elders & deacons

Elders&Deacons

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

1 Peter 2.9-10,CB NT p. 409

What does God teach us about how we are to be organized?

“But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.”

Mark 10.43-45CB NT p. 82

We are to beSERVANTSand SLAVES.

Jesus

Jesus

Saints

Jesus

Saints

BishopsDeacons

Bishops Elders Pastors= =

“Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.”

Acts 20.17CB NT p. 246

“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.”

Acts 20.28CB NT p. 247

“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder ... shepherd the flock of God that is among you”

1 Peter 5.1-2CB NT p. 413

Bishops Elders Pastors= =

Bishops Elders Pastors= =

He must be of the right character.

Above reproachHusband of one wifeSober-mindedSelf-controlledRespectable,HospitableAble to teachNot a drunkardNot violentGentle

A bishop must be...

Not quarrelsomeNot a lover of moneyManage household wellNot a recent convertWell thought of by outsiders

above reproachhusband of one wifeChildren are faithfulChildren not open to the charger of debauchery or insubordinationNot arrogantNot quick-temperedNot a drunkardNot violent

A bishop must be...

Not greedy for gainHospitableA lover of goodSelf-controlledUprightHoly DisciplinedHold firm to the Word

Bishops Elders Pastors= =

Always two or more.

Bishops Elders Pastors= =

Limited Oversight

Bishops Elders Pastors= =

Why?

Bishops Elders Pastors(shepherds)(older men)(overseers)

= =

“shepherd the flock”

Protect

Nurturing

Leading

Jesus

Saints

BishopsDeacons

Will today be the day you decide to

go to heaven?

Lesson slideshows (with notes)and audio can be found at:

www.churchofchristmiranda.com

Photo Credits: (All photos from istockphoto.com are copyright protected. Please do not use without permission.)

Sheep: http://www.flickr.com/photos/scratch_n_sniff/3822181888/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Shepherd: iStock_000008170193

Pasture:

Crook: iStock_000007264337

Fellowship with ManChurch

#13

Elders & Deacons

Compiled and Presented by:

Dave Stewart19 December, 2010

Las Cruces, NMwww.churchofchristmiranda.com

Synopsis: Two special ways of serving in a local church are elders and deacons. Elders are to shepherd the flock, providing protection, nourishment, and leading the flock. They care for the spiritual needs of the saints. The deacons are servants who meet the physical needs of the saints.

“Let all that you do be done with love.”

“Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”