The below are suggested answers to the Message Based Discussion Questions for the message presented on October 19, 2014 as a special series.

Isaiah 6:1-5; Job 2:9-10

How should you treat your church?

• There is one will that matters at Grace John 5:18-30
• There are some who will rise up to cause trouble Acts 20:18-30
• The godly will submit to God’s ordained leaders Heb. 13:7,17
  1. Heb. 13:7
  2. Heb. 13:17
  3. Five ways to get good elders:

  The godly will pursue holiness in the church Is. 6:1-5

  Treat your church in utmost humility with honor and respect for the Lord will lead you to the upward call as a church!

Message Based Discussion Questions

1) What were your impressions of religious leaders when you were a child?

• I saw them wearing black gowns and very “holy,” but I didn’t know them on a casual basis.
• It seemed they knew how to do the right things in life, but I was a young boy out of control.

Digging deeper:

2) Who were some of Israel’s early leaders? _Moses_ _David___Solomon What were their strengths and weaknesses? How did the people respond to them?

• Moses was very intelligent, good leader, humble before God, but he also lacked confidence, depended on himself, reacted to people. Most people followed him, but many were willing to be contrarian.
• David was a humble leader, willing to trust the Lord and not defy human authority. He did not humble himself to raise his sons in a godly way. Most humble people followed him.
• Solomon was humble to ask for wisdom and was blessed of God to have great capacity to rule the nation, but he became distracted from the Lord and jumped into idolatry. People followed him because he was heavy handed, but they did so out of fear, more than love.

3) Could it happen that people might rise up from within Grace to cause trouble? _yes   What goes on in the mind of a person like that? What are some of the results? What are different ways people can cause trouble in a church? How should that be handled?

• Many things like power lust, desire for attention and the imposition of their own will in order to control others.
• The results are they feed that desire for more and do greater harm to others.
• People can cause trouble by talking to others about problems “they” know about. Talking out in meetings to spread the information quickly, even if it is for prayer support. Leaving the church without reconciling differences. Creating groups of division in the church.
• That should be confronted in kindness and firmness. Listen in order to understand, but do not let the division to develop. People should be asked to leave if they will not humble themselves.

4) Does Scripture say that the congregation should “obey” the church leaders? __yes   What does that look like? What are the positive results that might happen if people did that? What are some of the negative results when people do not?

• It looks like people who listen to the messages and then discuss them with their family or home group for personal and corporate application.
• If people did that, they would grow spiritually to become spiritual parents and not stagnate as spiritual children. The church would multiply.
• What happens if church do not do that, they often stagnate personally and corporately. The people remain spiritual children and self-centered. People start fussing about personal issues and personal desires for worship styles.

Making application from the message to life:

5) What are five things that a parent can do in order to raise his children to become church leaders in the future?

• Lead by example at church and at home.
• Have family devotions to emphasize the Lord.
• Develop a good relationship with the child and hold accountable for learning about the Lord.
• Bring the child alongside while you do ministry in a fun way, but relaxed enough to let the child be a child.
• Give the child opportunities to practice what he is able to do, like pray at the dinner table.

6) What are principles in resolving conflict in church between people and between people and leaders? What Scripture references would you use to support your answer?

• If there is a conflict, make an effort to reconcile before worship.
• If there is a sin, rebuke the brother and if does not repent, bring one or two people for accountability and if he doesn’t repent, then bring it before the church board.
• If one sins against you, forgive and do what you can to be at peace, asking for forgiveness for the part you were responsible.
• Matt. 5:23-24; 18:15-17; 2 Cor. 7:9-11; Mark 11:25; Luke 17:1-4; Eph. 4:31-32.

7) How would you disciple a young believer to learn how to treat other people with respect in the church?

• Spend time with the person so he begins to trust you.
• Bring him along on work projects so he can learn the value of work and service.
• Model respect in front of others, then discuss the “what” and the “why” with the person afterwards.
• Give him opportunity to put the respect into practice.
• Provide him Scripture for respect for others John 5:19; Luke 23:34; John 13:34-35; Eph. 6:1-3; 1 Pet 2:13-19