Foundations of Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG07

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F O U N D A T I O N S O F C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

Please take as much time as you have available to answer these and other questions that the video brought out. In this last segment we saw how the NT concept of episkopos (“bishop”) was affected by its usage, not only in the Septuagint (i.e., the Greek OT), but also in its various usages of the term in the classical Greek tradition. The importance of this concept can hardly be overstated. As it has developed, it has outgrown its more biblical sense as a synonym for “pastor,” “elder,” and has come to refer to that office of offering oversight to a number of pastors or groups of congregations in a given context. It is more than merely a concept of church governance, but of spiritual direction and godly oversight of an entire constellation of pastors and churches. While denominations differ greatly in the role of oversight, virtually all traditions have individuals who function as supervisors or overseers; they reject the nomenclature (i.e., language) but they embrace the function of a bishop. As a emerging Christian leader, it is important for you to be conversant with these concepts, so review the material in this segment carefully. 1. What is the meaning of the Greek NT term episkopos ? Trace the various uses of this term in its usages in the Septuagint and in the classical Greek tradition. How were these meanings adopted or changed in the Apostles’ use of the term in the New Testament? 2. What is the relationship of the various biblical terms “pastor,” “elder,” and “bishop”– in what ways are they different and the same? How do the various terms help us look at particular facets of the role of Christian leadership? 3. How might the use of the term episkopos relate to the expressing of leadership in the council of elders in Jewish rulership? Since episkopos was generally a secular term, what kinds of differences do you suspect were noted between the idea of a Jewish elder and a Roman episkopos ? 4. How did the notion of the bishop develop from the NT to its more expanded use as a term to refer to individuals appointed or elected to a position to give oversight over a number of pastors or groups of congregations in a given context? 5. What are some of the key qualifications for bishops as given in such passages as 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1? How can the example of Jesus and his ministry of oversight (i.e., as the “Shepherd and Bishop of our souls,” 1 Pet. 2.23) inform our own understanding of what an episkopos ought to be and to do?

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Student Questions and Response

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