Reference: Leadership Bible Verses
Leaders are servants first.
“But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.” - Matthew 20:26
Fairness is a leader’s moral obligation.
“If a king judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever.” - Proverbs 29:14
Leaders see strength in their followers.
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” - Philippians 2:3
Great leaders are tactful.
“A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.” - Proverbs 29:11
Good leaders are willing to take advice.
“Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.” - Proverbs 11:14
Leaders uplift others and hear their constituents’ wishes.
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” - Philippians 2:3-4
Great leaders delegate.
“A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.” - Matthew 24:45-47
Honest leaders are rewarded.
“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
Leaders must be trainable.
“But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.” - Luke 22:26
Leaders take pride in their work.
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” - Ecclesiastes 9:10
Leaders must know the scope of their responsibility.
“…..from everyone who has been given much shall much be required……” - Luke 12:48
Leaders have a ‘word of honor’.
“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” - Matthew 5:37
Leaders have exceptional qualities that others aim to have.
“Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,” - 1 Timothy 3:2
Age is irrelevant to good leadership.
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” - 1 Timothy 4:12
Good leaders are careful of their actions.
“Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” - Luke 6:31
Leaders do not listen to hearsay.
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.” - 2 Timothy 2:15-16
Leaders are patient with everyone regardless of their capabilities.
“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Leaders are skillful.
“So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them with his skillful hands.” - Psalms 78:72
Leaders are admired and imitated.
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” - Hebrews 13:7
Leaders are careful about what they say.
“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue, Keeps his soul from troubles.” - Proverbs 21:23
Leaders have to be more than willing to lead.
“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; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” - 1 Peter 5:2-4
Leaders lead with passion.
“The one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” - Romans 12:8
Leaders are respected if they respect others.
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.” - Hebrews 13:17
Unity is a common goal both leaders and followers should strive for.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” - Psalms 133:1
Leaders reciprocate good deeds.
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” - Matthew 7:12
Leaders choose their battles.
“Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.”
Proverbs 23:9
Leaders look after their subordinates.
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” - Acts 20:28
Leaders act with integrity.
“It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, For a throne is established on righteousness.” - Proverbs 16:12
Leaders are steadfast.
“But those who wait on the Lord, Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” - Isaiah 40:31
Leaders learn from the example of others.
“You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” - John 13:13-17
Leaders hold themselves to the highest standard.
“Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate time–for strength and not for drunkenness.” - Ecclesiastes 10:17
Leaders are fearless.
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10
Leaders seek spiritual counsel.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” - James 1:5
Leaders are judged with strictness.
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” - James 3:1
Great leaders are celebrated.
“When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan.” - Proverbs 29:2
Leaders are thankful.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” - Philemon 4:6
Leaders are hopeful.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” - Galatians 6:9
Bribery does no good in any organisation.
“The king establishes the land by justice, But he who receives bribes overthrows it.” - Proverbs 29:4
Correction is part of good leadership.
“Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.” - Proverbs 12:1
Leaders concern themselves with the well-being of their subordinates.
“Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds;” - Proverbs 27:23
Leaders accept challenges.
“If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.” - Proverbs 24:10
Leaders are social people.
“A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.”
Proverbs 18:1
Leaders let the Spirit do the work.
“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” - Proverbs 16:32
Leaders look up to those who led before them.
“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” - 1 Timothy 5:17
Leaders lead by example.
“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. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” - Titus 1:7-9
Leaders need prayers, too.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.” - 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Leaders are humble like Moses.
“Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” - Numbers 12:3
Leaders do not take everything to heart.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” - Proverbs 4:23
Leaders should carefully consider their values.
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” - Matthew 6:21
Leaders are generous.
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.” - Proverbs 3:27
Persevering leaders are rewarded.
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12
Leaders invest in their skills.
“Do you see someone skilled in their work?
They will serve before kings;
they will not serve before officials of low rank.” - Proverbs 22:29
Lead with integrity and gain respect.
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” - Titus 2:7-8
Leaders work towards their goals.
“Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. “ - 2 Timothy 2:3-4
Leaders serve for the good of many.
“…even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” - 1 Corinthians 10:33
Unjust leaders never succeed.
“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord.” - Jeremiah 23:1
Leaders stand up for others.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” - Proverbs 31: 8-9
Great leaders are promoted.
“Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.” - Daniel 2:48
Leaders do not stop doing what is right.
“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” - Proverbs 4:25-27
Leaders quickly recover from defeat.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” - Romans 5:3-5
Leading without a goal is leading blindly.
“He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?” - Luke 6:39
