The Salvation Army In cooperation with

Jack McDowell School for Leadership Development EQUIPs Million Leaders Mandate
Evangeline Booth College, Atlanta, GA Series One ~ Notebook Three
www.missionmover.org The Salvation Army Edition

(Leaders Think and Perceive the World Differently Than Followers Do)

Lesson 1: Biblical Principles about Attitudes 1

The Big Idea:

As a man thinks in his heart, so he is.
Proverbs 23:7

It is common to assume that leadership is all about skills and techniques. In reality, our Leaders Notes
leadership begins when we possess the right attitude about our circumstances and
ourselves. This is where all change takes place. William James, the father of modern PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!
psychology, wrote: The greatest discovery of my generation is that humans can alter
their lives by altering their attitude of mind. Your attitude will determine your action.
Your action will determine your accomplishments. Jesus emphasized this principle by
teaching that we must get our heart in order before we can get our life in order. He said
that when there are evil treasures in a man's heart, evil emerges. When there are good
treasures in a man's heart, good emerges. It's all about what's inside. Real change occurs
from the inside out.

Exercise: Write the name of a person you greatly admire. Then write down what it is
that causes you to admire that person.

Now, consider the qualities you wrote down. Do they have more to do with:
Attitude Aptitude Appearance? (Circle one)

Can you see how important attitude is?

Attitude Lesson 1
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 The Salvation Army In cooperation with
Jack McDowell School for Leadership Development EQUIPs Million Leaders Mandate
Evangeline Booth College, Atlanta, GA Series One ~ Notebook Three
www.missionmover.org The Salvation Army Edition

Leaders Notes
A Question to Consider:
Are you allowing circumstances to dictate your attitude?
Or are you choosing, in all things, to have the attitude of Christ?

Biblical Principles about Attitudes

1. My attitude as I begin a task will affect its __________________________ 1. Outcome

more than anything else.

As a man thinks in his heart, so he is.

Proverbs 23:7

In so many situations, the battle is won before the battle has begun. It all has to do
with the frame of mind with which we enter the battle. Are we full of faith, hope and
optimism? Or, are we negative and doubtful of getting results? This principle was
illustrated when Moses sent the twelve spies into the Promised Land. Joshua and
Caleb came back with a positive report. The other ten spies returned with a negative
report. Their attitude prevailed, and that generation of people never got to enter the
land.

Joshua and Caleb The Other Ten Spies

a. Saw the fruit in the land a. Saw the problems in the land
b. Saw themselves in God's hands b. Saw themselves as small and weak
c. Were optimistic about the future c. Were pessimistic about the future
d. Encouraged stepping out in faith d. Prevented the people from progress

Attitude Checklist:
1. What is my usual attitude at the beginning of a new experience?

2. Are there certain new experiences that cause me to feel negative?

3. Do these areas help determine my success with God, family, or ministry?

Attitude Lesson 1
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 The Salvation Army In cooperation with
Jack McDowell School for Leadership Development EQUIPs Million Leaders Mandate
Evangeline Booth College, Atlanta, GA Series One ~ Notebook Three
www.missionmover.org The Salvation Army Edition

2. My attitude toward _________________ determines their attitude toward ME. Leaders Notes

2. Others
Give and it will be given to you.
Good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over they will pour into your lap.
For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.
Luke 6:38

Generally speaking, people are mirrors. They will reflect the attitude of their leader. You
must initiate the attitude you want in return. Leaders must understand this to get results.
Jesus said,

And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way
Luke 6:31

Researchers at a major university reported that a person's success on the job is:

13% due to understanding the _________________________ Product

87% due to understanding the _________________________ People

Four Important Leadership Steps with People:

1. _______________________ their name. 1. Remember

Nothing makes a person feel more important.

2. ________________________ their potential. 2. Recognize

Nothing makes a person feel more unique.

3. Request
3. ________________________ their help.
Nothing makes a person feel more useful.

4. Reward
4. ________________________ their efforts.
Nothing makes a person feel more valuable.

Attitude Lesson 1
Page 3
 The Salvation Army In cooperation with
Jack McDowell School for Leadership Development EQUIPs Million Leaders Mandate
Evangeline Booth College, Atlanta, GA Series One ~ Notebook Three
www.missionmover.org The Salvation Army Edition

Biblical Principles about Attitudes Leaders Notes

3. My attitude is the major difference between ________________________ 3. Success

and__________________________. Failure

Watch over your heart and guard it with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.
Proverbs 4:23

The book of Proverbs reminds us of how important our attitude is toward life. Out of
our hearts flow the springs of life. Think about it you are only an attitude away from
victory. An Olympic gold medal winner once said, I believe the only difference
between gold and silver medal winners is their attitude, not their ability.

Proverbs also lists some abominations to the Lord. Consider them for a moment:

Pride Coveting Slothfulness Envy

Anger Gluttony Lust

All of these are matters of ATTITUDE.

Conversely, a right attitude can make up for what you may lack in resources. Many
leaders in the past have accomplished great things without any resources other than a
positive attitude of faith.

A Thought to Ponder:
Good-tempered leaders invigorate lives;
theyre like spring rain and sunshine.
Proverbs 16:15 (MSG)

What Difference Would It Make:

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very
nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but
made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.
Philippians 2:5-7 (NIV)

What difference would it make if

your attitude was the same as that of Christ?

Attitude Lesson 1
Page 4
 The Salvation Army In cooperation with
Jack McDowell School for Leadership Development EQUIPs Million Leaders Mandate
Evangeline Booth College, Atlanta, GA Series One ~ Notebook Three
www.missionmover.org The Salvation Army Edition

(Leaders Think and Perceive the World Differently Than Followers Do)

Lesson 2: Biblical Principles about Attitudes 2

The Big Idea:
As a man thinks in his heart, so he is.
Proverbs 23:7

Biblical Principles about Attitudes Leaders Notes

PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!
4. My attitude can turn my ___________________ into___________________.
4. Problems
Have this attitude in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of Blessings
God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking on the form
of a servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He
humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God
highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name...
Philippians 2:5-9

Three Phases of a Problem:

1. Awareness
1. ____________________: We have a problem.

2. Evaluation
2. ____________________: What went wrong?

3. Choice
3. ____________________: This is where attitude steps in!

We can begin dreaming or become disappointed. We can start building or start blaming.
We can get busy or get angry. We can conquer or quit. Whether the problem becomes a
blessing depends on you more than God. He desires to turn all things into blessings
(Romans 8:28). Remember that much of the Bible was written by prisoners, oppressed
minorities, and those in captivity. The writers rose above their circumstances.

Attitude Lesson 2
Page 1
 The Salvation Army In cooperation with
Jack McDowell School for Leadership Development EQUIPs Million Leaders Mandate
Evangeline Booth College, Atlanta, GA Series One ~ Notebook Three
www.missionmover.org The Salvation Army Edition

Leaders Notes
A Question to Consider:
How often do you account for the
attitude of others when you build a team?

5. My attitude can give me an uncommon __________________________on life. 5. Perspective

All things are possible to him who believes.
Mark 9:23
A political leader once remarked, Some people see things as they are and say, why? I
look at things that are not and say, why not?'
A shoe salesman was sent to a faraway country, and after a few days, he sent back the
message: Coming home; nobody wears shoes here. Another salesman from the shoe
company visited the same country. He wrote back to the home office after a few days:
Send more shoes! Nobody has them yet over here! It was the same situation, but it was
seen from a different perspective. Dr. J. Robert Clinton once remarked, The primary
difference between a follower and a leader is perspective. The primary difference
between a leader and an effective leader is better perspective.

6. My attitude is my best _________________ or my worst __________________. 6. Friend

Enemy
The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the
evil treasure of his heart brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.
Luke 6:46
Attitudes create momentum positive or negative for your ministry. Leaders know
this. Business executives say the most important elements for potential employees are:
5% ___________________________ 1. Availability
5% ___________________________ 2. Adaptability
10% ___________________________ 3. Ability
0% ___________________________ 4. Appearance
70% ___________________________ 5. Attitude

Note the importance of attitude in both leaders and team members. Practicing
psychologists list five rules for evaluating people considered for job promotion:
(1) ambition, (2) attitudes toward policy, (3) attitudes toward colleagues, (4) leadership skills
(5) attitudes to pressure on the job.
A survey was taken among customers to discover why they quit buying goods from
certain stores. Here is what they discovered:
1% die; 3% move away; 5% other friendships; 9% competitive reasons; 14% product dissatisfaction;
and 68% because of an attitude of indifference shown to them by an employee.
Attitude Lesson 2
Page 2
 The Salvation Army In cooperation with
Jack McDowell School for Leadership Development EQUIPs Million Leaders Mandate
Evangeline Booth College, Atlanta, GA Series One ~ Notebook Three
www.missionmover.org The Salvation Army Edition

Leaders Notes
A Thought to Ponder:
What are the top three attitude problems
that exist in your church?

Why do you think they exist within the majority of the people?

How deeply are these attitudes entrenched within the people?

Are any of these an attitude problem within you?

What Difference Would It Make:

What difference would it make if, as a church,

You developed a strategy for changing these attitudes?

You might use the following as a guide:

1. Model the right attitude for the people.
2. Identify and connect them with leaders.
3. Disciple leaders in the subject of attitude.
4. Preach theses truths about attitude.
5. Hold the people accountable for their attitudes.

Attitude Lesson 2
Page 3
 The Salvation Army In cooperation with
Jack McDowell School for Leadership Development EQUIPs Million Leaders Mandate
Evangeline Booth College, Atlanta, GA Series One ~ Notebook Three
www.missionmover.org The Salvation Army Edition

(Leaders Think and Perceive the World Differently Than Followers Do)

Lesson 3: Biblical Principles about Attitudes 3

The Big Idea:
As a man thinks in his heart, so he is.
Proverbs 23:7

Biblical Principles about Attitudes Leaders Notes

PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!
7. My attitude, not my _________________________, will give me happiness.
7. Achievements
I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted,
and behold it was vanity and striving after the wind and there was no profit under the sun . . .
I know there's nothing better for men than to rejoice and do good in one's lifetime;
moreover that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor it is a gift from God.
Ecclesiastes 2:11, 3:12-13

The thoughts in your mind are more important than the things in your life. Too many
leaders think if they just could move to a new place or have different circumstances, they
would be happy. We call this destination disease. Leaders must be cured of it.

Personal Evaluation:

Have you ever thought these thoughts?

If I could just serve in a different place, I'd be happier.

If I just knew that person, I'd be satisfied.

If things were different here, I would be okay.

If I would not have done that, I'd feel better about myself.

Attitude Lesson 3
Page 1
 The Salvation Army In cooperation with
Jack McDowell School for Leadership Development EQUIPs Million Leaders Mandate
Evangeline Booth College, Atlanta, GA Series One ~ Notebook Three
www.missionmover.org The Salvation Army Edition

Leaders Notes
Question to Consider:
How would you describe your attitude?
How would others describe your attitude?

8. My attitude will change when I __________________________ to change it. 8. Choose

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death,
the blessing and the curse. Therefore, choose life in order that you may live.
Deuteronomy 30:19

We cannot tailor-make the situations of our life and leadership, but we can tailor-make
the attitudes to fit them before they arrive. Here is how to tailor-make your attitude:

A. Believe it is not what happens _______ you but what happens _______ you that A. To, In
matters most.

B. Stop _______________________ something or someone else for your attitude. B. Blaming

C. ________________________ your present attitudes. C. Evaluate

D. Recognize that _______________ is stronger than _______________. D. Faith, Fear

E. Request God to _______________ you with His Holy Spirit. E. Fill

F. Uncover and write out a statement of __________________________. F. Purpose

G. Enlist the help of an ___________________________ partner. G. Accountability

H. Spend time with the _____________________ people. H. Right

I. Select a ____________________ to follow. I. Model

J. Consume the ________________. Soak yourself in the ____________________! J. Truth, Scriptures

As you mature,
life is governed more
by your choices than
by your conditions
or circumstances.

AGE

Attitude Lesson 3
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 The Salvation Army In cooperation with
Jack McDowell School for Leadership Development EQUIPs Million Leaders Mandate
Evangeline Booth College, Atlanta, GA Series One ~ Notebook Two
www.missionmover.org The Salvation Army Edition

9. My attitude needs continual ___________________________________. Leaders Notes

Finally, my brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, 9. Adjustment
whatever is lovely, whatever is of good reputation, if there is any excellence
and if anything is worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8

Even though the Apostle Paul wrote to mature believers, he still exhorted them to work on
their attitudes and watch what filled their minds. Our lives are like sailing a boat or flying a
plane. We have a plan for our destination, but there is a need for constant adjustment
along the way.

Indicators for Attitude Adjustments

1. I have not had enough _____________________with God or myself. 1. Time
2. My family notices and tells me about my ______________________. 2. Attitude
3. My ________________________ with co-workers becomes strained. 3. Relationship
4. My ________________________ of people begins to lower. 4. View
5. My ________________________ on life becomes cynical. 5. Perspective

10. My attitude is______________________________________. 10. Contagious

People catch our attitudes like they catch a cold from us by getting close to us!

Question: What positive attitudes do people catch from you?

Question: What negative attitudes do people catch from you?

Attitude Lesson 3
Page 3
 The Salvation Army In cooperation with
Jack McDowell School for Leadership Development EQUIPs Million Leaders Mandate
Evangeline Booth College, Atlanta, GA Series One ~ Notebook Three
www.missionmover.org The Salvation Army Edition

Leaders Notes
A Thought to Ponder:
The Winners edge is not in
a gifted birth, in a high IQ, or in a talent.
The winners edge is in
the attitude, not the aptitude.

~ Denis Waitley

What Difference Would It Make:

Praise is not about us. Praise is all about God.

Praise is a deliberate choice and a learned habit
that produces contentment and an attitude of gratitude.

What difference would it make in your attitude if

you purposely chose to have an attitude of gratitude?

Attitude Lesson 3
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