Text: Mark 11:12-14, 20-24
Memory verse:
“The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Albert Schweitzer said, “There are only three ways to teach a child. The first is by example, the second is by example, the third is by example.” Luke also gave a clue to the leadership style of our Lord Jesus. “…of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,” (Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬)
He made extraordinary men out of ordinary men within a space of three and half years through His inspirational leadership examples.
He inspired His followers through living a purposeful, visionary and passionate lifestyle. His conviction about His life assignment and His drive to achieve it stood Him out among other religious leaders of His time. Until He went the way of what He believed, He never told anyone to go the way. For example, He knew the importance of dependency on God for everything as a means of fruitfulness, so He acted it. Having been inspired by His consistent prayer life, His disciples requested that He will teach them to pray ‭‭(Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬).
He also showed the disciples the life of faith before teaching them. On one occasion, while He was on a journey with His disciples, He spoke to curse a fig tree because He couldn’t find fruit on it. On their return, Peter remarked surprisingly that the tree had withered. It was then that Jesus had to teach them about faith (Mark 11:12-14, 20-24).
A leader knows the way, goes the way and then shows the way. Ineffective leaders do the opposite. It’s either they don’t know where they are going, that is, they are purposeless or they tell their followers to go the way which they themselves don’t go. Their followers are not inspired to follow them but they follow out of fear.
As parents, teachers or stakeholders in child development, you will achieve more results when you inspire children first by examples before teaching them.

Prayer points
1. Father, please make me a purposeful, visionary, passionate and inspiring leader in Jesus name.
2. Father, please, help me to be exemplary in all my ways in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1. A leader knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.
2. Inspirational leaders live exemplary lives that inspire others to follow them willing.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng