The Leader Within: The Heart of a Leader
Big Idea:
The process of leading begins when our heart breaks for people to take next
steps in their relationship with God.
Key Verse: Nehemiah 1:3-4 (The Message)
The exile
survivors who are left there in the province are in bad shape. Conditions are
appalling. The wall of Jerusalem is still rubble; the city gates are still
cinders. When I
[Nehemiah] heard this, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and
praying before the God-of-Heaven.
The Scoop:
The city of Jerusalem is the very center of
God’s covenant with His people.
Unfortunately, the city became a very lost and broken place. Nehemiah was aware of the plight of the
city but at some point his heart was changed and he could not ignore the
situation any longer. He weeps,
fasts, and mourns for days. What
broke within him was the heart of a leader.
As Christ followers, our hearts will tend to break
for the same things that break God’s heart. 67 percent of the world is lost
spiritually, they have no place to call Home. They are without a Father and a leader’s heart breaks for
those who are lost – the people that are broken down and need repair, people
who need to be brought back to God.
It is often difficult for us to feel like leaders,
like we could make any difference at all.
We may not have the same influence that Nehemiah had due to his
financial and social status but we all have the opportunity to influence those
around us.
1. What
thing is most important to you right now?
2. Is
there anything in the world or in your direct sphere of influence that you have
a burning desire to change?
3. When
Nehemiah realized that Jerusalem was no longer a place that represented God’s
covenant with His people, Nehemiah mourned for days; fasting and praying to
God. Have you or anyone you know ever experienced this type of connection with
God when it comes to those who are lost?
What’s Next?
When we talk about caring for the lost, we look at
the lost as someone who hasn’t yet found their way back to God. We do not criticize or condemn. Our goal is to invite them into our
lives and by doing so invite them to take a look at their relationship with
God. Take the time to write down a
friend, a family member, an entire family, or an acquaintance that you will
make an intentional effort to pray for and invite to join you on your journey
so that by doing so you are inviting them to take next steps in their
relationship with Christ.
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