Authority Figures

Authority Figures

We've all had many examples of authority figures: a family member, teacher, boss, manager, coach, etc.

Start Activity

Choose one authority figure who positively impacted you.

TALK IT OVER

Why/how did that person positively impact you?

Share with your group why you chose that person.

With your group, identify any unifying theme(s) among your group’s positive authority figure examples.

Complete this sentence: Authority figures who positively impact those they exercise their authority over all exhibit… x, y, and z.

Did you notice it?

What your group may have noticed is that those in authority who impact us most positively do so, not because they are the smartest, fastest, strongest, (insert superlative here), etc. Instead… People positively impact us because they care about us.

Jesus is NOT the greatest example of authority because he is all-knowing or all-powerful.

(Although Jesus is all that and more.) Jesus is the greatest example of authority because he selflessly cared for those over whom he has authority.

“Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:26-28