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CONTINUING STUDY IDEAS FOR ELDERS
AND DEACONS |
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The ideas on this page provide
continuing education suggestions for elders and deacons during
their terms of service. Copy and distribute these suggestions
along with meeting materials. Consider setting aside time during
each meeting for study as a group. These ideas can also be used
as a self-guided study for elders and deacons. |
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Book
of Order Review Preliminary Principles—The Head of the
Church |
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Purpose:
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To review
the first of the preliminary principles of the Presbyterian Church. |
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Time: |
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30 minutes |
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Intro: |
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The preliminary
principles of the Presbyterian Church are contained in the first
four chapters of the Form of Government in the Book of Order.
The rest of the Book of Order can be said to be a commentary on
these first four chapters. |
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Consider:
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Think about the word authority.
- What does it mean?
- How is authority generally established?
- How is authority received? How is authority given?
- Name some of the people who have authority in your life.
- Name some of the things that have authority in your life.
- Are there verses in the Bible that talk about authority?
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Read: |
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Read
G-1.0100 in the Book of Order. Note the subparagraphs a
through d. If you have a copy you can write in, underline words
or phrases that have meaning for you. Otherwise, write words on
a separate piece of paper. |
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Reflect: |
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If you
are studying in a group or with another person, discuss the words
that you noted and why they were noteworthy. If alone, review
the words that you noted and consider their significance. |
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Consider: |
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How is
authority established in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)?
- What kind of authority does the church have, and how does
it receive that authority?
- How does this passage help you understand your “authority”
as either an elder or deacon?
- How do you think being “bound to Christ’s authority”
frees you to lead in the “lively, joyous reality of the
grace of God”?
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Respond: |
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Use the
following situation to compose a response:
You are in a conversation with some friends. They know that
you are an elder or deacon in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
During the conversation the following statements are made:
“Your church has elders as head of the church, doesn’t
it? In our church the bishop is the head.”
In twenty-five words or less, write the response you would
give.
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The
Book of Confessions Study—The Good Uses of God’s
Law |
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Purpose: |
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To explore
how God’s law can stir us to live out our faith more faithfully. |
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Time: |
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30 minutes |
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Read: |
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Read the following passages aloud, noting words and phrases
that seem most important to you:
Larger Catechism, 7.207–7.209
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Note: |
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The word
regenerate refers to those who have been given faith in Christ.
God’s law, summarized in the Ten Commandments, offers believers
guidance for how to live their lives in thankfulness to God. They
follow the law because they want to honor God for all that God
has done for them, rather than because they have to. |
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Read: |
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Continue
reading these additional passages in silence, making notes of
what seems most worthwhile:
Larger Catechism, 7.213–7.215 |
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Note: |
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There
is a general pattern that appears: a statement of each commandment
and an explanation of what the commandment requires and what it
forbids. In other words, the Larger Catechism sees each commandment
as implying both what we should do and what we should not do to
honor God. Those commandments that ask us to do something (such
as the Fourth Commandment) also have a negative side (what we
should not do). Those commandments that ask us not to do something
(such as the Sixth through the Tenth Commandments) also have a
positive side (what we should do). |
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Consider: |
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How does
the Larger Catechism’s treatment of the Ten Commandments
help you understand and respond to God’s law in new ways?
How can God’s law be an encouragement to us rather than a
burden? |
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Conclude: |
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Close
with a prayer of thanks to God for the many ways that God instructs
God’s people. |
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Additional
reading: |
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Read
the historical introduction to the Larger Catechism in the Book
of Confessions. |
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(Both studies are adapted from Called to Serve: A Workbook
for Training Nominating Committees and Church Officers)
The following items were featured in this article and can
be ordered from Presbyterian
Distribution Service or by calling (800) 524-2612:
• The Book of Order and the Book of Confessions
are available in English, Spanish, and Korean and in a variety
of formats including study, electronic, large print, and Braille.
• Called to Serve: A Workbook for Training Nominating
Committees and Church Officers, #95525.
Watch for continuing study ideas for elders
and deacons in each issue of Ideas! magazine. The author, Carl
E. Horton, is Coordinator for Church Leader Support. He
can be reached at (888) 728-7228, ext. 5453, or
send
him an e-mail.
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