A study of Biblical Church Leadership
#2 The Church: The Model Church
TERM DEFINED
1. What does “model” mean? A pattern, design, ideal for imitation.
2. Distinguish between “model” and “modern.”
3. What was the Thessalonian church to others (1 Thess. 1:7)?
(1 Thessalonians 1:7) "And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia."
4. How are models to be handled (2 Tim. 1:13)?
(2 Timothy 1:13) "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus."
5. What church should be a model for all ages? The Jerusalem church.
CHRIST—THE MODEL
1. What is he to the building—what relation (Mt. 16:18)?
(Matthew 16:18) "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."
2. What is he to the church (Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:18)?
(Ephesians 1:22-23) "And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, {23} which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."
(Colossians 1:18) "And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy."
3. What is he to the walls of the building (Eph. 2:20)?
(Ephesians 2:20) "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."
4. What is he to the superstructure (1 Cor. 3:11)?
(1 Corinthians 3:11) "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ."
5. What is he to keep peace (1 Tim. 2:5)?
(1 Timothy 2:5) "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,"
6. What is he to the body (Eph. 5:23)?
(Ephesians 5:23) "For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior."
7. What has he given to guide the church (2 Tim. 3:16, 17)?
(2 Timothy 3:16-17) "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, {17} so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
MODEL IN ORGANIZATION
1. Each local body will have what (Acts 14:23; Tit. 1:5)?
(Acts 14:23) "Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust."
(Titus 1:5) "The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you."
a. What will they not be?
b. They will possess what positive marks?
c. How will these overseers keep “tab and contact” with the members?
d. How will they facilitate the work by business meetings (1 Cor. 14:33, 40)?
(1 Corinthians 14:33) "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints,"
(1 Corinthians 14:40) "But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."
e. How will they inspire confidence in the membership? They will make known all their plans to the
church.
f. How will they add greater confidence by inviting constructive criticism?
2. To assist the elders, what will every model church have (1 Tim. 3:8-13)?
(1 Timothy 3:8-13) "Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. {9} They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. {10} They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. {11} In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. {12} A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. {13} Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus."
a. These deacons will not be what?
b. They will have what positive traits?
c. These deacons will see to what part of the church work (Acts 6:1-4)?
(Acts 6:1-4) "In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. {2} So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. {3} Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them {4} and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.""
d. The deacons will also see to the orderliness of what? Serving the congregation, neatness of the house, ventilation.
3. The membership will be in subjection to whom (Heb. 13:17)?
(Hebrews 13:17) "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."
a. In turn the membership will enjoy what freedom?
Freedom in suggestions, privilege of cooperation, and counsel.
b. What if God’s word is violated by the elders? The membership may point out the teaching of 1 Pet 5:2, 3.
(1 Peter 5:2-3) "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; {3} not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."
MODEL IN WORK
1. What will each member of the church do (Phil. 2:12)?
(Philippians 2:12) "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,"
2. What threefold lesson will all learn (1 Thess. 4:11)?
(1 Thessalonians 4:11) "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you,"
3. What will be characterized in brotherly love (Rom. 12:10a)? If honor is to be conferred, what will love do (Rom. 12:10b)?
(Romans 12:10) "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."
4. How will all be known as followers of Christ (Jno. 13:34, 35)?
(John 13:34-35) ""A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. {35} By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.""
5. What is to always continue among the members (Heb. 13:1)?
(Hebrews 13:1) "Keep on loving each other as brothers."
6. How will all feel about definite plans of work:
a. About the financial work of the church (1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 9:7)?
(1 Corinthians 16:1-3) "Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. {2} On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. {3} Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem."
(2 Corinthians 9:7) "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
b. About evangelistic meetings of the church (1 Tim. 4:16)?
(1 Timothy 4:16) "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."
c. About systematic Bible study (2 Tim. 2:15; Acts 17:11, 12)?
(Acts 17:11-12) "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. {12} Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men."
(2 Timothy 2:15) "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
d. About the song service, books, prayer?
MODEL IN WORSHIP
1. Where will the mind of Christians be placed (Col. 3:1-3)?
(Colossians 3:1-3) "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. {2} Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. {3} For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."
2. What is God, and how is he to be worshiped (Jno. 4:23, 24)?
(John 4:23-24) "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. {24} God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.""
3. How will each act in the public assembly (Heb. 12:28)?
(Hebrews 12:28) "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,"