Practicing Christian Leadership, Student Workbook, SW11

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P R A C T I C I N G C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

• Spiritual shepherds engage in a host of activities to fulfill these roles, including interceding in prayer for them, remaining constant in times of danger, caring for the specific needs of each one, responding in the Holy Spirit, caring for each concern with wisdom and discernment. • We must seek God’s mind as we minister to those who are encountering special problems, dealing with the problem of evil, the problem of limited resources, the problem of anger towards God, and the problem of wanting vengeance over against forgiveness.

I. Providing Care for and Seeking the Healing of Souls

Video Segment 2 Outline

“Pastors” were literally “shepherds” (used for overseers in the Old Testament, e.g., Jer. 23.2–4), elsewhere in the New Testament identified as overseers of local congregations (Acts 20.17, 28; 1 Pet 5.1–2); they were called to shepherd God’s people by declaring his message accurately (Jer 23.18–22). “Teachers” were expounders of the Scriptures and of the Jesus tradition; if they functioned like Jewish teachers, they probably offered biblical instruc- tion to the congregation and trained others to expound the Scriptures as well. ~ C. S. Keener. The IVP Bible Background Commentary . (commentary on NT, Eph. 4.11). (electronic ed.). Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

A. Definition: the practicing Christian leader is one who provides care for and seeks healing of his flock during their times of trial and distress to reestablish them on their faith journey with the Lord and his people.

1. Provides care for and seeks healing on behalf of his flock: the Christian leader is charged with the responsibility to pastor (to care for and tend) those for whom he is responsible , Acts 20.28.

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a. Pay careful attention to their well being.

b. Tend and guard the flock which the Holy Spirit made you “overseers” (tenders).

c. The purpose of this delegated oversight is “to care for the Church of God.”

d. This Church belongs to Christ (who purchased it with his own blood).