llllLesson 2 – LEADERSHIP

What is leadership for you?

If you were asked to choose a leader, what is/are the characteristic(s) that you will consider in
choosing him/her?
Whenever we choose a leader, maybe we look at the physical appearance, his/her educational
background and even the financial status. God does not choose this way. He looks at the heart of the
person and He chooses whom He wants to accomplish His divine plan. He looks at the heart, not the
outward appearance.
So God sent Samuel to a town in Bethlehem, to the family of Jesse. He will obey God by searching for
the will of God. He will not stop at the outward appearance only.
Samuel is a prophet – a prophet is God’s messenger to his people.
God decided to choose a new King for Israel because the previous king—Saul is not a disciple. He did
not listen and follow God’s command. He wanted to rule and Israel not under the guidance of God.
He wanted to become like God without God in his life.
He told the Prophet Samuel to go to Bethlehem to the house of Jesse, because He had chosen one of
Jesse's sons to be the next king of Israel. When Samuel arrived in Jerusalem, he went to Jesse's house
and told him to bring his sons so that God could tell him which one He had chosen. As each of Jesse's
sons passed by, God told Samuel that he was not the one. Samuel could not understand it. They were
all such handsome men and very strong. Surely one of them must be the one.
Samuel looks at the sons of Jesse with his physical eyes; this person looks good--strong and
handsome; he looks at the outward appearance of the person. This one will certainly become a good
king, he thinks.
But God said to Samuel, "Don't consider his looks. I have rejected him. Man looks at outward
appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
There is something beyond the looks of a person. Aside from the physical appearance, there is
something else, deep within the person. This is more important, for the Lord Himself says, “Don’t
consider his looks…” God does not look at others the way we do.
After seven of Jesse's sons had passed before him, there were no more sons in the house. Samuel
turned to Jesse and asked him, "Are these all of the sons you have?" "Well, there is David, my
youngest son," Jesse replied, "but he is just a boy. He is out taking care of the sheep." Samuel told
Jesse to send for David. In a little while, David came in and stood before Samuel. "He is the one," God
said. "He will be the next king of Israel. Rise and anoint him with oil." Then Samuel, with the horn of
oil in hand, anointed him in the midst of his brothers, and from that day on, the spirit of the Lord
rushed upon David (1 Samuel 16:4-13).
In the Bible, anointing a person with oil is a sign that this is the one chosen by God. Anointing the
person is to pour oil on the head of the person. Pouring oil means that all the parts of the body are

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penetrated with oil. This is the sign that the Spirit of the Lord is given. He is filled with God’s
presence, action, and light. He is chosen for a mission. David was anointed to be the king of Israel.
From now on, he will put himself at the service of God.
God Looks at the Heart
David was not the oldest, he wasn't the tallest, and he wasn't even the strongest. He was only a
shepherd boy. But when God looked at David, He saw a king. Why? Because God does not look at
outward appearances; God looks at the heart.
When Samuel goes to anoint the new king of Israel, he assumes David’s strong and noble oldest
brother must be the chosen one. However, God tells Samuel not to focus on physical ability. God sees
within that is, the heart.
Despite David’s human weakness, he was notably attached to the love and service and praise of God.
His loyalty to his Creator was beyond question. God said, ‘I have found David, a man after My own
heart, who will do all My will’” (Acts 13:22). From these humble beginnings came Israel’s greatest
king. David’s early training had taught him to herd sheep; now God would teach him to lead a nation.
A man after God’s own heart
When choosing people to serve Him, He looks at his/her heart—because if his/her attitude is right, it
doesn’t matter what else may be lacking; God can use us very effectively. We don’t need to feel
inferior to anybody. Thus, it is important that we learn more and more to look upon leaders and men
the way God does.
God can use men and women who have a heart to serve Him and are willing to obey Him. God looks
at our hearts, not our outward appearance. He also calls us to lead people to him.
David is often referred to as “a man after God’s own heart.” God did not choose David to be a king
because he looked like a king or even acted “kingly.” God chose David because of his heart–a heart
that search for God and desired to serve Him.
Now, what kind of a leader are you? What kind of a leader would you like to be?
Who is the model leader of all leaders?
Christ called himself as the Good shepherd which means to guide, to direct, or to lead.
A leader guide and leads his/her group/members and takes good care of their needs and the good of
all.
Jesus give us a model of Servant Leadership
If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.
I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do (Jn. 13:14-15).
For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many”
(Mk. 10:45).

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Our call is to become true to our name as Christians – meaning followers of Christ.
As Christians and as members of the Church which is the flock of Christ we are also called to lead
others, to gather them to God and to His Church – the family of God.

Christ like leader

Loves God above all.
Knows how to listen and to follow.
Always say and do what is right and just. Obeys the commandments.
Receives Jesus in the Holy Communion as often as he/she can.
Loves others as Christ loves them. Willing to offer/sacrifice oneself for the common good.
Prays a lot!

May we grow more and more each day as “Alter Christus” – another Christ in the world today so that
one day, we can finally say: “It is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me ” (Galatians 2:20)
So let us always have recourse to prayer, day and night that Christ may make more and more like
him.