Choosing Leaders

As Jesus moves into this new phase, he knows it is crucial to listen carefully to his Father in order for the movement to expand according to the Father’s master plan. He calls an isolated (perhaps even secretive) meeting with his disciples from every area he has been in over the past two years. Likely, around 120 disciples move quietly to the mountains of Naphtali, just north-west of Capernaum. As they arrive from all over, Jesus climbs to a high place.

What will he do? What will he say? What will be the next step his Father asks him to take?

Questions from your reading

• Luke 6:12 says that Jesus spent the night in prayer before choosing his leaders. What is this telling us? What do you imagine he prayed about?
• What do you know about these twelve apostles?
• What does the text tell us about why and how Jesus chose leaders (Mark 3:14–15)?
• What do you imagine Jesus is feeling during this time?
• What other questions do you still have?

Reflecting on your reading

Jesus must have been excited—the ministry was growing rapidly and people from all over were believing in him as the Messiah. The movement was gaining momentum. At this crucial moment, Jesus calls his disciples together to prepare them for the next step. The air would have been thick with anticipation. Many likely expected a strategy for liberation from Roman oppression. After all, wasn't that what the Messiah was supposed to bring—freedom?

Would Jesus organise them into small assault teams to ambush Roman outposts? Would they head to Jerusalem and begin a full-scale uprising?

As they gather from across Israel, Jesus climbs to a mountaintop and spends the entire night in prayer, modelling for us the first principle of leadership development—dependency on God. He talks with his Father, seeking direction and clarity for what lies ahead.

Luke tells us that Jesus then comes down from the mountain to a level place where a large crowd of his disciples has gathered. How many were there? Possibly 120–150. What we do know is that Jesus descends and publicly appoints the first twelve leaders of the movement, giving them the title “apostle.”

Here we see the second principle of leadership—public appointment. Leaders are best appointed in the presence of the wider community of disciples. Another insight emerges here, too: leaders are not chosen from the crowd or the curious, but from those already following—those who have committed to the work and have become disciples.

Notice the twofold purpose Jesus gives in Mark 3:14. Go back and read it. First, he appoints them so they might be with him—drawn into closer relationship for training in servant leadership. Second, he sends them out to preach.

That’s the model: draw people closer to Jesus, and then send them out, depending on the Father to multiply disciples. These twelve men were chosen to go deeper with Jesus and then to carry the movement forward.

How will the wider group respond to these appointments? Will these men be recognised and respected as leaders?

Applying what you’ve read

Over the coming days, we’ll be exploring leadership—Jesus-style. This isn’t just a model for church leadership, but for life: in the home, at work, and in every area of influence. Jesus’ leadership principles may seem upside down at times, but they always produce fruit that glorifies the Father.

Spend some time with one of your own disciples today. Share what you've learned about how Jesus chose leaders. Talk through the key qualities he looked for—and how those principles can shape your own approach to developing others.