In our last post, we noticed how shepherds led by providing a living example. What is equally clear is that they could not wield their influence without being “among the sheep.” One cannot be a leader until he has followers and he cannot have followers until such a close companionship of shepherd/sheep is developed. The…
We will see that the description of the men God gave the ekklesia in Ephesians 4:11 overlap each other. For example, the role of apostles, shepherds, and teachers share not only the responsibility to teach, but they were also qualified to lead by example. While their primary role is that of teaching, we assume that…
In the past years, I used to come down hard on the shepherds of God’s flock who have become careless, undisciplined, and negligent. I would compare many to Isaiah’s description of blind watchmen, who know nothing or like “dumb dogs unable to bark, dreamers lying down, who love to slumber” (cf. Isaiah 56:9). But, then…
The shepherds also watch for false teachers and any of Satan’s devices whereby sheep are led away from God. They “watch for your souls” (Heb. 13:17). Just as a physical shepherd protects against wolves, these shepherds protected against wolves in sheep’s clothing. How do you suppose he protects against wolves? To answer this we must…
Regarding their role as “rulers”, they “rule” by teaching and setting themselves forth as an example. Taken in the negative, anyone who does not labor in word and teaching does not rule well. Paul is commending and recognizing real excellence among elders who rule well as opposed to those who merely do the least amount…
1 Timothy 5:17 reads, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” The word translated “especially” (malista) is the superlative of a word translated “very much” (mala). The word, malista may also be translated “most of all” or “particularly.” In modern Greek, it…
The thought expressed in the phrase “apt to teach” suggests that the shepherd is to be skilled in teaching. According to Meyers, he is “one who possesses everything that fits him for teaching, including also the inclination or the willingness.” [1] While being “apt to teach” does not prevent others from teaching, it certainly includes…
We can learn from the little information given in the Bible concerning the method of teaching. Teaching was done through direct guidance of the Holy Spirit either through Apostles and prophets or spiritual gifts. In the context of spiritual gifts, instructions were given to Corinth about speaking in their gatherings (1 Cor. 14). If anyone…
Today, one’s view of the Holy Spirit’s work will greatly influence one’s thinking about evangelism, especially as it relates to the purpose and method of preaching. If we espouse the view that the Holy Spirit continues this work, then the work of evangelists must be explained as the intervention of the Holy Spirit in the…
private)Paul’s charge to Timothy in preaching the word was to be ready to convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching (2 Tim. 4:2). Paul is not speaking of congregational oversight for the evangelist any more than he does for the elders. God did not put me in charge of a congregation or a particular…