LESSON TWENTY - CONGREGATIONAL LEADERS
Lesson Goal: Our goal in this lesson is to better understand
what the qualifications and responsibilities of congregational leaders are.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEADERS
1. Read Acts 6:1-4--1 In those days when the number of disciples was
increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic
Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution
of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of
Allah in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers, choose seven men from among
you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this
responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and
the ministry of the word."
a. What problem appeared in the Jerusalem congregation?
b. As leaders in the congregation, what did the 12 Apostles say should be
done?
c. Why did the Apostles not want to distribute food themselves?
d. What was the main work of the congregation leader? (See verse 4)
2. Read Hebrews 13:17--Obey your leaders and submit to their
authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey
them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of
no advantage to you.
In looking after the congregation, leaders should always keep in
mind that they are going to have to give a what to whom?
CHARACTERISTICS OF CHURCH LEADERS
3. Read 1 Timothy 3:1-7--1 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone
sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Now the
overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate,
self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to
drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of
money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey
him with proper respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own
family, how can he take care of Allah's congregation?) 6 He must not be a recent
convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as
Iblis. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that
he will not fall into disgrace and into the trap of Iblis.
a. According to verse 2, the overseer is to have what kind of
character?
b. Write in the spaces below any five characteristics of the
leader or overseer mentioned in the passage.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
c. Are there any academic qualifications or degree requirements
mentioned for leaders in this section?
d. Which of the below qualities is most necessary for a leader?
1) Highly educated.
2) Wealthy and from an influential family.
3) A disciplined and holy life.
4) Knowledge of many facts from Al-Kitab.
e. A good congregation leader should have which areas of his life under
control? (Check all that apply)
1) His family life.
2) His sex life.
3) His finances and money.
4) His temper.
f. Considering the different characteristics of a congregation leader, which
quality do you feel especially lacking in your life? How could you improve
in that area?
Up to this point we have been dealing with overseers. Overseers were
primarily concerned with the spiritual condition of the congregation. Their main
work, like that of the apostles, was prayer and the ministry of the word.
There is also another kind of leader mentioned in Scripture. He is
called a deacon and his special area of concern is to assist the overseer
in the practical running of the congregation. Again, we saw in Acts 6 that the
deacons there assisted the disciples by taking charge of the actual
distribution of food. In our next section we shall look at the
characteristics of this group of leaders.
4. a. According to Acts 6:4 what was required of the seven that were to
be chosen to help the disciples?
b. Why do you think such high spiritual requirements were needed for
those who would be distributing food to the needy?
5. Read 1 Timothy 3:8-10--8 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy
of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing
dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with
a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is
nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
a. In the spaces below write down any four necessary qualities of a
deacon.
1)
2)
3)
4)
b. If your local congregation has a giving fund, what kind of a person should
be entrusted with looking after the money collected?
6. a. In your local congregation do you have recognized leaders?
b. What qualities has your congregation looked for in choosing its leaders?
c. How might you help the focus to be more on the qualities of 1
Timothy 3?
TO MEMORIZE - HEBREWS 13:17
17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch
over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work
will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
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