What can we learn from the Bible about what it means to be a good leader—even during our teenage years? How can we learn from the mistakes of others, using their faults to fuel our journey to becoming effective guides in our homes, schools, communities, and youth group? This 3-week series examines three biblical leaders, detailing how each experienced acute failure at specific points in their lives. Each week’s message contrasts that leader’s shortcomings with Jesus’ redemptive role as the perfect leader. Touching on the topics of responsibility, endurance, and discipline, ‘Level Up’ both explores what Godly leadership is, and what it isn’t. Students don’t become leaders when they get older, they are leaders now who can be empowered to help others know and serve God better.

Week 1

• Text: Genesis 3:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21
• Topic: Adam, Responsibility
• Big Idea of the Message: Leaders are responsible for how they take responsibility. Adam avoided taking responsibility and blamed God and Eve. In contrast, Jesus took our blame as His responsibility.
• Application: As godly leaders, we must use our responsibility to help others.

Discussion Questions:

• What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
• Where was Adam when the snake was tempting Eve?
• How was Adam passive when he should have been a leader?
• Why is it tempting to become passive when the pressure is on?
• Have you ever experienced someone taking responsibility for your mistakes? How did it affect you?

¿Qué podemos aprender de la Biblia sobre lo que significa ser un buen líder, incluso durante nuestra adolescencia? ¿Cómo podemos aprender de los errores de otros, usando sus faltas para alimentar nuestro viaje y convertirnos en guías efectivos en nuestros hogares, escuelas, comunidades y grupos de jóvenes? Esta serie de 3 semanas examina a tres líderes bíblicos, detallando cómo cada uno experimentó un fracaso agudo en puntos específicos de sus vidas. El mensaje de cada semana contrasta los defectos de ese líder con el papel redentor de Jesús como el líder perfecto. Al tocar los temas de responsabilidad, resistencia, y disciplina, ‘Level Up’ explora qué es el liderazgo piadoso y qué no. Los estudiantes no se convierten en líderes cuando envejecen, ahora son líderes que pueden ser capacitados para ayudar a otros a conocer y servir mejor a Dios.

Semana 1

• Texto: Génesis 3: 1-12; 2 Corintios 5: 18-21
  
• Tema: Adán, Responsabilidad.
  
• Gran idea del mensaje: Adán evitó asumir la responsabilidad y culpó a Eva. En contraste, Jesús tomó nuestra culpa como su responsabilidad.
  
• Punto de aplicación: Como líderes piadosos, debemos usar nuestra responsabilidad para ayudar a otros.

Preguntas de discusión:

• ¿Qué es una cosa que se destacó del mensaje de esta semana?
  
• ¿Dónde estaba Adán cuando la serpiente tentaba a Eva?
  
• ¿Cómo fue Adam pasivo cuando debería haber sido un líder?
  
• ¿Por qué es tentador volverse pasivo cuando la presión está activa?
  
• ¿Alguna vez has experimentado a alguien tomando responsabilidad por tus errores? ¿Cómo te afectó?
  
• ¿Cómo puedo orar por ti?

SERMON SUMMARY

A leader is responsible for how they take responsibility

“The price of greatness is responsibility.”  Winston Churchill

Ask anyone and they will tell you that they would love to accomplish great things with their lives.  Ask the same people if they are willing to start small, and most will dismiss the opportunity.  In my personal development as a leader, I’ve learned that before I can lead anyone, I must improve in leading one person; myself.  If I can’t do that, I won’t be able to do much else for others.

As an 80’s kid, I grew up right along side of video games.  When I hear the phrase “level up” I automatically think about video games.  To level up, the player must either obtain a special object or complete a specific challenge that improves one’s overall potential, allowing them to be more effective in their efforts.  The same works in life when it comes down to being a leader.  There are certain nuggets of wisdom that we can obtain that can help us when we face a problem.  The more obstacles we overcome through wisdom and knowledge, the more effective leader we become.

There are plenty of examples in God’s Word that shows us people who both failed and succeeded at the tasks that were before them.  I want to simply look at three instances where three individuals failed their leadership test and compare that to how Jesus responded to the same circumstances.

The book of Genesis not only contains the account of the beginning of creation, but it also documents the beginning of sin in this world.  Adam and Eve placed their faith in the lies of the devil and put their desires before God’s purpose, causing them to lose everything, including their connection with God.  Adam failed to lead Eve earlier when she was tempted to eat of the fruit of the Knowledge of God and Evil.  He was responsible for serving her, but instead he chose to serve himself.  When the Lord enters the garden, He finds Adam and Eve hiding, we see Adam fail to take responsibility for his actions (Genesis 3:1-12).  Instead he passes the blame on God and on Eve!

¹² The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate. Genesis 1:12 (ESV)

Failing to take responsibility is a form of pride.  It’s hard for anyone to own up to their mistakes because it’s embarrassing.  We don’t want to give people the chance to judge us by our failures.  What’s dangerous about pride in any form is that it causes us to be quick to see the bad in others and slow to see any faults in ourselves.  Prideful people don’t make good leaders because no one likes to follow them.

“There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit.”  Ronald Reagan

A good leader is responsible.  They are willing to give praise where credit is due.  What’s even harder is when a person is humble enough to own up to their own mistakes.

²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

Compare Adam to Jesus when it comes to taking responsibility.  When we lead from a place of pride, we look to serve ourselves.  Jesus lead from a place of love which looked to serve others.  If we admire people who take responsibility for their own mistakes, then how should we respond when Jesus took responsibility for our own sins?  If he hadn’t, we wouldn’t be here today!  Because Jesus rose and lives today, we can leverage the power of His love to lead as Jesus once did, serving the interest of others instead of our self-interest.  We find ourselves blessed when we put others before ourselves.

The first challenge that is before us is how we respond to the good and bad.  When we are quick to praise others when things go right and take responsibility when things go wrong, we can level up and become a more effective leader.