1st quarter 2014 lesson 11 discipling spiritual leaders

8/12/2019 1st Quarter 2014 Lesson 11 Discipling Spiritual Leaders

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Lesson 11 for March 15, 2014


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1. Choosing spiritual

leaders.

2. The intellectual

knowledge of leaders.

3. The spiritual experience

of leaders.

4. The moral qualities of

leaders.

5. A successful leader.


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Now it came to pass in those days that He went outto the mountain to pray, and continued all night inprayer to God. And when it was day, He called Hisdisciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve

whom He also named apostles (Luke 6:12-13)

Jesus established the organizational

structure of the Church, And He Himself

gave some to be apostles, some prophets,

some evangelists, and some pastors andteachers, for the equipping of the saints

for the work of ministry, for the edifying

of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12)

Although all believers are equal, not all

have been given the same

responsibilities.

Each one of us must strengthen the

Church from the position God has given

us in it.


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What requirements must a believer fulfill to

become a Church leader?

CHOOSING

God chooses the leaders throughprayer.

PREPARING

God prepares the leaders by givingthem the required spiritual gifts.

TRAINING

The Church must train the leaders sothey can lead as efficiently as possible.

Now it came to pass in those days that He went outto the mountain to pray, and continued all night inprayer to God. And when it was day, He called Hisdisciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelvewhom He also named apostles (Luke 6:12-13)


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Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not themighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but lethim who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I amthe Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.For in these I delight, says the Lord.(Jeremiah 9:23-24)

Intellectual knowledge is good

and desirable for becoming a

spiritual leader, but it is not

essential.

The only essential knowledge

for spiritual leaders is biblical

knowledge. It must always be

led by the Holy Spirit.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit,

whom the Father will send in

My name, He will teach you all

things, and bring to your

remembrance all things that I

said to you (John 14:26)


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There is nothing more calculated to energize the

mind and strengthen the intellect than the study

of the word of God. No other book is so potent to

elevate the thoughts, to give vigor to the faculties,

as the broad, ennobling truths of the Bible. If

Gods word were studied as it should be, menwould have a breadth of mind, a nobility of

character, and a stability of purpose that are

rarely seen in these times. The search for truth

will reward the seeker at every turn, and eachdiscovery will open up richer fields for his

investigation

EGW (Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students, cp. 65, pg. 460)


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But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to thosewho hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those whospitefully use you (Luke 6:27-28)

Every spiritual leader must have a

personal relationship with Christ. That

way they could lead the Church andothers to live that kind of saving

experience with the help of the Holy

Spirit.

A proper balance between knowledge

and experience help us to avoid beingblind leaders of the blind (Mt. 15:14)

But feeling is not faith, emotion is not

faith. We must bring our works and

thoughts and emotions to the test of

the word(EGW, The Bible Echo, June 11, 1894)

Love, forgiveness and other spiritual qualities cannot be intellectually learnt.


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Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly inheart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29)

Gentleness and humbleness are essential.The Holy Spirit needs them to mold our

lives and to make us suitable leaders for

leading Gods people.

Being willing to humble before God is

necessary to become a leader (1 Peter 5:5)

He who knows the hearts of all

understood this. If the educated and noble

would not do the work they were qualified

to do, Christ would select men who would

be obedient and faithful in doing His will.He chose humble men and connected them

with Himself, that He might educate them

to carry forward the great work on earth

when He should leave it (EGW, Counsels to

Parents, Teachers and Students, cp. 73, pg. 512)


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Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of goodreputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appointover this business (Acts 6:3)

The Church leaders set some

requirements for the new spiritual

leaders when they chose the

successor of Judas or the deacons

(Acts 1:21-22; 6:3)

1. Having a personal relationship with

Jesus.

2. Letting the Holy Spirit lead oneself.

3. Receiving wisdom from above.


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Since His ascension Christ has carried forward

His work on the earth by chosen ambassadors,

through whom He speaks to the children of menand ministers to their needs. The great Head of

the church superintends His work through the

instrumentality of men ordained by God to act as

His representatives.

The position of those who have been called of

God to labor in word and doctrine for the

upbuilding of His church, is one of grave

responsibility. In Christs stead they are to

beseech men and women to be reconciled to God,and they can fulfill their mission only as they

receive wisdom and power from above

E.G.W. (The Acts of the Apostles, cp. 34, pg. 360)

1st quarter 2014 lesson 11 discipling spiritual leaders

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