If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God—good! But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors.

1 Samuel 12:14-15

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OUR HUMAN CONDITION

We demand leaders, hoping they will bring security and peace. We want our leaders to make decisions for us, to tell us what to do so we won’t have to take responsibility for ourselves and our actions. But power tends to corrupt; and we discover our leaders, like us, have feet of clay.

Disciple

“The disciple keeps a proper perspective on human leadership, giving respect and support to godly leaders but true allegiance only to God.”

Disciple

Discussion

• Why do people put such high hopes in their leaders?

• Sometimes the governed contribute unconsciously to a leader’s vulnerability to power. Can you identify times and ways this might be true?

• What responsibility do people have toward their leaders to help them guard against such vulnerability?

• Right now, in what leadership roles are people counting on you?

• What kinds of actions and attitudes of leaders do you think God blesses?

• What kinds of actions and attitudes demonstrate faithfulness to God’s will?

Further Reading

• Samuel

• Saul

• David

• Solomon

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