MEMORY SCRIPTURE
Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men (Psalm 12:1).
During leadership shortages, nurturing new leaders is mandatory as a beacon of hope guiding us to a better future.
DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS
Mon. Feb.24: The People Forsake God (Isa. 1:1-4)
Tue. Feb.25: The People Wander and Scatter (Ezk.34:6-10)
Wed. Feb.26: The People Are Deceived (Eph. 4:14)
Thu. Feb.27: The People Groan (Prov. 29:2) Fri. Feb.28: he People Speak Vanity (Psa. 12:1-2)
Sat.Mar.1: People Lose Divine Provisions (Isa. 3:1-3)
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
Amidst dearth of leadership, seek God’s wisdom to support integrity- driven leaders and embrace servant-leadership.
INTRODUCTION
TEXTUAL SOURCE: Judges 2:7-10; 6:13-16
Hallelujah! We are making, progress with the God-given lessons in our series, “Preparing God’s People for Leadership.” Last week, we focused on ‘Servant Leadership’, aimed at helping us to emulate Christ’s example. This week, we delve into “The Dearth of Leadership”.In our world today, especially among believers, there is a shortage of strong leadership and virtue. Leadership isn’t just about heading large organisations; every individual has influence. The crucial question is How do you use your influence? Are you leading others towards good or bad? Whether as a parent, teacher, or shepherd, how do you influence others?
Though God is the ultimate Leader, He desires leaders for His people and calls every believer to influence and lead others. In Genesis 1:26, God ordained man to rule. Throughout Scripture, there is a pattern of divine calls to leadership. Abraham was called to establish a nation, Moses to lead Israel from slavery, and Christ for humanity’s reconciliation. Yet, there is still a shortage of leadership among God’s people. This disappoints God, especially when moral character isn’t prioritised in leadership. This lesson aims to plunge us into this and proffer scriptural solutions, God helping us.
LESSON OUTLINE
- CHAOS CAUSED BY GODLESS UP COMING LEADERS
- CALAMITY STRIKES SAMSON’S CORRUPT WAYS
LESSON EXPOSITION
CHAOS CAUSED BY GODLESS UPCOMING LEADERS (2:7-10)
When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel (v. 10).
a) 2:7: Joshua’s legacy of godliness shaped Israel’s faithfulness during his leadership reign, marking him as one ofhistory’s great men of God.
b) Israel remained faithful to God in the days following Joshua, celebrating His greatness through obedience and loyalty (cf. Psa. 33:12; 112:1).
c) 2:10a: The failure to pass down God’s teachings to subsequent generations leads to a decline in godly leadership (cf. Deut. 4:6-9). It has never paid any generation, hence the charge of Paul to Timothy (2 Tim. 2:2).
d) 2:10b: The succeeding generations, despite divine warnings, succumbed to rebellion because they lacked the upbringing to know God personally (cf. Prov. 22:6). Imagine the kind of godless leaders such would later become. No wonder the people were just rising and falling in the mire of ungodliness in the book of Judges.
e) Without godly leadership, subsequent generations lose their personal relationship with God, falling into idolatry and moral decline (cf. Jos. 24:31; Isa. 1:3). May this not describe us.
CALAMITY STRIKES SAMSON’S CORRUPT WAYS (13-16)
Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it Judges. 16:30a).
a) 13:1-7: Samson was sent to deliver Israel from oppression. The loving God intervenes during hard times (6:1; Neh. 9:26-29).
b) vv. 8-25: God appointed Samson as Israel’s leader and deliverer from their 40-year suffering (Psa. 139:1ff), but his recklessness and disregard for God’s commands (cf.Jdg. 14:1-4) finished him– danger ofyouthful folly (Exo. 34:16; Deut. 7:3; 2 Cor. 6:14).
c) 14:5ff: Despite his flaws, God used him to save Israel with amazing strength. God works through the flawed (Psa. 29:11; Isa. 40:29-31) but they must beware lest they fumble (1 Cor. 10:11,12).
d) 15:1ff: Samson’s imprudent decisions led to conflicts and his eventual downfall (cf. Prov. 16:7). Unfortunate is the state of a nation where its ruler acts immaturely, stupidly and corruptly (Eccl. 10:16; cf. Prov. 29:2).
e) 16:10-31: Only spiritual fools like Samson and Esau (Gen. 25:29ff) would trade their ‘birth-rights’ for any ‘food.
f) v. 18-31: Most sadly, despite repentance, Samson faced consequences of his foolishness; died alongside his enemies (cf. Prov. 16:7). You won’t escape the results of those leadership misdemeanours.
LESSONS DERIVED
- When people neglect to nurture the younger generations proper disaster looms.
- Be cautious, for the way you handle God’s grace upon your determines your present and future outcomes.
QUESTIONS
- Examine the implications of the younger generation growing without the knowledge ofthe Lord, following the steps of their father
- Is there similarity between the failures of contemporary gosp: ministers and the predicament faced by Samson?
