Recently, I read this article written by Dr. Chuck Lawless on ThomRainer.com and decided to read these over these verses on an ongoing basis. Right now, I'm taking one a day to consider and see what changes I need to make in my own life.

I pray these will encourage and direct you as a woman in leadership as well.

Let's take these 10 verses and direct them toward women's leaders.

1. 1 Timothy 3:2-7  First, look at this passage as directed to you as a growing disciple even though it addresses men in leadership. These qualities are important to all those who seek to serve and lead.

"An overseer then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach; not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money, but patient, not argumentative, not covetous; and one who manages his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence. or if a man does not know how to manage his own house, how will he take care of the church of God? He must not be newly converted, so that he does not become prideful and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good reputation among those who are outsiders, so that he does not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." 

2. Joshua 1:8  God makes it very clear to Joshua and also to us as leaders—we MUST know and obey God's Word. And we are to share it.

"This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth. Meditate on it day and night so that you may act carefully according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way successful, and you will be wise."

3. Mark 9:35  I love how Jesus served as an example to us ... not as an authoritarian, although He certainly is the Authority, but as a servant who walked alongside and did life with His disciples. And who washed their feet to show us how to serve others.

 "He sat down and called the twelve. And He said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all."

4. John 3:30  Why do we ever think leadership is about us? We are called to serve and lead so we glorify Him and make Him known. Though He doesn't NEED us to get His work done, He ALLOWS us to serve. What a privilege! But if we begin to "own" our callings and leadership responsibilities, we are the ones who get the glory. Very dangerous. 

"He must increase, but I must decrease."

 5. Philippians 2:3  Now, because it's not about us, we are more likely to stay humble. Pride is such a distraction and points people toward man not Christ.

 "Let nothing be done out of strife or conceit, but in humility let each esteem the other better than himself."

6. Matthew 12:36  If we want to represent Christ in ALL of our places of leadership, then we must not be careless as we use our words. Is that hard? Yes it is. Will we mess up? Of course. But what you do with that "mess up" will speak as loud as the words you say that do reflect Him in the first place!

 "But I say to you that for every idle word that men speak, they will give an account on the Day of Judgment."

 7. 1 Corinthians 11:1  This verse has intimidated me for years! I have a friend who has encouraged me to write and teach on this passage. I have yet to feel like I could do it. But Paul was not doing this out of pride. He was honest about his own weaknesses and failures but still encouraged those he led to follow hard after Christ no matter what. We certainly can do that.

"Follow me as I follow Christ." 

8. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10  Speaking of weakness ... Paul says those are the places where God does His greatest work! Paul actually saw his hardships as a "gift to the church." As we allow God to use our weakness in His power, we encourage others that He will do the same for them.

 "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in reproaches, in hardships, in persecutions, and in distresses for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

9. 2 Timothy 3:12  Yes, sometimes standing up for our faith and our values through Christ means others may ridicule and even challenge us to the point of persecution. Are you ready for that? If not, allow Him to take the blows for you! He is able!

"Yes, and all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."

10. 2 Timothy 2:2  I had to add one more verse to Dr. Lawless' list of nine. One of our greatest places of leadership is how we share our lives in Christ with those around us wherever we are. We must intentionally pour into others and encourage them to do that same thing. Who is God leading you to disciple? Will you do that and then teach them to disciple another person?

"Share the things that you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses with faithful men who will be able to teach others also."

Take one of these passages a day, read it, pray over it, and ask God how to follow it more closely. Then add to this list as He reveals other Scriptures to live and lead by!

Chris Adams is senior lead women's ministry specialist at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tenn. Learn more about Chris here.  For the original article, visit lifeway.com.

Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

Dr. Mark Rutland's

National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL)

The NICL is one of the top leadership training programs in the U.S. taught by Dr. Mark Rutland. If you're the type of leader that likes to have total control over every aspect of your ministry and your future success, the NICL is right for you!

FREE NICL MINI-COURSE - Enroll for 3-hours of training from Dr. Rutland's full leadership course. Experience the NICL and decide if this training is right for you and your team.

The NICL Online is an option for any leader with time or schedule constraints. It's also for leaders who want to expedite their training to receive advanced standing for Master Level credit hours. Work through Dr. Rutland's full training from the comfort of your home or ministry at your pace. Learn more about NICL Online. Learn more about NICL Online.