Men looking to grow as leaders are invited to our men’s ministry on Thu nights at 6:30 at The Red Brick Church in Stillman Valley. Below is our assignment for the coming week. It will only take you a few minutes and could benefit you eternally. These studies are a supplement to our Intentional Leadership series.

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Assignment: Read the day’s chapter of Proverbs. So if it is 9/25, read Proverbs 25. Identify at least 1 verse in that chapter that gets your attention. Come to men’s group ready to discuss what it means for leaders.

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Previously, we have  talked about James Kouzes’ definition that, “Leadership is the art of mobilizing others to want to struggle for shared aspirations.”

In Kouzes definition, “art” is one of the first words we notice. By saying leadership is an “art,” we acknowledge that leading people forward is not strictly hard science. Leading people requires, finesse, skill, creativity, study, meditation, and reflection.

Perhaps the key ingredient of the art of leadership is wisdom. Wisdom is skill for living in the fear of the one true God. Using a word picture: wisdom is the “saw” we use to cut our way through life.

We cannot effectively lead without being wise.

We all know: life is one tough piece of wood! It takes a sharp wisdom saw to cut our ways through. We make decisions in an increasingly complex world.

Thankfully, the Bible offers ways for us to sharpen our wisdom saws. One of the primary ways to become wiser is to read Proverbs in an ongoing way. Meditating on the short and pithy sayings of Proverbs gradually sharpens our wisdom.

Reading the day’s chapter of Proverbs is a great practice for leaders. If it is September 23, then read Proverbs 23. When you do read that chapter, force yourself to think about the meaning of at least one verse. For example, Proverbs 23:23 reads, “By the truth and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.” This verse means that one of the most important ways I can spend my energy as a father, pastor, husband, and community leader is to search after wisdom. I have to look for it. I need to grow in wisdom.

For this coming Thursday night discussion, we are asking the men to make it a goal to come having read several chapters of Proverbs. Ideally, Prov 23-29. Each day read slow enough to notice a verse that gets your attention. Then when you come on Thu night, come ready to discuss what a particular verse means for leaders.

This assignment should only take you a few minutes each day – – in 15 minutes you can read and notice a great deal. If you follow through, you will benefit not only your leadership but the leadership of other men as well!