Leading God’s People God’s Way Lesson 9 – The Law of Respect

The Law of Respect People Naturally Follow Leaders Stronger than Themselves Deuteronomy 1:15 “So I took the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you - as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials.”

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a)Have you ever had to lead a group before they trusted and respected you? Was it easy of difficult to lead that group? Why or why not? b)We have learned that some leader can lead thousands, others hundreds, fifties or tens. How important do you think it is for a leader to be leading at the right level? What happens when a leader is leading at a level beyond their ability

Our Story in History Deborah becomes a judge and delivers Israel c BC Deborah dies. c BC Gideon defeats the Midianites with 300 men c BC JoshuaDavid c. = circa (about) 1200 Deborah Deborah judged Israel for 40 years Gideon dies after judging Israel for 40 years c BC

Scriptures to Read Judges 4:1-24 Judges 4:1-24 Judges 5:1-31 Judges 5:1-31

Hazor NAPHTALI Kishon River Kedesh ZEBULUN EPHRAIM Palm of Deborah Mt. Tabor Sea of Galilee Dead Sea Jordan River After Ehud died, Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He gave them into the hands of the Canaanite king Jabin who ruled in Hazor. Deborah Leads Israel

Hazor NAPHTALI Kishon River Kedesh ZEBULUN EPHRAIM Palm of Deborah Mt. Tabor Sea of Galilee Dead Sea Jordan River Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, used his 900 chariots to cruelly oppress Israel for 20 years. Israel cried to the Lord for help. Deborah Leads Israel

Hazor NAPHTALI Kishon River Kedesh ZEBULUN EPHRAIM Palm of Deborah Mt. Tabor Sea of Galilee Dead Sea Jordan River The Lord raised up a prophetess named Deborah to lead Israel. She held court under the Palm of Deborah in the hill country of Ephraim. Deborah Leads Israel

Hazor NAPHTALI Kishon River Kedesh ZEBULUN EPHRAIM Palm of Deborah Mt. Tabor Sea of Galilee Dead Sea Jordan River Deborah sent for Barak who lived in Kedesh. She told him the Lord commanded him to raise an army of 10,000 from Naphtali and Zebulun. She also told him the Lord would deliver Sisera into his hands. Deborah Leads Israel

Hazor NAPHTALI Kishon River Kedesh ZEBULUN EPHRAIM Palm of Deborah Mt. Tabor Sea of Galilee Dead Sea Jordan River 1.Deborah went to Kedesh with Barak. Barak summoned the men from Zebulun and Naphtali. Ten thousand men joined him. Deborah Leads Israel 2.Together they headed for Mount Tabor.

Hazor NAPHTALI Kishon River Kedesh ZEBULUN EPHRAIM Palm of Deborah Mt. Tabor Sea of Galilee Dead Sea Jordan River Deborah Leads Israel Sisera gathered his 900 chariots and all his men who where spread throughout the region. They set up camp near the Kishon river.

Hazor NAPHTALI Kishon River Kedesh ZEBULUN EPHRAIM Palm of Deborah Mt. Tabor Sea of Galilee Dead Sea Jordan River 1.Barak and his men charged down Mount Tabor. The Lord routed Sisera and his men before them. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot. Deborah Leads Israel 2.Barak and his men pursued the chariots and army far to the north. They killed every one of Sisera’s men.

Hazor NAPHTALI Kishon River Kedesh ZEBULUN EPHRAIM Palm of Deborah Mt. Tabor Sea of Galilee Dead Sea Jordan River Sisera fled on foot to the tents of Heber the Kenite. Heber’s wife Jael met him and invited him in. While he was sleeping, Jael drove a tent peg through his temple and killed him. Deborah Leads Israel

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a)Discussion1 b)Discussion2

What Do We Learn From Deborah? 1. When a leader gains respect, leading becomes easier. 2. Respect is a matter of leadership not position, title, or gender. 3. Respect is the highest level of leadership. 4. The highest compliment to a leader is when other leaders follow.

When a leader gains respect, leading becomes easier There are six things that Deborah did to earn respect with her followers: 1. She built relationship with her followers 2. She provided a plan for her followers 3. She responded to her followers 4. She respected her followers 5. She provided resources to her followers 6. She set the example for her followers

Respect is a matter of leadership not position, title, or gender Deborah went through a process of growing in influence and respect. There are 7 steps in the process : 1. Respect yourself and those you work with 2. Exceed the expectations of others 3. Stand firm on your convictions 4. Possess uncommon security and maturity

Respect is a matter of leadership not position, title, or gender Deborah went through a process of growing in influence and respect. There are 7 steps in the process : 5. Experience personal success 6. Contribute to the success of others 7. Think ahead of others

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a)We learned from Deborah’s story that leadership becomes easier when the leader gains the respect of the people. In your leadership, is it becoming easier or more difficult to get people to follow you? b)We looked at seven things that Deborah did to earn respect from her followers. What are you doing to earn the respect of your followers?

1. POSITION 2. RELATIONSHIP 3. RESULTS 4. REPRODUCTION 5. RESPECT Respect is the highest level of leadership

1. POSITION Respect is the highest level of leadership

1. POSITION 2. RELATIONSHIP Respect is the highest level of leadership

1. POSITION 2. RELATIONSHIP 3. RESULTS Respect is the highest level of leadership

1. POSITION 2. RELATIONSHIP 3. RESULTS 4. REPRODUCTION Respect is the highest level of leadership

1. POSITION 2. RELATIONSHIP 3. RESULTS 4. REPRODUCTION 5. RESPECT Respect is the highest level of leadership

The highest compliment to a leader is when other leaders follow Deborah earned so much respect that not only the people but also other leaders followed her… 1. She desired to be respected rather than liked by people 2. She decided God’s mission would be her mission

The highest compliment to a leader is when other leaders follow Judges 4: Then Deborah said to Barak, "Go! This is the day the LORD has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the LORD gone ahead of you?" So Barak went down Mount Tabor, followed by ten thousand men. 15 At Barak's advance, the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword, and Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot.

Four Steps Of Reproduction There are four steps that Jesus used to reproduce himself in his disciples… 1. Instruction – Jesus taught them 2. Demonstration – He did it, they watched 3. Experience – they did it, he watched 4. Authority – They did it after he returned to his Father.

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a)Think about the five steps or levels of leadership that we discussed. What level are you on with your people? b)The highest compliment to a leader is when other leaders follow them. Do other leaders follow you?

Homework – Scriptures to Read Exodus 18:1-27 Exodus 18:1-27