The Order of the Church

MESSAGE – Rev. Dr. Dale Thiele

The Order of the Church 

• The Call to Order
• The Accord of Order
• The Blessing of Order  

Questions for Further Study or Group Discussion:

1. Read Acts 15:1-35. What catches your attention in this passage? Why is this passage so important in the book of Acts?
2. What is the dispute that leads to the council of Jerusalem? In what ways does this dispute still occur today?
3. Why does the church in Antioch appoint some to go to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this question? Why do they appeal to a group outside of their location?
4. How do the apostles and elders come to “one accord”? What is involved in the debates and discussion? What role does the Holy Spirit play (see v. 28)?
5. Why does the church in Antioch rejoice in verse 31? In what ways does the order and leadership established by Jesus for the church bring blessing? 

Memory Verse of the Week:

Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (ESV)