Humility in Leadership: Leading Like Jesus

📖 Introduction

Leadership is not about power, position, or prestige—it's about service, character, and influence. In a world that often equates leadership with control, the Bible paints a different picture: true leadership is humble.

Jesus Christ, the greatest leader who ever lived, modeled humility in every aspect of His life. He washed feet, welcomed children, served the broken, and ultimately gave His life for others. He led not from a throne, but from a towel.

This 7-day Bible study invites you to embrace humility in leadership—whether you’re leading a team, a family, a ministry, or simply influencing those around you. Each day includes Scripture, a devotional, reflection questions, and a prayer to help you grow as a servant leader in Christ’s image.

📅 Day 1: The Greatest Must Be the Servant

📖 Primary Scripture:
Matthew 20:25–28 (NIV)

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and their high officials exercise authority over them.
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

📖 Supporting Scripture:
Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.

📚 Devotional:

Jesus completely redefined leadership when He told His disciples, “Not so with you.” The world uses authority to dominate; Jesus uses authority to serve. He turns leadership upside down—or rather, right side up.

In the kingdom of God, greatness is measured by humility. True leaders don’t demand attention—they lift others up. They don’t chase status—they pick up towels and wash feet.

This was not just a metaphor for Jesus—it was His daily lifestyle and eternal mission. The One who created the universe bent low to serve and save those who could give Him nothing in return.

If you want to lead like Jesus, start by serving. That’s where real influence begins—not in title or recognition, but in sacrificial love.

🖊️ Journal Questions:

1. In what areas of my life do I have influence or leadership?
2. How can I take a posture of service in those roles?
3. What would it look like to intentionally value others above myself today?

🙏 Prayer:

Jesus, You didn’t come to be served but to serve. Teach me to lead like You—humbly, faithfully, and with love. Strip away pride and selfish ambition, and show me how to use my influence to serve others. Make me a servant leader who brings You glory. Amen.

📅 Day 2: Clothed in Humility

📖 Primary Scripture:
1 Peter 5:2–6 (NIV)

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing,
as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders.
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another,
because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

📖 Supporting Scripture:
James 4:10 (NIV)

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

📚 Devotional:

Peter, once the bold and impulsive disciple, later became a shepherd of the early church and a voice for humble leadership. In this passage, he urges leaders not to seek status, wealth, or control, but to serve willingly and lead by example.

Then he gives us this image: “Clothe yourselves with humility.” Humility is not just a mindset; it’s something we put on every day—like a garment we intentionally choose. Leadership without humility becomes dangerous, even destructive. But when clothed with humility, leaders create spaces of grace, safety, and growth.

God’s promise is clear: He lifts up those who bow low. Leadership that pleases God is not about being the loudest voice in the room, but the one most willing to listen, serve, and reflect Christ.

🖊️ Journal Questions:

1. What does it mean to "clothe yourself with humility" in my leadership?
2. Am I more focused on being recognized or being faithful?
3. How can I lead as an example, not just with authority?

🙏 Prayer:

Father, I choose to clothe myself with humility today. Help me resist the temptation to lead for recognition or gain. Shape me into a leader who serves willingly and lives as an example. Lift me up in Your time, and let all I do point to the Chief Shepherd—Jesus. Amen.

📅 Day 3: Strength in Gentleness

📖 Primary Scripture:
Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

📖 Supporting Scripture:
Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

📚 Devotional:

When Jesus described Himself, He didn’t highlight His power, wisdom, or authority—though He had all of those. He said, “I am gentle and humble in heart.” This is our model for leadership.

Gentleness is not weakness. It’s strength under control. A gentle leader doesn’t react in anger or assert dominance—they listen, invite, guide, and correct with compassion. Jesus, the most powerful man to walk the earth, welcomed the weary, touched the outcast, and corrected His disciples with grace.

Leadership rooted in gentleness and humility creates safety. It makes room for growth. It reflects the heart of Christ.

If you want to lead others well, don’t just speak truth—speak it in love. Don’t just carry authority—carry it gently. That’s the kind of leadership that brings real rest to those you lead.

🖊️ Journal Questions:

1. When have I experienced leadership that was both strong and gentle?
2. In what situations do I struggle to respond gently?
3. How can I better reflect the gentle and humble heart of Christ in how I lead today?

🙏 Prayer:

Jesus, You are gentle and humble in heart. Teach me to lead like You—with strength and tenderness. Fill me with wisdom to know when to speak and when to listen. Make me a safe, Christ-centered leader who brings rest and renewal to those around me. Amen.

📅 Day 4: Considering Others First

📖 Primary Scripture:
Philippians 2:1–5 (NIV)

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,
if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded,
having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…

📖 Supporting Scripture:
Romans 12:10 (NIV)

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

📚 Devotional:

One of the clearest signs of a humble leader is this: they care more about the people they lead than about themselves. Paul calls believers to consider others as more important, to look not only to their own interests but to the good of others. That’s radical in a culture built on self-promotion.

Humility in leadership shows up in the small things: giving credit, listening before speaking, asking questions, serving behind the scenes, and sacrificing for the sake of the team.

This doesn’t mean leaders have no opinions or goals—but it does mean they put people over pride, and relationships over results. That’s the mindset of Christ, who, though He was God, chose to serve, love, and lay down His life.

True leadership is not “me first”—it’s you first, always.

🖊️ Journal Questions:

1. Do I tend to lead from a place of personal ambition or servant-hearted care?
2. What are practical ways I can prioritize the needs of others today?
3. How would my leadership change if I fully embraced Christ’s mindset of humility?

🙏 Prayer:

Lord, help me lead with the mindset of Christ. Remove selfish ambition from my heart and replace it with love and genuine concern for others. Show me how to value those I lead—truly, practically, and sacrificially. Let my leadership reflect Your servant heart. Amen.

📅 Day 5: Correcting with Grace

📖 Primary Scripture:
2 Timothy 2:24–25 (NIV)

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone,
able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed,
in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth…

📖 Supporting Scripture:
Galatians 6:1 (NIV)

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.
But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

📚 Devotional:

There will be times as a leader when correction is necessary—when someone under your care is headed in the wrong direction or has caused harm. The Bible doesn’t tell us to avoid hard conversations, but it does teach how to have them: with kindness, gentleness, and grace.

It’s not just what we say—it’s how we say it. Paul’s instruction to Timothy is clear: the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, harsh, or quick to argue. Instead, they must correct with a posture of humility, remembering that it’s ultimately God who changes hearts.

Leaders who correct without grace may win the moment but lose the person. Leaders who correct with humility plant seeds for transformation and trust.

If you’re called to guide or correct someone today, ask: Am I doing this to prove a point, or to restore a person?

🖊️ Journal Questions:

1. How do I typically respond when others make mistakes under my leadership?
2. Am I more focused on being right, or being redemptive?
3. What situation may require me to lead someone gently back to truth?

🙏 Prayer:

Lord, help me correct others with humility and grace. Guard my words and attitude from pride or frustration. Let my leadership reflect Your heart—a heart that corrects to restore, not to shame. Teach me to be bold in truth and soft in spirit. Amen.

📅 Day 6: The Danger of Pride

📖 Primary Scripture:
Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

📖 Supporting Scripture:
Isaiah 66:2b (NIV)

“These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.”

📚 Devotional:

Pride is one of the greatest threats to godly leadership. It creeps in subtly—through success, recognition, influence—and begins whispering, “You did this. You deserve this. You don’t need help.” But Scripture warns us plainly: pride precedes destruction.

Even the strongest leaders have fallen—not because of failure, but because of unchecked pride.

Pride closes our ears to wise counsel. It blinds us to our faults. It makes us defensive when corrected and arrogant in victory. Humility, on the other hand, keeps us grounded. It acknowledges our need for God, invites accountability, and seeks wisdom from others.

God favors the humble—not because they’re perfect, but because they’re teachable, dependable, and aware of their limitations.

Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself—it’s thinking rightly of yourself in light of who God is.

🖊️ Journal Questions:

1. Where has pride subtly crept into my leadership or thinking?
2. Am I open to correction and counsel from others?
3. How can I remain rooted in humility as God entrusts me with more responsibility?

🙏 Prayer:

Father, protect me from the trap of pride. I know that without You, I am nothing and can do nothing. Keep me humble, teachable, and dependent on You. Remind me daily that every gift and opportunity I have comes from Your hand. Help me lead from a place of surrender, not self-importance. Amen.

📅 Day 7: Leading Like Jesus

📖 Primary Scripture:
John 13:12–17 (NIV)

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place.
“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.
“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master,
nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

📖 Supporting Scripture:
Mark 10:45 (NIV)

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many.

📚 Devotional:

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus did something that shocked His disciples—He washed their feet. The task of a servant, the lowest in the room, was carried out by the King of kings.

Jesus didn’t just teach humility—He embodied it. He knew His time had come, that all authority had been given to Him… and with that knowledge, He picked up a towel.

This is our example.

No position exempts us from serving. No authority excuses us from humility. No calling outranks the call to love others tangibly.

Jesus, fully aware of His identity and mission, stooped low—not as a sign of weakness, but as a declaration of power under control. He leads us to do the same.

To lead like Jesus is to serve, to stoop, and to lift others up.

🖊️ Journal Questions:

1. What does foot-washing leadership look like in my context?
2. Am I willing to serve in unseen or lowly ways, even when I’m in charge?
3. How can I make humility the consistent posture of my leadership?

🙏 Prayer:

Jesus, You are my Teacher and Lord, and yet You washed feet. Thank You for showing me that leadership is never about status, but about sacrifice. Help me to lead like You—boldly, gently, and humbly. May my influence always reflect Your heart. Make me a servant, and through that, make me a leader worth following. Amen.