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Christian Leadership Review by Carissa Ruiz
By Gary MaldanerPlain Path Publishers
PO Box 830
Columbus, NC 28722
828-863-2736
http://www.plainpath.org/
This is a curriculum to help adolescents and teens to consider their role in what it means to be a Christian Leader. This curriculum comes with a student workbook of 22 chapters and a 68-page teacher's guide.
In the Student Workbook, each chapter starts with a short introduction to the topic that relates to the title of the chapter. The student then completes "Student Exercises," which involve looking up several Scriptures. This is followed by a section on "Setting Goals" and a section on "Questions to Think About" or "Personal Evaluation," where the student reflects on how to improve.
The teacher's guide has a list of objectives for each lesson, suggested memory verses, and vocabulary words to learn. Then it has a "Note to Teacher" that gives suggestions on the topic being taught, either in the form of background information or tips for the parents, as well as things to look for in the student. Finally, there is a section that provides the answers to the questions in the Student Workbook.
Christian Leadership is packed with Scripture and thought-provoking topics. Many of the scriptures are only referenced, thus requiring the student to look them up. Though the student is not required to write out the Scriptures, he or she will be looking up about 20-40 Scriptures per topic and will be referring back to them. So it might be advisable to write them out. Because of this, a chapter could be completed over a few days.
I was intrigued by the title of this curriculum and the list of the topics covered--topics such as "Leading in Preparing for the Future," "Leading in Speaking about the Lord," "Leading in Prayer," and "Leading in Seeking God's Will for Today." And after chapter 2 you don't have to do the lessons in order; you can skip to the ones that interest you. Many of the topics are thought provoking and some convicting, but I will say that some of the Scriptures used were, in my opinion, taken out of context or improperly applied.
Overall, I did not find this book to be expounding on what a Christian leader is. I see it more as a devotional to make students aware that all of their actions have the potential to influence others to do good or bad. This is certainly true, but if you are looking for a book that lays out what it is to be a Christian leader, this is not it. This is a devotional that teaches leading by example, which is also good to know. I would recommend this as a devotional with parental guidance.
