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21 Days Fast & Pray : Day 8 - The Diocese, Bishop and Clergies

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21 Days Fast & Pray : Day 8 - The Diocese, Bishop and Clergies

A. Devotion - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

The child of God needs the church family if he is to grow, develop his gifts and to serve God. The church is a family, each member born by the spirit of God and possesses God's nature (1 Peter 1:22-25). God has ordained leadership for the church - just as the flock needs a shepherd so the family needs a leader (1 Peter 5:1-5). Christ as Head of church has given gifts to people and given these people to church to exercise His will (Eph 4:7-16)

What responsibilities have the believers towards their spiritual leaders?

Accept them. As they follow the Lord, we must follow them and we should accept them in the Lord.

Appreciate them. Know then who labour among you (1 Thess 5:12). Spiritual leadership is a given responsibility and a difficult task for which church family should not take leaders for granted but pray for them, work with them and encourage them. The burdens are many but the encouragements are few.

Love them. For a pastor to be among and over is in the Lord demands grace and power of the Spirit.

Obey them. Obey them that have authority over you and submit yourself (Heb 13:17). In spite of their limitations, God's spiritual leaders should be respected and obeyed as they plan, pray and seek to follow God's will. We may be sure God will rule and overrule in the decisions they make. Be at peace among yourselves (1 Thess 5:13). The result of church family following the spiritual leaders, will be peace and harmony in the church. It is only as we submit to one another in the Lord that we can enjoy His blessings and peace ( James 4:1-3, 7-8).

B. Application / Self-reflection

  1. What are the essentials for a happy, thriving church family?
  2. How can we makeover local churches more spiritual to the glory of God?

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