Lead Like Jesus

A few years back, many Christians were wearing bracelets and t-shirts with the letters WWJD on them. Asking, “What Would Jesus Do?” caused many to consider their thoughts, attitudes and actions in light of the example set by the Lord Jesus Christ.

When it comes to teaching TCE courses, maybe we need a new acronym: HWJL: How Would Jesus Lead? In some sense, Jesus was an instructor of teachers. He trained the 12, and other disciples, to continue His work after He would return to the Father.

If we want to lead like Jesus led, what would that look like today? Writer Stan Toler has some excellent thoughts on this subject in his latest leadership newsletter. Toler points out that Jesus was a servant-leader. “His sincere and compassionate interest in others was an investment that resulted in their world-changing achievements.”

Following are three aspects of Jesus’ leadership style, adapted from Toler, that we would do well to emulate in our TCE courses:

1. Jesus accepted people as they were and helped them to become better. Toler points out that a sports team’s victories come from a coach’s investment over many months. The successful coach communicates belief in the team and focuses on fine-tuning the players’ skills.

Are you investing in your TCE students? Do your students know you believe in them? Are you helping them improve their skills as teachers and child evangelists?

2. Jesus understood that God-given abilities are stored in jars of clay. He didn’t give up on people. He didn’t expect too much too soon. He didn’t put them in a box. He gave them guidance, but also freedom to develop according to their own personalities.

How are you doing in this area? Are you patient as your TCE students grow and learn, realizing that not everybody will “get it” the first time around? Do you give your students freedom to be themselves, rather than expecting them to teach like you? Do you give them second chances to succeed? Third chances?

3. Jesus brought out the best in the worst of people. He knew that in order to lift up, you sometimes have to stoop down. He saw the gem beneath the rough surface and patiently polished that gem until it shone with His own reflection.

How is your vision of your TCE students? Are you able to see past the sometimes rough exterior to the gem God has placed within? (Sometimes it takes a lot of searching to find that gem!) Are you gently polishing that gem with your kind and encouraging words? Are your TCE students increasingly reflecting the image of the Lord Jesus Christ as they learn from you?

These are just a few of the leadership principles we see in Jesus—there are many more. But just putting these three into practice will keep us busy for some time! Let’s pray for each other that we will all become IOTs who lead, more and more, like Jesus led.