Day 229: Follow the Leader

Today’s Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:1

Central Thought: Christ established Himself as the leader of the Church, and His example is to be followed throughout all church leadership levels.

Paul presented in this verse, in inverse order, the proper model of the Christian life and hierarchy of leadership and example.

1. Christ provided the ultimate example.
2. Church leaders should follow Christ’s example.
3. Believers should follow their leaders’ examples.

Paul’s strong leadership is evident in this verse as he takes a stand and confidently advises other believers to follow his example. When viewed in light of the three steps listed above, this is not a statement of arrogance, but one of humility.

Paul acknowledged that all things flow from Christ, who modeled the life all Christians should emulate. Paul recognized that he was not establishing a pattern. Instead, he was following the example of the pattern than had been set by Christ.

To be ‘Christ-like” was the standard to which Paul held himself. As he wrote this letter that addressed problems within the church at Corinth, he prescribed the order by which the New Testament church must live. This should also be our goal today.

Devotional Prayer: Lord, today I pray for the leaders of my church. Amid all the pressures they face as they answer Your call on their lives, may they constantly seek to follow Your example. And may we as a church encourage them and follow their leadership in the manner in which You have established.

Today’s Bible Reading: Nehemiah 11:1-12:26; 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:2; Psalm 34:11-22; Proverbs 21:14-16