Family: parents (leaders) children (followers) Work: bosses/owners (leaders) employees (followers) Government: government officials (leaders) citizens (followers) Church: pastors/elders (leaders) church “members” (followers).

FAMILY: LEADERS (parents) should train and discipline their children in a kind and compassionate way. (Proverbs 22:6, 29:17; Psalm 103:13; Ephesians 6:4; Hebrews 12:11) FOLLOWERS (children) should obey and honor their parents. (Ephesians 6:1-2)

WORK: Slaves, obey your human masters… (Ephesians 6:5) Slaves, submit to your masters… (1 Peter 2:18) 1)The Bible doesn’t specifically condemn slavery; but it does call for the kind treatment of slaves. 2)Slavery during Bible times was not based on skin color. Most often, people sold themselves into slavery to pay their debts or provide for their family. 3)The Bible condemns “man-stealing” (Exodus 21:16) 4)God’s highest priority is our soul/faith, not our physical health, economic prosperity, or trouble-free or injustice-free life.

WORK: LEADERS (bosses/employers) work hard have a good attitude treat their employees as Christ would. (Ephesians 6:9) FOLLOWERS (employees) work hard obey and serve with a good attitude serve them as you would serve Christ (Ephesians 6:5-8)

GOVERNMENT: LEADERS (government officials) punish the evildoer and commend/protect the righteous not “lord it over” the people (1 Peter 2:13-14, Matthew 20:25) FOLLOWERS (citizens) obey every “earthly authority” respect them pray for them. (Titus 3:1; 1 timothy 2:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-17)

CHURCH: LEADERS (pastors, elders, etc.) should equip God’s people correct, rebuke, encourage teach sound doctrine govern diligently and not “lord it over them.” (Ephesians 4:12; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Titus 2:1; Romans 12:8; 1 Peter 5:2-3) FOLLOWERS (church “members”) pray for their leaders respect and obey them hold them in highest regard in love. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:17)

A pattern is developing…. Leaders should…. lead (“in charge”) work hard have a good attitude lead with kindness and compassion (not “lording it over”) Followers should… submit/obey respect pray for their leaders.

When your leader isn’t leading well… 1)Ask yourself, “In what way are they not leading well? Why am I frustrated?”

When your leader isn’t leading well… 1)Ask yourself, “In what way are they not leading well? Why am I frustrated?” 2)Decide whether to kindly and respectfully raise your concern.

When your leader isn’t leading well… 1)Ask yourself, “In what way are they not leading well? Why am I frustrated?” 2)Decide whether to kindly and respectfully raise your concern. 3)Followers should submit, obey, and follow even when leaders lead poorly. 18 Slaves, submit to your masters not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel. 19 For it brings favor if, mindful of God’s will, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if you sin and are punished and you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer, if you endure it, this brings favor with God. 1 Peter 2:18-20

Non-negotiable: Followers should submit and follow, regardless of the leader’s poor leadership. Why? 1)It simply doesn’t work for followers to pick and choose when they follow. 2)It brings favor with God when we suffer for doing good (1 Peter 2:18-25) 3)Some day (heaven, if not earlier) God will deal with bad leaders – and deal with them far better than we ever could; plus, it will be “profitable” for you today to submit (Hebrews 13:17).