Our Shepherd Is Charged with Guarding our Inheritance for Us

Sermon Outline:

1. Submit to Christ's plan for your endurance in the salvation purchased by Christ's blood
2. Elders cannot escape the burden laid upon them by Christ so make it joyful
3. A church is not permitted to support elders whom Christ would not

Family Discussion Questions:

Younger and Older:

1. Why is Jesus described as the church's Good Shepherd?
2. How are elders and pastors supposed to be a living parable of how Christ over shepherds the church?
3. What kind of men are we forbidden from treating as Christian leaders?
4. Why is it an honour to you that Jesus would demand some men keep watch over your soul?

Deeper Discussion:

1. How does the relationship between responsibility and authority help us understand the Gospel?
2. How does a rejection of the need of the office of elder show a misunderstanding about the value of the Gospel itself?
3. How might the qualifications of elder be shaped by a right understanding of how a person is converted, transformed, and perseveres? Discuss how various other views of those elements of salvation would affect our view of the role and qualification of an elder?
4. Consider the phrase your leaders in verse 17.  Why is it beneficial that God's design for the church identifies who one's leaders are?