Jesus Listens: What Good Leaders Actually Do

Hey, Carpool Crew! I'm Pastor Justin, and whether you're on the way to school, finishing breakfast, or getting ready for homeschool, I'm really glad you're here today. Alright, here's your One Thing for the ride: good leaders listen. Our verse today comes from Luke 9:18. It says: 'When he was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, Who do the crowds say that I am?' Now think about that for a second. Jesus already knew the answer. He didn't need information. But he still asked the question. Why? Because Jesus listens. If Jesus were sitting next to you right now, I think he'd say something like this: 'My friend, listening shows people they matter. When you slow down and really hear someone, you're loving them the way I love you.' Let's make this real. Have you ever been talking to someone and they're not really listening? They're looking around, thinking about something else, or just waiting for their turn to talk? Yeah, that doesn't feel great. Now flip it. Think about the friend who looks at you, listens, and actually cares about what you're saying. That feels different, right? That's the kind of person people trust. That's the kind of leader people follow. Here's a quick story. A kid named Jordan noticed his friend was really quiet at lunch. Normally, his friend was loud and joking around, but not that day. Instead of ignoring it, Jordan asked, 'Hey, are you okay?' And then he did something important. He listened. Didn't interrupt. Didn't try to fix everything. Just listened. And afterward, his friend said, 'Thanks for listening. I needed that.' That's what Jesus does for us. And that's what we can do for others. So here's what this looks like today: first, listen carefully. Put your eyes on the person. Don't get distracted. Second, ask questions. Show you actually care about what they're saying. Third, show respect. Don't interrupt. Let people finish. Let's go back to your One Thing: good leaders listen. No matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. And hey parents, if this episode encouraged you, share it on Instagram, snap a picture, and tag @CarpoolingWithJesus so other families can join in too. Before you go, talk about this together: why is listening such an important part of being a good friend or leader? Alright Carpool Crew, thanks for riding with me today. I'll see you next time.