9-20-2026: Leaders Who Look Like Jesus

9-20-2026: Leaders Who Look Like Jesus

Sermon Title: Leaders Who Look Like Jesus

Scripture Reading: Mark 10:35–45; 1 Timothy 3:1–13; 1 Peter 5:1–4

Sermon Focus: Healthy churches require healthy leaders. Jesus redefined leadership as humble service, which was a radical departure from the world. The New Testament emphasizes not merely what leaders accomplish but who leaders are—their character, integrity, humility, maturity, and care for others. In the second message of our series, Pastor David shares how the thriving congregation cultivates leaders who are spiritually healthy, emotionally mature, accountable, and committed to serving others.

Thank you for going deeper in conversation with your small group. Use the following questions to help guide your small group discussion: 

  1. Begin by reading Mark 10:35-45 to yourself silently (giving everyone a few minutes to reflect on the passage), then have someone read it aloud. How do these words of Jesus speak to you about power, leadership, and service?

  2. Jesus says, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43). This teaching was radical in Jesus’ day and in our own. Who has modeled servant leadership to you? How have they inspired you to do the same?

  3. According to 1 Timothy 3:1-13, it’s the character and maturity of leaders that matter most. Pastor David showed us a slide that listed characteristics of a healthy leader from this passage. What jumps out at you in this list? Why is that?

  4. Pastor David said, “Beware of the leaders who haven’t dealt with their own sin, brokenness, trauma, insecurities, unforgiveness, mommy & daddy issues, and the speck in their own eye, for those kind of leaders end up using people instead of serving people—those leaders lack self-awareness and leave a trail of hurt, broken friendships, divided churches, burned bridges, and spiritual carnage. Which is why it’s so important that we’re being spiritually formed, as we help others in their formation, so that we can develop and commission healthy leaders.” How have you seen this in your life, the church, in business, in politics, etc.?

  5. Healthy leaders develop other leaders. This requires intentionality and helping others learn to do what we’re doing—like a master and apprentice relationship. Has anyone invested in your spiritual growth and leadership in this way? Do you think this is something we do well, or something we can work on at Grantham?

  6. Are you serving in some role within the church? Who is someone God may be inviting you to encourage, mentor, disciple, or equip to do what you’re doing? Why is this so important, especially before we finish our term and/or move on?

LIFE ON MISSION QUESTION – What is one specific step I can take this week to be the servant leader Jesus wants me to be? What does this look like at home? What does this look like at work? What does this look like within the church?