Very little is written in the Bible about Jesus’ youth. Luke 2:41-52 is the only account. In this story, He was at the temple in Jerusalem with the religious leaders and teachers. Because Jesus would have been viewed as a child, He would have been a student in this setting. While He should have been the one learning, He was actually the one teaching. Verse 47 reads, “Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers” (NIV).
Think about the meetings you have as a leader. It could be a staff meeting, an elders’ meeting, a town hall meeting, or even a family meeting. Now imagine a child not only leading this meeting but also teaching you, the leader, something. That’s essentially what is happening in this story! Despite Jesus’ lack of age, He found the opportunity to lead.
1 Timothy 4:12 is often used to encourage young people to look for opportunities to lead. In my observation, the first part of this verse is often the only portion quoted: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young…” However, there is a “but” in the second part of this story. It reads, “…but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity” (NIV). As a leader, you shouldn’t let your lack of experience, education, or expertise disqualify you from leadership opportunities. However, you are still responsible to set an example for those that you lead.
Think about it: What are some things you lack as a leader? (experience, education, expertise, etc.). How might you be letting those things disqualify you from leading? Despite the things that you lack, how can you still set an example in your leadership?
A Leader Worth Imitating, Principle 3: Opportunity
Nick Chellsen 