LIBERTY UNIVERSITY JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Signs of a Great Leader According to the Bible and How to Be
CLED 700
A Paper Submitted to
the Faculty of the School of Divinity
in Candidacy for the Degree of
Doctor of Ministry Department of Christian Leadership and Church Ministries
By
Henry Edwin Shikuku
Lynchburg, Virginia
10/2022
Signs of a Great Leader According to the Bible and How to Be
What are the characteristics of a good leader? How can we determine if our current and
potential leaders have the qualities to assume great leadership faithfully? Are there verses
found in the Holy Scriptures that can guide us in choosing the right person to lead us?
The Bible is one of the best sources of practical knowledge that we can apply in our
everyday lives. The wisdom it gives can help us discern things and make any decision right. And
since God is one perfect example of a great leader, we can definitely learn great leadership
lessons from His words and teachings.
Our leaders have the power to shape our nation and even the future of the next
generation. Without the right leader, a country falls, people suffer, and hope is lost. That is why
our freedom to vote or choose a leader, whether national, international, local, or
organizational, is one of the most important privileges we cannot afford to waste.
If you want to know if your present and future leaders possess the biblical qualities of a
great leader, here are 18 signs you can check to test them out.
18 Qualities of a Great Leader In The Bible
1. They are humble servants.
“But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the
leader as one who serves.” – Luke 22:26 (ESV)
2. They do not tolerate wrongdoing.
“It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by
righteousness.” – Proverbs 16:12 (KJV)
3. They are honest and open.
“Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy
mountain, to the place where you dwell.” – Psalm 43:3 (NIV)
4. They make rules that people will be glad to follow.
“Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” – Psalm 119:35 (NIV)
5. They protect their people.
“Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” – Psalm 139:10 (KJV)
6. They are merciful and compassionate.
“They will neither hunger nor thirst nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them. He
who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.” – Isaiah
49:10 (NIV)
7. They do not tempt people to do evil.
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” – Matthew 6:13 (NIV)
8. They are knowledgeable and mindful.
“Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a
pit.” –Matthew 15:14 (NIV)
9. They lead in peacefulness and godliness.
“For kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all
godliness and holiness.” – 1 Timothy 2:2 (NIV)
10. Their words are respectful.
“But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.” 2
Timothy 2:16 (ESV)
11. They are hardworking.
“If it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him
give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it
cheerfully.” – Romans 12:8 (NIV)
12. They have good advisers around them.
“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.” – Proverbs 11:14
(NIV)
13. They are faithful leaders who work based on love.
“In love, a throne will be established; in faithfulness, a man will sit on it— one from the
house of David — one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.” –
Isaiah 16:5 (NIV)
14. They have the will to serve; they’re not greedy for money.
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because
you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but
eager to serve;” 1 Peter 5:2 (NIV)
15. They lead by example.
“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion,
but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over
those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” – 1 Peter 5:2-3 (ESV)
16. They got skills and integrity.
“And David shepherded them with the integrity of heart; with skillful hands, he led them.”
– Psalm 78:72 (NIV)
17. They are prudent, not hasty.
“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and
consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with
twenty thousand?” – Luke 14:31 (NIV)
18. Finally, they are a good role model for anyone.
“Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a
noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife,
temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness,
not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.” – 1 Timothy 3:1-3 (NIV)
