Issue #406, September 3, 2025
Leaders naturally gravitate towards the front of the room. They often enjoy being in the spotlight, recognized and acknowledged as important people. They bring glory to themselves and use their positions to build their own name. But when a leader walks in deep intimacy with Jesus, everything in their life will bring genuine glory to God, not themselves. Jesus told His disciples:
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples (John 15:7-8, NIV).
Jesus wanted His disciples to understand that when they are in an intimate relationship with Him, they will bear fruit. That fruit brings glory to the Father and identifies them as His disciples. He identifies three ways that they bring Him glory.
Intimate leaders bring glory to Jesus by immersing themselves in the Word.
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you,….” The primary thing a serving leader can do to grow in intimacy is to saturate themselves in the words of Scripture. They allow it to sink deep into their hearts. As they need daily food for their body, they also need daily food for their soul. Immersing themselves in the Word allows God’s nature and character to be formed in their own lives.
Some leaders immerse themselves in social media, podcasts and read books to be more successful. But serving leaders immerse themselves in Scripture in ways that deepen their intimacy with Jesus. Whether leading a church or a business team, leaders who spend time with Jesus make decisions that honor Him and bless others. Then their success brings glory to Jesus.
Intimate leaders bring glory to Jesus by consistent prayer.
Jesus continues, “…ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” He invites His followers to let the Word transform them and then to bring their requests to Him in prayer. Serving leaders recognize that time spent in reading Scripture and prayer is an essential part of their leadership journey. Prayer grows intimacy and intimacy leads to more prayer.
Some leaders seek results in well-developed strategy and work hard to produce results. But serving leaders stop and ask Jesus to lead and guide their decisions, attitudes and progress. They learn to depend on His guidance more than their own intuition and ability. As they deepen their intimacy with Jesus, they bring glory to Him as He provides guidance.
Intimate leaders bring glory to Jesus by identifying themselves as disciples.
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” Jesus teaches the disciples that when they immerse themselves in His Word and spend consistent time in prayer, He will respond, and produce fruit. The fruit will mark them as His disciples. This fruit is much more than just profit or attendance numbers. When serving leaders walk in intimacy with Jesus, all around them people flourish and come to life. There is healthy growth that brings glory, not to the leader, but to Jesus, the author of abundant life.
Some leaders focus on producing results that they consider the fruit of their efforts. But serving leaders focus on developing intimacy with Jesus which produces beautiful and lasting fruit. A manager who spends time in Scripture and prayer can guide their team with wisdom, not simply chasing results. Serving leaders bring glory to Jesus as they produce fruit that identifies them as disciples of Jesus.
Many leaders live to bring themselves glory, but serving leaders bring glory to Jesus as they deepen their intimacy with Him.
For further reflection and discussion:
-As I reflect on my own leadership regarding how much my life brings glory to Jesus, how would I rate myself on a scale of 1 to 10? In what ways do I take glory for myself? What blocks me from bringing Jesus greater glory?
-In what ways do my daily habits of Scripture reading and prayer shape my leadership? Are there ways that I have relied more on other sources for guidance and how has that impacted my leadership?
-Are there ways in my current leadership role that I am focused more on results than intimacy with Jesus? How does this impact my leadership and what, if anything, do I need to change?
-After reflecting on these questions, read the entire chapter, John 15. What additional insights do I find in this chapter about how my intimacy with Jesus shapes my leadership?
Until next time, yours on the journey,
Jon Byler
In the next issue, we’ll look at how intimate leaders love like Jesus.