NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from The Gospel Project curriculum.
Bible Passage: 1 Kings 12
Discussion Questions:
— Why is listening to wisdom and experience so important?
— What are some ways you need to humble yourself to bring peace instead of division?
— How can you develop compassion for others to serve them like Jesus would?
Food for Thought:
Leadership is something many of us do in some capacity whether at work, church, school, home or within our social circles. Yet healthy leaders and unhealthy leaders exist in our society. How do we choose to be a good, healthy leader with whom God would be pleased? Scripture continually shows us examples of leaders who pleased God and leaders who didn’t.
In 1 Kings 12:1-8, we start to understand who Rehoboam was. He was King Solomon’s son who was to rule Israel after Solomon’s death. As he was beginning his kingship, though, Rehoboam asked the elders of his court, who served under his father, how he should rule. They told him he needed to be a servant-leader, one who served the people.
Rehoboam possibly thought, “Why should I be a servant when I am king?” He ignored their wisdom for the words of his peers who thought it was better to rule harshly, like a tyrant, to keep the people in check.
But when you lead with a heavy hand, people will stop following you. The people under Rehoboam decided not to sit under this leadership, and the kingdom was divided between the people of Israel and Judah, as seen in verses 16-17. Rehoboam made the poor choice of following the advice of his peers instead of the wise counsel of the elders, which led to a split kingdom.
Such is leadership. We are given wisdom from a variety of people, and we must discern true wisdom from foolishness guised in what the world at large may think. Bullies will cause division and will eventually fall, whereas humble servant-leaders will win the hearts of those you lead. We see true leadership in the example of Jesus Himself. A descendant of David and Solomon, Jesus exemplified humility and servanthood in the best way possible — in how He lived, died and rose again to give those who trust Him eternal life.
Humble servanthood is difficult; it takes sacrifice and an agape love that only God can give. But when we live and lead with such humility, we follow in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who sacrificed so much to serve us. There may be a lot of wisdom out in the world, but wisdom from Scripture that follows the example of Christ is the best wisdom. Living and leading by godly wisdom can bring peace and unity to a world looking for true leadership.
The Gospel Project
The Gospel Project is a chronological, Christ-centered study for kids, students and adults. The Bible is not a collection of stories. It is one story of God’s plan to rescue His people from sin and death. It is the story of redemption, the gospel message of Jesus Christ. More information can be found at Lifeway.com/gospelproject.
Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by Lifeway can be found at Lifeway.com/SundaySchool.
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