The Organization of the Church

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Please use your Bible to look up the following verses and answer the related questions. You can click on the verses to visit an off-site resource that provides the scripture. Questions without verses should be based on your opinion and common understanding.

Introduction

1. Are we given instructions for every specific thing concerning the church?

   YES  NO 

2. Does the Bible contain a pattern for interaction or cooperation among local churches?

   YES  NO 

3. Are we given instructions concerning the collecting and spending of the church finances?

   YES  NO 

4. If the Bible does contain such patterns and instructions, do you think churches today should follow these examples and commands?

   YES  NO 

The Self-Rule of Congregations

1. Where were elders appointed? (Acts 14:23)
   
2. From what, or from where were the elders selected? (Acts 14:23; Acts 6:1-6)
   
3. Over whom were the elders to rule? (I Peter 5:1-3; Acts 20:28)
   
4. Is anyone in the Bible ever given authority over more than one congregation? If so, who?
   

Church Treasury

1. Where does the church get its money? (I Corinthians 16:1-2)
   
2. Are there any other ways for churches to raise money mentioned in the Bible?

   YES  NO 

3. Who controls the money of the church? (Acts 11:29-30)
   
4. Is there Biblical command or example for anyone else having control over the use of the church's money?

   YES  NO 

Cooperation between Congregations

1. In what ways do all churches cooperate?
   
2. What did unaffected churches do when famine struck the churches in Judea? (Acts 11:27-30; I Corinthians 16:1-4)
   
3. How was Paul supported in his ministry? (II Corinthians 11:8; Philippians 4:14-18)
   
4. Is there any example or authority in the Bible for congregations sending money to, or allowing their money to be controlled by a centralized body?
   

Summary Thoughts

1. What are some different ways in which churches are organized today?
   
2. Are these ways found in the Bible? If not, how do men justify organizing in these ways?
   
3. Will God approve of these methods, even if we think our way may be better?

   YES  NO 

4. What are some ways churches raise money today? Does the Bible approve these methods? Why or why not?
   

Comments

1. What do you think about the overall length of this lesson?
   very short  little short  just right  little long  very long 
   
   
2. What do you think about the overall challenge of this lesson?
   boring  little easy  just right  little tough  too difficult 
   
   
3. Do you have additional questions or comments?
   
   

Your feedback is greatly appreciated, because it helps us restructure the format of the lessons to help benefit future students.