Leading God’s People Leading God’s People God’s WayGod’s Way

Lesson 12 – The Law of ConnectionLesson 12 – The Law of Connection

The Law of ConnectionThe Law of Connection

Leaders touch a heart before they Leaders touch a heart before they ask for a handask for a hand

Philemon 8-9Philemon 8-9

  88Therefore, although in Christ I could Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, you ought to do, 99yet I appeal to yet I appeal to

you on the basis of love. you on the basis of love.

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)

a)a) Paul could have used his position to Paul could have used his position to force Philemon to do the right thing, but force Philemon to do the right thing, but he did not. Have you ever used your he did not. Have you ever used your position as a leader to force someone to position as a leader to force someone to do what you wanted them to do?do what you wanted them to do?

b)b) Paul chose to connect with Philemon’s Paul chose to connect with Philemon’s heart. He appealed to his love. What heart. He appealed to his love. What are some of the things you do, or can are some of the things you do, or can do, to connect with the hearts of your do, to connect with the hearts of your followers? followers?

Our Story in HistoryOur Story in History

Southern Kingdom of JudahSouthern Kingdom of Judah

975

David dies. His son Solomon becomes king of Israel c. 970 BC

875925

Rehoboam refused to listen to the people. Jeroboam led a revolt and the kingdom was divided c. 930 BC **

Solomon dies. His son Rehoboam becomes king c. 930 BC

Rehoboam

Rehoboam ruled in Jerusalem for 17 years. He died at age 58 c. 914 BC

David Jesus

c. = circa (about)

Solomon

Northern Kingdom of IsraelNorthern Kingdom of IsraelJeroboam

950 900

Jeroboam ruled in Samaria for 22 years. He died c. 909 BC

** Northern Kingdom: Named Israel; 10 Tribes; Capital = City of SamariaSouthern Kingdom: Named Judah; Only 1 Tribe (Judah); Capital = city of Jerusalem

Scriptures to ReadScriptures to Read

1 Kings 11:41-431 Kings 11:41-43 1 Kings 12:1-331 Kings 12:1-33 1 Kings 14:21-311 Kings 14:21-31

Israel’s First Three KingsIsrael’s First Three Kings

1. Saul’s Kingdom…

2. Area conquered by David…

3. Area under Solomon’s economic control…

Jerusalem

Rehoboam Becomes KingRehoboam Becomes King

Jerusalem

Samaria

Israel

Phili

sita

Aram (Syria)

Rehoboam went to Shechem were the people had gathered to crown him King. Shechem

Jerusalem

Samaria

Israel

Phili

sita

Aram (Syria)

Jeroboam returned from exile in Egypt. He and all the people asked Rehoboam to lighten their load.

Shechem

Rehoboam Becomes KingRehoboam Becomes King

The Kingdom DividedThe Kingdom Divided

Jerusalem

Samaria

Northern Kingdom of Israel

Southern Kingdomof Judah

Phili

sita

Aram (Syria)

Shechem

Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders and the people rebelled by killing Adoniram. Rehoboam had to flee back to Jerusalem or they would have killed him also.

The kingdom was divided into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.

Jerusalem

Samaria

Northern Kingdom of Israel

Southern Kingdomof Judah

Phili

sita

Aram (Syria)

Shechem

Jeroboam feared the people would go back to Rehoboam because they had to go to Jerusalem, Rehoboam's capital to worship at the temple. So he set up two golden calves: one in Bethel in the south of Israel and the another in Dan in the north of Israel.

Bethel

Dan

Jeroboam Starts Idol WorshipJeroboam Starts Idol Worship

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)

a)a) Rehoboam refused to connect with his Rehoboam refused to connect with his people. He was a positional leader who people. He was a positional leader who only thought about himself. Has there only thought about himself. Has there been a time in your leadership when you been a time in your leadership when you led from position? What were the led from position? What were the results?results?

b)b) Because Rehoboam did not connect with Because Rehoboam did not connect with his peoples, the kingdom was divided. his peoples, the kingdom was divided. What are some of the results that you What are some of the results that you have seen when a leader does not have seen when a leader does not connect with his people?connect with his people?

What Do We Learn From What Do We Learn From PERSON?PERSON?

1.1. All great leaders have one thing in All great leaders have one thing in common: they connect with people.common: they connect with people.

2.2. Connecting with people is the leader’s Connecting with people is the leader’s responsibility.responsibility.

3.3. Connection starts with the heartConnection starts with the heart..

4.4. Connection requires intentional effort. Connection requires intentional effort.

All great leaders have one thing in All great leaders have one thing in common: they connect with people common: they connect with people If you desire to connect with others, check If you desire to connect with others, check

your motives according to the following your motives according to the following guidelines:guidelines:: :

1.1. GetGet beyond yourself beyond yourself

2.2. GrowGrow beyond yourself beyond yourself

3.3. GiveGive beyond yourself beyond yourself

4.4. GoGo beyond yourself beyond yourself

Connecting with people is the Connecting with people is the leader’s responsibility leader’s responsibility

Connecting with people is not complicated, Connecting with people is not complicated, but it does take some effort. Here are but it does take some effort. Here are some principles Rehoboam violatedsome principles Rehoboam violated: :

1.1. When you touch your people’s hearts, When you touch your people’s hearts, they will be more willing to take action.they will be more willing to take action.

2.2. When you give first, your people will When you give first, your people will give in return.give in return.

Connecting with people is the Connecting with people is the leader’s responsibility leader’s responsibility

Connecting with people is not complicated, Connecting with people is not complicated, but it does take some effort. Here are but it does take some effort. Here are some principles Rehoboam violatedsome principles Rehoboam violated: :

3.3. When you connect with individuals, When you connect with individuals, soon you will gain the attention of soon you will gain the attention of crowds.crowds.

4.4. When you reach out to your people, When you reach out to your people, they will reach back to you.they will reach back to you.

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)

a)a) All great leaders have one thing in All great leaders have one thing in common: they connect with people. common: they connect with people. How well and how easily do you connect How well and how easily do you connect with people?with people?

b)b) We learned that it is the leader’s We learned that it is the leader’s responsibility to initiate connection with responsibility to initiate connection with their people. Do you initiate connection their people. Do you initiate connection with your people, or do you wait for with your people, or do you wait for them to come to you?them to come to you?

Connection starts with the heart Connection starts with the heart

Rehoboam could have made four changes Rehoboam could have made four changes to connect to the hearts of his people. to connect to the hearts of his people. Do any of them apply to you?Do any of them apply to you?

1.1. Listen instead of lecturing.Listen instead of lecturing.

2.2. Project integrity instead of image.Project integrity instead of image.

3.3. Demonstrate compassion instead of Demonstrate compassion instead of demanding control.demanding control.

4.4. Gaze through their eyes instead of Gaze through their eyes instead of glaring at them.glaring at them.

Connection requires intentional Connection requires intentional efforteffort

The truth is that the work of connecting is The truth is that the work of connecting is never finished. Here are seven things never finished. Here are seven things leaders should do regularlyleaders should do regularly::

1.1. Connect with yourself.Connect with yourself.

2.2. Share with openness and sincerity.Share with openness and sincerity.

3.3. Live your message.Live your message.

4.4. Know your audience.Know your audience.

Connection requires intentional Connection requires intentional efforteffort

The truth is that the work of connecting is The truth is that the work of connecting is never finished. Here are seven things never finished. Here are seven things leaders should do regularlyleaders should do regularly::

5.5. Communicate on their level. Communicate on their level.

6.6. Believe totally in your people.Believe totally in your people.

7.7. Offer direction and hope.Offer direction and hope.

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4)

a)a) We looked at four changes that We looked at four changes that Rehoboam could have easily made to Rehoboam could have easily made to improve his connections with the improve his connections with the people. What changes are you willing to people. What changes are you willing to make to improve your ability to make to improve your ability to connect?connect?

b)b) Connection requires intentional effort. Connection requires intentional effort. We learned seven things a leader should We learned seven things a leader should do to improve connection with their do to improve connection with their people. In what areas do you need to people. In what areas do you need to improve your connection with others?improve your connection with others?

Mark 10:42-45Mark 10:42-45

4242Jesus called them together and said, “You Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority and their high officials exercise authority over them. over them. 4343Not so with you. Instead, Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, you must be your servant, 4444and whoever and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. wants to be first must be slave of all. 4545For even the Son of Man did not come to For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”life as a ransom for many.”

Homework – Scriptures to ReadHomework – Scriptures to Read

2 Samuel 8:1-82 Samuel 8:1-8 2 Samuel 8:15-182 Samuel 8:15-18 2 Samuel 10:6-142 Samuel 10:6-14 2 Samuel 23:8-382 Samuel 23:8-38 1 Chronicles 12:1-401 Chronicles 12:1-40