40 Important Bible Verses About Leadership

A leader is person who has the right vision, capability and the grace to direct a group of people or an organization to achieve a common goal, through his directives and motivations. A leaders encourages his people to take the right actions they need to succeed. However, the Bible have given us certain standards for godly leadership, because a godly leader is a great leader. A great leader follows the steps of Jesus and they are lead by the Holy spirit and find their wisdom in God’s truth and words, they do not lead on their own accord. Jesus is our perfect example of who a true leader is. In this article, we will be sharing some Bible verses that will help leaders to reflect on how they take up the responsibilities of being great leaders.

Whether a leader is leading thousands of followers, or just a shepherd to small flocks, God have called Christian leaders to possess notable qualities to help carry them through out the reign of their leadership. These qualities include self  awareness, humility, teachability, compassionate, meekness and patience. A godly leader must be patient with his followers, he must have the capacity to organize his own household first. These and many more are the qualities Christ have stated for great leaders.

SEE ALSO: 40 Important Bible Verses About Godly Men

What Does The Bible Say About Leaders?

The Bible teaches us that great leaders are to put the needs of others ahead of their own personal needs. Let us see the book of Philippians 2:3, it says “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself”. This passage of the Bible does not entirely mean that a leader will ignore his own needs, however, a great leader will know how to balance his needs and that of his followers.

Proverbs 11:14 tells us that a godly leader must always seek wisdom if not his nation will fall. According to the scripture, a godly leader must be blameless and not given to drunkenness. The Bible have profound examples of good leaders, the likes of Moses, Joshua, Jesus and even Paul. Here are some important Bible verses that teaches on godly leadership.

Bible Verses For Leaders Seeking God’s Direction

1. With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand. – Psalm 72:78
2. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. – Luke 12:48
3. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! – 1 Chronicles 16:11
4. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. – Psalm 32:8
5. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. – Psalm 37:5-6
6. The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. – Psalm 37:23-24
7. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. – Proverbs 4:23
8. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:33
9. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

Bible Verses About Leadership and Teamwork

1. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. – 1 Timothy 4:12
2. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. – Titus 1:7
3. For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers. – Proverbs 11:14
4. But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. – Exodus 18:21
5. The greatest among you will be your servant. – Matthew 23:11
6. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. – Matthew 20:26
7. Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. – 1 Peter 5:2-3
8. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. – Philippians 2:3
9. When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. – Proverbs 29:2
10. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. – Psalm 78:72
11. Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. – Proverbs 16:12
12. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. – Luke 22:26
13. If it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. – Romans 12:8

Bible Verses About Good Leadership in Church

1. See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. – Isaiah 32:1
2. Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. – James 3:1
3. And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. – Mark 10:44
4. He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8
5. Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. – Hebrews 13:17
6. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9
7. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? – 1 Kings 3:9
8. Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds. – Proverbs 27:23
9. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6
10. If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest. – Ecclesiastes 10:4
11. Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. – Nehemiah 2:17
12. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 11:1
13. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. – Hebrews 6:10-11
14. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15
15. Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:12
16. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours? – 2 Chronicles 1:10
17. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. – Matthew 5:14
18. But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7