Learning to Lead by Learning to Follow
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Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
John 8:12 (ESV)
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Introduction
Introduction
S. I. McMillen, in his book None of These Diseases, tells a story of a young woman who wanted to go to college, but her heart sank when she read the question on the application blank that asked, "Are you a leader?" Being both honest and conscientious, she wrote, "No," and returned the application, expecting the worst. To her surprise, she received this letter from the college: "Dear Applicant: A study of the application forms reveals that this year our college will have 1,452 new leaders. We are accepting you because we feel it is imperative that they have at least one follower."
"If serving is below you, leadership is beyond you." - Anon
Today I want us to explore the book of Ruth (ch. 2):
Ruth is an example of good leadership.
Why? Because good followers make good leaders
Against the Odds
Against the Odds
What makes Ruth story so compelling is that from the very beginning the odds are staked against her:
She’s a woman and a widow
She has no security
And she attaches herself to an old woman, Naomi, who is also a widow and in a worse position than she is and whose prospects are bleak.
And she’s a foreigner in a country where she is looked down on (the equivalent today is that she was treated like a refugee).
Context
Context
The story of Ruth takes place in Judah during the period of the judges.
Because of a famine in the land, Elimelech takes his wife, Naomi, and two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, to settle in the land of Moab.
After Elimelech dies, the two sons take Moabite wives—Orpah and Ruth.
After the sons also die, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem. She advises both of her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab, but Ruth refuses and returns to Bethlehem with Naomi.
Their return coincides with the beginning of the barley harvest.
Ruth begins gleaning barley in the field of Boaz, who happens to be Naomi’s kinsman.
Lessons From A Follower
Lessons From A Follower
She Was Active
She Was Active
Ruth 2:2 (ESV)
2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.”
She Had Staying Power
She Had Staying Power
Ruth 2:8 (ESV)
8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women.
Ruth 2:23 (ESV)
23 So she kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests. And she lived with her mother-in-law.
She Was Humble
She Was Humble
Ruth 2:10 (ESV)
10 Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”
She Risked it All
She Risked it All
Ruth 2:11 (ESV)
11 But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before.
She Was Rewarded
She Was Rewarded
Ruth 2:12 (ESV)
12 The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”
She Trusted God
She Trusted God
12 The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”
She Was Refreshed
She Was Refreshed
Ruth 2:14 (ESV)
14 And at mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come here and eat some bread and dip your morsel in the wine.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed to her roasted grain. And she ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over.
She Shared Her Blessings
She Shared Her Blessings
Ruth 2:18 (ESV)
18 And she took it up and went into the city. Her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. She also brought out and gave her what food she had left over after being satisfied.
Conclusion
Conclusion
She Was Active
She Had Staying Power
She Was Humble
She Risked it All
She Was Rewarded
She Trusted God
She Was Refreshed
She Shared Her Blessings
A good leader is a good follower
And good leaders follow the best
That’s why I’m encouraging you to follow Jesus
He is the best of the best.