Lesson 11: The Church’s Spiritual Fathers

Recap A. Not for everyone - John 17:15 - I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. B. Only for those who desire it - Matthew 19:11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

1. Spiritual Fathers A. 1 John 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. B. Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? C. Philippians 2:22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

2. God’s Way with His people A. Exodus 3:16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt: B. Proverbs 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. C. 1 Timothy 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. 1. Spiritual Fathers

3. Leadership by example and influence A. 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. B. 1 Peter 5:2-3 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. C. 1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. 1. Spiritual Fathers 2. God’s Way with His people

4. Chosen to lead the church A.Acts 6:3 - Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. B. Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. C. 1 Timothy 3:2-5 - The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach; no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 1. Spiritual Fathers 2. God’s Way with His people 3. Leadership by example and influence

5. The way it was done 1. Spiritual Fathers 2. God’s Way with His people 3. Leadership by example and influence 4. Chosen to lead the church A. 1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order. B. Romans 13:1 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God. C. Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men..

Summary A. God has from the start appointed spiritual men to lead His people. B. Spiritual men lead by example and influence. C. If God permitted majority vote, then the 2 spies would be denounced.

Discussion Questions 1. Do you know of any instances in the Bible where is a vote is taken to decide on matters? 2. Discuss the values of influence, example and working by consensus. ><