Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders
Week 7: Chapter 6 — The Leader and His Time
Read Chapter 6 of Spiritual Leadership. Key passages: Ephesians 5:15-16; Psalm 90:12
Previewing Week 7 of Spiritual Leadership
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 13-week guide when you’re ready.
Sanders turns from prayer to the discipline of time, arguing that how a leader spends their days is a direct reflection of their values — and their faithfulness.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Sanders makes the point that all leaders — busy or not — have the same 24 hours in a day. What separates the productive leader from the ineffective one, according to Sanders? Do you find his analysis fair?
2.Sanders references the habits of leaders like John Wesley, who reportedly rose at 4 a.m. for prayer and rode tens of thousands of miles on horseback while reading and studying. Without turning this into a guilt trip, what does this level of intentionality challenge you to consider about your own daily rhythms?
3.Sanders argues that the leader who does not redeem the small fragments of time — the commute, the waiting room, the early morning — will never accomplish great things for God. How are you currently using the marginal time in your day?