| Article number: | CDR2R67 |
| Availability: | Out of stock |
This lesson covers the stature of responsibilities of the elders of the church toward the laymen: (1) Elders are to exhort one another as well as the congregation (First Peter 5:1). To exhort means to call near, to invite, to invoke. Through God’s Word, elders are to exhort laymen and one another to a closer walk with Jesus. (2) Elders are to feed the flock (First Peter 5:2). Elders are to wait upon God in His Word and in prayer, and the Holy Ghost will show them what portion of God’s Word to put before the people and when to lead them to a new pasture. To feed also means to rule. It is the responsibility of the elders to supervise the sheep, to watch out for them, and to have the rule over them (Hebrews 13:7,17,24), not with fleshly authority, but rather with the authority given to them by Jesus Christ Who is the Head of the Church. Elders are responsible to pray for those saints who have been placed under their care by God and to feed them God’s Word in season as they are instructed by the Holy Ghost. (3) Elders are to take the oversight of the flock (First Peter 5:2). Elders are responsible to watch in prayer, to be aware, and to warn the saints of raving wolves in sheeps’ clothing who bring in false doctrines that deny the faith. Elders are responsible to warn the sheep when they are going the wrong way and when danger is approaching. And (4) Elders are to pray for the sick (First Peter 5:2; James 5:15).
This lesson also covers the stature of responsibilities of the laymen toward the elders of the church. God’s Word gives the following instructions to laymen concerning their elders: (1) Rebuke not elders, but entreat them as fathers and mothers (First Timothy 5:1,2), (2) Count elders worthy of double honour (First Timothy 5:17). Esteem elders with respect and honour. (3) Against an elder, receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses (First Timothy 5:19), and (4) Submit yourselves unto the elders (First Peter 5:5). Be clothed with humility and submit yourselves to the elders who have and share with you the Knowledge of God’s Word.