July 22 | Disciples Lead in the Church

Series | The Life of Discipleship

Scripture | Acts 14:23, “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”

Lesson 22 | Disciples Lead in the Church

After the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost they went everywhere and preached the Gospel with signs following, Mark 16:20.  As the people accepted the message they made them disciples by teaching them all that Jesus had commanded.  Even Paul, after his conversion encounter with Jesus was instantly compelled to preach and teach about Jesus, Acts 9:20. 

As a result of the disciple’s mass evangelism and explosive church growth they began to appoint leaders to govern the people.  The main leaders they appointed or set up over the preaching and teaching were called, “elders.”  The Greek word for elders, “presbuteros,” means, “older or experienced leader.”  Another word for the main leaders of the church was “overseer,” which comes from the Greek word, “episkopos,” and simply means “a leader with oversight.” 

These two words, “elders and overseers” were used interchangeable to describe the same position as seen in Titus 1:5 & 7, “5 Appoint elders (presbuteros).. 7 Since an overseer (episkopos) manages Gods household.”  Thus, the disciples that were the most experienced and trust worthy were appointed as leaders in the church after the Apostles left to oversee the work of God.

Paul went into great detail giving the qualifications and responsibilities of elders in his letter to Timothy.  However, something that sticks out to me is that before he gave his list of expectations he stated, “Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task,” 1 Timothy 3:1.  As a result, the position of elder/overseer is something every disciple can desire, “whoever.” 

Therefore, I would like to challenge you to read Paul’s requirements for being a leader and ask God to make you a leader in the church that others can follow!         

Reflection | Do you want to be a leader in the church?

Action | (1) Read Paul’s requirements in 1 Timothy 3:1-11. (2) Talk to the leaders in your church and ask how they appoint elders. (3) Lastly, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to make you the kind of disciple can that lead in the church.   

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10, Romans 7:14-8:8, Psalm 18:1-15, & Proverbs 19:24-25. Click here to read online.