?
Read Isaiah 40:10-15
29. In your own words, describe the trustworthiness of God, His power, and His ability to sustain you as a leader. Please share your thoughts with someone in your group.
Memory Verse: Zechariah 4:6
Therefore he told me, "These signify the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by strength and not by power, but by my Spirit,' says the sovereign Lord."