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7 Habits of Leadership That Jesus Taught To Transform Culture
7 Biblical Habits of Leadership That Will Transform Your Personal and/or Corporate Culture
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Matthew 18: 21-35 ESV
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.[a] 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.[b] 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant[c] fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,[d] and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,[e] until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Parable = Reign of King Ahab
Jesus used the reign of King Ahab to teach the principles of forgiveness and repentance to his disciples and us, however there are revelational principles of leadership that the forgiveness principles are founded upon. King Ahab was a King of Israel from the old testament era. His story covers his 22 year reign from 1 Kings 16:29 - 1 Kings 22:40 to when he died in battle.
The parable accounts for specific points in King Ahab's reign where God attempted to connect with his heart, but his heart did not receive the message.
Summary of Leadership Lessons From The Parable
1: Ownership
Ownership: I own how I influence the hearts, minds, and souls of every person I lead
The first lesson is derived from a few questions being asked from the verse Matthew 18: 24 "24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. " and then the leadership lesson that can be learned from the verse.
If debt is sin and all sin is equal in the eyes of the Lord, how does one servant, King Ahab, owe ten thousand talents worth of sin?
How much is ten thousand talents and why is that so important in the parable and King Ahab's reign?
What is a leadership lesson that Jesus is teaching in this line of the parable and from King Ahab's reign?
How does this lesson apply to marriage, parenthood, discipleship, and business, every area of life in which we have influence.
2: Belief Systems
Belief Systems: It is my choice on whether I marry into a belief system or help transform a belief system. Belief systems are the foundation for personal and corporate culture.
The second lesson is derived from a few questions being asked from the verse Matthew 18: 25 "25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. " and then the leadership lesson that can be learned from the verse.
Why was judgement given equally to the servant (King Ahab), wife (Jezebel), and children (King Ahaziah and King Jehoram) at the same time?
Why was the wife (Jezebel) held equally accountable for the ten thousand talents of sin?
Why was the servant (King Ahab) the only one who received forgiveness?
What is a leadership lesson that Jesus is teaching in this line of the parable from King Ahab's reign?
How does this lesson apply to marriage, parenthood, discipleship, and business? Every area of life in which we have influence.
3: Culture
Culture: A culture is built from what I say and what I do. People naturally model behaviour more than words.
The third lesson is derived from a few more questions being asked from the verse Matthew 18: 25 "25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. " and then the leadership lesson that can be learned from the verse.
How did the children, Kings Ahaziah and Jehoram, of the servant King Ahab become equally accountable to the sins of the mother and father beyond a generational curse?
What is a leadership lesson that Jesus is teaching in this line of the parable from King Ahab's reign?
How does this lesson apply to marriage, parenthood, discipleship, and business? Every area of life in which we have influence.
4: Heart and Mind
Heart and Mind: Information does not change behavour, a transformation of a heart transforms behavour.
The fourth lesson is derived from a few questions being asked from the verse Matthew 18: 26 "26 So the servant[c] fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ . " and then the leadership lesson that can be learned from the verse.
Did the servant (King Ahab) believe in his heart and mind that he could pay the debt of 10,000 sins?
How would the servant (King Ahab) pay this debt if he believed he could do it?
What is a leadership lesson that Jesus is teaching in this line of the parable from King Ahab's reign?
How does this lesson apply to marriage, parenthood, discipleship, and business? Every area of life in which we have influence.
5: Know Who You Serve
Know Who You Serve: When we transform our behavours by transforming our hearts and minds to God's Word, we are serving Him through the people we are called to lead. Serve the people by serving God.
The fifth lesson is derived from a few questions being asked from the verse Matthew 18: 27 "27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. " and then the leadership lesson that can be learned from the verse.
Did the servant (King Ahab) understand in his heart and mind who he was serving? Why?
Did the servant (King Ahab) believe in his heart and mind the power of who he was serving? Why?
What evidence did the servant (King Ahab) hear and/or see that he did not understand with his heart and mind of who he was serving? Why?
What is a leadership lesson that Jesus is teaching in this line of the parable from King Ahab's reign?
How does this lesson apply to marriage, parenthood, discipleship, and business? Every area of life in which we have influence.
6: A Heart of Understanding
A Heart of Understanding: ?
The sixth lesson is derived from a few questions being asked from the verse Matthew 18: 28 - 30 "28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,[d] and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. " and then the leadership lesson that can be learned from the verse.
Similar question, how does this servant accumulate the debt of one sins?
Why did the servant (King Ahab) not treat the other servant with the same level of forgiveness that given him?
How was this servant going to repay his debts, was that even possible?
Why did the servant (King Ahab) refuse? Why did King Ahab choose war over peace?
What is a leadership lesson that Jesus is teaching in this line of the parable from King Ahab's reign?
How does this lesson apply to marriage, parenthood, discipleship, and business? Every area of life in which we have influence.
7: Legacy
Legacy: My legacy is not the dollars I made. My legacy is how I served others and the culture I passed on.
The seventh lesson is derived from a few questions being asked from the verse Matthew 18: 31 - 35 "31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,[e] until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”" and then the leadership lesson that can be learned from the verse.
Why did all the other servants "report" on the servant King Ahab? Why not confront him directly?
Why did the master not forgive the servant King Ahab, again?
What legacy was the servant, King Ahab intending to make by going to war?
What is a leadership lesson that Jesus is teaching in this line of the parable from King Ahab's reign?
How does this lesson apply to marriage, parenthood, discipleship, and business? Every area of life in which we have influence.