DAY 135 - BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE EXODUS

MOREOVER, LOOK FOR ABLE MEN FROM ALL THE PEOPLE, MEN WHO FEAR GOD, WHO ARE TRUSTWORTHY AND HATE A BRIBE, AND PLACE SUCH MEN OVER THE PEOPLE AS CHIEFS OF THOUSANDS, OF HUNDREDS, OF FIFTIES, AND OF TENS.

Exodus 18: 21

Reading: Acts 6:1-7; Acts 20:17-28; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Hebrews 13:18

Moses has led God’s people out of Egypt and is leading the nation through the wilderness. It’s not just about arriving at a destination, life is going on in the meanwhile.

There are issues that need dealing with and Moses is overwhelmed by the huge responsibility. His father-in-law recognizes this and suggests he put elders over the people. God’s plan for growth is shared responsibility.

What Moses did in the wilderness became the an example for the early Church. When the apostles saw the need for shared responsibility and authority, they looked to the Old Testament and modelled their leadership accordingly. God’s way to increase authority and responsibility is different to the world’s way of building massive personal empires and keeping control in one person.

The Biblical way of church leadership is shared leadership. God calls those He summonses to places of authority to a higher moral standard. Has God called you to this responsibility? Are you walking in it?

Prayer

Take some time today to pray for those who are in authority. Thank God for them and their willingness to be obedient to the call. Pray for God’s blessing and provision on them.

For the family

Write a list of the leaders of your church. Then lead your family in a time of prayer thanking God for them and praying for them. If you are in an area of leadership explain your call and responsibility to your children.