C.A.C Sunday School Manual For November 30, 2025, Lesson 45: Title - ETHICAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN THE MARKETPLACE

C.A.C Sunday School Manual For November 30, 2025, Lesson 45: Title -  ETHICAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN THE MARKETPLACE  

CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH 

‎Nigeria and Overseas

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‎SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

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‎Theme: PREPARING GOD'S PEOPLE FOR LEADERSHIP 

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‎JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2025.

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‎NOVEMBER 30, 2025.

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‎LESSON 45

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‎Unit 6: Leadership Preparation Issues In The Contemporary World.

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‎Topic: ETHICAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN THE MARKETPLACE 

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‎MEMORY SCRIPTURE

‎Honest weights and scales are the LORD'S;, all the weights in the bag are His work (Proverbs 16:11). 

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‎Ethical leadership respects beliefs, values 

‎and the dignity of others, embodying trust, honesty, consideration, charisma, and fairness., Christians should foster this in the marketplace. 

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‎1. BRIEF COMMENT 

‎Weights and balances are connected to money and business. They also symbolise fair judgement. In business, God expects honesty and fairness. Cheating with weights and scales is wrong and goes 

‎against His commandments. Governments often regulate weights and 

‎measures. This saying reminds us that God wants honesty in leadership and 

‎business. Modern laws also reflect these moral principles by banning fraud and dishonesty. Despite this, dishonesty still exists. We should honour God by being kind and truthful in all our dealings. God sees everything and knows our intentions. 

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‎DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS

‎Mon. 24: Be Honest In The Business Setting (Prov. 12:22) 

‎Tue. 25: Blessed Is Poor Person With Integrity (Prov. 19:1) 

‎Wed. 26: Be Fair In Business Practices (James 5:4) 

‎Thu. 27: Behave Well With People In Business (Col. 3:23) 

‎Fri. 28: Businesses Should Be Invested Wisely (Matt. 25:14-30) 

‎Sat. 29: Be A Man Who Donates To Worthy Course (Prov. 14:23) 

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‎2. DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS 

‎1. Our accountability to God drives us to uphold moral integrity in the marketplace, even when others don't. 

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‎2. Faith drives all we do, crucial in developing and sustaining business ventures. 

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‎3. BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Colossians 3:23-24 

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‎4. AIM AND OBJECTIVES 

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‎AIM: To emphasise the concept of ethical leadership development in the marketplace. 

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‎OBJECTIVES: By the end of the lesson, learners should be able to: 

‎i identify and apply God's ethical principles in business settings: 

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‎ii. show that cheating, such as tampering with balances and scales contradicts Christian values; and 

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‎iii. show that business challenges can be opportunities to uphold and strengthen godly integrity. 

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‎INTRODUCTION

‎TEXTUAL SOURCE: Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 11:3; 11:3; 16:11; 22:1; Micah 6:8; Galatians 6:2; Colossians 3:23-24 

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‎Glory be to God for granting us full knowledge of societal influence on 

‎leadership character and ethical standards. We have learnt that there are 

‎numerous influences on leadership, including politics, secular education, peers, family background, and many others. 

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‎With God's help, this lesson is focused on Ethical Leadership Development in the Marketplace. This understanding will assist us in placing greater value on Christian principles for developing ethical leaders in the marketplace. It also serves as a reminder that, despite the challenges that may confront us as Christians in our transactions, we should stand firm in 

‎our honesty and integrity.This is a godly principle required of us, as our God is faithful and just iall His ways. May we be blessed as we navigate through this lesson in Jesus name. Amen. 

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‎LESSON OUTLINE

‎I. UNDERSTANDING ETHICAL LEADERSHIP 

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‎II. PRACTISING ETHICAL LEADERSHIP IN THE MARKETPLACE 

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‎LESSON EXPOSITION

‎L UNDERSTANDING ETHICAL LEADERSHIP (Psa. 119:105: Prov 11:3; Mic. 6:8) 

‎The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the 

‎unfaithful will destroy them (Prov. 11:3). 

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‎a) Prov. 11:3: Ethical leadership entails leading with integrity, honesty, fairness, crucial for building trust, ensuring accountability, and promoting sustainability in organisations. 

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‎b) Mic. 6:8: A foundational biblical principle is that ethical leaders 

‎prioritise justice and mercy---God's character and expectations for human conduct. 

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‎c) Compassion, humility and stewardship are vital traits guiding ethical leaders towards empathy, prioritising God's will and responsible use of resources for others' benefit (Prov. 22:4; Col. 3:12; 1Pet. 4:10). 

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‎d) Psa. 119:105: God's Word provides guidance and clarity for ethical decision-making. It illuminates the path of righteousness. 

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‎e) Trusting God's wisdom through prayer is essential for ethical decision-making, aligning with God's will and seeking divine guidance (Prov. 3:5-6; Jas. 1:5). 

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‎f) Ethical leaders, guided by biblical principles of transparency (Eph. 5:13), empathy (Rom. 12:15), accountability (Gal. 6:7-8), and courage (Jos. 1:9), lead with openness, understanding, responsibility and bravery, to promote trust, support, integrity and resilience. 

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‎g) Modern laws against fraud and dishonest scales, reflecting moral 

‎principles, warn against dishonest practices, while serving others (1 Pet. 

‎5:1-3). 

‎II. PRACTISING ETHICAL LEADERSHIP IN THE MARKETPLACE (Prov. 11:3; 16:11; 22:1; Gal. 6:2; Col. 3:23-24) 

‎And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ (Col. 3:23-24). 

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‎a) Col. 3:23-24: The Scripture urges us to work as if for the Lord, align business practices with Christian values, and ensure our actions reflect our Christian faith while pursuing business goals. God alone rewards appropriately. 

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‎b) Prov. 11:3: Integrity guides the upright, while deceit leads to ruin. When facing moral dilemmas, rely on integrity, search the Scripture and pray for guidance, and address dilemmas directly, despite challenges. 

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‎c) 16:11: The Lord values honest dealings. Uphold honesty in business, avoid deceit like cheating. Prioritise honesty over personal gain, even when tempted to compromise values. 

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‎d) Gal. 6:2: Just like confession and prayer are encouraged among believers (Jas. 5:16), in business, foster accountability to God and fellow believers. Use methods like check-ins or ethics training to stay 

‎aligned with godly values. 

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‎e) Prov. 22:1: A good reputation is valuable. Ethical leadership leads to 

‎business success and a trustworthy reputation. Being ethical is not 

‎only right but also beneficial in the long run. 

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‎f) To succeed in business, prioritise people over profit and use your business to make a positive impact (cf Eph. 2:10). As a Christian entrepreneur, lead by example, showing how Christianity and business ethics align. God must be glorified in your business involvements. 

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‎LESSONS DERIVED

‎1. We should uphold honesty and justice as key ethical principles in our business operations. 

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‎2. Christian businesses should be rooted in biblical values, with a focus on using our enterprises for positive impact. 

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‎QUESTIONS

‎1. What are the principles of ethical conduct for Christians in the marketplace? 

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‎2. How can one uphold Christian values while navigating challenges such as business competition and unionism?