A Moment in Proverbs- Teaching children to be good leaders

Pro 29:2  When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

This verse is something we have talked about several times in a variety of ways. One example is in sibling relationships. My heart rejoices that the Lord has given us this home environment where we can learn important life truths!  In our home we teach the older children to lead the younger. Older children are given the responsibility to oversee and encourage in daily activities. Some children are naturally better at leading than others. Some have organizational skills, leadership skills and people skills that prove helpful in proving themselves as trustworthy to their younger siblings. There are times that we have had to instruct and train them how to lead with righteousness so that their younger siblings rejoice. Here are a few things we teach our children as they learn to lead righteously.

There are many examples in Scripture and passages that teach us how to lead others in a God glorifying manner. One of our favorite passages is found in Exodus 18:21 There we have the qualifications of a good leader, take a look: Exo 18:21  Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness

To be a righteous leader you have to be “able”.  This word means having physical power, competent power and strength in body and mind. Therefore, the children are taught not to ask someone to do something you aren’t willing to do yourself. A righteous leader works, is not lazy, and is able to tackle the task both mentally and physically.

A righteous leader fears the Lord. We teach the children that to lead their siblings in righteousness they must first have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They must be able to lead their siblings in Truth and in a manner that glorifies God. If they fail in this area… the people mourn!

A righteous leader is a person of truth! They don’t tell their siblings lies just so they can get them to do what they want. They tell the truth even when it’s uncomfortable!

A righteous leader hates covetousness. Teaching the children to hate covetousness helps them overcome the temptation of lust. A righteous leader must not be coveting and then using those under his/her authority to get what they want.

There are many other verses that we use to train the children in leadership skills here in the home.  It is critical for our children to learn how to lead others in a way that glorifies God. I am delighted that God gives them this opportunity, here in the home, where my husband and I can carefully watch and lead them in the right way. Where we can train them to lead in righteousness so that anyone that the Lord ever places under them would rejoice instead of mourn. Take time to prayerfully consider how you can train your children to lead in righteousness so that the people might rejoice!

Because of His Love,

Mrs. Joseph Wood