Fight the Good Fight of Faith, English Edition

 • Fight the Good Fight of Faith: Playing Your Part in God’s Unfolding Drama

the way I should go (Psalm 32.8), and direct my steps. Incline my ear to hear your voice, and correct me now in the way I think and speak, and lead me when I have gone astray. Father, grant me the gift of discernment, and enable me as I study to know the difference between godly and ungodly teachings, spirits, and gifts. Show me by the Holy Spirit what your will is, and give me insight into how I can carry out your intentions with my whole heart. Dear Lord, please help me to be quick to hear and listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1.19). Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Allow me to speak your truth with wisdom in order that all with whom I speak may understand and benefit by your truth. Teach me now in this study as I receive your Word and instruction. I ask for these things in the strong name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior, amen. 1. “Are the apostles and other key leaders all gone now?” In a Bible study on the book of Ephesians, a new Christian read Ephesians 4.11-15 and asked the question, “I thought that the apostles, prophets, and people like that don’t exist now in the church. What does this text mean? Do we have people who function as apostles and prophets today, and, if so, where are they? If I understand what Paul is saying, God gave us these folk so that they could help us learn how to minister to other people. That is really cool!” What do you think the text means for us today – is God continuing to provide gifted leaders to the Church so that Christians can become effective ministers in the world? 2. “I don’t even know my pastor.” In a men’s prayer meeting, the subject came up about the need for us to be under a pastor’s authority and training. One fellow said that, “Yeah, God has provided us with pastors in order that they might shield and protect us from falsehood and spiritual dangers. They are God’s shepherds, given authority from the Lord to help us as Christ’s sheep, that we might be well fed, strong, and ready to do ministry.” One new Christian in the church said, “I hear what you’re saying, but honestly, I can’t seem to wrap my mind around this. I’ve only spoken with the pastor once, (which was a long time ago, when I first came to the church), and I don’t really know him at all. Honestly, I don’t know my pastor. How can he shepherd me if I don’t know him?” What advice would you give to this new believer – what do you believe God intends for him to do about his lack of relationship with his pastor?

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