My ABS partner and I will be done reading through the Bible this year in just 44 days. It’s been a great year in the Word. Why not join me this coming year. Let me know if you will take me up on the challenge.
Here is the One Year Bible I will be using. http://www.amazon.com/One-Year-Chronological-Bible-NLT/dp/1414314078/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224860614&sr=8-4
2009…Mine or Divine? Will it be about me or about God? Take the time and energy to keep yourself Spiritually fit. 1 Tim. 4:6-8. Will you be a self feeder?
Will you be a self feeder? that’s a good question, at lest it seems so at first.
There seems to be some confusion today about who’s responsibility it is to feed the sheep. It’s is the Pastors job, or is it the sheep’s, is is both, or neither?
1st, we need to look at each persons job description in light of the scriptures.
Pastors:
Jesus tells Peter to “feed my sheep” John 21:17.
Paul tells the church in Ephesus 4:11-16 that he gives some people to help equip the Saints for the work of the ministry, to bring people up to maturity in Christ. Timothy is told to preach the word (II Tim 4.2). Titus is also charged to appoint elders who can give instruction in sound doctrine and rebuke those who contradict it (Titus 1.9).
It seems it’s the leaders job to teach sound doctrine, equip the saints, bring them to maturity in Christ, preach the word, and rebuke those who contradict the teachings of Christ, because false teachings produce false converts who go to hell.
Saints:
Are to listen to leaders (Heb 13:17), since they are keeping watch over their souls. They are also to be able to give an account of the hope that inside of them (1Pet 3.5). They are to test what they hear from their teachers (Acts 17:11, I Jon 4:1).
So it seems that although both are responsible to feed the sheep/themselfs, the emphasis is on the Pastor/teacher to do the main feeding. At least biblical speaking.
When it comes to feeding ones self, I’m all in favor of reading, studying, memorizing scriptures. yet it’s the pastors Job to help guide and protect the sheep through sound teaching and also sound reprove of false doctrine.
If the sheep aren’t growing it’s the responsibility falls on the shoulders of the Pastor more then the sheep, since it’s his job to feed them.
P.s
this whole discussion about “self feeding” is really out of touch since this was the fad of about a year ago with Willow Creek; the mother church of all seeker friendly wannabe’s. Since then they have moved on…
So read your bible, learn from the pastor, that is if he’s able to really preach truth, and if not move one to another Church were the Pastor preaches the word, and is endeavoring to teach, reprove and mature his sheep.
jason
Thanks Jason for your comments. I did not know that ‘self feeding’ and reading your Bible with me this year was a fad?
I Timothy 4:6-8 says, that you are to ‘take the time and energy to ‘train yourself’ in spiritual fitness. It is the individuals responsibility to get the gym. (gumnazo)…the greek word for ‘train.’
Is not a role of the parent to help their children feed themselves? Should a parent spoon feed their children forever. Isn’t that a sign of immaturity?
Besides that, your points were not my intent. But I do not see them needing to be at odds with one another. It is both parties responsibility.
It is quite the cop out for every believer to say the reason I am malnourished is because of my pastor.