UCC members: The materials these questions relate to will be emailed to you immediately after the November 11, 2012 class. Please reflect on the passages cited and try to answer the questions on your own.
Other readers: See the Creation 2.0 page to find the materials these questions relate to.
1. According to the scriptures, what are some the purposes of a church having elders/shepherds/overseers?
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2. If you were to read the relevant texts, which would be the most prominent purpose of these leaders? Read, especially —
Tit 1:91-4
Acts 20:17-32
1 Pet 5:1-10
1 Tim 3:2-3
John 10:1-14
Eze 34:1-16
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3. Consider —
(1Pe 5:1-4 ESV) So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Clearly elders/overseers/shepherds may not “domineer.” And they must clearly be examples. What does “exercising oversight” mean in context? (The Greek means to “superintend” or “supervise.”)
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4. Does this mean their only authority is as examples? What level of submission does God expect?
(1Th 5:12-13 ESV) 12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
(Heb 13:17 ESV) 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
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5. Imagine that you have a doctrinal disagreement with your elders — who are charged by God with instructing the church in doctrine but who are, of course, entirely capable of making mistakes. What would be the Christ-like way for you to resolve the disagreement?
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6. If elders are charged with instructing the church, being examples, and leading the flock, what would be the central teachings that elders should teach?
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7. How could elders go about helping form Christ within the members?
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