In Christian homeschooling, parents often want to train their children to be leaders instead of followers. As we look to the Bible, David always stands out as one we can follow as an example of a godly leader. What makes David a great leader?
1. Heart for God
Before David ascended to the throne, Saul was king, but did not follow God. We read in 1 Samuel 13:13-14
And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.
God seeks leaders whose heart is following God. David is that man. Although he had highs & lows, his overall life is characterized as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22).
The first characteristic you can instill in your children’s lives is to follow God completely with your heart. Our children should grow up loving God to the fullest and desiring to obey him completely. As youngsters, you should be guiding them in God’s Word. Spend time reading & memorizing the Bible. As they grow older, you should encourage them to spend time alone with God by reading His Word.
2. Humble Servant
Throughout the Psalms, we see David’s life is characterized as a servant. As a young man, he served the sheep by guiding & protecting them.
He also chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds. Psalm 78:70
I have found My servant David; with My holy oil I have anointed him.Psalm 89:20
A true leader is also a servant. Although this may seem contradictory, it is not. Leaders who serve are ones who lead by example.
With your children, you should provide opportunities for them to serve around your home. They can set the table, clean up after a sibling, or help an aging relative. As they get older, you should help them find opportunities to serve in your community or church. When they serve as a child, they will have the foundation to serve as an adult.
3. Man of Integrity
From following the ewes that had young He brought him, to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands. Psalm 78:71-72
David was given responsibilities to watch over the sheep as a young man. These responsibilities developed integrity in his life. While watching over the sheep, David fought a bear & lion with his bare hands (I Samuel 17:34-36). These situations prepared him for the future. His victories in private led him to greater victories in public, like killing Goliath in front of the Israelite army. In all of these situations, David showed integrity to God.
Give your own children small responsibilities when they are young. As they grow older, increase their responsibilities so they can follow through with integrity.
Raising your kids to be godly leaders is an awesome task, but you can do it. By instilling a heart for God, an attitude of service and a child of integrity, you are on your way to fulfilling this task. And your Christian homeschooling efforts will not be in vain.
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Kerry Beck is passionate about helping families raise leaders and not followers. She has written articles and eBooks, and she has spoken to many homeschoolers over the past few years. Register today for a FREE webinar she is hosting about this topic: http://www.Raising-Leaders.com.
