Who's In Charge Here? A Series on Authority
Thursday, January 22, 2004
Authority Bible Study Calendar
Daily Bible Study Menu
A note about online study
My Prayer Today
Dear Jesus, Thank you for saving me. I thank you that your are the head Shepherd in my life. Lead me in the paths of righteousness so that I may honor you in every way. I pray especially for those today that are in spiritual leadership in my life. I ask that you would help them to be able to 'care for the flock' that you have given them. Help them to serve you and those they lead with the right attitude and motives. Help me today to serve you with godly intentions -- the motives that are pure and right. I want to be faithful with all that you have entrusted me. Grant me the grace to do this today. I love you and I praise your name. Amen.
Bible Verses
1 Peter 5:1-4
And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share his glory and his honor when he returns. As a fellow elder, this is my appeal to you: Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly -- not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example. And when the head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor.
Reflecting on God's Word
What is the apostle Peter's appeal to the elders in verse 2?
According to verse 2, what should be the attitude of those care for the flock of God? What should not be the attitude?
Why should the elders (those in authority within the church) have this attitude?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
What is the symbol or image that is given to those who "care for the flock entrusted to their care"? Why do you think this image is given?
How is an elder, or a person in the church with spiritual authority, like a shepherd to the rest of the congregation?
Is it possible to watch over the flock "willingly", yet still be motivated by wrong reasons (see verse 2)? What should be the right reason?
Understanding God's Purpose for Us
For those who are in spiritual authority at church, how faithful have you been at shepherding God's flock? Would you be ashamed on that day you are to give an account before Him? Why?
For those who are not in spiritual authority at church, how faithful have you been at submitting to your leaders as they submit to Christ? Do you have any wrong feelings that need to be resolved between yourself and your church leaders?
How has your attitude been while attending church recently?
Applying God's Word to Our Purpose
What are some things that God has entrusted to you?
How have you "cared" for the things that God has given to you?
If there is any area of your life that you have not led with the right attitude, or simply have neglected altogether, ask the Lord this day to help you to be faithful in that area and to have the proper attitude.
Thoughts
In 1 Peter 5:1-4, the apostle gives the image of a "shepherd" when he describes the role and responsibility of a person in the church with spiritual authority. He gives the basic charge, "Care for the flock of God entrusted to you." The following verses substantiate that basic command by talking about right motives and attitude. In other words it is possible to watch over a flock, and have a poor attitude while doing it. You can essentially do the right things with the wrong motives. What Peter is saying to those in leadership, is "do it willingly". Don't serve because you want to get ahead in your own agenda, but because you really want to serve God. When you serve the people you shepherd, you are really serving God.
In our lives today, God has given us all things that he wants us to be faithful with. He has entrusted us with things that he wants us all to watch over. They could be things like our: health, our family, our children, our money, our possessions, our education, or most anything that we have. We are to be good stewards with what God has entrusted. When talking about authority within the church, we need to understand that those who are in leadership are called to be stewards with what they watch over. They will one day be called into account for how they were faithful in word, deed, and attitude with those they led. We as followers need to follow their lead, not simply because we are submitting to their leadership, but because we understand that their leadership is ultimately submitted to the head Shepherd -- Jesus.