The following is the insert for the message presented on June 16, 2013. It contains suggested answers to the Message Based Discussion Questions. The answers are designed to stimulate thought and discussion, not as the final answers.
Mirror God’s Character to Lead People: Enough is Enough II
Malachi 2:1-9
Ezekiel 34:1-7
What are God’s requirements for spiritual leadership?
1) Serve glory to God’s name 2:1-2
· 1 Peter 2:9; Malachi 1:8, 13; Galatians 1:10
· 1 Sam. 4:21; Matt. 6:33
2) Stand in God’s covenant of truth 2:3-4
· Ex. 29:14
· Num. 25:12-13
3) Submit to God’s covenant of life and peace 2:5-7
What will be true of leaders?
______________ of God 2:5
______________to instruct truth 2:6
______________in judgment for others 2:6
______________devotion to the Lord 2:6
Restored many to the Lord 2:6
Preserved the truth 2:7
______________by the people 2:7
4) Sanctify your life to disciple others 2:8-9
How had the priests not prepared?
____________from God’s ways 2:8
____________many astray 2:8
Unfaithful in commitment 2:8
Contemptible in reputation 2:9
____________ in duties 2:9
Partial in judgment 2:9
God’s leaders must mirror God’s character
and lead people in truth to the Lord!
· Remove leaders who become complacent regarding God’s character and actions.
· Choose leaders whose character mirrors God’s character.
· Develop leaders who are pursuing God’s character and actions.
Message Based Discussion Questions
1) When you were growing up, what was your view of pastors, priests or spiritual leaders?
Digging Deeper:
2) Read. Deuteronomy 28:1-14. What did God want to do if Israel obeyed the Lord? _______________ What if they did not obey the Lord (cf. Deut. 28:15-21)? What areas of life are covered? Did they have a choice?
3) How important is the concept of blessing to God (cf. Num. 6:22-27)? ________________ Why does a people not receive that?
4) Note 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-5. Are the characteristics required of spiritual leaders only applicable to those in a leadership position? ______________ Why or why not?
Making application of the message to life:
5) How should followers relate to spiritual leaders (cf. Heb. 13:7,17)?
6) How can you hold spiritual leaders accountable, while being respectful and helpful?
7) What are seven things you can do to multiply together to prepare the next generation to lead others to Christ?
Message Based Discussion Questions
1) When you were growing up, what was your view of pastors, priests or spiritual leaders?
a) The pastors were holy men, much more than regular people.
b) They were quiet and knowledgeable about God.
c) They didn’t get angry, and they appeared to be weak (I was wrong on that perception).
d) It seemed like they laughed, but didn’t have much fun. I didn’t realize what fun was as a boy.
Digging Deeper:
2) Read. Deuteronomy 28:1-14. What did God want to do if Israel obeyed the Lord? __bless_ What if they did not obey the Lord (cf. Deut. 28:15-21)? What areas of life are covered? Did they have a choice?
a) If they did not obey, then they were cursed. The blessings were reversed in disobedience.
b) Every area of life was covered.
i) They were cursed in the city and in the country.
ii) They were cursed in the economics and food system.
iii) They were cursed in their children and their agriculture.
iv) They were cursed in their animal husbandry and production.
v) They were cursed going in and going out.
c) They had a choice. Obey the Word or not obey it.
3) How important is the concept of blessing to God (cf. Num. 6:22-27)? __Very important__ Why does a people not receive that?
a) God told the priests to do it every time they met.
b) A people do not receive it because they do not want it, or the leadership is negligent, or the leadership is ignorant.
4) Note 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-5. Are the characteristics required of spiritual leaders only applicable to those in a leadership position? _They must be a part of the leadership, but standards for all people to follow_ Why or why not?
a) Everyone is growing in the Lord.
b) These are required of leadership, because these qualities are necessary for ruling over the church and leading the church.
c) Other people, who do not have these characteristics, can be in the church, but they may not be in leadership.
d) As people grow spiritually, they will grow in these areas of life.
Making application of the message to life:
5) How should followers relate to spiritual leaders (cf. Heb. 13:7,17)?
a) They should observe the leaders and follow their faith and lifestyle. If the lifestyle or faith do not align with God’s Word, then they should be held accountable by the Word.
b) They should submit to the spiritual leadership as overseers.
c) The leadership must give an account of their influence and impact on the people.
d) The people should submit so the leadership can serve with joy.
e) Leadership that serves from drudgery brings no profit to the people.
6) How can you hold spiritual leaders accountable, while being respectful and helpful?
a) Listen well and ask questions to understand if something does not set well.
b) Pray about it first then approach with confidence.
c) Pull aside and rebuke in private.
d) Follow Matthew 18:15-17 if necessary.
e) Honor the Lord higher than man – any man.
7) What are seven things you can do to multiply together to prepare the next generation to lead others to Christ?
a) Pray for young men to be raised up to manliness and godliness.
b) Hide the Word deeply in your heart so that you are ready at all times to give a word of hope to those who will listen.
c) Depend on the filling and empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit.
d) Get involved in the children’s ministry or youth ministry to build into the lives of young men.
e) Disciple young men so they learn how to be disciplers of others.
f) Participate in their activities, so they will entrust themselves to you.
g) Support your local church, so young men have a place to go to grow spiritually.
h) Disciple parents of young men so they can provide good training to their sons.
Shepherding Truth 