Leadership Lessons from Moses

By Keith Thomas

This book allows the reader to see the humanity of biblical leaders, which makes the information relatable to our present time. It gives practical insights that will allow you to move into a more intimate relationship with God, your family, and your following.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 27, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512772647

Keith Thomas

Keith Thomas worked as a lead clinical researcher at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine and National Jewish Health before writing for film and television. He has collaborated with James Patterson on a screenplay and a novel. His work has also appeared in Geek and McSweeney’s.

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Copyright © 2017 Keith Thomas.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of Biblica US, Inc.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-7263-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-7265-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-7264-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017900882

WestBow Press rev. date: 1/27/2017

CONTENTS

Introduction

Acknowledgments

Using These Books

Casting A Vision

Receiving The Vision

Receiving The Vision—Discussion

First Elder Meeting

First Elder Meeting—Discussion

Second Elder Meeting

Second Elder Meeting—Discussion

Time To Go

Time To Go—Discussion

When Rebellion Comes

Aaron And Miriam Rebel

Aaron And Miriam Rebel—Discussion

Rebel Meeting

Rebel Meeting—Discussion

Korah’s Confrontation

Korah’s Confrontation—Discussion

When Reconciliation Fails

When Reconciliation Fails—Discussion

Death Of A Dream

Speak To The Rock

Speak To The Rock—Discussion

Sharing The Grief

Sharing The Grief—Discussion

Moving On

Moving On—Discussion

Epilogue

About The Author

INTRODUCTION

T he concept of these books was born out of my own frustration as a pastor. I was constantly looking for material that would help me in leadership but that allowed me to stay comfortable in my own skin and with my personality traits. I am by nature a nonconfrontational team builder. I prefer consensus to combat. That is not intended as an indictment against other leadership styles. It is just an acknowledgment that we’re all built differently. Most of the leadership material I could find was based on a rigid concept of steps to take for success.

During my study times, I began to realize Moses was a very flawed human being who exhibited few, if any, of the leadership styles so idealized today. His one great character trait, shared by all godly leaders, was that he wanted to follow God with all of his passion. These studies allow a leader to form a staff and conduct training using his or her own style of leadership. They also allow a leader to maintain his or her passion for Jesus Christ.

The first three books in this series address three of the most challenging elements of any ministry: the casting of a vision, rebellion, and the death of dream. All ministry leaders deal with these issues nearly every day in their ministry. It is my prayer that these books will help provide the tools necessary for you to be successful in your efforts to lead God’s people.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank four pastor leaders for their significant contributions to this effort.

Pastor Brenda Snedden, senior pastor at First Church of God in Oil City, Pennsylvania, offered collaboration and insight for the overcoming of rebellion that were invaluable to completion of this book.

Pastor Gary Kendall of Indian Creek Community Church in Olathe, Kansas, used his ability to articulate the concept of casting a vision so others can catch it, demonstrating a God-given wisdom beyond his years.

Pastor Steve Southards of Salem Church of God in Clayton, Ohio, was able to provide clarity and light regarding a very tough subject—the death of a dream. I will never forget a thought he gave me that appears in the book: my faith is big enough for God to say no. That’s a big faith.

Pastor Steve Chiles of Shartel Church of God in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is my pastor, great friend, and great leader. I thank him for his invaluable leadership and friendship throughout this effort.

USING THESE BOOKS

W hat follows in these three books are fictitious accounts of real-world historical events. They are all recorded in the first five books of the Bible. All of the stories will be very familiar to you. I introduce characters, some real and some imagined, to present real-life struggles all leaders will encounter as they try to deal with these issues in their churches or ministries.

Each book is divided into different sections, allowing for focused discussions on each topic. Each is designed to be used as a guide in a staff meeting or retreat to generate discussions as you work through the process. It should take no more than an hour or so to have great discussions on each section. The books are written in narrative form to give the reader the feeling of reading a novel. Within your group, each meeting should be conducted like a discussion group, in similar fashion to a book club. At the end of each section, you will find some suggested discussion notes. You will find it helpful to include some role-playing in each of your discussions to delve into the characters and issues presented.

CASTING A VISION

RECEIVING THE VISION

T hen the fire went out. Moses just stood there dumbfounded, amazed, and shocked. Had this really just happened? He couldn’t even begin to comprehend the scene. He had seen lots of fires in the desert—but none like this one. A bush was on fire but wasn’t consumed. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had just talked to him as a man talks to another man. He had heard from God forty years earlier—but not like this. He had decided that the thought of leading his people forty years ago was his own dream, not a calling from God. If it were truly from God, wouldn’t something have happened by now? If this voice I heard was really a great and powerful God, why didn’t he have the people follow me back then? This just doesn’t seem right to me. Maybe he had been in the desert too long. The heat of the desert and having only sheep for companions can make a man imagine strange things.

He had often wondered about how his people were doing in Egypt. Every now and then, a passing herdsman would tell tales of Egyptian power and of the Hebrew slaves. Moses and his father-in-law,