Scripture:
2 Thessalonians 3:6-9
Fri, 4 November 2022

Leadership Authority Through Living Example

Observation:

What is the significance of the verb “imitate” being repeated twice in Paul’s instruction to the Thessalonians?

Deeper Reflection
THE PROBLEM OF IDLENESS AMONG THE THESSALONIANS was serious enough for Paul to exert his apostolic authority to demand obedience from them to “the things that we command” (2 Thess 3:4, 6, 10, 12, 14). How Paul exercised his apostolic authority shows us the Christian way to exercise leadership authority in, not just the church, but also our family, the workplace and other settings. First and foremost of all is leading by example.Exercising his apostolic authority, Paul commands the Thessalonians to implement church discipline on those who disobeyed the apostolic “tradition” and refused to work and “walk in idleness” (v.6). Paul’s apostolic command was undergirded by how he lived his life: “we were not idle” (v.7) and how “with toil and labor we worked day and night” for their own sustenance (v.8). This gave Paul the authority to say without any sense of pride that his life was “an example” for them “to imitate” (v.9). More than that, he had the authority to direct them: “You ought to imitate us” (v.7). This reflects Paul’s confidence that his life was to be an example to be followed. It was a humble confidence, not of himself, but in the Lord (cf. 2 Cor 10:17-18).We do not live by example because we are leading, but rather that the way we live our lives – whether we are leaders or not – naturally becomes an example when we lead. The central principle in Paul’s leadership is: The starting point is “I follow the example of Christ” and out of this is “Follow my example” (1 Cor 11:1, NIV).
Application:

What areas in my life do I need to change so as to be good example?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for SGI leaders: To lead by example at home, in the workplace and ministry
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 10:11-12, 14-19
Tue, 26 September 2023

A Man of High Esteem

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Daniel being called “man of high esteem” (vv.11, 19)?

Deeper Reflection
One of the heavenly beings called Daniel “man of high esteem” (v.11). This honour was bestowed on Daniel emphatically, in that it was repeated twice (v.19). This “high esteem” did not come from man, but from God Himself. God gave this honour to Daniel toward the end of his life when God called him to “enter into rest” (Dan 12:13). As a youth, Daniel “made up his mind not to defile himself with the king’s choice food” (Dan 1:8), and as an old man, he was faithful to God in spending time with Him in his “three times a day” devotion, even if it means to be thrown into the lions’ den (Dan 6:10). Daniel was finishing well in his life with “humbling yourself before your God” (v.12). When we think of finishing well in terms of successful accomplishments, we must be careful that we are not exalting ourselves.It is not for us to see ourselves in any way as a person of high esteem before God. It is for God to say that to us (2 Cor 10:17-18). Daniel never saw himself as a “man of high esteem”. A key emphasis in Daniel 10 is Daniel being greatly overwhelmed by the holiness and glory of God represented by the heavenly being with an awesome appearance (Dan 10:5-10, 15-18). And it was in this encounter with God when he was called “man of high esteem” that Daniel said, “How can such a servant of my Lord talk with such as my Lord?”50 (v.17). The man highly esteemed by God saw his unworthiness before God.
50 I have theologically translated “my lord” to “my Lord”, since the heavenly being is a representation of God.
Application:

What does being highly esteemed by God mean to me?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for pastors and staff: To be able to see oneself as God sees
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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