Prepare: Psalm 119:25-28

My soul clings to the dust;
    give me life according to your word!
When I told of my ways, you answered me;
    teach me your statutes!
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
    and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
My soul melts away for sorrow;
    strengthen me according to your word!

Read

Titus 1:5-9 

Think

Last week Pastor Mike began this study of qualifications for elder in the local church, and Sunday morning he will complete it. Take a moment and list out these qualifications.

Pray

Pray through this list above with regard to Faith’s elders. Pray also for younger men in whom you see great potential as future elders of our flock. Ask God to help you live a life pleasing to him in every way, a life of humble contentment, wise choices, and faithfulness to Scripture. All this is possible only by grace, so ask God to supply all the grace needed and the fullness of his Holy Spirit to live this way. Humbly confess those areas where you have fallen short and thank God for the cross and the shed blood of Christ.

grow: new city catechism Q&A 1

Question 1
What is our only hope in life and death?

Answer: That we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ.

discuss: questions for faith groups

Discuss this: how do we balance the twin truths that God has called elders to a high standard of Christian living yet also we are all sinners who have fallen short of the glory of God? Could this set of standards be a form of legalism? Or is this list a picture of Christlikeness to be pursued by grace through faith in Christ? How does this profile encourage and challenge you in your own walk with Jesus?

Sing

Elders are called to "shepherd the flock of God" (1 Peter 5:2), but do so under the authority of Jesus, the Chief Shepherd. As you consider this, sing along with the words to the hymn Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us.