Inspiring Leaders 2011 by Melissa Martheze

Inspiring LEADERS ...Your journey of Reflection

90 Days Published by Scripture Union South Africa ÂŠ

2011

Editor Sharon Davis

Contents How to use this book

1. Equipping others

2. Not a position but an attitude

3. The dream made reality

4. Taking responsibility

5. See possibilities, not limitations

6. Unity in purpose

7. The willingness to put oneself at risk

8. Your heart speaking to the heart of others

9. An open mind and open heart

10. The Good, the bad, and the ugly

11. Moving Forward

12. Leading or Being Led

Assistant Editors Caryl Stanley Alison Downie Layout and design Melissa Bosman

Inspiring Leaders! How do you begin to inspire a leader so that he or she will be eager to inspire those around them? This has been the question posed to our writers this year. The 2010 World Cup excitement has led to the formation of Lead SA. We’re all a part of this endeavour, maybe not all of us are as intentional about it. What is a key factor to hold onto is whether we are conscious of the impact our lives make on those around us. We may be in positions of informal or formal leadership, and without a doubt we’re being watched, questioned and influencing those we come into contact with. For this reason we are focusing on the topic of Leadership, the Being and Doing of Leadership. In order to remind ourselves that leadership is about doing, completing a task to the best of our capabilities, this includes planning, organising, executing and evaluating our process. But it’s also how we go about doing it. This is all about our character as leaders, the being of a leader. You may experience a few challenges along the way, or have to rethink your position on particular issues, but may you grow through the difficult times and be blessed by our writers. To our writers, editors, designer, printer and all the other behind the scene people, thank you once again for your willingness to be a part of the SU team. Your contribution is greatly appreciated by me. Keep in touch with us, and let us know how the journey is going, (our details are at the back) Sharon Davis Bible Engagement Co-ordinator

How to use this book The most important thing in life is to get connected to Jesus, as our friend, leader and forgiver. As we do that, we are born for a second time... this time spiritually. We are babies and beginners. That is where we start. But everything healthy on the planet grows. The same is true for us. We need to grow as followers of Jesus. That is what this book is about. It’s about helping you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ and learning more about what that looks like in our daily life. This book is designed to help you read your Bible and hear God speak to you through the Holy Spirit. The Christian life is not about gaining new knowledge, it’s about your personal relationship with Jesus. You will be surprised how easy it is to use this book and read the Bible, if you put in time and effort. Have fun! Some tips: • Find a place where you can sit down on your own every day with your Bible, this devotional and your journal • Expect God to meet with you during this time, no matter what you feel like • Use the book every day during the week and stick to the weeks, as far as you can • Read the suggested scriptures on the weekends Get creative: • Use this devotional for a Bible study with a group of friends from school or church • Meet with a friend who also uses this book once a week and chat about what you learnt and thought about during the past week. Pray together and for each other

Getting your way around the Bible: The more you use your Bible, the easier it will be to get around it. To start with, go to the contents page when you are trying to figure out where the different books are. Read which books are in the Old Testament and which are in the New Testament. Write them out, if that will help you remember. This is how the referencing works: Romans 12:1-4 Romans: the book of Romans (the Bible is divided into 66 books) 12: the chapter (each book is divided into a whole bunch of chapters to make it easier to find your way around) : seperates the chapter from the verse 1 - 4: verses 1, 2, 3 and 4 (each chapter is divided into verses) vs: sometimes in brackets you will see (vs 2-4); here the ‘vs’ means verse or verses Time out with God: Turn on: Before you start reading, ask God to speak to you today Tune in: Read the Bible and think about what it is saying Ask it: What do I learn about God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)? Are there good examples to follow, or bad ones to avoid? Are there any commands to listen to? Are there any promises to believe? How do the notes apply to my life today? Take it: Choose one action to follow today!

• You can use this book as a guideline if you have to do a talk at school or at your Scripture Union meetings

Week ONE

DAY ONE: Leaders have compassion When did you last see one of your leaders cry? Do you think that ‘big boys’ don’t cry? Many people are brought up believing that it is weak to cry. Nehemiah 1:1 - 2:3

Hey! Linda Martindale here. I was born in Zimbabwe, but I live in Cape Town now and love it! I am part of a FAB church called Khanyisa Community Church, and am journeying my walk with Jesus with some amazing friends. I work with some amazing people – all working to make this world a better place for all and pointing the way to a God who cares and who is at work in our lives and communities every day. I love working in team as I can see what a difference it makes to how one gets things done. Every group needs good leaders. What makes a good leader? I have some ideas, but think that the story of Nehemiah sums it up pretty well. There are loads of lessons we can take away from this Old Testament book, but I have just focused on five for this week. Try and read the whole of the book of Nehemiah before you start the week – it will make the daily notes a lot more meaningful if you can see the bigger picture. Enjoy, and much love.

What did Nehemiah ask his brother (1:2)? What was Hanani’s reply (1:3)? How did Nehemiah respond? (1:4). The Jewish remnant was ‘out of sight’ but not out of mind to Nehemiah. Even though they were not really his problem, Nehemiah was devastated when he heard that the walls were in ruin and that his people were in trouble. It amazes me that he cried and fasted for days – not just a few hours – but days! Even the king noticed his sadness (2:2). Now that is compassion! I work with an amazing organisation called The Warehouse and we help churches respond to poverty and injustice. One of the things I have learnt a lot from is seeing my boss, our leader, cry! I am not the only one who has great respect for him, as he is vulnerable to show the rest of us that his heart breaks over things, too. He sets a good example to the rest of us about weeping for the broken, lost, suffering – those we know and those we don’t. How is your heart at the moment? If it’s hard, ask God to soften it again – God will hear your prayer. Ask God to break your heart with the things that break his heart today.

Linda

the being...

DAY TWO: Leaders involve others

DAY THREE: Leaders face opposition

I have heard a great African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, take people with you.” What do you think it means for you as a leader?

Have you ever seen a dung beetle in action? They are incredible! No matter what is in their way – these little creatures roll that HUGE piece of dung to where they need it to be.

Nehemiah 2:11 - 3:32

Nehemiah 4:1 - 21

What does Nehemiah 2:12 tell us about how Nehemiah set out? What does the last part of verse 17 tell you about a key to Nehemiah’s leadership? Why do you think they were motivated to join in? The entire 32 verses in chapter 3 talk about who built which gate. Every one starts with “and next to him” this or that family built and so it goes on. This tells us that the entire wall was built by groups of people working side by side who had caught Nehemiah’s vision.

Why do you think Sanballat and Tobiah behaved like they did (v 1-3)? What did they try and do in verse 8? What was Nehemiah and his team’s response (v 9)? I love it that they posted a guard and they prayed! They used both the practical defense and the spiritual one.

Nehemiah needed the team around him for this to work. I am sure most of us have worked with or known ‘lone rangers’ who want to do it all themselves. I know I have, and I have also tried to do things on my own in my life. God has shown me over the years that there is a more excellent way – the way of team. Take others with you in the vision. Spend a few moments asking God to show you if you are acting like a Lone Ranger, and ask a good friend on your team to draw you aside for a chat if you start to ‘go it alone.’

I have watched those dung beetles in game parks and am always amazed at how much perseverance they have. I have also watched people I know and love get knocked down by life, and get up again and just keep doing what God has told them to do. A friend of mine started a youth organisation to reach young people with the truth that they have a purpose and destiny. I have watched her face challenges over and over again, but just keep on turning to God and keeping on, because she knows God has called her to this. We will face challenges and opposition to what God has called us to do – that is normal. Keeping on – that is amazing! What opposition are you facing at the moment? Turn to God first and pray. Then do anything, practically, that you need to do to protect yourself, whether it’s from physical enemies or tempations.

...and doing of leadership

DAY FOUR: Leaders care about justice

DAY FIVE: Leaders turn to God

South Africa has one of the biggest divides between the rich and the poor in the world. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that, because if you live life with your eyes open, you will see how wealthy some are and how poor others are. It’s very difficult to accept.

Who is the first person you turn to in a crisis? I have a friend whom I call my ‘practical friend’ and if I was stuck on the M3 at midnight, it is him I would call. We all have different friends we can turn to in different situations. Nehemiah 2:4; 4:4 - 5

Nehemiah 5:1 - 13 What were some of the people complaining about (v 1-5)? What was Nehemiah’s response (v 6)? This sounds like a case of what we call ‘righteous anger’, when you are angry because of an injustice that causes suffering, abuse or misery. What did Nehemiah do (v 7-8)? What does he suggest in verse 11? It’s not just about some being materially wealthy and some materially poor, but what got up Nehemiah’s nose here was the injustice of all that was going on. Most poverty is linked to injustice and we are called to speak out against it wherever we are. My pastor often reminds us that helping the suffering and speaking up against injustice is not a ‘calling’ for some in the church – but a mandate for ALL believers. Do you believe poverty, injustice and exploitation are issues close to God’s heart and important for you as a leader? If you are unsure, chat to a leader who you trust and who cares about issues of justice in this world. A good leader will always point their followers to the heart of God.

Look at these two parts of this amazing story. Both times Nehemiah turns to God in prayer. See if you can find another case in the book of Nehemiah where he does the same thing. It seems like it is completely natural for Nehemiah to turn to God when in a pickle or when upset. He also had a knack of taking others with him when he did this – he drew people to God in the crisis. A good leader will always point people to God for help. Yes, we need people and being available for others is a huge part of ‘loving our neighbour’ and following Jesus. And yet, I learned something wonderful from an older woman who discipled me when I first moved to Cape Town – she always said ‘Point people to God, don’t become god to them’. This wisdom has helped me over the years. Do you trust God? Do you believe God wants to help you and those you lead in your times of need? Spend some time being honest with God this morning and ask that you be helped to turn to him first – and others afterwards.

Weekend Readings Psalm 23 How do you feel when you read this Psalm? What do you think it means to ‘not be in want’? Why not try and write your own Psalm using this one as a basis, but writing it in your own words. Read it to a family member or friend. Psalm 27 What is the one thing that jumps out at you in this Psalm? What do you think verse 4 means when it says ‘to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of your life’? Write out verse 13 on a card and stick it up somewhere where you can see it every day this coming week.

Journal your thoughts

Ready for the NEXT Challenge? • The E100 Challenge is here to help you engage with Scripture • On your own or as a group • Read through the Bible thematically • 50 Old Testament and 50 New Testament Readings • Challenge yourself or a friend

Find the E100 reading plan inside your Inspiring Leader or contact Sharon Davis at e100@su.org.za

What’s next? 2012 Closer to God and Khula Devotions are available from October 2011!!!

Please feel free to send your comments, feedback or questions. We would enjoy hearing from you! SU National Office - Bible Engagement info@su.org.za www.su.org.za 021 686 8595

OR contact your local SU Regional Office