The most influential leader in the early church was undoubtedly the apostle Paul. He never lost the vision of God's single new humanity—Jews and Gentiles together. And in his letters we watch him exercising his leadership skills among the early Christians..

This nine-session LifeGuide® Bible Study by John Stott is based on his book Basic Christian Leadership and covers the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians, in which Paul responds to a complex church situation andto questions the Corinthians have addressed to him. He does so with clarity, wisdom, humility, love and gentleness—qualities that we can learn from as leaders today..

For over three decades LifeGuide Bible Studies have provided solid biblical content and raised thought-provoking questions—making for a one-of-a-kind Bible study experience for individuals and groups. This series has more than 130 titles on Old and New Testament books, character studies, and topical studies.



Carolyn Nystrom (MA, Wheaton College) has written more than eighty books, Bible study guides and children's titles. She served as general editor for the Christian Classics series and she co-authored Guard Us, Guide Us and Prayingwith theologian J. I. Packer, and Before I Was Born (God's Design for Sex) with Sandra Speidel. In addition to actively serving in her church and community, she has been a foster parent, an elementary schoolteacher and a book editor. Carolyn lives in the Chicago area with her husband and they have four grown children.







John R. W. Stott (1921–2011) has been known worldwide as a preacher, evangelist and communicator of Scripture. For many years he served as rector of All Souls Church in London, where he carried out an effective urban pastoral ministry. A leader among evangelicals in Britain, the United States and around the world, Stott was a principal framer of the landmark Lausanne Covenant (1974). Stott's many books, including Basic Christianity and The Cross of Christ, have sold millionsof copies. In the Bible Speaks Today series, for which he served as New Testament editor, he wrote eight volumes, including The Message of Acts and The Message of Ephesians.



Getting the Most Out of Christian Leadership



1 Seeing Gifting in God's Imperfect People

2 Bringing Unity in the Midst of Division

3 Finding Power in Weakness

4 Placing Confidence in Christ

5 Being Led by theSpirit

6 Moving Toward Maturity

7 Leading in Ways That Last

8 Keeping a Clear Conscience

9 Cultivating a Gentle Spirit



Leader's Notes