Servant Leadership Action

Unit: Christ-Centered Organizational Structures

Lesson 5 of 8

Class Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 64 college university students
Subject: Business
Instructor Focus: Awakening student authority in Christ Jesus through obedience and implementing Kingdom principles

Learning Objectives (Aligned to Common Core State Standards)

I can analyze the concept of servant leadership and articulate its significance in organizational settings from a Christ-centered perspective. (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.2: Determine central ideas and analyze their development)
I can evaluate the impact of servant leadership on team dynamics and organizational culture. (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions)
I can demonstrate servant leadership qualities through group activities promoting empathy, listening, and collaborative problem solving. (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.4: Present information compellingly and clearly)
I can critically reflect on my role in magnifying the Kingdom of God through servant leadership practices aligned with biblical principles. (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.1: Write arguments to support claims with valid reasoning and relevant evidence)

Success Criteria

Articulates a clear definition of servant leadership and supports it with biblical references and organizational theory.
Participates actively in a team-based servant leadership scenario, demonstrating listening and serving behaviors.
Collaborates respectfully with peers to solve a case study problem using servant leadership principles.
Writes a concise reflection connecting servant leadership to their personal growth and Kingdom impact.

Materials Needed

Whiteboard and markers
Projector and screen
Printed handouts: servant leadership definitions, case studies, reflection prompts (dyslexia-friendly font such as OpenDyslexic, spaced lines)
Index cards for group roles
Bible or Bible app (digital or print)

Lesson Breakdown

Time	Activity	Description	Differentiation / Notes
0-5m	Opening Prayer & Focus	Center class with a brief prayer asking for wisdom and servant hearts. Introduce the lesson’s spiritual and organizational relevance.	Provide printed prayer for students with reading difficulties.
5-10m	Mini Lecture: Servant Leadership Foundations	Brief teaching on Robert K. Greenleaf's servant leadership model, linked to Jesus as the ultimate servant leader (Mark 10:45). Define key servant leadership attributes: listening, empathy, stewardship, commitment to growth.	Use slides with simple visuals and bullet-point summaries for clarity. Provide dyslexia-friendly handout.
10-25m	Group Role-Play Activity	Break class into groups of 8 (8 groups total). Assign each group a real-world business scenario requiring servant leadership to solve team conflict or improve collaboration. Each member gets a card with a role (e.g., Servant Leader, Team Member, Observer). Groups act out scenario focusing on servant leadership behaviors.	Provide role cards with clear instructions and keywords. Use visual supports for ELL or neurodiverse learners.
25-30m	Group De-brief and Discussion	Groups share their experience and insights with the class through a facilitated discussion. Focus questions: How did servant leadership impact the team? What challenges arose? How could this reflect the Kingdom of God?	Use sentence starters written on board for students who need linguistic support.
30-40m	Written Reflection: I Can Statements & Kingdom Impact	Individually write a 5-7 sentence reflection responding to prompt: “How does practicing servant leadership help me awaken my authority in Christ and expand His Kingdom in organizational settings?” Share a few responses aloud (voluntary).	Allow typed or audio-recorded reflections for students with writing difficulties.
40-45m	Closing & Prayer	Summarize key points and pray over the students, asking God to help them lead with humility and service. Provide encouragement to implement servant leadership in their studies and future workplaces.	Display a visual summary slide for students to review later.

Differentiation Strategies

For Students with Dyslexia: Handouts and slides use dyslexia-friendly fonts and high-contrast color schemes. Allow additional time for writing. Provide audio versions of reading content.
English Language Learners (ELL): Use visuals, concrete examples, sentence starters, and peer support. Provide bilingual glossaries of key terms if possible.
Students with Attention Difficulties: Incorporate movement in role-play activities; assign clear, limited roles per student; provide fidget tools if needed.
Advanced Learners: Challenge to include biblical references beyond Mark 10:45 during reflection, analyze theological implications or propose strategies to implement servant leadership in large organizations.

Extension Opportunities

Research and present on a modern business leader exemplifying servant leadership with Kingdom values.
Prepare a mini-training session for classmates on applying servant leadership in diverse business environments.
Write a longer paper comparing servant leadership with other leadership styles from a theological and organizational perspective.

This lesson encourages deep reflection on how servant leadership reflects Christ’s example and transforms organizational culture, enabling students to grow as Christ-centered leaders who will magnify and expand the Kingdom of God in the marketplace.