Leading God’s People God’s Way Lesson 4 – The Law of Influence

Two Important Questions 1. Why is it important to grow as a leader? 2. What is the true nature of leadership?

The Law of Influence The true measure of leadership is influence. Nothing more, nothing less. 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Follow me as I follow Christ”

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a)Before today, how have you defined leadership? b)What do you think the difference was between David & Saul? How did David influence the nation, without any position, while Saul could not influence them even though he was the king?

Our Story in History 1700 Jacob (Israel) goes to Egypt with his family c BC Joshua leads the Nation of Israel into the Promised Land c BC Jacob dies at age 147 c BC Moses is born c BC Moses leads the Children of Israel out of Egypt c BC Joshua (110 years) Moses dies at age 120 c BC Children of Israel live in Egypt 12 spies sent out c BC AbrahamDavid c. = circa (about)

Scriptures to Read Numbers 13:1-33 Numbers 13:1-33 Numbers 14:1-38 Numbers 14:1-38 Numbers 27:12-23 Numbers 27:12-23 Joshua 1:1-18 Joshua 1:1-18 Joshua 24:1-33 Joshua 24:1-33

Mediterranean Sea EGYPT Land of Goshen MIDIAN Israel in Egypt Red Sea The nation of Israel lived as slaves in Egypt in an area called the Land of Goshen CANAAN

Mediterranean Sea EGYPT Land of Goshen MIDIAN Moses Flees Egypt Moses kills an Egyptian for beating an Israelite. Moses flees for his life to the Land of Midian. Moses encounters God in a burning bush on Mt. Horeb (Mt. Sinai) Moses returns to Egypt CANAAN Mt. Horeb

Mediterranean Sea EGYPT Land of Goshen MIDIAN Moses Leads Israel out of Egypt Red Sea Moses leads Israel out of Egypt and across the Red Sea. CANAAN Mt. Sinai

Mediterranean Sea EGYPT Land of Goshen MIDIAN Moses Leads Israel out of Egypt Red Sea Joshua defeats the Amalekites at Rephidim (Exodus 17). Aaron & Hur had to hold Moses hands up for Israel to win the battle. CANAAN Mt. Sinai Rephidim AMALEK

Mediterranean Sea EGYPT Land of Goshen MIDIAN Moses Leads Israel out of Egypt Red Sea Moses and Israel camp at Mt. Sinai where Moses receives the Ten Commandments from God. CANAAN Mt. Sinai Rephidim

Exodus 33:11 11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

Mediterranean Sea EGYPT Land of Goshen MIDIAN Moses Leads Israel out of Egypt Red Sea CANAAN Mt. Sinai Rephidim Moses and Israel leave Mt. Sinai and go to Hazeroth (Numbers 12:16) where Moses sends out 12 spies to spy out the land Hazeroth 12 spies go into Canaan

Mediterranean Sea EGYPT Land of Goshen MIDIAN Moses Leads Israel out of Egypt Red Sea CANAAN Mt. Sinai Rephidim Hazeroth Moses and the rest of the nation moved on to Kadesh Barnea 12 spies return to Moses to report back (Numbers 13:26) Kadesh Barnea

Numbers 14:1-2 1 That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! 1 That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert!

Numbers 14: Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is

Numbers 14:5-10 pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them." 10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them." 10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them.

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a)Based on what we have learned about Joshua so far, do you think it is possible to have different levels of influence with different people? b)Without knowing the rest of the story yet, what do you think – will Joshua be able to grow in influence so that he can fulfill God’s purpose for his life?

Rephidim Mediterranean Sea EGYPT MIDIAN Moses Leads Israel out of Egypt Red Sea CANAAN Mt. Sinai The nation of Israel spends forty years wandering in the dessert until the unbelieving generation died out. Hazeroth Kadesh Barnea Ezion Geber Mt. Nebo

Numbers 27: So the LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him. 19 Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. 20 Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.

Numbers 27: Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. 23 Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD instructed through Moses.

Moses Leads Israel out of Egypt CANAAN (The Promised Land) Mt. Nebo Moses climbs Mt. Nebo to view the Promised Land before he dies

Joshua 1:1-3 1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.

Joshua 1: "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this

Joshua 1:6-11 Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you

Joshua 1:6-11 wherever you go." 10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 "Go through the camp and tell the people, 'Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.' " 10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 "Go through the camp and tell the people, 'Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.' "

Joshua 1:16 16 Then they answered Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a)Looking back on what we have learned about Joshua in this lesson, what do you think were some of the factors that helped him to grow as a leader? b)Think about yourself as a leader. How would you rate your current ability to influence others? What areas do you need to grow in?

What Do We Learn from Joshua’s Life 1. Leadership impact increases as influence increases. 2. When a leader has little influence, little can be accomplished. 3. When a leader has much influence, much can be accomplished. 4. When a leader places family first, future generations will be blessed.

Leadership Impact Increases as Influence Increases 1. Leadership is influence 2. Leaders do not possess influence in every area 3. Our influence is either positive or negative 4. Faithful leaders use their influence to add value 5. With influence comes responsibility 6. Influencing others is a choice

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a)In your group, reflect on what we have just talked about in regards to influence, and discuss things that you can do to increase your ability to influence others? b)Individually, choose one of the things you talked about in a) and decide how you can implement that in your own life.

When a leader has little influence, little can be accomplished 1. They forgot the past 2. They were settled in with the present 3. They feared the future

When a leader has much influence, much can be accomplished Joshua’s Influence grew because… 1. of his relationship with Moses. 2. of time and maturity. 3. of timing. 4. he possessed patience and integrity. 5. he was right and also modelled right living in the areas of prayer, obedience, faith, commitment, and partnership.

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a)Is there an area in your life where you haven’t accomplished as much as you could? What can you do to grow your influence in that area ? b)In what areas of you life are you accomplishing much through your influence?

Joshua 24: "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond

Joshua 24:14-15 the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

Influence Begins at Home 1. Joshua’s leadership of his family was greater than his leadership of the nation. 2. Regardless of what others did, Joshua didn’t wait for the crowd. 3. Joshua modeled faith-filled leadership as a parent.

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a)If you want to impact your community, your nation, or the world, the place to start is at home. Are you truly placing your family first? b)What one leadership insight that you have learned in this lesson will you pass on to another leader this week?

Matthew 4: As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

Matthew 4: Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Philippians 2:1-8 1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like- minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider

Philippians 2:1-8 others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very

Philippians 2:1-8 nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!

Mark 10: Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the

Mark 10:42-45 Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Homework – Scriptures to Read Genesis 37:1-36 Genesis 37:1-36 Genesis 39:1 to 42:6 Genesis 39:1 to 42:6 Genesis 47:13-26 Genesis 47:13-26