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Version2.1(2018)

AllScripturequotations,unlessotherwiseindicated,aretakenfromNewAmericanStandardBible®,Copyright©1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995byTheLockmanFoundation.Usedbypermission.Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproducedortransmittedinanymanner,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopy,recording,oranyinformationstorageandretrievalsystemincludingtheInternetwithoutwrittenpermissionfromthepublisher.Permissionisnotneededforbriefquotationsembodiedincriticalarticlesandreviews.

Table of Contents

Introduction...........................................................................................................................................................1

SelectionofCandidates.........................................................................................................................................4

Pre-CandidateEvaluation......................................................................................................................................5

PersonalLifePreparation......................................................................................................................................7

BiblicalQualifications............................................................................................................................................9

TheologicalCommitment....................................................................................................................................10

BookofRomans...................................................................................................................................................13

BookofHebrews.................................................................................................................................................13

BiblicalEldershipStudy........................................................................................................................................14

ShepherdingEffectiveness..................................................................................................................................15

Leadership/Temperament...................................................................................................................................17

CongregationalFeedback....................................................................................................................................18

DecisionandAffirmation.....................................................................................................................................19

Appendix1:PersonalTestimonyWorksheet.......................................................................................................21

Appendix2:DoctrinalStatement-Sample.........................................................................................................25

Appendix3:SummaryofBiblicalEldership.........................................................................................................27

Appendix4:AccountabilityQuestions.................................................................................................................29

Appendix5:ReadTheBibleInOneYear.............................................................................................................31

Appendix6:UnderstandingRomans...................................................................................................................33

Appendix7:UnderstandingHebrews..................................................................................................................35

Appendix8:BiblicalEldershipStudy....................................................................................................................37

Appendix9:ElderTrainingRotations..................................................................................................................39

Appendix10:CongregationalFeedbackLetter....................................................................................................41

Appendix11:CongregationFeedbackForm........................................................................................................43

Endnotes..............................................................................................................................................................47

1www.BiblicalEldership.com ElderTrainingProgram-

INTRODUCTION Itisatrustworthystatement:ifanymanaspirestotheofficeofoverseer,itisafineworkhedesirestodo.(1Tim.3:1)

TheprimarygoalofthisElderDevelopmentProgram(EDP)isdevelopinggodly,spirituallyqualifiedpastoraleldersforthelocalchurch.Thoughwespecificallyaddresseldersthroughout,youcanmodifythecontentasneededforotherleadershiproles.Indeed,theteachingoneldershipinScriptureisgiventoallChristians(“AllScriptureisinspiredbyGodandprofitable…”2Tim.3:16),andweallareintendedtolearnfromandapplythatteachingtoourownindividuallivesasitapplies.

Sowhocanbenefitfromthismaterialandhowcantheyuseit?

• Thechurch:totrainandpreparemenforspiritualleadershipaseldersinthelocalchurch.

• Anexistingelder:togrowasadisciplebyimprovinghisunderstandingandeffectivenessinleadingandshepherdingGod’speople.

• Apotentialelder:topreparespecificallyforthe“finework”ofeldership.

• Youngmen:tohelpbuildafoundationandpathwaytowardmaturityandeventuallybecominganelder.

• Menandwomeningeneral:toadaptthistrainingfortheirrespectiveleadershiprolesinthechurch.

• ForChristiansinbusinessorcommunity:tofosterChristiancharacterintheirworkplacesandextendtheirleadershiptospirituallycaringforthepeopletheyleadandmanage.

MODULARAPPROACHThistrainingmaterialpresentsarobust,comprehensivetrainingprogram,arrangedinmodularform.Dependingontheindividual’sstartingpointanddesiredleadershipgoal,youcanselectthemodulesaccordingtotheneed.Forchurcheswantingthebestpreparationfornewelders,werecommendthefullprogram.However,werecognizethatneeds,timeconstraints,andlevelsofacceptancewillvaryfromchurchtochurch,andyoucanmodifythisprogramtosuittheneed.

WHYISPREPARATIONIMPORTANT?• Thechurchshouldnotputapersonintoaleadershiproleprematurelyandwithoutadequatepreparation:

Donotlayhandsuponanyonetoohastilyandtherebyshareresponsibilityforthesinsofothers;keepyourselffreefromsin.(1Tim.5:22)

Aneldermustbe…notanewconvert.(1Tim.3:6)

• WeseeexamplesofpreparationforleadershipinmanyplacesinScripture:JoshualearningunderMoses’leadership,TimothyandTituslearningundertheapostlePaul’stutelage,etc.PaulspecificallyinstructsTimothytopropagatethispersonaltraining:

Thethingswhichyouhaveheardfrommeinthepresenceofmanywitnesses,entrustthesetofaithfulmenwhowillbeabletoteachothersalso.(2Tim.2:2)

• Thebenefitsofpreparationareclear:thelocalchurch,withprepared,strong,matureelderswhoknowhowtolookaftertheflock,setsthestageforfulfillingtheGreatCommissionofmakingdisciples(Matt.28:18-20).Theeldersprovideanexampleofdiscipleshipastheygrowintheirabilitytotrainthemselvesandtrainotherstobecomebetterdisciple-makers.

• Ontheotherhand,consequencesofinadequatepreparationareequallyclear:poorshepherdingleadstopoordiscipleship,whichleadstoineffectivenessinreachingtheworldwiththegospel.Thelocalchurchthatfailstoprepareandtraineldershadbetterpreparetofail.Manychurchesstruggleunderthetremendousburdenofpoorleadership.Scripturewarnsusoftheconsequenceofpoorshepherding:

2 - ElderTrainingProgram www.BiblicalEldership.com

Theywerescatteredforlackofashepherd,andtheybecamefoodforeverybeastofthefield…surelybecauseMyflockhasbecomeaprey,Myflockhasevenbecomefoodforallthebeastsofthefieldforlackofashepherd,andMyshepherdsdidnotsearchforMyflock,butrathertheshepherdsfedthemselvesanddidnotfeedMyflock;therefore,youshepherds,hearthewordoftheLord:“ThussaystheLordGod,‘Behold,Iamagainsttheshepherds,andIwilldemandMysheepfromthemandmakethemceasefromfeedingsheep.’”(Ezek.34:5,8–10)

“…thepeoplewanderlikesheep,theyareafflicted,becausethereisnoshepherd.”(Zech10:2)

• Thereistoomuchatstaketotreatthisissuehaphazardly.Wemustpreparemenforeldership.

IMPORTANCEOFEVALUATION• Forsomepeople,theimportanceofevaluationisobvious.However,insomechurchestheevaluation

processcaneasilygivewaytoexpedience(“Weneedmoreeldersnow!”)ortimiditycowersbeforestrongpersonalities(“Whoareyoutojudgemycharacter?”).Ifnoneofthisisanissuewithyou,feelfreetoskipthissection.

• ExamplesoftestingorevaluationarenotuncommoninScripture(forexample,seeHeb.11:17,James1:3,1Peter1:7).Paulexplicitlystatesconcerningeldersthataman’shomebehaviorandleadershipareunderscrutiny(1Tim.3:4-5).Evaluationisimplicitintheentirelistofelderqualifications—whatgoodarethesequalificationswithoutevaluation?

• InScripture,weseethatdeaconsaretobefirsttestedorevaluatedbeforeserving,sowhywouldwenotalsowanttotestpotentialelders?

Thesemenmustalsofirstbetested;thenletthemserveasdeaconsiftheyarebeyondreproach.(1Tim.3:10)

• IftheBibleinstructsusthatallbelieversaresubjecttoevaluationbyandaccountabletoothers,theneldersandpotentialeldersevenmoreso:

[If]anyoneiscaughtinanytrespass,youwhoarespiritual,restoresuchaoneinaspiritofgentleness;eachonelookingtoyourself,sothatyoutoowillnotbetempted.(Gal.6:1)

• Ifanexistingelderistobeheldaccountableforhisactionsandbehavior(withappropriatecaveats),woulditnotbewisetorigorouslyevaluatepotentialeldersaheadoftime?

Donotreceiveanaccusationagainstanelderexceptonthebasisoftwoorthreewitnesses.Thosewhocontinueinsin,rebukeinthepresenceofall,sothattherestalsowillbefearfulofsinning.(1Tim.5:19–20)

• Weconcludethatapotentialeldershouldbeassessedbyothers.Anunexaminedlifemayleadtounacceptableleadership.Theimportanceofcompetent,matureleadershipinthechurch,forwhichChristshedhisblood,cannotbeoverstated.Hispeopleareprecioustohim,andwedarenotbeslackinpreparingorevaluatingthosewhowouldbecomespiritualshepherdsinthechurch.

• However,thisevaluationisnotjustascreeningprocess;itcanbeanaidtospiritualgrowth.Theprocessmayuncoverweaknessesandblindspots,helpingtheindividualgrowincharacterandcompetence.

• Practicallyspeaking,weareblindesttoourownweaknesses,andweallneedtheobjective,lovingfeedbackofthosewithmorematurefaith.

HOWLONGWILLPREPARATIONTAKE?• Inonesense,preparationtakesalifetimeoflearning.Ahumble,godlyelderisalwaysgrowingbutknowshe

willneverarriveatperfecteldershipuntiltheChiefShepherdreturns(1Peter5:4).Nevertheless,abasicfoundationshouldberequiredforbeginningtoserveasarecognizedelder.

• Thetimeofpreparationdependsoneachindividual’slevelofspiritualmaturity,experience,ageandlifecircumstances.Forexample,someonewhorisesupfrombeingayoungbelieverinthecongregationmayrequirethefull,extensivetraininglaidoutherein,andthusasignificantamountoftime.Ontheotherhand,

amatureChristianwhohasmovedintotheareawithpreviouseldershipexperiencewillnotneedasmuchpreparation.

• Thetimeneededwillalsodependonthechurch’sstandardandexpectations;somemaydesiremorerigorandin-depthpreparation,whileothersmayoptforless.EverychurchwillanswertotheLordforwellhowtheypreparemen.However,wewouldchallengeeachchurchtosetthebarhigh—theinvestmentwillnotbewasted,andGod’speoplewillbenefit.

• Forapotentialelder,wewouldenvisionaone-totwo-yearprocessasthebest-casescenario.

DISCLAIMERThistrainingisnotadministeredbyBERbutistobeusedbyandunderthecontrolofthelocalchurchorbyindividualswhoarepreparingthemselves.Ourgoalistogiveabroadoutlinethatcanbeadaptabletovaryingcontexts.Internalchurchculture,doctrinalcommitments,anddenominationaldistinctivesmayaffecthowyouusethevariousmodules.

Therearenoguaranteesorassurancesthatanyonecompletingthistrainingprogramwillorshouldbecomeachurchelder.Therearemanyintangibleandattitudinalissuesthat,inthegodlyjudgmentoftheexistingeldersoratthecongregationalreview,maypostponeacandidate’sappointmentormaydisqualifyhim.

Enteringintothisprocessinvolvesaseriouscommitmentoftimeandeffort.Theexperiencemightleaveamanfeelingexhilaratedoruncomfortable,andprobablyattimesboth.OurgoalisforthepotentialeldertobewellpreparedfortheawesomeandweightytaskofshepherdingthepeopleofGod.Whetherintheendhebecomesanelderornot,theexerciseofgoingthroughthispreparationwillleavehimprofoundlychangedandhopefullyfurtheronhispathtowardChristianmaturity.

SELECTION OF CANDIDATES

SELECTINGMENIfthepotentialeldershavenotalreadybeenidentified,thefollowingsuggestionswillbehelpfulforrecognizingmenwhomaybereadyorcapableofbecomingelders.

• Pray:PraytheLordwouldrevealthemenofhischoosing(seeActs13:2,14:23,20:28).

• Observe:LookforGod’sgraceinmen’slivesthatwouldindicateagrowingshepherd’sheart,menwho:

Desiretheworkofanelder.

Itisatrustworthystatement:ifanymanaspirestotheofficeofoverseer,itisafineworkhedesirestodo.(1Tim.3:1)

HaveanaptitudeforteachingtheWord.

Thethingswhichyouhaveheardfrommeinthepresenceofmanywitnesses,entrustthesetofaithfulmenwhowillbeabletoteachothersalso.(2Tim.2:2)

Anoverseer,then,must…abletoteach.(1Tim.3:2)

Showconcernforpeople’sspirituallives.

Therefore,Iexhorttheeldersamongyou…shepherdtheflockofGodamongyou,exercisingoversightnotundercompulsion,butvoluntarily,accordingtothewillofGod;andnotforsordidgain,butwitheagerness.(1Peter5:1-2)

LiveanexemplaryChristianlife—morallyanddoctrinally.

…inallthingsshowyourselftobeanexampleofgooddeeds,withpurityindoctrine,dignified…(Titus2:7)

Comparewellwiththeelderqualificationsaslistedin1Timothy3,Titus1,and1Peter5

ObservebeforeandafterSundayserviceandduringBiblestudygroups,fellowshipmeetings,andsocialtimes.Identifywhichmenarestartingspiritualconversations,greetingvisitors,orshowinghospitalitytoothers.Askyourspouseandotherswhoarespirituallymindedwhomtheyobserveshepherdingothers.

Ofcourse,therewillbesomemenwhopresentthemselvesasdesiringtobeelders.ThisisnotnecessarilyasignoffleshlyambitionbutmaybeanindicatorofaSpirit-placeddesire.

INVITINGMENBasedonyourobservations,discussionwiththeotherelders,andprayer,inviteaselectindividualorgroupofindividualstobegintheformalpre-candidateevaluationprocess.

PRE-CANDIDATE EVALUATION Thepre-candidateevaluationinvolvesapersonalinterviewtoassesstheman’sspirituallifeandgrowth.Wehavepreparedquestionsbelowgroupedintoeightareas,someofwhichmayrequireadegreeofpreparationbytheindividual.Werecommendeitheroneortwoeldersmeetwiththepotentialcandidatetodiscussthese.Inpreparationfortheinterview,certainchurchdocumentsshouldbemadeavailable(doctrinalstatements,distinctives,positionpapers,etc.)forthecandidatetostudy.

THEINTERVIEW• Testimony

Havetheindividualwriteouthispersonaltestimony(seeAppendix1forguidelines).Doeshehaveaclear,unambiguoustestimony?Canhearticulateclearlythewayofsalvation,including,sin,confession,repentanceandfaith,howit

relatestoworksandgrace,andbiblicalpassagesinsupport?Hashebeenbaptized?When?How?Howdoeshedescribehisspiritualgrowthsincebeingsaved?

• PersonalcalltoministryingeneralWhatburdenshastheindividualfelttowardservingintheLord’swork?Whatarehisspiritualgifts?Hasheidentifiedhisspiritualgift?Agoodstudyonthespiritualgiftsby

BobDeffinbaughcanbefoundatBible.org.1Foragoodexerciseindiscoveringone’sspiritualgifts,wesuggest,amongmany,ElmerTownsSpiritualGiftInventory2.

WhatministriesorserviceshashebeeninvolvedinfortheLord?Howisheusinghisspiritualgift?Whatevidenceistherethathisspiritualgiftandministryhavebeenaffirmedorrecognized?

• PersonalcalltobeanelderHowdoestheindividualsenseGod’sleadinghimintoagreatershepherdingministry?Doeshisdesiregiveevidenceofbeingbasedonrightmotives?(See1Peter5:1–4.)WhatevidencedoesheseethatGodhasbeenusinghimtoinformallyshepherdothers?Doeshesenseanywhohaveresistedhisshepherdingefforts?

• WeaknessandpropensitiesHastheindividualhadstrugglesinanyoftheseareas:moral,legal,financial,psychological,relational,

addictions?Whataretheissuesheisdealingwithatthepresenttime?Whataretwosignificantareasofgrowththatheneedsinhisquestforspiritualmaturity?

• Agreementwiththechurch’sdoctrineHastheindividualreadthechurch’sessentialdoctrinesstatement?(SeeAppendix2.)Doesheunreservedlyagreewithit?Whatareasofconcern/disagreementdoeshehave?

• Agreementwiththischurch’sviewofeldershipDoestheindividualagreewholeheartedly,unreservedly,withthechurch’sviewofeldershipand

churchgovernance?(SeeAppendix3.)Whatareasofconcern,disagreement,ortensiondoeshehavewithit?

• Generalagreementwiththechurch’sdistinctivesHastheindividualreadthechurch’sstatementofdistinctives,thingsthatareimportanttothechurch’s

identityandcommitmentbutnotnecessarilyonthelevelofessentialdoctrines?Doeshewholeheartedlyandunreservedlyagreewiththechurch’sdistinctives?Whatareasofconcern,disagreement,ortensiondoeshehavewiththem?

• Interviewwiththeindividual’sspouseDoesthecandidate’swifewholeheartedlyconcurwiththeindividual’sdesiretobeanelder?Doesshehaveanyreservations?Cansheconfirmthatheisa“one-woman”man,notflirtatious?Doesshefeelsecureinhisloveandaffections?

THEASSESSMENTWerecommendthattheinterviewer(s)discusstheresultsoftheinterviewwiththeentireelderteam.Decidingtoaccepthimintothetrainingprogram,ofcourse,willbeajudgmentcallbytheelders.

Iftheinterviewshowsthecandidateisreadyforthetraining,thenthecandidateshouldbeinvitedintotheformalprocess.Ifitisdeterminedthattheindividualisnotreadytobeginthetrainingprocess,arecommendedplanofactionshouldbeprovidedforhimtohelphimgrowspirituallyfromtheexperienceandnotbecomedisheartened,withthehopethatinthefuturehemaybecomereadyfortheeldertrainingprocess.

ShepherdingGod’speopleisoneofthemostimportantrolesandfunctionsinthechurch,soalltheeldersneedtobeonthesamepageconcerningeachindividualwhowillbestartingtheprocess.Itwillbemoredifficultlatertodealwithdisagreementamongeldersafteramanhasbeenthroughtheprocess,thanbeforetheprocessbegins.

PERSONAL LIFE PREPARATION Anelder’sspiritualdisciplineswillaffecthisheartandskillsforspiritualshepherding.Hemustfirstshepherdhimselfbeforehecanshepherdothers.Preparationforbeinganelder,therefore,isnotjustreadingacoupleofbooksandansweringquestions.Pastoringothersflourishesfromtheoutflowofone’sownspirituallife.

MENTORGUIDANCEHavingapersonalmentorprovidesguidanceandaccountabilityforacandidate’spreparationforeldership.WeseethismodeledinthegrowthofyoungmenlikeTimothy,Titus,andotherswhospentconsiderabletimewiththeapostlePaul.Personalmentoringwillhelpguardthecandidateagainstapproachingleadershipinanisolated,impersonal,oracademicway.Shepherdingispersonal;muchaboutleadershipisgainedthroughpersonalinteractionwithexistingshepherd-elders.

Eachcandidateshouldbeassignedamentorfromamongtheexistingeldersorothergodlymen.Thetwowillmeetregularlyforprayer,discussion,Q&Aandaccountability.Thementordoesnotneedtobean“expert”inallthingsleadershiporeldershipbutshouldbesomeonewithexperience,willingtodiscusswhatthecandidateislearningandinteractonanyissuesthatarise.Thementoralsowillbethefirstlineofevaluationofthecandidate.

Sincecharacterdevelopmentisabigpartofthatpreparation,wehaveincludedinAppendix4anexcellentsetofquestionstohelpbegindiscussiononkeyissuesinaman’slifeandpersonalgrowth.

BIBLEREADINGAnelder,beingamanofGod,shouldbefamiliarwithallofScripture:

BediligenttopresentyourselfapprovedtoGodasaworkmanwhodoesnotneedtobeashamed,accuratelyhandlingthewordoftruth.(2Tim.2:15)

AllScriptureisinspiredbyGodandprofitableforteaching,forreproof,forcorrection,fortraininginrighteousness;sothatthemanofGodmaybeadequate,equippedforeverygoodwork.(2Tim.3:16–17)

WerecommendthecandidatereadafreshtheentireBiblethroughinoneyear.ThiswillhelphimengagetheoverallflowandconnectednessofScripture.Inaddition,thiswillestablisharobustpracticeofspendingtimeintheWordofGoddailyastheprimaryplaceforspirituallyfeedingthesouloftheshepherd.

WesuggestcompletingtheBERonlinelessonsonBibleReading3.ThenseeAppendix5foronemethodforreadingtheBibleinoneyear,orchooseoneofthemanyotherone-yearBiblereadingplans.

PRAYERIntheapostles’example,weseetheimportanceofprayerforspiritualleadership.

Sothetwelvesummonedthecongregationofthedisciplesandsaid,“ItisnotdesirableforustoneglectthewordofGodinordertoservetables…Butwewilldevoteourselvestoprayerandtotheministryoftheword.”(Acts6:2,4)

Soalsoaneldermustbeamanofprayer.Hispublicprayingmustreflectandbebackedbyhisprivatepraying.

Isanyoneamongyousick?Thenhemustcallfortheeldersofthechurchandtheyaretoprayoverhim,anointinghimwithoilinthenameoftheLord…(James5:14)

WerecommendcompletingtheBERonlinelessonsonPrayer4.Thecandidateshouldsharewithhismentortheplanhewilluseforpraying.

WITNESSAchurch’smissiontomakedisciplesincludesreachingthelost(andseeingthembaptized):

AndJesuscameupandspoketothem,saying,“AllauthorityhasbeengiventoMeinheavenandonearth.Gothereforeandmakedisciplesofallthenations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFatherandtheSonandtheHolySpirit,teachingthemtoobserveallthatIcommandedyou;andlo,Iamwithyoualways,eventotheendoftheage.”(Matt.28:18–20)

Eldersasleadersshouldmodeltheworkofevangelism.Thisisnotjustforthegiftedevangelists;PaulwritestoTimothy,“Dotheworkofanevangelist”(1Tim.4:5).Indeed,allChristiansshouldbeactivelysharingtheirfaith,nottheleastofwhomareelders.

SanctifyChristasLordinyourhearts,alwaysbeingreadytomakeadefensetoeveryonewhoasksyoutogiveanaccountforthehopethatisinyou,yetwithgentlenessandreverence…(1Peter3:15)

Unfortunatelyanelder’sshepherdingworkcaneclipsehiseffortsandenergyforwitnessing.Werecommendthatthecandidatealwayshavea“topthree”listofpeopleheisprayingforandseekingtosharethegoodnewsofsalvationwith.

Ifthecandidatehasn’tdonesoalready,seeAppendix1forwritingoutapersonaltestimony.WritingitouthelpsapersoncrystalizehowhecaneffectivelycommunicatewhatGodhasdoneinhislife,andbereadytoshareitintelligently.

STEWARDSHIPFinancialgivingisatouchyissueformanybecauseoftheoveremphasison“fundraising”inmanychurches,butgivingprovidesatangibledemonstrationofaperson’sspiritualcommitmentandsacrifice.WebelieveGod’swilldoneinGod’swaywillnotlackGod’ssupport.However,elders,asinmanyareas,aretobeexamplesforthepeopleofGod.Apartfromovertandostentatiousgiving(Mark12:41–44),anelderneedstobe“allin,”fullycommittedtothelocalchurch.

Eachchurchwillhandlethisissuedifferently,butthecandidateshouldinsomewaybechallengedabouthisleveloffinancialcommitmenttotheLord’swork.IftheGoodShepherdwaswillingtolaydownhislifeforthesheep(John10:11),thenaneldershouldbewillingtosacrificefinanciallyforthecongregation.

“Iamthegoodshepherd;thegoodshepherdlaysdownHislifeforthesheep”(John10:11)

“Forwhereyourtreasureis,thereyourheartwillbealso.”(Luke12:34)

I[Paul]testifythataccordingtotheir[Macedonian’s]ability,andbeyondtheirability,theygave…(2Cor.8:3)

Questionstoaskorcontemplate:• Isthecandidategivingregularlytothischurch,tomissions,andtotheLord’sservants?• Isthecandidateknownforbeinggenerouswithhistime,resources,andtalentsfortheLord’swork?

BIBLICAL QUALIFICATIONS Aneldermustbequalifiedaccordingtobiblicalstandards.Werecommendthecandidatecompletetheworkbook“SpiritualMaturity:BasedontheQualificationsforElders,”publishedbyBiblicalEldershipResourcesandfoundontheBERwebsite.Thisstudylooksatthethirty-onequalificationsforeldershipandprovidesanopportunityforanindividualtoevaluatehimself.Thecandidateandmentorshouldreviewtogetherhisself-evaluationinthebook,identifystrengthsandweaknesses,anddetermineanyactionitemsforimprovinginanyareashowntobedeficient:

• Whatstepscanthecandidatetaketoimproveintheareasofweakness?

• Shouldthiseldershiptrainingbesuspendedfortheindividualinordertogiveattentiontoseriousfailureinanyarea?

THEOLOGICAL COMMITMENT

INTRODUCTIONTheologicalpreparationisforpotentialelders.Afterall,aneldermustbecharacterizedas

“…holdingfastthefaithfulwordwhichisinaccordancewiththeteaching,sothathewillbeablebothtoexhortinsounddoctrineandtorefutethosewhocontradict.”(Titus1:9)

Theterm“theology”means“thestudyofGod.”Obviouslyalifetimeisnotlongenoughto“study”God.ButaneldermusthaveagoodunderstandingofourLordasseenthroughthekeydoctrinesofthefaithandthetheologicalperspectivesofhischurch.Greatharmwillinevitablyfallonthechurchshouldamanholdingtoerrantdoctrinesbeacceptedintospiritualleadership.Ifhecannotagreewiththechurchonkeydoctrines,thenheshouldnotbecomeanelder.WhilenomanisperfectineveryaspectofhisunderstandingofGod’struth,andevenagroupofelderscanbewrong,therecanbenostalemateordisagreementintheareaofthemaindoctrines—theremustbecompleteaccord.

Werecommendarigorouscourseofstudyfortheeldercandidatefollowedbyanexamination:

Butknowthisfirstofall,thatnoprophecyofScriptureisamatterofone’sowninterpretation,fornoprophecywasevermadebyanactofhumanwill,butmenmovedbytheHolySpiritspokefromGod.(2Peter1:20–21)

Theologicalpreparationshouldincludethetopicalareaslistedbelow.Candidateswilldifferintheirlevelsoftheologicalastuteness,sothetopicsshouldbeselectedbasedontheneedofthecandidate.Forexample,ifthecandidatehasalreadythoroughlystudiedthedeityofChrist,hewillnotneedanewstudyonthattopic.Othertopicsmayneedmorestudy.Intheend,however,thecandidateshouldbetestedonallthetopics.

Thegoalistonotjust“finishtheelderpreparationcourse”buttoknowwellthekeydoctrines.Thecandidatemustbeabletoarticulatethemwell,knowthekeyScripturesinvolved,andunderstandatleastsomeoftherefutationsofcommonerroneousteachingsconcerningthosetopics.

WesuggestfirstcompletingtheonlinelessonsProtectingAgainstFalseTeachers5andACalltoStudy6priortothestudyofthedoctrinaltopicslistedbelow:

KEYDOCTRINES• DoctrineofGod–TheologyProper

Eternality Self-sufficiency OmnipresenceCreator Sovereignty ImmutabilityMonotheism Omniscience TranscendenceSelf-existenceSimplicity

OmnipotenceProvidence

ImmanenceTrinity

• DoctrineofJesusChrist–ChristologyPre-existence Substitutionarydeath PriestlyministryIncarnation&deity Resurrection&ascension Comingforhissaints

• DoctrineoftheHolySpirit–PneumatologyHispersonality Hisministry GiftsoftheHolySpiritHisadvent Hisbaptism Filling&anointing

• DoctrineoftheBible–BibliologyRevelation Infallibility&inerrancy TranslationInspiration Transmission Subject&purpose

• DoctrineofMan–Anthropology;DoctrineofSin–Harmartiology

• DoctrineofSalvation–SoteriologySalvation Justification RedemptionSecurityofsalvation Grace&mercy ReconciliationAssuranceofsalvation Sanctification Regeneration

• DoctrineoftheChurch–EcclesiologyItsmembership Itsmission ItsorganizationLord’sSupper Baptism

• DoctrineofAngels–AngelologyGoodangels Satan&demons

• DoctrineofLastThings–EschatologyHeaven,hell,eternalstate Resurrection&judgment Return&ruleofChrist

CONTEMPORARYISSUESHealth&welfaregospel Miraculousgifts AttractionalchurchissuesProcesstheology Emergentchurchissues Marriage&divorcePro-life,abortion Euthanasia Gender,sexualorientationRacialissues Creationresearch Churchdiscipline

BIBLICALTHEMES• Covenants

Adamic Mosaic NewCovenantPalestinianNoahic

AbrahamicDavidic

• TheEntireMessageoftheBible–UsingboththeOT&NT,theeldercandidateshouldbeabletoarticulatetheoverarchingmessageoftheentireBibleinanessayformof1,000wordsorinathirty-minutesermon.

• ChronologyoftheBible–CandidateshouldbeabletoarrangethebooksoftheBibleinhistoricalorder.

ONLINERESOURCESSomeexcellentonlineresourcesfortheologicalstudycanbefoundat:

• “PassagesEveryElderMustKnow”7ontheBiblicalEldershipResourceswebsite

• “100BibleKnowledgeQuestions”8ontheGospelCoalitionwebsite

• BiblicalTraining9website

• Bible.org10website

SUGGESTEDREADINGWerecommendthefollowingtheologicalforpreparingtobeanelderandforalleldersingeneral:

• SystematicTheology:AnIntroductiontoBiblicalDoctrinebyWayneGrudem

• RomansSeriesbyD.MartynLloyd-Jones

• TheCrossofChristbyJohnR.W.Stott

• TheTrainingoftheTwelvebyA.B.Bruce

• OurLordPraysforHisOwnbyMarcusRainsford

• InMyPlaceCondemnedHeStoodbyJ.I.Packer&MarkDever

TESTINGUponcompletionofeachindividualportionofthetheologicalstudy,thecandidateshouldbetested.Heshouldbeabletoexplainthevariousdoctrinesinanunderstandableway.Thiscantaketheformofawrittentest,anoralexam,orboth.

Awrittentestgivestimeforreflectiveresponses,andwritingtheanswershelpsclarifythinking.Itcanbegivenbysimplyselectingtopicsfromthelistaboveandhavingthecandidatewriteoutabriefessayoroutlineofhisunderstandingofeachdoctrine,supportedwithScripturereferences.

Anoralexamhastheadvantageofspontaneousdiscussiongeneratedbytheverbalresponsesofthecandidatethatcanleadintodynamicin-depthquestioning.Anoraltestwillinvolvemeetingwiththecandidateandhavinghimsuccinctlyexplainvariousdoctrines(thatthementorselects).

Athoroughexaminationwouldinvolvebothawrittentestandanoralexam.Obviouslyyouwon’tbeabletocovereverydoctrine,butthecandidateshouldbepreparedtoexplainallofthem.Whilethelevelofmasteryrequiredisultimatelydeterminedbythecurrentelders,weencourageestablishingahighstandard.

BOOK OF ROMANS ThebookofRomanscontainsthepremierteachingofthegreatandimportantdoctrineofjustification,whichisthegospelofgrace.Everyeldermustknowthisbookwell,foritcontainsthefoundationaltruthonwhichrestssomuchoftherestofsounddoctrine.ThiswastheapostlePaul’s“gotothewallissue”:

Butevenifwe,oranangelfromheaven,shouldpreachtoyouagospelcontrarytowhatwehavepreachedtoyou,heistobeaccursed!Aswehavesaidbefore,soIsayagainnow,ifanymanispreachingtoyouagospelcontrarytowhatyoureceived,heistobeaccursed!(Gal.1:8–9).

WhilethebookofGalatianscontainsPaul’sdefenseofthedoctrineofjustificationagainstthespecificfalseteachingofreligiouslegalizers,thebookofRomanslaysoutthefullgloryofthedoctrineinasystematic,logicalmanner.WewouldnoterrbysayingthisisacoredoctrineofhisChristiantheology.

Assuch,aneldercandidate,tobecomeadefenderofthetruefaith,must:

• UnderstandthegrandthemeofjustificationaslaidoutinthebookofRomansandwhythisissuchacriticalteachingforthechurchtoday.

• Knowthekeyteachingspresentedinthebook:universalsinandguilt,justificationbygracethroughfaith,sanctificationby“reckoning”thenewlifetobetrue,Israel’sroleinthegospel,andtheoutworkingofjustification.

• Beabletooutlineofthepropositionallogicpresented,showingtherelationshipbetweenthepartsofthebookandthewhole.

SeeAppendix6foranoutlineonstudyingthebookofRomans.

BOOK OF HEBREWS WhilethebookofRomansprovidesthetheologyofjustificationthroughthegraceofourLordJesusChrist,thebookofHebrewsextolsthesupremacyandmagnificenceoftheLordJesusChristhimself.Heissuperiortoallelse,especiallyascomparedtoallthingsreligious,whethertheJewishunderstandingoftheOldTestamentorallotherreligiouseffortstolivepleasingtoGod.

God,afterHespokelongagotothefathersintheprophetsinmanyportionsandinmanyways,intheselastdayshasspokentousinHisSon,whomHeappointedheirofallthings,throughwhomalsoHemadetheworld.AndHeistheradianceofHisgloryandtheexactrepresentationofHisnature,andupholdsallthingsbythewordofHispower.WhenHehadmadepurificationofsins,HesatdownattherighthandoftheMajestyonhigh,havingbecomeasmuchbetterthan...(Heb.1:1–4a)

Aneldercandidate,therefore,shouldgainagoodunderstandingofthebookofHebrewsasafoundationforgrowingdevotionandappreciationoftheLordandhisprominenceintheChristian’slife.Heshouldbeableto:

• Understandandarticulatethebook’steachingonthesuperiorityofChristtotheangels,Moses,Abraham,thetabernacle,anditspriesthood.

• AppreciateandexplainthesignificanceofChristbeingourHighPriestandhisone-time,uniqueandall-sufficientsacrifice.

• Beabletooutlineofthemainflowofthebook,showingtherelationshipbetweenthepartsofthebookandthewhole.

SeeAppendix7foranoutlineonstudyingthebookofHebrews.

BIBLICAL ELDERSHIP STUDY

Werecommendeitherofthefollowingtwostudiestoprepareamanbiblicallyfortheworkandroleofbeinganelder.Orforextrathoroughness,thecandidatecandoboth.

BIBLICALELDERSHIPWORKBOOKAneldercandidatemustthoroughlyunderstandthebiblicalteachingofshepherd-eldership.Thispartofthepreparationwillleadtheeldercandidatethroughatwelve-lesson,in-depthstudyofNewTestamentchurchleadershipusingthebookBiblicalEldershipalongwiththeaccompanyingworkbook,BiblicalEldership:StudyGuide.ThementorcanuseaspecialeditionoftheworkbookBiblicalEldership:Mentor’sGuide.

Wesuggeststudyingthischapterbychapterusingthestudyguide,andthecandidateandhismentormeetingaftereachchaptertodiscussthematerial.Thelessonsshouldbespacedatleasttwoweeksaparttogiveenoughtimetostudyanddigestthematerialthoroughly.Thisstudycanbedoneinagroupsettingaswell,withastudyleaderguidingthediscussion.

SeeAppendix8foranoutlineonhowtoapproachthisstudyasanindividualorasagroup.

SCHOOLOFTHESHEPHERDSONLINESERIESOFCOURSESThisthoroughonlinestudyprovidesabiblicalfoundationofthebiblicalprinciplesofeldershipinthelocalchurchandalsobasicprinciplesforeffectiveshepherding.Itiscomposedofsixcoursesinvolvingbothvideoandonlinequizzing.

SHEPHERDING EFFECTIVENESS

INTRODUCTIONEldercandidatesshouldbetrainedinthepracticeofeldershipalso.Thisinvolvesmorethanjustknowingthebiblicalteaching,goingtoelders’meetings,andmakingdecisions.Trainingencompassesunderstandingthepracticalissuesofshepherdingandrealshepherdingopportunitiesundertheguidanceofexperiencedelders.

Thisportionoftheelderpreparationconsistsoftwooverlappingparts:thestudyofshepherding(Effectiveness)andthepracticeofeffectiveshepherding(Rotations).

THESTUDY(COGNITIVELEARNING)Wehaveidentifiedfoundationalteachingforeachofthemainareasofpracticalshepherding.Thesefallintothefollowingcategories:PersonalLife11,Leading,Teaching,Protecting,Caring,andElderRelationships.

ThisteachingisfoundintheEffectiveness12sectionoftheBERwebsiteandiscomposedofovertwohundredshort(fifteenminutesorless)videos,audios,andtexts.Theselessonshavereviewquestions,discussionquestions,andapplicationsuggestions.Theycanbedoneindividuallyoringroup.Ataminimum,eachlessonshouldbereviewedwiththecandidate’smentor.

Howmuchofthispracticaltrainingacandidateshoulddobeforebecominganelderissubjecttothementorand/orelder’sdiscretion.Thecandidateandmentorshouldworktogethertoselecthowmanyandwhichtopicstostudy.Themoreacandidatecanlearnbeforebecominganelderthebetter.Ideally,theseshouldcoordinatewiththerotations(seenextsection).Thereisalottochoosefrom!

ROTATIONS(PRACTICUMLEARNING)Introduction

Eldertrainingshouldalsoinvolvepracticums,thatis,practicalhands-onexperiencesinavarietyofministryareas.Universitieshavelongrecognizedthevalueofinterspersingacademicstudywithpracticalhands-onjobtraining.Medicalschools(intheU.S.)usuallygivemedstudentstwoyearsofclassroomandlabstudies,followedbyathirdyearof“rotations.”Theserotationsaredesignedtoputstudentsintosupervisedclinicalsituationstogainhands-onlearningandpracticeinapplyingtheirmedicallearningtoreal-lifecases.

Potentialeldersneedtodevelopexperienceinbasicshepherdingskills,likevisitingthesickandencouragingthedowntrodden.Theywillbenefitfromopportunitiestoparticipateinbaptisms,funerals,andpremaritalcounselingandmarriageceremonies.TheywillvaluetheskillsdevelopedinleadingsmallgroupBiblestudiesandfellowships,servinginthechildren’sministries,andplanningoutreach.Inaddition,potentialeldersshouldexperiencefirsthandtheinteractionsamongeldersduringelders’meetings,wheregodlymendealwithrealwhole-churchissues.

So,aspartofeldertraining,rotatingthroughvariousaspectsofelders’workandministryshouldbestandardprocedureinpreparingforspiritualleadership.Thefollowingisageneralguideforeldertraining“rotations.”

Devisingaplan

1. First,thementorshouldworkwiththecandidatetoplanouttherotations.Thementorwillnotprovideallthe“on-the-job”training,buthewillmakesurethebestministrymentorsareusedforthevariousrotations.Theseshouldfocusonareasofministrywherethecandidatehashadlittleornoexperiencesothathebecomesatleastfamiliarwithallareasofthechurch’sministry.

2. SeeAppendix9foraworksheetondevelopingacustomizedplanfortherotations.Feelfreetouseormodifyitasneeded.

3. Werecommendatleastsixrotations,eachlastingonemonth.Eachrotationshouldaddressoneofthemain

effectivenessareasoutlinedontheBiblicalEldershipwebsite(seeEffectivenessmenu)andprovideatleastfouropportunitiesforinvolvement.

4. Foreacharea,thementorshouldguidethepotentialelderinselectingoneortwotaskstoworkon.Thespecifics,suchassupervision,observation,andaccountability,needtobeagreeduponatthebeginning.Butherearesomeexamples:• Caringeffectivenessarea.Thepotentialeldershouldread/listentothe“Effectiveness/Caring”material

onlineandthenaccompanyanexperiencedelderinvisitingsomeoneinthehospitalorwhoisashut-in.Multiplevisitswouldberecommended.Duringthistime,thetwoshouldinteractonthematerialread,discusseachvisitaheadoftime,anddebriefaftereachvisit.

• Leadingeffectivenessarea.Thepotentialeldershouldhaveanopportunitytoleadasmallgroupdiscussion.Heshouldstudythematerialonlinedealingwithsmallgroupleading.

• Leading/communication.ThepotentialeldermayhavetheopportunitytogiveannouncementsonaSundaymorning.

Tobesure,somemenmayalreadybecompetentinsomeareas,sothereisnoneedtoberedundant.Theidea,though,istostretchthemintonewareas,toimprovetheirabilitiesandunderstandingofthevariousministriesofthechurch—allwiththegoalofhelpingthembecomeeffectiveoverseersofthechurch.

Qualityofrotations

Ultimately,thequalityofthistrainingdependsonthementors’experienceandthecandidates’determination.Attheveryleast,amentorshareshisownwealthofexperienceandprovidesfeedbackonthecandidate’sexperienceduringtherotation.Inessence,mentoringfollowsthisprogression:

• Thecandidatereadsorwatchestherelevantresource/materialfromtheBERwebsite.

• I(mentor)willdoit,you(mentee)willwatch,thenwewilldiscusswhatIdidandwhy.

• You(mentee)willdoit,I(mentor)willwatch,thenwewilldiscusswhatyoudidandhowyoucanimprove.

LEADERSHIP/TEMPERAMENT Therearemanynon-tangiblesthatplayintothecohesivenessofeldersworkingtogetherasateamofshepherds.Werecommendthecandidate(andtheexistingeldersiftheyhaven’talready)useofoneofthemanyexcellentleadershiporteamprofiletoolsavailableonline.DISCProfile13isonethatisparticularlyhelpful.Individualswilldiscovertheirpersonalityandleadershiptemperament,whichwillhelpthemunderstandandappreciateeachother’sdifferingleadershipstyles.Thiswillhelpelderslearntoworkeffectivelytogether.

CONGREGATIONAL FEEDBACK • Congregationalfeedbackandinputareimportant.Acertainlevelofcongregationalinvolvementisinferred

fromthestudyoftheyoungJerusalemchurch:

“Therefore,brethren,selectfromamongyousevenmenofgoodreputation,fulloftheSpiritandofwisdom,whomwemayputinchargeofthistask.”(Acts6:3)

• Whilethatsituationinvolvedthecharacterofthosewhosetaskwasmoresuitabletodeacon’swork,wisdomwouldsuggesttheastutenessofalsosolicitingfeedbackconcerningapotentialelder’scharacterandsuitabilityforbeingashepherd—fromthosehewouldshepherd.Thisisnotavote,butrathertheeldersbeingwisetohearhowothersinthecongregationperceivethecharacterandabilitiesofaman.Thecongregationwilleitherratifytheelders’senseofGod’sraisingupamantoeldershiporraiseseriousconcernsthatshouldcausethecurrentelderstotakepauseandinvestigate.

Wesuggestthatpriortoaskingforthecongregation’sfeedback,theeldersteach(orremind)thecongregationaboutthebiblicalqualificationsforelder.Then,theelderscoulddistributefeedbacksheetsforeveryonetofilloutforeachcandidate.Wehavepreparedasamplelettertothecongregation(Appendix10)andasamplefeedbackquestionnaire(Appendix11).Feelfreetouseormodifyasneeded,butweencouragesomekindofformalfeedbackprocess.Theseformsshouldbereturnedandbemadeavailabletoalltheeldersandtothecandidate.

DECISION AND AFFIRMATION

PRAYERANDFASTINGThecallingofthefirstmissionariessentoutfromthechurchatAntioch(BarnabasandSaul,alsocalledPaul)tookplaceinthecontextofprayerandfasting:

WhiletheywereministeringtotheLordandfasting,theHolySpiritsaid,“SetapartforMeBarnabasandSaulfortheworktowhichIhavecalledthem.”Then,whentheyhadfastedandprayedandlaidtheirhandsonthem,theysentthemaway.(Acts13:2–3)

Wefindthosesametwo,PaulandBarnabas,ontheirreturnfromtheirfirstmissiontourappointingeldersinthevariouscongregationstheyhadestablished:

Whentheyhadappointedeldersforthemineverychurch,havingprayedwithfasting,theycommendedthemtotheLordinwhomtheyhadbelieved.(Acts14:23)

Werecommendfollowingtheprecedentofthosefirstchurchplanters,thattheeldersofthechurchshouldprayandfastwhenmakingthefinaldeterminationofwhetheracandidateshouldjointhemasarecognizedelder.Throughprayer,theeldersseekGod’swillintheselection.Throughfasting,theeldersremindthemselvesthatitisGod’swillweseek,notourownlimitedandoft-biaseddesires.Theymustsacrificepersonaldesiresandperspectivesandsetasideselfishmotives.Recognizingneweldersismoreimportantthanmosteverythingelse,includingeating!

SPOUSE’SAFFIRMATIONWerecommendaninterviewwiththecandidate’swifetoaffirmthatshetoohascountedthecostofherhusband’sgivinghistimeandenergytobeinganelder.Hersacrificeinmanywayswillbeasgreatashis.Wemustbecarefulthataman’seffortsinshepherdingGod’speopledoesnotnegativelyimpacthisfirstresponsibility,thatis,toshepherdandleadhisownfamily.Awifeoftenhasabetterjudgmentofthisthanthehusband,soeldersarewisetoseekherfeedback.

UNANIMITYOFTHECURRENTELDERSWhilemanydecisionsbytheelderscanbecarriedbyasimplemajorityorconsensus,webelieveunanimity(allelderswholeheartedlyinagreement)isnecessaryforrecognizinganewelder.Ifevenoneelderdissentsthenitisunwisetogoahead.ConsiderScripture:“Cantwowalktogether,unlesstheyareagreed?”(Amos3:3NKJV).

Ontheotherhand,oneeldershouldnotbeallowedtoholdacomplete,unquestionedvetoovertheothers.Divisionoverrecognizinganeweldercreatesaserioussituationthatmustbeaddressedbeforeanewelderisrecognized.Nothingwillbemoredivisivethananeweldernothavingthefullconfidenceofeveryotherelder.Thiswillplaguetheelderteamwithdisharmony,dysfunction,anddiscordateveryturn,anditwillneutralizetheharmonyandgrowththeentirechurch.

Theexistingelders(presumingtheyarebiblicallyqualifiedandthereforespirituallymature)shouldbeabletoworkthroughtheconcerns,withoneofthefollowingresults:1)thedissentingelderisconvincedtorecognizethecandidate,2)thedissentingelderconvincestheothersnottorecognizethecandidateasanelder,or3)thedissentingelderstepsdownindeferencetotheothers.Wherethereisstrongcontention,theeldersshouldunanimouslycommittoatimeofprayerandfasting,seekingtheLord’sintervention.Formoreonhandlingdisagreementamongelders,seeDecisionMakingAmongElders14andHandlingConflict15ontheBERwebsite.

PUBLICCEREMONYIntheNewTestamentweseethepracticeofpublicrecognitionthroughlayingonofhandsinScripture:

Donotneglectthespiritualgiftwithinyou,whichwasbestowedonyouthroughpropheticutterancewiththelayingonofhandsbythepresbytery.(1Tim.4:14)

Donotlayhandsuponanyonetoohastilyandtherebyshareresponsibilityforthesinsofothers;keepyourselffreefromsin.(1Tim.5:22)

Thesymbolismcarriesarichsenseofsolidarityexpressedbetweenthosewholayhandsontheindividualandtheindividualhimself.Thereisadefinitive,publicidentificationthatcommunicatestothecongregationthatthewholeleadershipendorsestheindividualforhisministrytask.

Amostappropriatetimefordoingthisisduringthemainserviceofthechurch.Theeldersgotothefrontofthecongregationwiththecandidate(s),giveanexplanation,andthengatheraroundtophysicallyplacetheirhandsontheshoulders,back,orheadofthenewelder(s).Whiledoingthis,twoorthreeeldersprayovertheindividual(s),andthus“commend[them]toGodandtothewordofHisgrace”asPauldidwiththeEphesianelders(Acts20:32).

WRITTENDOCUMENTATIONBesuretodocumenttherecognitionofnewmentoeldership.Wesuggestthatalltheelderssignthisdocumenttoensurearecordthatallagreetorecognizetheindividualasanelder,beforeGodandoneanother.

CELEBRATERecognizinganewelderisamomentousoccasionthatcallsforacelebration—Godinhisloveandgoodprovisionhasgiventhechurchanewshepherdtojointheteamofeldersinthegreattaskofteaching,leading,protecting,andcaringforhispeople.

APPENDIX 1: PERSONAL TESTIMONY WORKSHEET

INTRODUCTIONTestimony(Webster’sDefinition):

“Adeclarationorstatement,writtenorverbal,madeforthepurposeofestablishingorprovingsomefact,especiallyonemadeunderoathbyawitnessincourt.”

GodtellsusinScripturetodothiswithourChristianfaith:

Youwillbehiswitnesstoallmenofwhatyouhaveseenandheard.(Acts22:15)

ButinyourheartssetapartChristasLord.Alwaysbepreparedtogiveananswertoeveryonewhoasksyoutogivethereasonforthehopethatyouhave.Butdothiswithgentlenessandrespect,keepingaclearconscience,sothatthosewhospeakmaliciouslyagainstyourgoodbehaviorinChristmaybeashamedoftheirslander.(1Peter3:15–16)

LetthemgivethankstotheLORDforHislovingkindness,andforHiswonderstothesonsofmen!LetthemextolHimalsointhecongregationofthepeople,andpraiseHimattheseatoftheelders.(Ps107:31–32).

Initssimplestform,aChristian’ssalvationtestimonyisthebrief,concisetestimonyofhowGodhascomeintoone’slife.TheapostlePaul’ssalvationexperienceisrecordedinActs9:1–22,andhesharedhistestimonyonatleasttwooccasions(Acts22:3–21,26:4–23).Ineachcase,threeaspectsofhislifeareclearlyoutlined:hislifebeforehecametofaithinChrist,howChristcametohim,andwhathislifewaslikeafterward.Followingtheapostle’sexample(see1Cor.4:16,11:1;Phil.3:17,4:9),wewouldsuggestcraftingone’stestimonyinthreeparts:before,how,andaftercomingtoChrist.

THREE-PARTTESTIMONY• YourlifebeforeyoucametoChrist

Confessaguilt,fear,fault,orproblemcommontoeveryone.Donottellmoredetailsofsinthanarenecessary.ThegoalisnottoexaltthesinfullifestylebuttoshowyourneedofChrist.Avoidwordsandexpressionsthatareoffensiveorinappropriate.Don’tembellishorinflatethestory,butbeaccurate.Wordyourtestimonytoavoidputtingothersinabadlight.Donotinjurethereputationofothers.Donotusenameswithoutpermission.

“…foritisdisgracefuleventospeakofthethingswhicharedonebytheminsecret.”Eph.5:12

• HowyoucametoChristHowdidyoubecomeawareofyourneedofChrist?Wasitaspeaker,somethingyouread,thetestimonyofaChristian?WhatwasyourinitialresponsetoGod’sSpirit?WhatspecificallydidyoudotoreceiveChrist?(John1:12)

• YourlifenowasaresultWhathaschanged?HowisyourlifedifferentthanbeforecomingtoChrist?ReporttheresultstothepraiseofGodandhisWord.GiveanexampleofhowyoufollowedGod’swisdomandways,orappliedabiblicalprinciple.Don’tdescribetheChristianlifeyouexperiencenowasa“rosegarden”withoutanytroubles.Talkabouthowyoudealnowwithstrugglesandtemptations.Don’tmakeyourselfouttobeperfectnow,butforgiven.MakesureChrististhe“hero”ofyourtestimony,notyou.

ALTERNATEForthosewhocametoChristearlyinchildhood,analternateformatmightcontainthesemainideas:

• HowIcametoanearlyfaithinChrist.• HowIcametohavingadeepercommitmenttoChrist.• HowfaithinChristhasaffectedmylifeasanadult.

SPIRITUALSUGGESTIONS• FocusonbringinggloryandattentiontowhatGodhasdonemorethanonwhatyouhavedone.• YourtestimonymustexaltChrist,notyourexperienceoremotion.

LetallwhoseekYourejoiceandbegladinYou;letthosewholoveYoursalvationsaycontinually,“TheLordbemagnified!”(Ps.40:16)

“Lethimwhoboasts,boastintheLord.”(1Cor.1:31)

PRACTICALSUGGESTIONS• Concentrateononesectionatatime.• Jotdowninitialideasanddevelopthemintoacompletedraft.• Itmaytakeyouseveralattemptstogetitthewayyouwantitandaccuratelyrecountwhathappened.• IncludeaverseofScriptureinyourtestimony—thismeansthatyouhavememorizeditaswell.• Avoidusingreligiousphrasesor“Christianese”:

- Ifyoumustusethem,makesuretodefinethem.- Challengeyourselftoexplaintheconceptsusingdifferentwords.- Youmayonlygetonechancetodothis,sothinkaheadoftimeabouthowtoclearlysayit.

• Keepitlessthanthreeminutes—practiceitandmemorizeit,andyouwillbemorelikelytouseit.• Don’trambleon,butbeclearhowyouwillfinishstrongly.• Spendtimechoosingwordsthatcommunicatetheclearestmessage.• Speakloudenoughtobeheard.Youmessagecanwillinfluencethelivesofothers.• IftheLordleadsyou,offerapersonalappealtothembyusingtheirnameandaskingthemaquestion

relatingtoyourstory:“Joe,haveyouconsideredChristinapersonalwaylikethis?”• Thebestwitnessesarerecountingfactsthattheyknowoffirsthand,i.e.eyewitnessaccount.

“Don’tfeelyourstoryiscolorlesscomparedtoPaul’soranyoneelse’s.Yourconversionisasmuchamiracleastheirs.Yourtestimonydoesn’thavetobeexciting…justinterestingandrealtoyouraudience.”(CBMCLifestyleEvangelismWorkbook)

TESTIMONYWORKSHEET16SummaryofmylifeBEFOREmakingJesusChristmypersonalLordandSavior(Acts26:4–11)

“…IlivedasaPharisee.”Acts26:5

HowIMETChristandRECEIVEDhim(Acts26:12–18)

“…IsawalightfromHeaven…”-Acts26:13

HowIamdifferentAFTERmyencounterwithChrist(Acts26:19–23)

“ButIhavehadGod’shelptothisveryday…”-Acts26:22

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APPENDIX 2: DOCTRINAL STATEMENT - SAMPLE

GODThereisoneGod,Creatorofallthings,infinitelyperfect,holy,eternallyexistentinthreeco-equalpersons:Father,Son,andHolySpirit.Forexample,Godisgracious,merciful,compassionate,andaboundinginsteadfastlove,andistherighteousJudgeofallpeople.[Gen.1:1;Deut.6:4;Ps.18:30;103:8;119:156;86:15;25:10;9:7-8;Is.6:3;Matt.28:19;John1:1-3;15:26;Eph.4:6;Col.1:16;2:19;1Tim.2:5;Heb.9:14]

JESUSCHRISTTheLordJesusChrististrulyGodandtrulyman,conceivedbytheHolySpirit,bornofthevirginMary,andsinlesslyperfect.Hediedsacrificiallyasoursubstitute,sufferingGod’spunishmentforoursin.HerosebodilyfromthedeadandascendedtohisFather’srighthand,wherehenowministersasourGreatHighPriest.[Luke1:26-35;Rom.5:19;1Cor.15:1-19;2Cor.5:21;Eph.1:20;1Tim.2:5-6,3:16;Heb.4:14-16;1Peter2:22,24;1John2:1,3:5]

HOLYSPIRITTheHolySpiritispersonalandfullyGod,possessingallthedistinctivelydivineattributes.Heconvictstheworldofsin,righteousness,andjudgment.

Atconversionhe:• baptizes(joins)thebelieverintothebodyofChrist• indwellshimpersonallyandpermanently• sealshim,guaranteeinghiseternalsecurity• setshimaparttoaholylife• enableshimtoliveagodlylife• endowshimwithspiritualabilities(i.e.,gifts)thatbenefitthechurch

[Rom.8:9-11;1Cor.12:6–13,28–31,6:19;Gal.5:15,22–23;Eph.1:13–14,2:20,4:30]

BIBLETheBible(Old&NewTestaments)isverballyinspiredbyGodandwithouterrorintheoriginaldocuments.Itisentirelyreliableandisthefinalauthorityinallmattersoffaithandpractice.ThegrandthemeofScripture(thewrittenWord)isGod’sgloryrevealedthroughJesusChrist(theLivingWord)[Luke24:27;John1:1,14,5:39;1Thess.2:13;2Tim.3:16–17;2Peter1:20–21]

MANKINDMankindwascreatedbyGodinhisimage,andassuch,hasthecapacityforfellowshipwithGod.Mankind,though,hasrebelledandissinfulbynatureandpractice.TheresultofthisconditionisseparationfromGodthatleavesmankinddeservingalosteternityinhell.[Gen.1:27;2:16–17,Ps.51:5;Is.53:6;59:2,Jer.17:9,Rom.3:23,5:12;Rev.20:15]

SALVATIONMankindneedstobesavedfromtheconsequenceofhissinandrestoredintoalivingrelationshipwithGod,whichisimpossibleforapersontoaccomplishbyworksorreligiousobservances.This,rather,isaccomplishedbythedeathandresurrectionofChristandisviewedasagiftofGodbygrace.Anypersonwho,infaith,acknowledgeshisorhersinfulconditionandtrustsinChrist’sfinishedworkis,atthemomentofconversion,forgivenandsavedfromtheconsequencesofsin,broughtintoanewrelationshipwithGod(eternallife),andmadesecureinthissalvationandrelationshipforever.

[John3:3,16,36;10:27–29;Rom.3:28,10:9,10,13;Eph.2:8–9;Tit.3:5;Heb.9:11–14;1Peter1:18–19]

THECHURCHTheuniversalchurchisnotanorganizationbutalivingorganismknownasthebodyofChrist.ItiscomposedofalltruebelieversinJesusChrist,regardlessofwheretheymeet.ThelocalchurchisagatheringofbelieversinalocalitywhomeetincorporatetestimonytotheLordshipofChristandtotheonenessofthebodyofChrist.Theygatherforfellowship,teachingofGod’sWord,worshipattheLord’sSupperandprayer.TheyalsoevangelizethosewhoareoutsideofChristwithaviewtomakingnewdisciples.Governmentanddisciplinearetheresponsibilityofthelocalchurch.[Matt.28:18–20,18:15–17;John4:23,17:21;Acts2:42;1Cor.5:1–6:4,11:23–26;Eph.1:22–23,4:11–16;Phil.1:1;Col.1:18]

TherearetwoveryparticularcommandsthatChristleftthechurchtopracticethroughouttheyears:• Baptismofbelieversbyimmersioninwaterasanoutwardpublictestimonyofaninwardconversion.

(Baptismisnotameansoforanaidtosalvation.)[Matt.28:19;Acts2:41,8;12,8:35–39;Rom.6:3–6;Col.2:12]

• TheLord’sSupperforbelievers,whichisaremembranceoftheLordinhisdeathforus.[Matt.26:26–29;Luke22:15-22;Acts2:42,46;20:7;1Cor.10:16–17,11:23–26]

SATANGodoriginallycreatedalargenumberofspiritualbeings(angels)forhisservice.Oneofthesebeings,Satan,ledmanyothers(nowcalleddemons)inrebellionagainstGod.Whiletheirultimatejudgmentandcondemnationiscertain,theycurrentlyseektohinderthepurposeofGodbyinfluencingbelieverstosin.TheindwellingHolySpirit,though,isgreaterthanSatanorhisdemonsandisabletohelpthebelieverresistsin.[Job1:6–2:10;Matt.4:1–11,25:41;2Cor.11:13–15;1John4:3–4;Rev.20:1-3,10;seealsoIs.14:3–23,Ezek.28:12–19]

APPENDIX 3: SUMMARY OF BIBLICAL ELDERSHIP WebelievetheBibleteachesthatateamofbiblicallyqualifiedeldersistoleadthelocalchurch—menwhoareequalinauthority,servingasunder-shepherdstotheChiefShepherd,JesusChrist.

[Note:ThisisabriefsummarystatementofwhattheBibleteachesaboutelders.Foranexpositionshowingthebiblicalbasisforthis,seethe"WhatIsBiblicalEldership?"17sectionoftheBERwebsite.]

PLURALITYGod’sWordspeaksofeldersinthepluralwhoshareintheoverallgovernanceofthechurch.

SHAREDELDERSHIPAlthougheldersmayfunctiondifferentlyaccordingtotheirgifting,allareneededtoprovideoverallresponsibilityandauthoritytoleadthechurch.

BIBLICALLYQUALIFIEDScripturelaysoutexplicitteachingonelderqualification(orcharacteristics)forthosewhoshepherdthelocalchurch.

MALELEADERSHIPEldersaretobemales,astaughtinScripture.Whilewomenmayserveinmanyrolesinthechurch,Godhasordainedthatmen,andnotwomen,aretoserveintheoverallgoverningandteachingroles.

THEOFFICE&WORKTheofficeofelderistobedistinguishedfromthespiritualgiftofpastororpastor-teacher(whichaneldermayormaynothave).Anywhoservewiththegiftofpastororpastor-teacherdosoundertheauthorityoftheelders.Further,theworkofelderistobedistinguishedalsofromtheworkofdeacon.

THEVOCATIONALELDERTheelderwhorules,teaches,orpreacheswellisworthyoffinancialsupport(i.e.“doublehonor,”see1Tim.5:17–18),sothathemayservethechurchmorefully.Suchanindividualservesundertheauthorityoftheeldersasawholeanddoesnotsupplantbutsupplementstheelders’pastoralministry.

TERMINOLOGYThebiblicaltermselder,overseer,bishop,andthecontemporarytermsshepherd-elderandpastor-elderallrefertothesameindividuals.

APPENDIX 4: ACCOUNTABILITY QUESTIONS Adaptedfrom“ManintheMirror”byPatrickMorley

INTRODUCTIONWhenmeetingwithyourmentororaccountabilitypartner,eachgivespermissiontotheothertoaskanyofthefollowingquestions.Inorderforthistobevaluable,bothindividualsmustbecommittedtohonesty,trust,andconfidentiality.Withoutthese,thereisnoaccountability.Butwiththem,thistimeofquestionscanbetremendouslyhelpfulinaperson’sdailylifeandgrowth.

Werecommendthatatthefirstaccountabilitymeetingyoubothverballycommittothefollowing:• Givingtheotherpersonpermissiontoaskanyofthequestionsbelow,withouttakingoffense.• Respondingwithhonestanswers,notduckingtheadmissionofyourfailuresorgivingsuperficialanswers.• Notlyingwhenyouanswer.• Askingkeyquestionsoftheotherperson—notbeingafraidtoaskthehardquestions.• Probingwhenyouhearanswersthatseeminadequateorevasive.• Beingwillingtoconfessyoursins,failures,anddeceptions.

QUESTIONSTOASKSelectfromthefollowinglistasubsetofquestionseachweektoasktheotherman.Obviouslyyouwillnotbeabletocoveralloftheseeachtime.Thegoaliscoverthemallovertime.Buttherewillbesomethatfocusinonspecificareasofstruggle.StartingOff:• HowhasGodblessedyouthisweek?(Whatwentright?)• Whatproblemconsumedyourthoughtsthisweek?(Whatwentwrong?)

Spiritual:• HaveyoureadGod’sWorddaily?(Howlong?Whynot?)• Describeyourprayers(foryourself,forothers,praise,confession,gratitude).• HowisyourrelationshipwithChristchanging?• Howhaveyoubeentemptedthisweek?Howdidyourespond?• Doyouhaveanyunconfessedsininyourlife?AreyouwalkingintheSpirit?• Didyouworshipinchurchthisweek?(WasyourfaithinJesusstrengthened?Washehonored?)• Haveyousharedyourfaith?Inwhatways?Howcanyouimprove?

HomeLife:• Howisitgoingwithyourwife?(Attitudes,time,irritations,disappointments,progress,herrelationshipwith

Christ)• Howisitgoingwiththekids?(Quantityandqualityoftime,valuesandbeliefs,education,spiritualwelfare)• Howareyourfinancesdoing?(Debts,sharing,saving,stewardship)

WorkLife:• Howarethingsgoingonthejob?(Careerprogress,relationships,temptations,workload,stress,problems)• Whatproblemconsumedyourthoughtsthisweek?(Whatwentwrong?)

CriticalConcerns:• DoyoufeelinthecenterofGod’swill?Doyousensehispeace?• Whatareyouwrestlingwithinyourthoughtlife?Isyourmoralandethicalbehaviorwhatitshouldbe?• Whathaveyoudoneforsomeoneelsethisweek?(Thepoor,encouragement,service)• Areyourprioritiesintherightorder?Howareyoudoinginyourpersonalhigh-riskarea?• Isthe“visible”youandthe“real”youconsistentinthisrelationship?

APPENDIX 5: READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

INTRODUCTIONWhynotmakethistheyearyoustarttoreadthroughtheBible?Youcandoit!Herearethebenefits:• GodpromisesablessingtothosewhoreadhisWord(Rev.1:3).• You’llgettoknowbettertheOnewhocreatedyouandlovesyou.• TheLordwillenjoymeetingwithyouasyoureadhisWord.• You’llstarttofitthebigpicturetogetherandseepatternsoftruthyouhaveneverknownbefore.• Yourmentalhealthwillimprove(accordingtoDr.PaulMeyer,psychologist).• ThedisciplineyouexerciseinreadingtheBibledailywilltransferoverintootherareasoflife.

“ButtheBibleissobig,”yousay.“Icouldjustneverdoit!”Well,notatonesitting,that’sforsure—butifyoudivideitupandreadaportioneachday,youwillbeamazedthatyoureallycandoit.

YourwordIhavetreasuredinmyheart,thatImaynotsinagainstYou.(Ps.119:9)

Yourwordisalamptomyfeetandalighttomypath(Ps.119:105)

APLANHereisaplanthatissimple,straightforward,andbalanced,andyoucansetthepacetofinishinoneortwoyears(ormore).YoureadfromthreedifferentsectionsoftheBibleeachday:

• OneselectionfromtheOldTestament

DividethetotalnumberofpagesinyourOTbythenumberofdaysinoneyearortwo(dependingonyourgoal).Thiswilltellyouroughlyhowmanypagestoreadeachday.IfyourOThas1,087pages,thatmeansyouwouldreadaboutthreepagesperdayinordertofinishinoneyear(youalwayswanttoroundup).Thisisapproximatebecauseyoushouldalwaysreadtothenearestchapterbreak.Youcanevenmissafewdaysnowandthen,andstillfinishinoneyear.

• OneselectionfromtheNewTestament

DividethenumberofpagesinyourNTbythenumberofdaysinoneyearortwo,todeterminehowmanypagestoreadeachday.

• OnechapterfromPsalmsorProverbs

StartwithPsalm1andgoallthewaythroughProverbs31.Whenyoufinish,gothroughthemagain.Thiswillmeanyouwillcoverthesebookstwiceinoneyear.YoumightwanttobreakPsalm119overafewdaysbecauseofitslength!

UNDERSTANDINGWHATYOUREADItisonethingtoreadasectionofScripture,butitisquiteanothertounderstandwhatyouread!Threemental“crowbars”canbehelpfulforuncoveringspiritualtruthfromaBiblepassage.TheseareintheformofthreequestionsyouaskyourselfwhenyoureadasectionofScripture:• WhatdoesitsayaboutGod?• Whatdoesitsayabouthumans(us)?• WhatdoesitsayabouttherelationshipbetweenhumansandGod?

Youmaynotgetanswerstoallthreequestions,buttheseshouldhelpyoudiscoversomethingnewfromGod’sWord.YouwillsoonbegintounderstandwhatPaulsaidtoTimothy:“AllScriptureisGod-breathedandisusefulforteaching,rebuking,correctingandtraininginrighteousness,sothatthemanofGodmaybethoroughlyequippedforeverygoodwork”(2Tim.3:16).

AFEWHELPFULHINTS:

• Pickthesametimetoreadeachdaywhenyouwillbealert.Forsomethebesttimeisthemorning,beforetheirmindiscloggedupwithotherthings.Forothers,theeveningisamorealerttime.

• Chooseaplacewhereyouwillnotbeeasilydistracted.• Don’tgethunguponthegenealogiesandlengthylists(especiallyintheOT).Feelfreetojustskimoverthem

ifyoulike.Thesamegoesforsectionswheredetailsbogyoudown.ThegoalistokeepmovingforthebroadsweepofScripture.

• Manydaysthereadingisinteresting.Butit’sOKifsometimesyou“don’tgetanythingoutofapassage.”Godmayusethetruthfromthatday’sreadingatanothertimeinyourlife.Thatday’sreadingmaybecomeclearinthenextday’sreadingorlater.Keepupasteadypace.

• Readfromamoderntranslationifpossible.EvenifyoumajoredinEnglishliterature,theoldKingJamesVersioncanbeahardtounderstandinpart.

• IfyouhavereadthroughtheBiblebefore,tryadifferentversionthistime.Differenttranslationsmayrevealthingsinanewwaythatmayrevealthingsyoumaynotcatchbecauseofpreviousfamiliarity.

• Don’tsweatitifyoumissadayoccasionally.Thisplanhassomecushioninit.Sowhenyoumiss,youdon’thavetodoubleupthenextday;justpickupwhereyouleftoff.(Ofcourseifyoudothattoofrequently,youwon’tfinishinoneyear!)

• Ifhelpful,findsomeonewhowillholdyouaccountable.• Youmightfindithelpfultotakeafewbriefnoteswhenyouread.Apencilorpencanbeamental“crowbar”

inforcingyoutothinkabitmoreconcretelyaboutwhatyouarereading—anditcanhelpkeepyouawake!• Youcouldevenbreakupyourreadingthroughtheday,ifyoulike:OTinthemorning,NTatlunch,and

Psalms/Proverbsintheevenings.• Ifyoudon’tquitemakeitbyyourtargetdate,that’sOK.Justkeepreadingatthesamepaceuntilyouare

finished.• Don’tforgettomarkdownonthebackpageofyourBiblethedateyoustart.Andthenwhenyoufinish,

markthatdatedownaswell(ta-da!)—thengooutandcelebrate!• EnjoyGodandhisWord.Whynotmakethistheyearyoufinallydoit?

MYPLANWhenwillIread:_______________________(timeofday)WherewillIread:______________________

HowmuchwillIreadeachday:_________(#pagesOT–dividenumberofpagesinyourOTby360)

_________(#pagesNT–dividenumberofpagesinyourNTby360)

_________(#chaptersfromPsalms/Proverbs)

ALTERNATEPLANFORREADINGTHROUGHTHEBIBLEINAYEAR:_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

APPENDIX 6: UNDERSTANDING ROMANS

INTRODUCTIONWehaveheardmensay,“Nooneeverpreparedmetobeanelder.”Onthetheologicalandbiblicalside,agoodplacetobeginpreparationiswiththebookofRomans.Ithasbeensaid,“IfyougetRomansright,yougettherestoftheBibleright.”RomansisthemostsystematicpresentationofthegospelinintheNewTestament.Ifamanistoinstructinsounddoctrineandrefutethefalseteachers(Titus1:9),hemustknowRomanswell.

TaketheinitiativeandfindsomeonewhocouldmentoryoudoctrinallyandpracticallyforshepherdingGod’speople.Don’tbepassive—beproactive.Youcanaskonepersonorseveralpeopletobeyourmentor.Onepersoncanmentoryoudoctrinally.Anothercanmentoryouinpastoralcare.Andanothercanmentoryouinhowtoteachandpreacheffectively.Haveamentorfordifferentaspectsofyourlife,likebeingagoodfatherandhusband.Youwillfindthatpeoplewillbeveryhappyifyouaskthemtoteachyoualltheyknowaboutasubjecttheyareveryfamiliarwith.

“Whatyouhaveheardfrommeinthepresenceofmanywitnessesentrusttofaithfulmenwhowillbeabletoteachothersalso.”(2Tim.2:2)

STEP1:READPrintouttheentirebookofRomansonregularpaper.• Punchthree-ringholesinthepages,andplacetheminathree-ringbinder.• Besuretohavemultiplecoloredhighlightersandpens.• Readandmeditatethroughtheentirebook.Getagoodfeelforit.• Highlightideasandversesthatgrabyourattention.• MarkupyournotesbyconnectingthoughtsandversesastheSpiritleadsyouinyourreading.• KeepthebinderalwaysonhandsothatyoucanreadRomansasoftenandasmanytimesaspossible.

IfyoupreferusingadigitalBible:• Useonethatallowsyoutohighlightandmakenotes.• Useonlyadevicethatgivesyouenoughnotespacetoworkwith(likeadesktoporlaptopcomputer).• Smartphonesaregenerallynotashelpfulforin-depthstudyoftheWordbecausetheydonotallowfor

extensivemarkupsandnotetaking.• UseagooddigitalBiblesoftwareapp.SomepopularoneswithgoodmarkupcapacityareLuminaBible18

Wordsearch19andLogos.20

PurposetoreadRomansdailyinitially.• Usedifferentcoloredhighlighters:redforfoundationaltheologicalterms;greenforemphasisonChrist;blue

forpromises.Useyellowforanyotherwordsorconceptsthatgrabyourattention.

STEP2:OUTLINEOutlinethebookasyouseeitonaseparatesheetofpaper.• Don'tusesomeoneelse'soutlineatthispoint.• Thinkofyourpreparationintermsofteachingthisbooktoanotherperson.• Theoutlineshouldfollowthebroadflowofthoughtoftheentirebook.Don’tfocusondetails.• Thepurposeofthisistounderstandthemainconceptsandtheirflow.• Forexample: Romans1:16–32–titleofthemainideaofthispassage Romans2:1–16–titleofthemainideaofthispassage• Grouppassagesintosections,givingatitletoeachsection.• Asyoustudy,youwillbeconstantlyrevisingtheoutlineasyoucometogreaterunderstandingofthebook.

STEP3:STUDY

Useagoodcommentaryandstudythebookagain.• Youmayusethestudynotesinagoodstudybible,likeMacArthur'sStudyBible.• Otherresourcesinclude:

Dr.ThomasConstable'sverysimpleNotesonRomans21.MartynLloyd-Jones'workonjustificationandatonement,Romans:AnExpositionofChapters3.20-4.25AtonementandJustification(RomansSeries)DouglasJ.Moo’sEncounteringtheBookofRomans:ATheologicalSurvey

• Studywithaccountability—havingamentororapeergroupisessentialtogoodlearning.Itwillsustainthedisciplineoflearningandwillpreventyoufrompickinguperrorsinyourlearning.

• Studywithdiscipline—haveaplan.Includeatimeline,scheduleandmilestones.

STEP4:TEACH• Teachthebooktoyourmentor,guide,leader,orelder,ortoeachother.• Explaintheoutlineandthoughtsonthepassagesundertheiroutlinepoints.

STEP5:DEFINITIONSDeterminegooddefinitionsofthebigtheologicalwordsofRomans.Forexample:

Righteousness Propitiation Forbearance SinTrespasses Justification Reconciled CondemnationBaptismofSpirit Sanctification Intercession ForeknowledgeofGodCallingofGod Predestination Glorified

Notes• Writeyourdefinitionsoutonaseparatepieceofpaper.• WayneGrudeminhisSystematicTheology:AnIntroductiontoBiblicalDoctrinehasanexcellentchartwhere

heprovidesdefinitionsforallthebigtheologicalterms.• YoucanalsoaccesstheCARMDictionaryofTheology(ChristianApologeticsandResearchMinistry22).

STEP6:APPLICATIONAftertheheavytheologyofRomans,spendtimeonthepracticalapplicationofthegospelinRomans12–16.

Answerquestionslike:• HowdoIapplythetruthsfromtheepistletotheRomanstomydailyliving?• WhatcanIteachmyfamily?MysmallgroupBiblestudy?Mycongregation?

APPENDIX 7: UNDERSTANDING HEBREWS

INTRODUCTIONBeingashepherd-elderofGod’speopleismorethanatheologicalororganizationalwork.ItalsoinvolvesleadingpeopletoagreaterknowledgeofanddevotiontoourLordJesus,whoistheheadofthechurch.Paulsummarizeditwell:“[W]earetogrowupinallaspectsintoHimwhoisthehead,evenChrist”(Eph.4:15).ThebookofHebrewslaysoutthethemeofanexaltedChristfromthebeginning:

[God]intheselastdayshasspokentousinHisSon,whomHeappointedheirofallthings,throughwhomalsoHemadetheworld.AndHeistheradianceofHisgloryandtheexactrepresentationofHisnature,andupholdsallthingsbythewordofHispower.(Heb.1:2–3a)

WhileweseeChristthroughouttheScripture,evenintheOldTestament,thebookofHebrewspointedlypresentshimexaltedandsuperiortoallelse.AndelderdoeswelltoknowthisletterashemustnotforgetthegoalofoureternallifeistoknowJesusChrist.

Thisiseternallife,thattheymayknowYou,theonlytrueGod,andJesusChristwhomYouhavesent.(John17:3)

STEP1:READPrintouttheentirebookofHebrewsonregularpaper.• Punchthree-ringholesinthepages,andplacetheminathree-ringbinder.• Besuretohavemultiplecoloredhighlightersandpens.• Readandmeditatethroughtheentirebook.Getagoodfeelforit.• Highlightideasandversesthatgrabyourattention.• MarkupyournotesbyconnectingthoughtsandversesastheSpiritleadsyouinyourreading.• KeepthebinderalwaysonhandsothatyoucanreadHebrewsasoftenandasmanytimesaspossible.

IfyoupreferusingadigitalBible:• Useonethatallowsyoutohighlightandmakenotes.• Useonlyadevicethatgivesyouenoughnotespacetoworkwith(likeadesktoporlaptopcomputer).• Smartphonesaregenerallynotashelpfulforin-depthstudyoftheWordbecausetheydonotallowfor

extensivemarkupsandnotetaking.• UseagooddigitalBiblesoftwareapp.SomepopularoneswithgoodmarkupcapacityareLuminaBible23

Wordsearch24andLogos.25

PurposetoreadHebrewsdailyinitially.• Usedifferentcoloredhighlighters:redforfoundationaltheologicalterms;greenforemphasisonChrist;blue

forpromises.Useyellowforanyotherwordsorconceptsthatgrabyourattention.

STEP2:OUTLINEOutlinethebookasyouseeitonaseparatesheetofpaper.• Don'tusesomeoneelse'soutlineatthispoint.• Thinkofyourpreparationintermsofteachingthisbooktoanotherperson.• Theoutlineshouldfollowthebroadflowofthoughtoftheentirebook.Don’tfocusondetails.• Thepurposeofthisistounderstandthemainconceptsandtheirflow.• Forexample: Hebrews1:1–3–titleofthemainideaofthispassage Hebrews1:4–14–titleofthemainideaofthispassage• Grouppassagesintosections,givingatitletoeachsection.• Asyoustudy,youwillbeconstantlyrevisingtheoutlineasyoucometogreaterunderstandingofthebook.

STEP3:STUDYUseasimplecommentaryandstudythebookagain.• YoumayusethestudynotesinMacArthur'sStudyBible.• SeeDr.ThomasConstable'sverysimpleNotesonHebrews.26

Notes• Studywithaccountability—havingamentororapeergroupisessentialtogoodlearning.Itwillsustainthe

disciplineoflearningandwillpreventyoufrompickinguperrorsinyourlearning.• Studywithdiscipline—haveaplan.Includetimeline,schedule,andmilestones.

STEP4:TEACH• Teachthebooktoyourmentor,guide,leader,orelder,ortoeachother.• Explaintotheoutlineandthoughtsonthepassagesundertheiroutlinepoints.

STEP5:DEFINITIONS• HavegoodunderstandingofthemajorthemesofHebrews.Forexample:

o SuperiorityofChristoverangels,Moses,Abraham,sacrificialsystem,priesthoodo Unique,one-time-onlysacrificeofChristo Believer’seternalsecurityo Warningpassages

STEP6:APPLICATIONAftertheheavytheologyofHebrews,spendsometimeonthepracticalapplicationofChrist’ssuperiorityovereverythingelse.

Answerquestionslike:• HowdoIapplythetruthsfromtheepistletotheHebrewstomydailyliving?• WhatcanIteachmyfamily?MysmallgroupBiblestudy?Mycongregation?

APPENDIX 8: BIBLICAL ELDERSHIP STUDY

INTRODUCTIONAlexanderStrauch’sBiblicalEldership(textbook)andBiblicalEldershipStudyGuide(workbook)willprovidetheprimaryapproachtothestudyofGod’sWordonthissubject.Eachparticipantshouldhavehisowncopy.Whiletheworkbookisgearedtowardone-on-onementoring,youcanalsoadaptittogroupstudy.

Thisisanintensivestudyandshouldnotberushed.ThesequentialorderofthestudywillfollowthetwelvechaptersoftheStudyGuide(whicharekeyedtospecificreadingsinthetextbook).Thiscanbedoneatapaceofonechapterperweek(anaggressivepace)oronechaptereveryotherweek(whichwilltakeonehalf-yeartocomplete).

Thestudycanbedoneinagroupsetting(withadesignatedfacilitator)oroneonone.Thementorordesignatedfacilitatorwillleadthediscussion,selectingwhichquestionsandissuestofocusthediscussionon.WesuggestthediscussionleaderusetheBiblicalEldershipMentor’sGuide,whichisidenticaltothestudyguidebutprovidesanswerstoallthequestionsaswellashelpfulideasfordiscussion.

Eachparticipantshouldhavehisowntextbookandworkbook.

MEETINGFORMAT• Ninetyminutesinlength

• Fifteenminutesofprayer

Wesuggestprayingonyourknees.Thisteachesthementheimportanceofhumbleprayer.Thelengthoftimedependsonthenumberofmeninvolved.

Prayforeachother,God’sworkineachother’sindividuallives,personalneeds,andconcernsofthechurch.

Inordertousethistimeeffectively,werecommendnotspendingmuchtimerequestingprayer(oratleastkeeprequeststoaminimum)—simplystartpraying.Theburdensforprayerwillsurfaceasthemenpray.

• Fiveminutesofmemoryversereview

Memorizingscripturenotonlybenefits“shepherds”whoneedtobe“apt”toteach,butalsosetsagoodpatternoflifeandanexampleforthecongregation.

• Sixty-fiveminutesofreview/interaction

EachmeetingwillinvolvediscussingonechapterintheBEworkbook.Thefacilitator’sroleistoguidethegroupthroughthequestionsandencourageinteractionasthegroupmemberssharetheiranswers,insights,andclarifications.Onemethodtoencourageparticipationistogoaroundthecircleandaskeachmaninturntoreadaquestionandgivetheanswerhehaswrittendown.Thenaskifanyonehasanythingtoaddtothefirstman’sanswer.Itisimportantthateachmangetusedtoverballyparticipating.Attimesthefacilitatormayneedtohelpthemennavigatedisagreements—thatisOK.Goodmensometimesdisagree,anditisgrowingexperienceformentolearnhowtodisagreewell,inagodlyway.

Thegroupwillprobablynothavetimetodiscusseveryquestionintheworkbook,sothefacilitatorneedstobeselective,givingattentiontothoseissuesforwhichthisgroupofmenrequiresextratimefordiscussion.

Finishwithafive-minutepreviewofthenextchapterintheworkbook.Thencloseinprayer.

HOMEWORKTheassignedreadinginthe“textbook”shouldbedonefirst.Thiscanbefoundatthebeginningofeachchapterinthestudyguide.(Thearrangementofthetextbookisdifferentfromthatofthestudyguide,soyourselectedreadingswillattimesbescatteredthroughoutthetextbook.)

Eachmanshouldcompletethequestionsinthestudyguidechapteronhisown,inwriting,beforethenextsession.Werecommendtheynotleavethistothenightbefore,butbeginearlyintheintervalbetweensessions.Thishasthefollowingbenefits:

• Byworkingonthematerialaheadoftime,theindividualsinthegroupwillhavehadadequatetimetoponderthequestionsdeeply.

• Apenorpencilisamarvelous“mentalcrowbar”thatforcespeopletothink!Itisanantidotetolazystudyhabits.

• Thedisciplineofwritingdowntheanswerswillencouragementosummarizeandcrystalizetheirthoughtsconcretely.Eldersneedtobeabletothinkthingsthroughandthentocommunicatetheirfindingsconcretely.Sothishomeworkisanexerciseindevelopingclearthinking.

• Timewillnotbewastedduringthemonthlymeetingswhilementryto“figureout”orremembertheiranswers.Theywillalreadyhavewrestledwiththeissues,andthewrittenanswerswillrefreshtheirmemories.

• Observing(evenatadistance)theirworkbooksduringthediscussiontimeswillhelpyoudeterminewhoistakingthistrainingseriously,bywhethertheyhavedonethework.

• Seeingothermen’sanswerswrittenoutwillencourageacamaraderieandsenseofaccountabilityforeachofthemen.

• Wecannotstressenoughtheimportanceofthehomework—thisiscoretothelearningprocess.

• Themeetingsserveasaccountabilityandframeworkforprogressingthroughthematerialandgiveopportunitytolearnfromoneanotherandfromthewisdomandexperienceofthefacilitators.Butthebulkofthelearningcomesfromtheindividual’spersonalwrestlingwiththematerial.

• Thispartoftheshepherdtrainingismostlycognitive.Godcanusethismaterial,however,asaspiritualtooltobringaboutnotonlymuchself-inspection,butalsoachallengetogodlymanhoodtowhichspiritually-mindedmenwillaspire.

Thefirstsession:

• Thefirstsessionisreallyapre-sessionanddoesnotcounttowardthetwelvesessions.Thiswillserveasanintroductiontothestudy.

• Beginwithprayerasdescribedabove.

• Thefacilitatorshouldaskaninitialquestion,like“Whatdoyouhopetogetoutofthisstudy?”

• Handoutthebooksandgiveanoverviewofthetopicsofthestudy.

• Gothroughthefirstpartofthelessoninthestudyguidetogether.Obviously,theparticipantswillnothavereadtheassignedpagesinthetextbook,butthepurposehereistosimplygetthemintothestudyitself.Readeachquestionandhavethemtakeamomenttowritetheiranswerinthestudyguide.Thendiscusstheiranswers.Doafewquestionssotheycangetthefeelforwhatisinvolvedandexpected.Emphasizethattheywritetheiranswers.Theywillcompletetherestofthelessonontheirownbeforethenextsession.

APPENDIX 9: ELDER TRAINING ROTATIONS Ministryarea Specificareas Tasks Mentor

PersonalLife

Leading

Teaching

Protecting

ElderRelationships

APPENDIX 10: CONGREGATIONAL FEEDBACK LETTER

Tothebodyofbelieversat[Churchname]:

Thankyoufortakingthetimetofilloutthisevaluationformfor___________________.YourfeedbackandinputinthisprocesswillbeimmeasurablyhelpfulasweseektorecognizetheLord’swillinconsideringhimasanelder.Hereareafewthingstokeepinmindaboutthisprocess:

• Thisprocessgivesthebodyachancetosupplyfeedbacktotheeldersafterhavingobservedthecandidateserveonaprovisionalbasis.

• Ifyoureturnahardcopy,pleaseplacetheformsinasealedenvelopemarked“Confidential”andgivethemtothechurchofficeoranelder.

• Anelectronicevaluationformwillbesenttothebody.Emailelectroniccopiesto____________________________.

• Theduedateisinthreeweeks—____________________.• Husbandsandwivesmaysubmitajointevaluation,thoughanevaluationfromeachisappreciated.• Pleasegivefrankandhonestfeedback.TheLordhasusedlovinglycandid(negative)feedbacktosharpen

amanandmakehimabetterleader.Pleasetrusttheprocess.• Thereisa“donotdisclosetothecandidate”optionattheendoftheevaluationform.Ifyouselectthat

option,youwillbeaskedtovisitwiththeelderstotalkaboutyourreservations.Thisisunusual,butithashappened.

• Besuretosigntheevaluation,asunsignedformsarenotconsidered.

Theeldersof__________________

APPENDIX 11: CONGREGATION FEEDBACK FORM

Congregationalmember’sname:_____________________Eldercandidate:____________________________

Thisformisanaidinevaluatingthecandidatefortheofficeofelderandshouldbeconsideredanopportunitytocommunicatewiththeeldersaswellasanopportunityforthepotentialelder’sgrowth.Innowayshouldthisformbeasubstituteforsharingconcernsyoumayhavewiththecandidatefacetoface,sincethesewillbecollected,read,andinturnpassedontohimforhisreview.InthespiritofMatthew18,Ephesians4:25,andotherpassages,webelievethathonestevaluationlovinglycommunicatedistheresponsibilityweallshareforandwitheachotherinthebodyofChrist.Seethe“SpiritualMaturity:BasedontheElders’Qualifications”workbookfordefinitions.

CHARACTERQUALIFICATIONS(Foreachcharacteristicbelow,indicatewhetheryoufeelthecandidateisqualified).1-Yesqualified,3-Don’tknow,5-Notqualified.Ifyougivearatingofa5,pleasestateyourreasonswhybelowortalkwithanelderaboutyourconcern.

Characteristic YourResponse

Desire

Spirit-Motivated

GodlyDesire

EagertoServe

NotReluctant

Integrity

AboveReproach

GoodReputation

Respectable

Devout

Upright

FaithfultotheWord

AbletoTeach

ExhortSoundDoctrine

RefuteError

Family

One-WomanMan

ChildrenBehaved

ManagesHousehold

Personal

LoverofGood

Prudent/Sensible

Self-Controlled

Temperate

NotaNewConvert

NotaDrunkard

NotGreedy

LoverofGood

Relational

Hospitable

Gentle

NotLording

NotQuarrelsome

NotQuick-Tempered

NotSelf-Willed

NotViolent

LEADERSHIPANDSHEPHERDINGABILITYListedbelowaresomeoftheprinciplesofbiblicalleadership.Circleyourratingbelow.

1-Superior Hasshownanoutstandinggiftinthisfunctionofleadership.

2-Aboveaverage Hasshownanabilitysomewhatorsometimesaboveaverageforthisareaofleadership.

3-Satisfactory Meetsthebiblicalstandardssetforthforservice.

4-Needsimprovement Needstogrowinthisareaofministry.

5-Unsatisfactory HisabilityinthisparticularaspectofleadershipissubstantiallybelowthatexpectedintheNewTestament.

Aratingof1or2meansthatthecandidatemeetstheScripturalstandardexpectedofanelder.Mostcandidateswillfallinthecategory2,whichindicatesthattheydohavequalificationstofunctionasanelder.Ifyourratingiseithera3,4,or5,pleasestateyourspecificreasoninthespaceprovidedbeloworontheback.Ifyoudonotfeelyouhaveenoughexperienceoforobservationofthecandidateforanygivencharacteristic,thenleavetheresponsespaceblank.

LEADERSHIPABILITIES

Leadershipbyservice:"...butlethimwhoisthegreatestamongyoubecomeastheyoungest,andtheleaderastheservant"(Luke22:26)

Wisdom:“…fullofwisdom"(Acts6:3)

Provenreliability:"...andletthesefirstbetested"(1Tim.3:10)

Administrativeability:"...whomwemayputinchargeofthistask"(Acts6:3)

SHEPHERDINGABILITIES

Knowingtheflock:Inordertofunctionasashepherd,hemustknowtheneeds,hopes,fears,ofthesheep(John10:14,Heb.13:17).

Abilitytobeknownbytheflock:Onemustbeknownbytheflockaswellasknowtheflock,ifheistoleadbyexample(John10:3,4,14;thepassagesinwhichPaulexhortshisreaderstofollowhisexample:1Cor.11:1,Phil.3:17,1Thess.1:6,etc.;Heb.13:7;1Peter5:3).

Abilitytoleadtheflock:Aneldermustbealeader(John10:3,4;Acts20:28;Heb.13:7;1Peter5:1ff).

Abilitytodisciplineandcorrect:Aneldershouldexhibittheabilitytodealwitherrorindoctrineorpractice(Acts15:2ff;20:28f;Titus1:9,10).

Abilitytocounselandgiveadvice:FromthelifeofPaulandbyinferencefromtheNewTestament,ashepherdshouldbeabletogivespiritualcounsel(Acts21:17ff).

AbilitytoteachtheScriptures:Thisdoesnotdemandthegiftofstimulatingcommunicationoftruth,buttheabilitytoturntotheScripturesanddealwithdoctrinalandpracticalconcerns,atleastonaone-to-onebasis(1Tim.3:2;5:17,Titus1:9).

Abilityanddesiretovisitthesick(James5:14)

YOUROBSERVATIONS

UsuallyapotentialleaderwillalreadybeservingthebodyofChristusinghisspiritualgift(s).

What,inyouropinion,is/arehisspiritualgift(s)?

Givespecificexamplesofministrythatyouhaveobserved.

Arethereotherfactorsofwhichyoufeelweshouldbeaware?

Itismosthelpfulifyouprovidethepersonalinsightscalledforonthispageaftercompletingthechecklists.Useextrapage,ifrequired.

OVERALLASSESSMENTOFTHECANDIDATEInlightofbiblicalprinciplesandmyobservationsofthecandidate’scharacterqualifications,leadershipabilities,andshepherdingabilities,Ibelievethathecouldserveasanelder.(Pleasecheckone.)

AbsolutelyConfident

Convinced

Neutral

Doubtful

StronglyOpposed

PLEASESIGNTHISFORM(UNSIGNEDEVALUATIONSWILLNOTBECONSIDERED).

Weinvitehusbandandwifetofilloutseparateforms.Iftheychoosetocompletetheevaluationtogether,boththehusbandandwifeshouldsigntheform.

I(we)prefertokeeptheaforesaidinformationconfidentialfromthecandidateandagreetodiscussmy(our)concernswiththeelders.

PRINTYOURNAMEHERE:______________________________

SIGNYOURNAMEHERE:_______________________________________________

(date)

Pleasereturnby__________________tothechurchofficeinanenvelopemarked“Confidential”

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ENDNOTES 1www.bible.org/seriespage/6-spiritual-gifts-1-corinthians-121-112www.elmertowns.com/?page_id=53www.biblicaleldership.com/bible-reading.Seealso,D.A.Carson“PrayingwithPaul”(BakerPublishing).4www.biblicaleldership.com/prayer-05www.biblicaleldership.com/protecting-false-teachers:///6www.biblicaleldership.com/call-study7www.biblicaleldership.com/passages-every-elder-must-know8www.blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/kevindeyoung/2014/05/15/100-bible-knowledge-questions9www.biblicaltraining.org10www.bible.org11Someofthismaterialwasusedearlierinthiseldertrainingprograminthesectionon“PersonalLifePreparation.”12www.BiblicalEldership.com/effectiveness13www.discprofile.com/what-is-disc/overview/14www.biblicaleldership.com/decision-making15www.biblicaleldership.com/handling-conflict-016TakenCBMCLifestyleEvangelismWookbook(www.cbmc.com)17www.biblicaleldership.com/what-biblical-eldership-018www.Lumina.Bible.org.ThisBibleappisfree,formerlyNetBible.org.

19www.WordSearchBible.com.Areasonablypricedappwithverygoodcapabilities.20www.Logos.com.Averyexpensivesoftwareapp,butwithvariouscomprehensivelibrariesofresources.21www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/romans.pdf22www.carm.org23www.Lumina.Bible.org.ThisBibleappisfree,formerlyNetBible.org.

24www.WordSearchBible.com.Areasonablypricedappwithverygoodcapabilities.25www.Logos.com.Averyexpensivesoftwareapp,butwithvariouscomprehensivelibrariesofresources.26www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/hebrews.pdf

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