Warriors for the Faith Lesson 4: Leading by Example

Warriors for the Faith, Lesson 4: Leading by Example

Key text: 1 Timothy 4:12 (KJV)

Authorized Sword Ministries

Audio narrated with an AI voice. Read along below.

Hello, friend. Welcome to Authorized Sword Ministries.

We're so glad you're here.

Where We Left Off

In Lesson Three we learned to use our weapon, the Word of God. Today is our last lesson. It's called "Leading by Example."

Our Key Verse

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
— 1 Timothy 4:12 (KJV)

Paul wrote this to young Timothy. As an application, whatever your age, your life is a sermon people read.

Deborah: A Woman Who Led With Faith

Deborah was a prophetess who judged Israel (Judges 4:4). When God's command came, she called Barak to battle.

"And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?"
— Judges 4:6 (KJV)

"And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go."
— Judges 4:8 (KJV)

"And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh."
— Judges 4:9 (KJV)

Deborah went. She trusted God's word and led by being there, and God gave Israel the victory (Judges 4:14-15).

Nehemiah: Building and Guarding

When Nehemiah led the people to rebuild Jerusalem's wall, enemies threatened them. He prayed and set a watch.

"Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them."
— Nehemiah 4:9 (KJV)

"And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses."
— Nehemiah 4:14 (KJV)

"They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon."
— Nehemiah 4:17 (KJV)

Work in one hand, a weapon in the other. Nehemiah didn't just give orders. He and his men didn't even take off their clothes, except to wash (Nehemiah 4:23).

Paul: "Follow Me as I Follow Christ"

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."
— 1 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV)

"Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."
— Philippians 4:9 (KJV)

Jesus: The Leader Who Served

"But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:"
— Mark 10:43 (KJV)

"And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all."
— Mark 10:44 (KJV)

"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
— Mark 10:45 (KJV)

The greatest leader who ever lived came to serve. That's what leadership looks like in God's kingdom, for men and women alike.

Closing Thought

A warrior for the faith stands, has courage, knows the Word, and leads by serving. Thank you for walking through Warriors for the Faith with us. Now go and be an example.

Let Us Pray

Lord Jesus, make us servants like You. Help our lives point others to You, in word and in deed. In Your name we pray, amen.

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