Elders: Allowing the New Testament to Shape the Role
1) Elders _______ the flock (Titus 1:9; Eph 4:11-12)
He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Titus 1:9
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Ephesians 4:11-12
2) Elders _______ the flock (1 Tim 4:6; Acts 20)
If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.
1 Timothy 4:6
3) Elders _______ the flock (1 Pet 5:3; Heb 13:17)
not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
1 Peter 5:3
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Hebrews 13:17
4) Elders _______ _____ the flock (James 5:13-15)
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
James 5:13-15
5) Elders ________ leadership responsibilities (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5)
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Acts 14:23
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you
Titus 1:5
6) Elders are sometimes ________ (1 Tim 5:17-18; 1 Cor 9:14; 2 Cor 11:8-9)
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
1 Timothy 5:17-18