Notes

Refer to: http://www.desiringgod.org/labs/how-not-to-lead-a-church Introduction I am going through John Piper's Reading the Bible Supernaturally. I am so thrilled to read this and practice some things from the book in these LABs. One thing I am learning is just the time, patience and joy that can be taken to keep looking at a passage. The encouragement in this book frees me to do the same. For this LAB, I wish to focus on the questions that I raise and compare them to what John Piper raises. I won't be answering the questions. I want to learn how to dig deeper, look more intently to ask good questions. This is the outcome I am hoping and praying for. I hope this encourages some others. Questions I raise: Why are these specific negative and positive exhortations chosen? Why are these paired in this way? What are the meanings of each word used in the pairing? Are these pairings antonyms? Questions John Piper raise: What is the motivations behind the exhortations in how to shepherd the flock? Dig into the realities behind these words and name these realities. What other words to describe the contrasting exhortations that help us get to the motives? In alternate words for the positives, what can it be summed up as? (Joyful in Christ) What about the negatives? (Joyless worldliness) Why is motivations so important for ministers? (it glorifies Christ and shows Christ has freed up from joylessness). See 1 Peter 1:14-19. Why else could it be important? because this makes for joyful, healthy church. Heb 13:17. Observations about the two list of questions The first list is too narrow, confined to word definitions The second list gets to a broader, deeper issue of motivation and joys The second list leads to application questions to what makes a healthy church

notes

Phrase

editing

NT

1 Peter 5:2-3

esv

shepherd the flock of God

that is among you,

responsibility is specific to location

exercising oversight,

not under compulsion,

-ve arising out of fear

but

willingly,

+ve arising out of being secure

as God would have you;

not for shameful gain,

-ve arising out of greed

eagerly;

+ve out of contentment

not domineering

-ve arising out of pride

over those in your charge,

being examples to the flock.

+ve out of humble involvement

phrasing