Bible study plan
Lead Like Jesus: Discovering Leadership in Matthew
Twelve passages from Matthew on how Jesus formed leaders — and what he expected of them.
In Matthew, Jesus doesn’t just teach about leadership — he forms leaders: he calls them, keeps them close, sends them out, and expects them to serve, forgive, and make disciples who obey. Twelve passages for growing believers and established groups — especially those who lead others — to discover what Jesus expects of anyone who leads in his name.
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Passage links open in the Open Bible (OTB). Scripture quotations are from the Open Translation Bible (OTB), used under CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to use this plan
Who this is for
- Run this with your leaders — or your most faithful people. Twelve passages from Matthew for an established group that already has the DBS habits, especially those who lead others or soon will.
- Discovery, not a leadership course. The group discovers what Jesus expects of leaders straight from the text. Don’t lecture it — what you tell them they’ll forget; what they discover they’ll own.
How to use it
- The same DBS discipline as every plan. Read the passage, retell it in your own words, work the four questions, and end with an honest “I will…” and one person you’ll tell.
- Facilitate, don’t teach. You’re leading a study about leadership — the strongest thing you can model is leading by asking. Keep asking, “Where do you see that in the passage?” Don’t chew their food for them.
- Press the “I will…” toward how they lead. Whom they will serve, send, correct, and forgive this week — not private devotion only.
How to use a Bible study plan
Read one passage at a time together and ask a few simple questions: What does this tell us about God? About people? What will you obey this week, and who will you share it with? Simple, repeatable, and easy to pass on.
Want help getting started?
Tell us where you are, and we'll help you find a simple, faithful way to begin opening the Word with someone.