Devotional Focus:
Read 1,2 & 3 John ( Taking turns chapter by chapter)
Prayer Time:
*Response to Scripture reading.
*Pray through membership list.
Elder’s Devotions 7
Devotional Focus:
Ephesians 3:14-21 *Paul’s prayer
*Identify conditions of faith
*These result in qualifying for God’s unlimited power working through us.
Prayer Time:
*Adoration from the Psalms
*Desire for God to work through us mightily.
*For His priorities to be accomplished through us.
*For His vision for us to be brought to reality.
*For – ( special person of the month )
Elder’s Devotions 6
Devotional Focus:
Take turns reading out loud Ezekiel 34
Diagnosing is part of the primary work of the physician. When he properly identifies the problem, most times he can prescribe the appropriate solution. Perhaps the most frightening scenario is a Dr. or a hospital that has poor diagnostic skills. It results in prescribing the wrong solution for the wrong problem and can be disastrous.
Counseling is similar. Experience allows the successful counselor to identify the problem and prescribe the correct solution. This skill comes from a combination of things: a working knowledge of the Bible, knowing people, listening, experience and being led by the Holy Spirit.
This context applies to elders as well. A primary focus that God has delegated to elders is being an overseer and a shepherd. God was upset with the shepherds in Ezekiel 34 because they failed to identify the needs of the flock thus failing to provide the much needed solutions. Some were simply hungry, but not fed, others broken and not bound up, others, sick but not healed and still others, under attack but not protected.
Being a spiritual leader demands of us to do the same thing that is required of the Dr. and the counselor. To identify problems and provide the appropriate solutions. We are also prepared for this by: a working knowledge of the Bible, knowing people, listening, experience and being led by the Holy Spirit. Diagnosing is one of the primary tasks of the elder.
As in all things, in Kingdom work, it starts with prayer.
Prayer Time:
*Adoration, Praise and worship.
*Calling on God to work through us mightily.
*Help us to identify the needs and challenges.
*Help us to have the faith and vision to see where He is leading.
*For any disgruntled church members.
*For our intern and his summer ministry.
Elder’s Devotions 5
Devotional Focus:
Take turns (chapter by chapter) reading out loud Psalms – 51,54 & 66:1-7
*Take ten minutes to write a personal Psalm To the Lord. Just a paragraph or two.
*Come back and share your Psalm with the group.
Prayer Time:
*We’ll get on our knees and have a round of prayer including the Psalm we have written to the Lord.
Elder’s Devotions 4
Devotional Focus:
A – Reading the book of Micah.
B – What is God saying to this church?
C – What is God saying to you?
Prayer time:
First round – Prayer in response to the reading of Micah.
Second round – Time of general praise.
Third round – Needs: ours as leaders, the churches, ministry needs.
Elder’s Devotions 3
Devotional Focus:
A – Vision, what is God is calling this Church to be?
B – Read the book of Ephesians.
C – What is God saying to you?
Prayer time:
First round – Prayer in response to Ephesians. Second round – Praise and Thanksgiving.
Third round – Needs: ours as leaders, the churches, ministry needs.
Think specifically about the purpose and direction of your church.
Lord help Us be the church You want us to be.
Elder’s Devotions 2
How teaching relates to the six titles of an Eder.
1. Elder or 2. Presbyter(Greek)
(Meaning older in the Word, because he must teach.)
3. Bishop or 4. Overseer
To observe and discover what needs to be taught.
5. Pastor or 6. Shepherd
To feed and protect the sheep by teaching.
Elder’s Devotons 1
What is the work of the elder?
Four consistent examples of the job description:
1. Ezekiel 34 What God says. – take care of – feed sheep
2. John 21:15-17 What Jesus says to Peter.- feed sheep
3. Acts 20:28 What Paul says to the elders. – feed church -(KJ)
4. I Peter 5:1,2 What Peter says to the elders. – feed sheep
What does it mean to “FEED”?
Jeremiah 3:15 – “And I will give you pastors after my own heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” (KJ)
FEED MEANS TEACH
6/11/07
I Samuel 7:2-15 is a wonderful text I title “Don’t Stop Calling Out to God” The people asked Samuel not to stop because they were threatened by a terrible enemy. Samuel was a man of faith, hope and definitely a man of prayer. He didn’t stop and what a blessing as God answered and gave miraculous victory.
The heart of a Church Encouragement Services Seminar is the “Revival of Prayer.” Three texts are emphasized. Proverbs 3:5,6 “acknowledge me in all of your ways and I will direct your paths. Jeremiah 33:3 “Call unto me and I will answer you. and James 4:2 “You have not because you ask not.
This application is especially to Seminar churches but also to all Churches, Don’t Stop Calling Out to God!
6/8/07
We will have a booth (412) and two workshops ( 8 AM July 4 & 5) at the North American Christian Convention Kansas City, Missouri July 3-6. At the down town International Convention Center.
At the conclusion of each of our workshops we will give each participant four things: (1) “The Tale of Two Churches” Mini- DVD (2) Full color notes of the session (3) A business card with blog site information & (4) A CES Intro Card.
Each workshop session will provide SUGAR – (14) church encouragement tips that you can take back home and put to use & SALT the introduction of (14) tips that are only available by hosting a CES Seminar.
Pray that this ministry will have an impact at the NACC and CES will be able to encourage more churches, preachers, elders and other church decision makers.
Together, seeking to bear much fruit for our Master, Larry
We welcome your comments.
