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Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
God has a design for leadership in the church. Church leaders are called to watch over the souls of those entrusted to their care, and they will one day give an account to God for how they have cared for His people. This is a sobering responsibility.
Leaders need to remember that God cares deeply about His people. They should have a genuine burden for the spiritual well-being of those they lead and desire to see them grow in Christ. They are called to shepherd God’s people willingly, humbly and by example rather than domineering over them (1 Peter 5:2-3).
If you are a church leader, ask God to give you a deeper burden for the souls of those you are leading. Ask Him to give you wisdom, humility and strength. Ask Him to help you grow as a leader and faithfully care for the people He has entrusted to you.
If you are part of a church, pray for your leaders. Be a blessing and encouragement to them. Listen carefully to biblical teaching and seek to cooperate with the godly leadership God has placed over you. Ask God to help you support your leaders as they seek to lead according to His Word.
The writer of Hebrews says to allow your leaders to lead with joy and not with grief, because that would be of no advantage to you. When you willingly cooperate with faithful, biblical leadership, you help make their work a joy rather than a burden, and this is ultimately for your spiritual benefit.
Church leadership is a serious responsibility, and following faithful biblical leadership is also a biblical responsibility. Pray for your leaders, encourage them and seek to make their work a joy as together you follow Jesus Christ. ~ Jeff M Newman
Latest Bible Study
Observe Jesus’ Commands
Let the Spirit of Truth guide you into all truth.
John 16:13-15 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you. 15 Everything that belongs to the Father is Mine. That is why I said that the Spirit will take from what is Mine and disclose it to you.
Previous Bible Study
Lesson 27 - 1 John 2:4 If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Welcome back to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Monday at 12:00 PM Eastern.
Yesterday’s Devotional
The Lord Is Compassionate and Gracious, Slow to Anger, Abounding in Loving Devotion
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