stephen R Harrison

Men Who are Examples in Love

If elders do not love those they shepherd, they will not shepherd them as Jesus intended. Love is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), a command of Jesus (John 13:34), evidence of discipleship (John 13:35), proof of being in the family of God (1 John 3:10), and most importantly a quality of Jesus (1 Corinthians 13:13). Jesus told Peter (an elder of the church) if he loved Him, he would feed and tend His sheep and lambs (John 21:15-17). An elder must love the church body with the love of Christ and be an example of how to love others. This is the ultimate example of fulfilling the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40). The world displays men of lust in everything, but Christ calls His disciples to be men of love. There’s nothing better for church leadership than an elder who genuinely loves God and loves his church.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you express love for your church?
2. Do people see you as an example of how to love God and love people? Give examples of how you have recently loved God and loved people.
3. What keeps you from loving God and the church to the fullest?

Men Who Are Examples in Faith

Faith pleases God (Hebrews 11:6). Elders should be examples in their faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). If elders are to grow in their faith, they must grow in the Word of God. By being obedient to the Scriptures, elders teach the church they lead to do the same. In Matthew 8, a Roman Centurion displayed great faith by asking Jesus for help to heal his servant. Elders must continually go to God in prayer with great faith. Even though Jesus offered to go and heal his servant, the Centurion showed greater faith by asking Jesus to speak a word from a distance. He trusted Jesus could work even if He wasn’t present with his servant. Jesus commended him for his great faith (v. 10). Elders must display great faith by trusting Jesus to do His will and fulfill His Word. Elders must pray for people to be healed, miracles to happen, invite people to obey the Gospel and be saved, and trust God at His Word. 

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you have faith that asks and trusts God to move in miraculous ways? 

Give a recent example.

• What hinders your faith?

Men Who Are Examples in Purity

Elders must have impeccable character. Purity is being unadulterated and faultless. Paul told Timothy and Titus that elders are to be above reproach and blameless. This means they are living holy and set-apart lives. Purity expresses holiness. No one can be pure on their own. Jesus imputes righteousness to our lives (2 Corinthians 5:21). While Jesus makes us pure, we have a partnership to consecrate ourselves and live a holy life as Jesus is holy (1 Peter 1:16). Elders are to be sexually pure (1 Corinthians 6:18), be faithful to their spouse, keeping the marriage bed pure (Hebrews 13:4). Elders should be pure in their thought life (2 Corinthians 10:5), words (Ephesians 4:29), and actions (1 Corinthians 10:31). Purity begins in the heart and mind.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you keep yourself sexually pure?
2. Which do you struggle with more, being pure in your thoughts, words, or actions?
3. Why would others consider you an example of purity?