Reader

Ephesians 4:11-16

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Questions

1. By the diversification of Jesus Christ himself, what different roles did he (Christ) give to his followers? (verse 11)

2. What two common objectives are stated for all these roles? (verse 12)

3. What two things were "we" expected to pursue? (verse 13)

4. What two things were "we" expected to achieve? (verse 13)

5. What would be the result in negative terms [things that would no longer be true of them]? (verse 14)

6. What would be true of them? (verse 15)

7. What would become true of the body under this new headship of Christ? (verse 16)

Practical Application Questions/Statements

1. Discuss this statement: "In the early church, by Jesus Christ's design, not everyone functioned in the same role in the church."

2. Discuss this statement: "In building up Christ's body, the spiritual maturing of people in Christ shared an equal place with bringing people to Christ."

3. Discuss this statement: "Caring about a person always has been critical to (1) bringing him or her to Christ and (2) maturing him or her in Christ. Thus it takes both relationships and knowledge to help a person be spiritually God's child."

Reader

Acts 13:1-3

Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Questions

1. What two roles were among Christians in Antioch? (verse 1)

2. What were these people doing? (verse 2)

3. While they were doing this, what did the Holy Spirit say to them? (verse 2)

4. Did the Holy Spirit have plans for Barnabas and Saul that went beyond working in Antioch? Explain your answer. (verse 2)

5. How were Barnabas and Saul "sent away"? (verse 3)

Application Questions

1. Discuss this: "God might have bigger spiritual plans/purposes for me than where I am right now."

2. Discuss this: "If God has a bigger spiritual plan/purpose for me, does that mean God wants this congregation to fail?"

3. Discuss this: "Should I wait to be active in a congregation until I am sure of what my future purpose might be?"

4. Discuss this: "It is quite important for 'those sent out' to know and feel the encouragement of those sending them."

5. Discuss this: "All we do in daily life should be a part of expressing our spiritual relationship with God and each other. That should be as much a priority in our lives as eating and prospering."

Link to Teacher's Guide Lesson 3

Copyright © 2006
David Chadwell & West-Ark Church of Christ

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