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Using Authority Well: A Concise Guide for Men
Accessible Guide from 9Marks Equips Men to Steward Their God-Given Authority
Every position of power—in homes, churches, and boardrooms—has the potential to strengthen people or to harm them. Bad leaders abuse their authority or abdicate it. And their actions breed distrust in authority generally. Yet what do godly authority and leadership look like—the kind that causes people to flourish?
Many men today have lost their bearings when it comes to leadership. In this condensed version of his book Authority, Jonathan Leeman equips men to take hold of the authority they've received and responsibly steward it for the good of others.
Exploring the domains of marriage, fatherhood, church, and the workplace, he offers practical, Scripture-based advice for daily life. This accessible guide, perfect for men's groups, helps listeners submit to God and gain biblical wisdom for their most important roles.
Practical Advice for Various Areas of Biblical insights for fathers, husbands, employers, church pastors, and more Adapted from Jonathan Leeman's Book Authority : Features condensed content Perfect for Small Groups and Men's With engaging questions throughout, this is a great resource for churches and mentors Includes a New Introduction and a Chapter with Advice for Single Men
Every position of power—in homes, churches, and boardrooms—has the potential to strengthen people or to harm them. Bad leaders abuse their authority or abdicate it. And their actions breed distrust in authority generally. Yet what do godly authority and leadership look like—the kind that causes people to flourish?
Many men today have lost their bearings when it comes to leadership. In this condensed version of his book Authority, Jonathan Leeman equips men to take hold of the authority they've received and responsibly steward it for the good of others.
Exploring the domains of marriage, fatherhood, church, and the workplace, he offers practical, Scripture-based advice for daily life. This accessible guide, perfect for men's groups, helps listeners submit to God and gain biblical wisdom for their most important roles.
Practical Advice for Various Areas of Biblical insights for fathers, husbands, employers, church pastors, and more Adapted from Jonathan Leeman's Book Authority : Features condensed content Perfect for Small Groups and Men's With engaging questions throughout, this is a great resource for churches and mentors Includes a New Introduction and a Chapter with Advice for Single Men
129 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 24, 2026
About the author
Jonathan Leeman
87 books160 followersJONATHAN LEEMAN is the editorial director of 9Marks, which involves him in editing the 9Marks series of books as well as the 9Marks Journal. He has written a number of books on the church, including Reverberation, and he teaches theology at several seminaries. Jonathan lives with his wife and four daughters in a suburb of Washington, DC and serves as an elder at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington. You can learn more about him and his writing at www.9Marks.org.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 19, 2026
Excellent book. Makes you think and helps you understand what authority is. It’s a great book focusing on men and points out that we as men all have authority and how we should use it wisely.
May 25, 2026
A great book that makes concise what Leeman writes in his “Authority.” A great one for men who might not have the time to read the larger work.
April 30, 2026
Very good and only 100 pgs. Exceeded my expectations
May 24, 2026
This was an easy but thought-provoking read. I will first outline the book and then share some highlights. After defining authority, Leeman discusses the authority of a husband, father, manager, and elder. In the penultimate chapter, Leeman addresses young men who aspire to use authority well and concludes with a call to all men to fear the Lord. He asks very practical diagnostic questions in many of the chapters. The book also includes a discussion guide in the back of the book for each chapter. As a husband, father, and teacher, I found that this book has given me good questions to think through and to pray about.
Leeman explains that authority flows from God because God is the authority. Therefore, authority is not a product of sin. It has been corrupted by sin, but it is still an important tool. His authority is both immanent (He is with us) and transcendent (He is above us). Leeman uses this distinction to differentiate between the authority to command and the authority to counsel. To give some quick examples: The government's authority is transcendent and can command and compel obedience. A father's authority, by contrast, is more immanent-he is with his kids-and his authority transitions from command to counsel as the children age. As a husband, my authority is immanent. I am with my wife and can counsel her, but I cannot force or pressure her to do what I think is best.
Leeman relies on God's character to illustrate how to exercise authority because our view of God shapes how we use authority. In his chapter for pastors, he talks about how the best pastors smell like the sheep, just like Jesus-the Great Shepherd. In his chapter for husbands, he points out that husbands are to imitate Christ in the Gospels - not Christ seated on His throne or acting as the Judge.
Leeman also argues that authority's purpose is to give life to others, helping them to grow up into the calling God has for them. He points out that God could have controlled everything better than humans possibly could, yet He empowers us with authority to do His will on earth. As someone who tends toward micromanagement and fear, I found this corrective helpful.
Another point I found helpful was the need to rely on God. Leeman repeatedly emphasizes that he is not perfect and that he-and all men who desire to wield authority well-must confess their sinful failures to lead well and rely on God. This is what separates this book from a self-help book; it recognizes that even good leaders need the grace that only Christ provides.
Leeman explains that authority flows from God because God is the authority. Therefore, authority is not a product of sin. It has been corrupted by sin, but it is still an important tool. His authority is both immanent (He is with us) and transcendent (He is above us). Leeman uses this distinction to differentiate between the authority to command and the authority to counsel. To give some quick examples: The government's authority is transcendent and can command and compel obedience. A father's authority, by contrast, is more immanent-he is with his kids-and his authority transitions from command to counsel as the children age. As a husband, my authority is immanent. I am with my wife and can counsel her, but I cannot force or pressure her to do what I think is best.
Leeman relies on God's character to illustrate how to exercise authority because our view of God shapes how we use authority. In his chapter for pastors, he talks about how the best pastors smell like the sheep, just like Jesus-the Great Shepherd. In his chapter for husbands, he points out that husbands are to imitate Christ in the Gospels - not Christ seated on His throne or acting as the Judge.
Leeman also argues that authority's purpose is to give life to others, helping them to grow up into the calling God has for them. He points out that God could have controlled everything better than humans possibly could, yet He empowers us with authority to do His will on earth. As someone who tends toward micromanagement and fear, I found this corrective helpful.
Another point I found helpful was the need to rely on God. Leeman repeatedly emphasizes that he is not perfect and that he-and all men who desire to wield authority well-must confess their sinful failures to lead well and rely on God. This is what separates this book from a self-help book; it recognizes that even good leaders need the grace that only Christ provides.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The author graciously gave a copy of this book to one of his students, a pastoral assistant at our church, and I used my authority (well?!) and took it from him so I could read! Excellent book. We plan on buying this book for the men of our church to give away on Father’s Day. I benefitted from Leeman’s teaching on authority of command vs. counsel, the authority of a husband, and the authority of a single man the most. Highly recommend!
May 13, 2026
Short and helpful book for understanding biblical, emotive, and life giving authority. What does the Bible say authority should look like? Jonathan Leeman answers this question by defining authority and applying its principles to multiple contexts where authority is needed.
May 2, 2026
A great little summary of authority. It’s a quick read, and worth it. There are a few things I might quibble with, but the primary themes are good.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews