The following are suggested answers to the Message Based Discussion Questions for the message presented on January 5 as part of the State of the Church – Part Two. The answers follow the outline for the message. The answers are designed to stimulate thinking, not replace it.

Why did God establish authority?

1)    God established authority in the Godhead    Eph. 3:8-16

2)    God established authority with man      Gen. 2:15-17

3)    God established authority in the church     1 Pet. 5:1-5

God’s authority gives you maximum freedom from disaster!

2 Tim. 3:1-7: How does God’s Word set us free?

4)    God established authority in His Word 2 Tim. 3:16-17

• 2 Tim. 3:14-17
• 2 Tim. 3:8-9
• People have rejected God and therefore His Word Rom. 1:18-21
  • Rom. 3:11 – no one seeks after God
  • Rom. 10:17 – man refuses to hear
  • 2 Pet. 3:5-6 – man willfully rejects
• What is the result of people rejecting God’s Word?
  • Ps. 11:3
• How does the downward spiral away from God’s
  Word continue? 2 Th. 2:15
• God’s Word must be communicated to the culture.
  • 2 Tim. 3:7

5)    God established authority in marriage      Eph. 5:22-28

6)    God established authority in the family    Eph. 6:1-4

7)    God established authority in the country Rom. 13:1-7

God’s authoritative Word gives you freedom

for living the Joy of His presence.

• Authority gives us tremendous freedom in God’s will.
• Abusive authority will always exist until we get to heaven.
• Discernment for submission is important, Jesus is the issue. It was unjust what Jesus went through in life. It was not fair that He was tortured, persecuted and crucified for sins. He could have spoken a word and prevented any pain in His humanity. He went through the pain for you. Heb. 12:2.

Message Based Discussion Questions

1)    What actions of those in authority do you appreciate the most?

• Those who lead as servant leaders with God’s authority.
• Those who listen to those under authority.
• Those who do not vacillate from one day to the next.
• Those who are steady, solid, stable and consistent.
• Those who build people up, rather than tear people down.
• Those who are kind in their actions while leading.
• Those who get the job done.

Digging Deeper:

2)    If mankind has a sin nature, is it possible for there to be a good authority in the human race? _Yes and no_ How is it possible? What kinds of Biblical principles must be true?

• It is possible only when leaders are filled with the Holy Spirit.
  • The strengths of a leader will be turned to weaknesses by the devil.
  • When controlled by the flesh, he will not be a good leader.
• True principles are many:
  • He must be filled with the Holy Spirit and knowledgeable of God’s Word.
  • He must be competent in the tasks before him and always learning new ways, or more efficient ways, of doing things.
  • He must be humble enough to admit mistakes and not grovel in his failure.
  • He must be objective about making decisions and not be driven by his emotions.
  • He must be knowledgeable of God’s Word.
  • He must demonstrate he has a relationship with Jesus Christ.
  • He must demonstrate he is a good shepherd, like Jesus.

3)    Who are some of those in authority in the state and country? _President, governors, mayors, police chiefs, etc._ Read Romans 13: 1-7. How do they have authority and for what is that authority to be used?

• Those in authority have authority because of God’s permission and direction (Rom. 13:1)
• Their authority is to accomplish the purpose of the “nation-state” (Rom. 13:2)
• They are to use the authority for good, not personal gain (Rom. 13:3).
• They are to use punishment to keep law-breakers in line (Rom. 13:4)
• They are to keep people in submission for the good of the country (Rom. 13:5)
• They are to collect taxes to maintain the state offices (Rom. 13:6)
• They are to be respected by the people, because they are in the position of God (Rom. 13:7)

4)    Read Revelation 13:1-12. To whom is given authority? __The Beast___ How does he use that authority? Has that kind of authority been seen in life?  How? When?

• He received the authority from the dragon (Satan) and he used it greatly and brought attention and power to himself (Rev. 13:2-3)
  • He seized worship rather than directing it to God (Rev. 13:4)
  • He spoke blasphemous things for 3.5 years (Rev. 13:5)
  • He fought against the saints (Rev. 13:7)
• We’ve seen leaders like Hitler, Mao Ze Dong, Stalin, Lenin and other dictators in history.

Making application from the Message:

5)    How would you identify someone with good authority?

• He would have the characteristics of 1 Timothy 3:1-13.
• He would mirror Jesus in his actions.
• He would be thinking Scripture and dependent on the Spirit.
• He has followers who are engaged and want to work.
• He is one who will listen to others, while leading.

6)    How can/should you learn to handle authority in a godly way?

• Begin working with others and watching how they respond.
• Begin teaching children and discipling other people to see how they respond.
• Ask for advice and evaluation on leadership.
• Begin co-leading a home group.
• Take classes or seminars on how Jesus led others.

7)    How would you disciple a person to learn how to handle authority well?

• They first have to know how to follow well.
• They must know how to willingly follow without grumbling in a variety of leadership opportunities.
• Help them begin by leading a simple six-week Bible study.
• Come along side them and see if they are open to constructive criticism and encouragement.
• If they are open to sharpening, then they may be humble enough to lead others.
• Find out why they want to lead. If they like to lead, they are not ready. If they want to help others grow, they might be.