In this series, we focus on decision making principles among elders, based on Acts 6 and Acts 15.
Lecture Outline Detailed Outline Remember ItBecause Peter stopped fellowshipping with the Gentile believers when the men from James arrived. His actions supported the notion that a Gentile must be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses in order to be fully accepted into the church.
“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock … I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.” (Acts 20:28–30)
Serious doctrinal error, petty issues, differing perspectives, fear
- How do you determine what is a serious doctrine issue versus a petty issue?
- How does a person’s character affect whether or not an issue becomes major in their mind and discussions?
- Which fear is your tendency, if any? Why?
- Which of the elder characteristics as found in 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1 have a bearing on how elders handle disagreements in the decision making process? Explain.
- Make a list of all the ways that an elder being a “people pleaser” negatively affects the church and the elders’ work.