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Listen - "Paul Giving Advice to the Ephesian Elders" as told by Avery Willis ( 5:28 ) Multiplying Spiritual Disciples and Leaders - Learners follow Jesus' model in multiplying disciples. Emerging leaders are equipped to multiply spiritual disciples and develop spiritual relationships that bear fruit for the Kingdom. The module is essential for developing servant leaders. (Seven CDs). Excerpt PRE-STORY DIALOG: And so first of all, I'd like to tell you a story about Paul. Here are some questions for you to be listening for during this story. How do spiritual leaders show their concern? Is it important that a spiritual leader model what he believes and practices and teaches? And who does the leader depend on to take care of the church? ACTS 20: In our last story we talked about Paul coming to Ephesus and the work that he began there and how that grew so mightily. Later Paul went to many other places and started churches and helped minister and train leaders and appointed elders in places where he had been. But he wanted to meet the leaders in the church at Ephesus one more time. He knew that he was going to Jerusalem where he might be killed. In fact, he expected that to be the possibility and so he wanted to give them last instructions and talk to them about what he had already done so they would remember that. So he asked for the elders of the church of Ephesus to meet him at Troy , really Miletus , and so they came to this place and Paul met them there. He gave them several things. One thing he did—he reminded them of his own life and how he had lived as a leader among them as an example for them to know how they ought to live. In fact he said, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the very first day that I came into the province of Asia , I served the Lord with deep humility and tears. Although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews when they tried to kill many of the Christians, you know I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you. But actually I've taught you in public places like the school of Tyrannus . Also, from house to house I taught everything that I thought you needed both to Jews and to Greeks and asking them to turn to God in repentance and have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now the reason I have called you together is because I feel compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem and I really don't know what's going to happen to me there. But I know that in every city I go to, the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. But I don't care. I consider my life is worth nothing to me, if I can finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me, and that's the task of testifying the gospel of God's grace to everyone. Now I know you're not ever going to see me again. So I'm going to declare to you that I am innocent of the blood of all men because I haven't hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Now let me give you some advice since I'm not going to see you again. Be careful about yourselves and watch out for the flock of God that the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers, or the elders, or the leaders of. Be shepherds of the church of God . Remember that that church was bought by the blood of Jesus Christ. I know later on that there are going to be wolves that come in and they're going to not spare the flock. In fact, there will be some men, some of you probably, who will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away their own disciples. So be on your guard and remember that for three years I never stopped warning you and teaching you day and night with tears the whole counsel of God. Now I'm going to commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among those who are saved. Remember, I didn't covet any of your money or your clothes. You know, actually I supplied all my own needs by my own work. In everything I did I showed you by this kind of hard work that we must help the weak. And remember, it's more blessed to give than to receive.” Now when Paul had finished giving them these instructions about how he had lived and how they were to live and guide and guard the people that they were given responsibility for, he knelt down with them on the shore and prayed. And they all embraced him and kissed him and wept. And what grieved them most was that Paul had said, “You'll never see me again.” And when the time was over they walked out to the ship with him and waved goodbye. Now that's the story. POST STORY DIALOG: Now in this story, Paul made a big point about the fact that they didn't have to take care of him while he was there. What did he say about his job or how he paid for his own way? Was he rather proud of the fact that he was a bi-vocational leader? This was a very, very emotional time. What was Paul emotional about? What are the evidences that Paul lived what he taught? What happens when someone does that which is right whether he says it or not? How should you model what you believe? Inquiries should be made to info@fjseries.org Additional information may be obtained online at http://FJseries.org or by writing: Mr. Mark Snowden |
