Kootenai Church Sunday School

Dave Rich delves into the duties of church members toward elders, focusing on the specific duty of submission. He also discusses the role of deacons, explaining that they are servants or ministers, not necessarily leaders. Rich examines the qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3 and 1 Peter 5, highlighting the importance of male leadership. He argues that the biblical pattern for church leadership includes a group of elders who rule and a group of deacons who serve. Rich concludes by emphasizing the importance of following the biblical pattern for church government, including the role of elders and deacons, rather than creating new titles or roles that are not explicitly commanded in Scripture. He also provides a list of titles that include the word 'pastor' and suggests that these should be carefully considered in terms of biblical qualifications and roles.

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Dave Rich discusses the duties of elders within the Kootenai Community Church. He emphasizes the importance of protecting the church from false teaching and sin, teaching, leading, and caring for the flock. He outlines the responsibilities of church members towards their elders, including development and support, assessment and reassessment, honor and support, protection, reproof and discipline, and submission. Rich highlights the biblical qualifications for elders and the need for elders to be tested and supported within the congregation. He also stresses the importance of protecting elders from false accusations and dealing with sinning elders through public rebuke and removal. The session concludes with a call for church members to fulfill their duties and responsibilities towards their elders, emphasizing the need for submission and encouragement.

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Dave Rich continues his series on Christian ethics, focusing on the qualifications of elders in the local church. He discusses the qualifications of not being addicted to wine, not being pugnacious, being considerate and gentle, leading a household well, having a good reputation, being righteous, being holy, and being self-controlled. Rich emphasizes that these qualifications are not just suggestions but necessary for elders. He also mentions that some qualifications, like being a new convert, are not ethical obligations but qualifications. The lesson concludes with a reminder that these qualifications are necessary for elders and that if a man is not qualified, it is important to speak up. The session ends with a prayer, thanking God for his word and protecting his body, and asking for honor on Lord's Day in worship and in all who claim his name.

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In the fifth lesson of the Christian ethics series, Dave Rich discussed the biblical qualifications for elders in the local church, emphasizing the importance of a plurality of elders. He reviewed two passages, 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, which provide lists of qualifications for elders. Rich highlighted that elders must be above reproach, have a good reputation, be a one-woman man, be temperate, sensible, hospitable, and able to teach. He also explained that these qualifications serve as virtues for all Christians, not just elders, and are essential for maintaining the credibility and effectiveness of the church. The lesson concluded with a prayer for the church to uphold these qualifications and be vigilant in their selection of leaders.

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Michael Anderson tackles one of the more uncomfortable passages in Paul's letters this week, walking through 1 Timothy 6:1 and 2 on the behavior expected of believing slaves. He opens by explaining why he deliberately read the ESV's softened word bondservant instead of the Greek doulos, slave, and why understanding that word matters before applying the passage today.
Anderson lays out the historical picture first: slavery in the Roman world looked very different from American chattel slavery, and even Mosaic law regulated rather than forbade the practice. From there he explains why Paul addresses slaves directly in this letter without also addressing masters, tying it to Paul's concern that the gospel's message of equality before God not be twisted into a demand for social revolution.
The heart of the message applies these instructions to modern employment. Anderson identifies two ways a bad attitude toward employers can cause the gospel to be reviled, from the influence of Marxist thought on modern liberation theology to the simple, practical witness of how a Christian actually works. He then unpacks five specific behaviors from Colossians 3 and Ephesians 6 through which believers adorn the gospel through their work, and closes by examining the added responsibility of serving a believing employer well.
Anyone who has ever wondered how to think biblically about their job will find real, practical direction here.

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