focal Passage: Memory Verses: 1 P ETER 5

: The Shepherds and the Flock Communicate that Christ has established leaders for His church, and that church leaders and congregations should humbly relate to one another in ways that honor the Lord. Church leaders are to shepherd the church willingly, serving as examples, and not with ill motives or harshly. Church members should come under the authority of those appointed to lead the church. That church leaders whom Christ has appointed will shepherd His people well, and that all believers submit to, respect, and pray for their spiritual leaders. Background Passage: focal Passage: Memory Verses: 1 P ETER 5 1 P ET ER 5: 1-7 1 T HES S. 5: 1 2-1 3 Church leaders are to shepherd God s flock willingly, serving as examples, and not with ill motives or lording over others (vv. 1-3). Church leaders will be rewarded by the chief Shepherd for faithful service (v. 4). Those who are younger are called to submit to church leaders and demonstrate humility (vv. 5-7). Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 50

PREPARING TO TEACH Lesson 4 touched on the healthy practice of honoring church leaders (Gal. 6:6). This lesson explores more in-depth how church leaders and congregations can love, lead, and follow one another well so they honor Christ and draw others to the beauty of His gospel. Prayerfully read and respond to Lesson 6 in the Venture Up Travelogue. Record in the margin ways God speaks to you through 1 Peter 5:1-7 both as a leader called to shepherd your small group, and as a follower under the authority of church leadership. Pray God will use this lesson mightily to transform your church into a community where leaders and members love one another deeply, serve one another humbly, and pray for each other daily. Obtain a scented candle and matches. Note that this teaching plan includes two handouts for use during the session. Photocopy each handout for each participant you expect. The handouts are: 1) Prayer for Pastors and Church Leaders and 2) Seven-Day Prayer Guide for My Pastor (written by Darold Lyles, Murfreesboro, Tennessee). They are included as separate s to this document. Contact church staff before the group session and ask for specific ways your small group can pray for them. TEACHING SUGGESTIONS TRIGGER POINTS Have the candle burning as adults arrive and encourage them to try to identify its scent. State one website identified the top ten candle scents as chocolate, fresh laundry, lavender, lemon, sandalwood, apple, rose, coconut, cookie, and vanilla. 1 Explore reasons those particular scents would be popular or poll adults to determine their favorite candle scents. 5 1

Teacher Tip This introductory step can be accomplished without burning the candle. However adults, like children, learn best when all senses are engaged. A little effort on your part can have a big impact on engaging adults in this study. Declare that pleasant smells often trigger good memories, but unfortunately people have triggers for traumatic events as well. Relate how the writer stated some of the most damaging stories of trauma he has encountered have occurred because of spiritual abuse by church leaders. Declare the importance of godly, trustworthy leaders in the church cannot be over-exaggerated. Emphasize this lesson s intent is not to bash church leaders or view them with suspicion, but to explore how church leaders and members can love one another well so they honor Christ and draw people to Him. To support this session s positive emphasis on church leadership, invite responses to the Travelogue (p. 61) question: What leaders have you enjoyed trusting and following in your spiritual journey? Invite participants to state reasons they ve trusted and followed that leader. Open your session with prayer. WORDS TO LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS State that Peter, one of the most prominent leaders of the early church, provided invaluable insight into God s design for leadership culture in a local church family (Travelogue, p. 61). Organize the group into several teams. Direct each team to read 1 Peter 5:1-7 and discuss the bolded questions on 61 of the Travelogue: What are your immediate impressions from this passage? Do you notice any particular themes running through all seven verses? List several characteristics of the kind of leader Peter is describing. After allowing teams several moments to work together, invite them to share insights gained from their discussion. 5 2

CHURCH LEADERS ARE TO BE MARKED BY... Continue the discussion generated by the teams overview of 1 Peter 5:1-7 by using the Travelogue comments and bolded questions on s 62-66 to explore what should mark church leaders. Teaching Help In preparation for leading this discussion, highlight one statement and one question from each of the bolded marks of church leaders (Travelogue, pp. 62-66) that you feel will be most beneficial in fostering thought and discussion. Use the following questions and talking points to contribute to further exploration and understanding: Peter said, I exhort the elders; why do leaders of every generation need this exhortation? Peter understood the pressures leaders face, not just of carrying so much responsibility, but of resisting the temptation to become arrogant or take advantage of the position of authority. Why is it essential leaders realize the church is God s flock? Like parents who hold those who care for their children to the highest of standards, God does not take it lightly when leaders harm those He has entrusted to their care. What is involved in being a shepherd? Spiritual leaders are to tend, nurture, guard, lead, guide, and do everything they can to ensure God s people know and are living according to His Word. What s the difference between an overseeing leader and an overbearing leader? Leaders in God s church are not to be arrogant, domineering, or dictatorial. Leaders aren t to just tell people what to do; they re to show how by leading the way with their example. What are honorable and dishonorable motivations for being a church leader? 53

There is certainly nothing wrong with church leaders receiving a living wage. Read 1 Timothy 5:17-18. However their passion should not be monetary gain, but the well-being of the people under their care. Why is it significant Peter referred to Jesus as the chief Shepherd? Although leaders have authority and God expects His people to submit to them, that authority has been given to them by Jesus who has ultimate authority over them and the church How do the metaphors of a nursing mother and caring father convey the kind of leaders God desires and expects in His church? CHURCH MEMBERS ARE TO BE... Ask: What significance does any of this have to us if we are not church leaders? Point out this passage can help the church be proactive in building strong, godly leaders and it teaches church members how to respond appropriately to leadership. Request adults refer to 66 of the Travelogue and complete the statement, Church members are to be Explain this lesson s Memory Verses give insight into how church members are to be submissive to their leaders. Request a volunteer read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13. Explain give recognition to does not mean to throw a big reception for pastors (although that could be appropriate), but to recognize and respect their authority and the work they do. Point out we show proper submission when we accept their admonishment and follow their guidance rather than trying to take over. Explore ways your group can give recognition to your church leaders. Ask: What are we to do if we don t regard some leaders highly? Declare one very powerful thing we can do is pray. Read one believer s testimony: The Lord convicted me about praying for my pastor many years ago when I had one that I didn t feel was a particularly great pastor. As I began praying for him daily, I noticed his preaching improved fairly dramatically. Over time, I forgot about my earlier reservations and found myself describing him as the best pastor I had ever had. I m 5 4

pretty sure he didn t change all that much, but I did, and that s the way prayer works. 2 EVERYBODY IN THE CHURCH IS TO BE... State the believer who wrote that testimony exhibited a quality that should mark every person in the church. Direct adults to look back at 1 Peter 5:5-7 and state the one word that best completes the statement, Everybody in the church is to be (humble). Explore why humility is necessary to both lead and be led. Explain clothe yourselves literally means, wrap yourselves, and refers to aprons slaves wore while serving.3 State: Surely when Peter wrote this he was picturing Jesus wrapping a towel around Himself and washing His disciples feet (John 13:1-15). That s the humility and grace all of Christ s followers, both church leaders and members, must display toward one another. Read the last two paragraphs of this lesson on 68 of the Travelogue, beginning with Can you imagine CONCLUSION State the writer concluded the lesson with prayer and that s how the group session will conclude as well. Distribute handout 1 (Prayer for Pastors and Church Leaders). Request volunteers read the bulleted prayer suggestions. Invite additional specifics to pray for church leaders. Share the requests you received from your church staff. Direct participants to reassemble with their teams from earlier today and spend the remainder of the session praying for church leaders, using the handout as a guide. Share handout 2 for those who want to pray specifically for the pastor. Close by voicing Colossians 1:9-11 as a prayer for your church staff. FOLLOW THROUGH E-mail these verses to learners: Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give 55

an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Pray for us. (Heb. 13:17-18a). Encourage adults to use the handout to pray for church leaders daily and find ways to express submission and appreciation to church leaders this week. Honor and appreciate church leaders this week with a card, e-mail, text, gift, or invitation to a meal. 1 http://www.ebay.com/gds/top-10-scents-for-indoor-candles- /10000000177678289/g.html 2 Permission granted to include this quote. 3 Serendipity s Interactive Study Bible (Littleton, CO: Serendipity House, 2001), 2024. 5 6

FAR BE IT FROM ME THAT I SHOULD SIN AGAINST THE LORD BY FAILING TO PRAY FOR YOU (1 Sam. 12:23, NIV). Pray for Pastors and Church Leaders that: They experience an anointing of the Holy Spirit, stay true to Scripture, and preach/teach the Word boldly and clearly so needs will be met, hearts blessed, lives changed, and souls saved. They resist temptation so nothing in their lives hinders the gospel. The Lord protects and provides for them and their families spiritually, physically, emotionally, relationally, and financially. They find balance and enjoy restful, rejuvenating times with family and friends. They journey progressively closer toward Christlikeness so the personality and deeds of Jesus flow out of them where they live, work, play, and minister. God provides wisdom, patience, and sensitivity to lead their families, staff, and church in ways that promote unity and God s kingdom. God empowers them to be, and lead the church to be, soul-winners and disciple-makers. God guides them to shepherd His flock with grace and compassion as they minister in times of joy and crisis. God fills them with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding so they may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, and being strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, so they will have great endurance, patience, and joy (from Col. 1:9-12, NIV). 5 7

SEVEN-DAY PRAYER GUIDE FOR MY PASTOR Remember those who led you and spoke the Word of God to you. - Hebrews 13:7 SUNDAY - I pray for my pastor as a PREACHER-TEACHER. 1. I pray that Christ may be lifted up through him and his words. 2. I pray that he may experience the anointing of the Holy Spirit. 3. I pray that needs be met, hearts be blessed, and lives would be changed through the preaching of God s Word by my pastor. MONDAY - I pray for my pastor as a SERVANT-LEADER. 1. I pray that he may lead his staff and family with the wisdom, direction, and sensitivity that only the Holy Spirit can give him. 2. I pray that he will offer guidance to the overseers and lay leadership of the church that will bring unity, shared vision, and the will of God. TUESDAY I pray for my pastor as a PERSON. 1. I pray for his health and that God gives him a Sabbath rest this week. 2. I pray for him as a husband, father, brother, and that those cherished times in his home and around others will be a blessing to his soul and to the souls of his loved ones. 3. I pray that temptations, the devil, or the things of earth will not overtake his spirit with lies, preoccupation, or misplaced priorities. WEDNESDAY I pray for my pastor as a PASTOR. 1. I pray that the Holy Spirit may be the Encourager and Comforter of souls through my pastor as he counsels others, performs funerals and weddings, and exhibits the love of Christ in his daily acts of ministry. 2. I pray that as a pastor to his staff he will emulate the grace, strength, and compassion of the Good Shepherd toward them. THURSDAY I pray for my pastor as a PROPHET. 1. I pray as he prepares his sermons that the Word of God will be fully revealed to his heart and that he rightly interprets, applies, and handles the Word in his preaching. 2. I pray that the emerging vision that God has for our church His people will be clearly revealed and interpreted through my pastor. FRIDAY I pray for my pastor as an EVANGELIST. 1. I pray that God will continue to give him a heart for the lost, open doors and courage to share, and make him an effective and fruitful soul winner. 2. I pray that God will use him to equip our church family to be soul winners and disciple makers for God s kingdom. SATURDAY I pray for my pastor as a DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST. 1. I pray that my pastor will continue to discover new depths of understanding as a student of God s Word. 2. I pray that he may ever find a consistent balance between the Word and deed as he follows Jesus daily. 3. I pray that he may be an effective disciple maker and when he stands before God one day, he will be found faithful. 5 8