There are many ideas of what the church or a church is or should be.
1. In your opinion, how would you describe the church?
To understand the role and authority of the church in our lives we need first to go back to the beginning of the church. In Matthew 16:13-18, Jesus is speaking to His disciples when the word “church” is introduced for the first time, “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’”
The disciples had no context for the word “church,” but Jesus was clear that at that moment with Peter’s words Jesus would build this new thing called a church.
2. What was Jesus referring to as the “rock” of the church?
St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City has placed the bones of Peter in a tomb beneath the church, believing it is Peter by which the church is
built. Though he played a significant role, the church has been built upon a principle, not a person. It is the Gospel, that was proclaimed by Peter through the work of the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter two that established the church. The Bible says that when the people heard the message, “they were cut to the heart” (verse 37). Those who accepted the message were about 3,000. In one day, God established the church.
Acts 2:42-47 says, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
3. What was the focus of the early church?
4. What role did the apostles play in leading the early church?
The apostles were chosen, prepared, and called by Jesus to be Gospel carriers taking the message to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). They became the first
church planters, traveling throughout the world sharing the Gospel and starting churches in city after city. The pattern was for them to preach the Gospel and to disciple these early converts before moving on to a new city. These churches were in need of leadership in their absence, so they appointed elders. Acts 14:23, “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”
5. What qualities do you believe are required of an elder in the church?
6. Read 1 Timothy 3:1-7. How does this list compare to yours?
The role of an elder is a tremendous responsibility, which is why choosing one requires prayer, fasting, and guidance from the Holy Spirit. An elder is not just a person that has been around for a long time, but one who is of high character, high regard, and spiritual maturity. He is involved in leading the church and serving on behalf of Christ who is the head of the church (Colossians 1:18).
Peter describes elders as shepherds of the flock in 1 Peter 5:1- 4, “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: 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; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”
7. There are multiple passages in Scripture that point to the church being a flock and Jesus being the shepherd of the flock. What are some of those passages?
The primary responsibility of a shepherd is feeding, or in this case, teaching. Every elder must be able to teach the Word of God, and when they do so it is with the very authority of Christ.
8. How do you view a message in a worship gathering, as the words of a man or the words of God?
As a preacher of the Gospel, elders have an anointing by God sharing a message with God’s people as the words of God. An elder is to humbly seek to speak the words of God, not words of their own, much less the words that people may want to hear. An elder is accountable to God and will give an account.
Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.”
James 3:1 adds, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”
A measure of a preacher-elder is that of humility in their life and speech, yet a willingness to proclaim with boldness the convicting words of the Gospel. In a culture where people like to hold to their own version of the truth and desire a feel-good message, an elder must remain faithful to the message.
The second responsibility of a shepherd is protecting the flock from “wolves.” Acts 20:28–30 says, “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.”
9. What are the “wolves” in today’s church? How do you see elders protecting the “flock”?
In both duties, it must be remembered that the flock belongs to God, not to the pastor. God entrusts some of His flock to the pastor and elders of a church to lead, care for, and feed.
10. As members of the flock, how are we to respond to elders?
In 1 Peter 5:5-6, we read, “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace
to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.”
As a follower of Christ, we have all submitted ourselves to the ultimate authority of Christ. A regular attendee of any church has submitted to the leadership of that church. Submission is an attitude of spiritual maturity and the process we all go through in seeking to be more like Christ.
The elders are the pastors, the spiritual leaders of the church, and they are concerned for the deep needs of their people, not simply for what lies on the surface. The greatest way to support the elders is to pray for them and to trust them. Please close out this time praying for the elders of The River Church.