Elders, Deacons, Preachers, Saints
The Work of the Elder
Teaching Strategy
This lesson is a continuation of study of the office and responsibilities of elders in the Lord’s church. Of special note in this lesson is the difference between a direct command and a necessary inference as it relates to the identify of elders and their responsibilities in serving and leading their respective congregations.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know: Understand the various biblical leadership roles and their relationship to one another.
- Feel: Recognize the necessity for effective leadership in the Church.
- Do: Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective leader in the Church.
Body of the Lesson
Discussion Questions
Below are suggested questions to use during the guided discussion portion of the lesson. There are also suggested responses to questions to help students grasp the various concepts. These are provided to assist the discussion and are not considered as “right or wrong” responses.
Answers will vary but look for responses that speak to teaching, guiding and governing the body of Christ as outlined in scripture. In some situations, we see elders serving more as a board of directors with emphasis on the financial and general policies of a congregation. This emphasis, although important, takes away from what they would many times prefer to do. Their true role is to shepherd, teach and serve.
Answers will vary but look for responses showing that when we study scripture we learn by command and examples on a given topic or issue. We look at what conclusions can be naturally and logically drawn from the passages we are studying.
Necessary inference is a conclusion required by a set of facts or examples but may not be necessarily stated.
For example, the Bible doesn't specifically state there must be elders in every congregation for there to be a congregation. Yet, Paul clearly instructed the early church to appoint elders (Titus 1:5-9) and made it a point to install elders in the various congregations (Acts 14:23).
Therefore, we can conclude by necessary inference that a maturing and effective congregation should have elders that meet the required qualifications.
(Acts 20:28-34; I Peter 5:1-5)
Keep oneself pure; put the needs and care of the congregation before self; be on guard to defend against false teachers from within and without.
In our world today we are constantly bombarded with false teachings and challenges to our purity. This has always been true no matter the form it takes.
Elders were appointed in every church. This indicates that an effective and growing church should have men that will fill this critical need. Of tremendous importance is that it was done prayerfully and those selected were first and always dedicated to our Lord.
The same concern and requirement are with us today. We need deeply spiritual men to shepherd us in our journey of faithfulness. We must continue to pray for these men as they serve our Lord and ourselves.
Answers will vary but if not stated, communicate that we are most effective when we follow God's plan. This is true for our personal salvation as well as life in the body of Christ.
Throughout history men have attempted to change or, in our view, "improve" on God's plan. This has resulted in lost souls and religious bodies that go against God's will. Ultimately, going against God's plan always results in failure.
It is this way as well in the daily governance of the Lord's church. We learn by command, example and necessary inference that God desires qualified men to serve as elders in order to guide, teach and protect individual congregations. There is no self-appointed hierarchy, central headquarters or overall leadership structure that oversees the body of Christ. The only leadership structure given us for the church in the New Testament is for the local congregation, not anything higher or larger than that (Titus 1:5).