BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

GATEWAY BAPTIST CHURCH, P.O BOX 590, BASIRI, ADO-EKITI, EKITI STATE, NIGERIA.

               

BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

TOPIC: Understanding the roles of the Pastors and the Members.

Text: 1Peter 5:1-6

Preambles: the role of a pastor in the ‘household of God’ (1Tim 3:15) is to a large extent similar to the role of a father in the home.

Like a father, the pastor cares for his members personally; directing and correcting them in their walk and relationship with God (2Tim.4:2-4). The primary requirements for this kind of pastoral leadership are those spiritual and natural qualities which lead the members to respect the Pastor as their personal Spiritual leader. Leadership skills and charisma are important, but secondary requirements. What  is essential are qualities of Moral and Spiritual integrity which enable the pastor to serve as a worthy representative of God and of the members.

FUNCTIONS OF THE CHURCH LEADERS

1.     Shepherding the flock: The main function of the Church pastor/leaders is the shepherding of the flock (Ps. 78:78). The flock is to be directed and protected so that it may be nourished, and grow as God expects (Acts 20:28). Paul charged the elders of Ephesus to remember their important pastoral calling. He said that they should take heed to themselves and all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers, to care for the Church of God which he obtained with the blood of His own Son..

The tasks of shepherding the flock include the following:

a.     Guiding and directing the congregation

b.     Ordering its worship services

c.      Correcting abuses and refuting errors

d.     Regulating  the relationship and responses of the members

e.      Preaching and teaching the members

f.       Leading members not to go astray or go against the Spiritual Counsel of their Pastor..

2.     Spreading the Goodness of Salvation-Mat.28:19-20

Because Jesus is the Lord of the Universe, we must go and establish His rule in every Corner of the earth. He is the Lord of all nations; therefore, we must go to all nations and make disciples. He told us not only to teach and preach, but to make disciples. We must understand that the most important element in the ‘Great Commission’ is the MAKING OF DISCIPLES.

To make disciples, the following things must take place:

1.     Those who believe must be confirmed in faith.

2.     The Church must help believers to grow into mature Christians Prov. 25:4; 1Kings 6:7-8; 1Peter 1:1-8

3.     The Church must help believers to obey the teaching of Jesus – Mat.28:20. Every Christian must obey Jesus’ Command to make disciples of all nations.

What the Members should do;

1.     Respect for their Pastor / Leaders : As a representative of the heavenly father and shepherd of the flock, members are admonished to respect and obey their pastor and leaders. Peter , for example, immediately after describing how elders should exercise their leadership, goes on to indicate the respect that the pastor should receive from members. Apostle Peter said: ‘’Likewise you that are young be subject to the elders, (1Peter 5:5). Similarly, Paul urged the Church at Thessalonia to respect those who labour among them and are over them in the Lord and admonish them, and to esteem these people very highly in love because of their work (1Thessalonia 5:12-13).

2.     Obedience to their Pastor/ Leaders: A similar admonition is given in the book of Hebrews which says; ‘’Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account’’ (Heb. 13:17). Here, submission is enjoined to be given to the pastors / leaders of the church because of the solemn responsibility entrusted to them to be accountable for the Spiritual Welfare of the congregation.

3.     Hospitality without grudges, (1Peter 4:8). Deep- seated animosity or ill-feeling about something towards hospitality is bad.

4.     Use their gifts to minister to one another (1Peter 4:10).

5.     Members should not speak and behave like unbelievers- 1Peter 4:11. Members who are born again are God’s oracles. They are expected to speak and behave in a manner that will glorify God. The worldly people do protest to show and register their displeasure but the kingdom people preach to fulfil the will of God.

Finally, devil loves to stir up unspiritual relationship among the people of God, therefore, we must not be used as instruments of satan in the Church.

Jesus is coming back again…………