Spiritual maturity is for those who intentionally pursue it. Love for Christ and his people should compel elders to be men of action.
What practical steps do you take every day to renew your mind and strengthen your faith?
Lecture Outline Detailed Outline Remember ItOne can literally get a Bible school education by regularly and consistently listening to world-renowned preachers expound the Word of God. It is a great way to learn the Scriptures and to feed oneself with material for teaching others. If we are not fueling our minds with knowledge, we cannot give out knowledge to others.
The world’s teaching and cultural values inevitably find their way into the local church. The lack of shepherds who can skillfully expose and counter these ideas has led many young people to believe that the Church has become irrelevant. Elders must guard the sheep from error, and also help them to understand world events through a biblical perspective. If we fail to do so, we may hinder the progress of the Church and the advancement of the gospel.
These are the words of the twelve apostles, who were the first leadership body at the dawn of the Christian era. The apostles laid down the priorities that all Church leaders must know and diligently follow. Even the care of the Church’s widows and impoverished members must not hinder the leaders from “devoting themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.”
- Why do you think regular, consistent prayer is so difficult for all of us? Are there theological reasons for this?
- If you do not like to read, is there anything you can do to improve your desire to read? Or is there nothing you can do about this?
- What can you do specifically to increase your awareness of cultural trends and significant world events?
- List some ways that you as a body of elders can promote ongoing education for your leadership body.