This Is Hopeნიმუში

Day 8: Building Leaders as our Culture

The Roman Empire flourished for centuries because it intentionally developed capable leaders. Through structured political and military training, and a culture of merit-based promotion, Rome raised visionary leaders who ensured stability and growth across the empire.

However, Rome’s decline began when leadership development eroded. Without a new generation of competent leaders, Rome lacked the capacity to govern effectively or respond to internal and external threats. By 476 AD, the empire had crumbled not just from outside invasions, but from the inside—through the failure to build future leaders.

Rome’s example is one of many stories showing the importance of developing leaders. In today’s passage, Paul urged Timothy to entrust the truths he had learned to reliable people (verse 2). Amid handling false teachers and difficult opposition in the church, Paul instructed Timothy to look beyond the immediate problems. It was important to Paul that Timothy made it a priority to build future leaders who would remain faithful under pressure. Paul clearly believed that building leaders must be intentional.

As a church, we believe leaders do not emerge by chance. Thus, we make it a priority to develop Christ-centred leaders who will shepherd God’s people and guide the church in proclaiming and living out the Gospel. Paul’s concern for continuity must also be ours: that the truth is preserved and passed on. Good leaders take time to build. They must be formed in godly character, with the wisdom and perseverance to lead well—especially in times of persecution or hardship.

To be a strong church, we must raise leaders who lead by example in faith and endurance and who serve with the heart of Christ. Leaders of the church are likened to shepherds of God’s flock who serve others with willingness and eagerness (1 Peter 5:1-4). Like Timothy, we are called not only to defend the Gospel but to multiply it through others. Since we believe that God primarily uses the church to fulfil the Great Commission, we must continue to build godly leaders in our church.

Pray and reflect:

• Take some time to pray for the leaders in our church. Ask the Lord to bless them with wisdom, anointing and grace to lead the church in His ways.
• As we grow in our faith, God also desires for us to entrust the truths from the Word to others. Think about someone that you can begin to invest in and impart the truths from the Word to. Pray and ask the Lord to lead and guide you so both of you can build the church together.