Key Thought: Organization is essential to the mission and unity of the church. Leaders foster unity through serving humbly, upholding truth, disciplining redemptively, and organizing for mission.
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December 22, 2018

1. Have a volunteer read 2 Timothy 2:14; Titus 1:9.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What tasks are the responsibility of an elder and church leader?
3. Personal Application: What are some practical ways we can help the church leaders maintain unity in the church? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “What do you do when one of your church leaders humanity keeps them from being good examples in the church? Do you work together to help them, remove them and get new leaders, or just ignore the problem?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Matthew 18:15-20.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What principles did Jesus give regarding discipline and admonishing those at fault?
3. Personal Application: In dealing with those who err, how do we learn to have an attitude of redemption rather than of punishment? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “I was put on sanctions by the church when I got pregnant outside of marriage. I had a lot of bad feelings for the church because of this. I was out of the church for several years by choice before coming back. I didn’t like their attitude that I had done something wrong.” How would you reply to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Matthew 28:18-20.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What are the keywords you see in Jesus’ commission to the church?
3. Personal Application: How important is it to you to know Jesus promised His presence with us when we go, preach, or teach? Share your thoughts
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “If Jesus gave the church all power and He has sent it out to go, preach, and teach; why isn’t the church as successful as it should be in winning souls to Christ?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Matthew 20:25-28.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. How are the ideas of authority and servanthood compatible?
3. Personal Application: How do we reconcile not judging others with the need for church discipline? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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