How to Inspire Others

 There are two reasons someone might follow a leader: Obligation or inspiration. Obligation is when you have to follow a leader. Inspiration is when you want to follow a leader.  When we look at the leadership of Jesus, we can see that He inspired His team. An example of this is when He called His disciples. 

In Luke’s account of this story, Jesus saw a group of fishermen cleaning their nets. Jesus asked them to cast their nets out again. When they cast their nets, they caught so many fish that the nets almost broke.. Witnessing this, all the fishermen were amazed at what they had just seen. Verse 8 reads, “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’ Jesus responded, ‘Don’t be afraid; From now on you will fish for people’” (NIV). When they returned to the shore, the fishermen left their nets behind and followed Jesus. 

In this story, Jesus inspired the fishermen in two ways. The first way was by showing them who He was. Following the miraculous catch, Peter immediately recognized Jesus’ power and authority.. The second way Jesus inspired the fishermen was by showing them who they were. By telling them they can fish for people, Jesus showed them how they could be included in the work that He was doing. These two things inspired them to give up their careers as fishermen to become Jesus’ disciples. They didn’t have to follow Jesus; they wanted to. 

Think about it: How can you better show your team who you are? How can you better show your team who they are?

A Leader Worth Imitating, Principle 8: Inspire