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Friday, June 27, 2008

Characteristics of a great leader

I decided to do a study of leadership in the scriptures. I wanted to know what were the characteristics of a great leader. Afterall, if I am trying to give my children a "leadership" education, I need to set the example; I need to be a great leader, if I want my children to be great leaders. Here are the characteristics I identified in the great leaders of God's people...

A leader:

  • Fears God and follows His counsel
  • Is chosen by God before the foundation of the world
  • Seeks wisdom and understanding
  • Is humble and faithful
  • Treats everyone fairly and justly (no respecter of persons)
  • Is known by the people
  • Keeps passions in-line with the purpose
  • Speaks carefully
  • Forsakes ALL evil
  • Cleaves unto all good
  • Keeps the commandments
  • Encourages and teaches others to choose what is right
  • Makes it easier for others to follow God
  • Serves others - (to serve = voluntarily submit to another)
  • Does not hide from or avoid responsibility
  • Knows the people he/she leads - rejoices with them, suffers with them and loves them
  • Fasts and prays often
  • Teaches others to be leaders
  • Never gives up
That is quite a list! How can I gain all of these traits? On first glance it seems overwhelming. But as I studied the list, I realized that all of these traits are gained by doing one thing: following Christ. He exemplified all of these characteristics. As I strive to become more like Him, to follow His example, I will become the leader I desire to be. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you."

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Five Pillar Reading List

Semester One

A Thomas Jefferson Education - Oliver DeMille
Little Britches - Ralph Moody
The Chosen - Chaim Potok
Taming of the Shrew - William Shakespeare
The 7 Keys of Great Teaching (CD) - Oliver DeMille
Jane Eyre - Jane Austen
Walking Drum - Louis L'Amour
Laddie - Gene Stratton-Porter

Semester Two

Les Miserables - Victor Hugo
7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephan Covey
What is Seen and What is Not Seen – Frederic Bastiat (In Essay on Political Economy)
The Fourth Turning - William Strauss
2 plays by Shakespeare (TBA)
Understanding the Times - David A Noebel
Alas Babylon - Pat Frank

Semester Three

The Seven Lesson School Teacher – John Taylor Gatto
How Children Learn – John Holt
A Market Based Education: A New Model for Schools - Kathleen Harward
The New Commonwealth School – Aneladee Milne
The One Minute Teacher - Spencer Johnson
Multiple Intelligences - Howard Gardner
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
Leadership Education - Oliver DeMille
The Virginian - Owen Wister
Spiritual Lives of Great Composers - Patrick Kavanaugh

Semester Four

The Abolition of Man - C. S. Lewis
Walden - Henry David Thoreau
3 Plays by Shakespeare (TBA)
Uncle Tom’s Cabin - Harriet Beecher Stowe
Great Expectations - Charles Dickens