Elders: sheep protectors and wolf chasers
Pastor Wight, 10/15/06
Acts 20:28-32 (Amp): Act 20:28 Take care and be on guard for yourselves and the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you bishops and guardians, to shepherd (tend and feed and guide) the church of the Lord or of God which He obtained for Himself [buying it and saving it for Himself] with His own blood. Act 20:29 I know that after I am gone, ferocious wolves will get in among you, not sparing the flock; Act 20:30 Even from among your own selves men will come to the front who, by saying perverse (distorted and corrupt) things, will endeavor to draw away the disciples after them [to their own party]. Act 20:31 Therefore be always alert and on your guard, being mindful that for three years I never stopped night or day seriously to admonish and advise and exhort you one by one with tears. Act 20:32 And now [brethren], I commit you to God [I deposit you in His charge, entrusting you to His protection and care]. And I commend you to the Word of His grace [to the commands and counsels and promises of His unmerited favor]. It is able to build you up and to give you [your rightful] inheritance among all God's set-apart ones (those consecrated, purified, and transformed of soul).
(ESV) Act 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Act 20:29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; Act 20:30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Act 20:31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. Act 20:32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
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1.) According to this passage, how serious is the duty of elders/overseers to be responsible and not to be negligent in their duties over the Lord’s flock?
2.) According to verse 28 in this passage, we are first of all admonished to “take _______________ and be on _____________________ for ____________________ and
the __________________ ________________...”
?? What should the elders/overseers “pay careful attention to” in their lives? (Consider the areas of body, soul and spirit):
?? Do you think it is coincidence that the elder is to first of all pay attention to or be on guard regarding himself first? Why? What other scripture passages or principles come to mind that would affirm this admonishion?
?? Who “made” the elder/overseer for the position to watch over the Lord’s Church?
?? What was the price paid for His Church?
?? How important is the role of the elder/overseer in light of these truths?
?? How important do you think it is that the Body/fellowship honor and highly esteem the elders, and why?
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Act 20:29 “I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; “ .................................
3.) According to Acts 20:29, and reading the definitions of “grievous” and “wolf” above, what is the type and motivation of the people that will come into the church that Paul is warning about:
4.) Keeping in mind the urging of Paul to the overseers, according to verse 30, where will these people arise and what will they do?
** Read I John 2:18-29
?? What are some things that stand out to you in these verses?
5.) Acts 20:31 says “Therefore be always _____________ and on your _______________...”
?? What does it require to be alert or watchful, and on guard always?
?? What are the elders to be watching, alert, on guard for?
**Look up the following verses and jot down the meaning, personal application and any truth or principle that stands out to you:
MATTHEW 24:42
I CORINTHIANS 1:11-13
2 TIMOTHY 1:15
I TIMOTHY 1:20
MATTHEW 10:16
COLOSSIANS 4:17
I TIMOTHY 4:14
JOHN 21:15-17