stephen R Harrison

Men Who Are Worth Imitating

Paul told the church in Corinth, “Imitate me as I imitate Jesus” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Elders serve as the lead disciplers and examples of spiritual growth in the local church. They should be men who love the Word, prayer, worship, ministry, serving, giving, communion, baptism, fellowship, and all that is the church. Their marriages, families, business practices, and relationships should be visible to those in the church and seen as worthy of replication. If an elder does not spend time growing in the Scriptures, prayer, ministry, and with his wife and family, he must not expect the church to desire to follow His example. If an elder does not serve, he should not expect the church to serve. If an elder does not speak highly of other church members with respect and love, he should not expect the church to do the same. Elders should be examples of holiness. While no elder is perfect, they serve as models for church members to emulate in all aspects of spiritual life. Elders should serve as humble examples in all areas of life and godliness for those they have the honor of leading in the local church.

Discussion Questions:

1. Can people imitate your life and godliness? Do they? Who are you discipling?
2. What areas of your life would you not want others in the church to imitate? How can you grow in these areas?

SPEECH, CONDUCT, LOVE, FAITH, AND PURITY

Paul instructed Timothy, a pastor/elder in the church at Ephesus, to be an example in five areas in 1 Timothy 4:12. He said, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but serve as an example for the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Let’s examine these five characteristics that elders should model.

Men Who are Examples in Speech

What we say is as important as what we don’t say. Elders should be men whose speech is full of godliness and free from godlessness. The tongue, though small, is powerful. There is death and life in the power of our words (Proverbs 18:21). James says it is difficult to tame (James 3:5-8). The elder, like any believer, must know their words originate from the desires of their heart and the condition of their mind. However, because of the elder’s position of influence, their words generally carry more weight and have a broader impact on others. Elders should be quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19). They should not be found in lewd talk, coarse jesting, gossip, lies, or godless chatter. You should be able to take an elder at his word because they have integrity. They don’t speak out of both sides of their mouth. Because they are teachers of the Word, they should not say anything contrary to the Scriptures. They should share the Gospel regularly and use their words to edify people. Their everyday communication should be filled with the wisdom, principles, and verses of Scripture.

Discussion Questions:

1. Explain how you believe your words can be trusted.
2. Can people in the church repeat your conversations?
3. What areas of your speech do you need the Spirit to “clean up”?

Men Who are Examples in Conduct

Scripture says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). Whatever elders do, their actions should emulate those of Jesus. Their actions should be full of the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”  All of the fruit of the Spirit should be present in all that an elder does. Elders should also be doers of the Word (James 1:22). An elder’s actions should include loving God and loving people. Philippians 2:1-18 tells us to be tender, compassionate, like-minded, unselfish, humble, concerned with others, and free from grumbling and complaining. You should not find an elder leading the church who is always angry, disingenuous, complaining, quarreling, selfish, and rude. Elders’ actions should resemble Christ’s in every way! Elders should imitate the Word in every way! 

Discussion Questions:       

1. Do all your actions resemble those of Christ? Explain.
2. What area of conduct in your life is (or is close to being) unbecoming of an elder?