Essential 100

Week Eighteen: Paul to the Leaders

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86.    Elders and Deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-16)

Which of the leadership characteristics in this passage are most common and most uncommon among Christian leaders you know?

How should a Christian leader be different than other leaders?

87.    The Love of Money (1 Timothy 6:3-21)

How would you summarize Paul’s teaching about money? Do you agree with him? Why?

What is our culture’s philosophy about money? What’s your philosophy about money?

88.    Good Soldiers of Christ (2 Timothy 2:1-26)

What do the analogies Paul uses in this passage—of a soldier, an athlete,  and a farmer—teach you about being a follower of Jesus Christ?

How can you avoid being distracted from doing the things you believe God wants you to do in life?

89.    All Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:10—4:8)

Paul says that those who want to live a godly life will be persecuted?

What do you suppose he meant?

Does it matter if the Bible is really true? Why?

90.    The Coming of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:13—5:11)

What do you think it means to be “alert” for Christ’s return?

How does the promise of Christ’s return affect the way you live your life now?

Pastor's Meditation for the Week:

This week’s readings include some of Paul’s most important teachings for leadership within the church and our conduct as Christians.  In 1 Timothy 3:14 Paul writes “Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people out to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God…” What a wonderful image; we are the household of God!  How that concept reinforces the image of our church, our faith community, as being a family.  God has used Paul’s writings to guide our conduct with each other to this very day.  I often wonder if God gave Paul any indication that the influence of the letters he wrote would continue beyond the individuals or faith communities that were his original target audience.  I wonder if Paul knew his work would last through the centuries to today.  In Paul’s charge to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:10 and following he talks about his own “…teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, and sufferings…” all the aspects of life with which we can identify.  And through all of our joys and struggles, we have the gift of God-breathed scripture to be our guide---to teach us, to correct us, and to train us in righteousness---why?  So the people of God “may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  As we are entering the last few weeks of the E100 scripture readings, my prayer is that you are feeling even better equipped for the good work God has waiting for all of us as ‘God’s household’ and for each of you in your individual lives and ministries.

Blessings,

Pastor Douglas