Church Life Flashcards
What is the Biblical model for church governance?
Elders, Overseers(Pastors), Deacons
Elders
guide and guard the health of the church (guardrails on a highway)
1 Peter 5:1-2
1 Peter 5:1-2
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
Titus 1:5-9 (bullet points)
blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not disobedient/wild
not overbearing, quick-tempered, given to drunkeness, violent, pursuing dishonest gain
hospitable, loves good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
hold firmly to Scripture
Qualifications for an elder
Chosen by the church from the church.
Titus 1:5-9
Overseers/Pastors
devote their time to prayer and teaching God’s Word (Acts 20:28)
Acts 20:28
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
Qualifications for a pastor
1 Timothy 3:2-7 (bullets)
above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.
He must not be a recent convert,
He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
Deacons
servant leaders in the church who serve the general needs of the church
Qualifications for a deacon
1 Tim. 3:8-12
8 In the same way, deacons[a] are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, the women[b] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
What is the biblical process for church discipline?
The steps in Matthew 18 are:
1.) go to the person and share the problem with the goal of reconciling
2.) take one or two additional people who can be a witness to the issue
3.) bring it before the church leadership
4.) remove the person from the church(“treat them as a pagan or tax collector”).
What does the Bible say about tithing?
The standard for tithing was set in Malachi 3:10 which is the first 10% of what we earn.
New Testament:
Generously/Cheerfully
2 Corinthians 9:7
Malachi 3:10
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Where does the Bible encourage small groups?
Breaking bread and studying God’s Word
Acts 2:42, 46
