The Ministry Of Maturity

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. Ministry of Maturity

2. Mature Men Teachers

3. Mature Women Teachers

Remarks.

1. In this study we will discuss the obligation of the older members of the church’s responsibilities: to teach the young members of the congregation, in both spiritual and social graces. This teaching and training does not have to be confined merely, when the church has assembled. The best teaching is accomplished by a one-on-one session; during house to house visitations.

2. First, we will discuss the basis of all teaching regarding, spiritual and social graces; and that is: “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.” The word “sound” means healthy and wholesome doctrine. All teaching of spiritual and social graces, must originate from, the word of God, 1 Peter 4:11.

3. Second, we will discuss the responsibilities of the mature (aged) men, as teachers and mentors to the younger men. Paul wrote: “That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience... Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, which cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you,” Titus 2:3; Titus 2:6-8.

4. Lastly, we will discuss the mature (aged) women as teachers and coaches to the younger women. Paul wrote: “The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children; to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed,” Titus 2:3-5.

BODY OF LESSON

I MINISTRY OF MATURITY

A. Basis of all teaching: “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine,” Titus 2:1. The idea of “sound doctrine,” means: “wholesome, befitting, that which is becoming.”

1. In our setting, it is sound teaching in both spiritual and social graces.

2. The ministry of the mature saints: must be founded in a sincere love, and concern for the younger saints.

3. This ministry of this teaching; is not be confined, to the church when it is assembled on (Wednesdays and Sundays). This is a ministry engaged with members and people throughout the entire week.

4. This ministry of teaching, coaching and mentoring, involves wholesome: “Christian fellowship.” We will speak to this later in the lesson.

B. All teaching and training must originate from the basis of “sound doctrine.”

1. Efforts of the early church, was to strengthen and grow the body of Christ. This was founded upon two basic principles. They were, that all continued in:

a. One, “The apostles’ doctrine” or the teaching of the word of God.

b. Two, “And in fellowship, in breaking of bread, and in prayers,” Acts 2:42

c. We know the meaning of “doctrine”; so let’s consider the word: “fellowship.”

d. Fellowship means: partnership, i.e., participation, or (social) affairs, or share:—to communicate (-ation), communion, (contri-) distribution, to fellowship.

2. Fellowship of the Philippian church, in the ministry of Paul, Philippians 1:3-7; Philippians 4:15-17. Fellowship is communicating, communion, contribution and distribution. It involves giving and receiving from each other’s bounty.

3. They were all together: “And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all believed were together, and had all things common...And they, continuing daily with one accord...from house to house...having favor with all the people,” Acts 2:44-47.

a. Believers were together in the assembly.

b. Believers continued from house to house.

c. These were not all bible studies; but also, social and fellowship visits. They were periods of instruction, as well as, times of encouragement to each other.

d. They were: “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved,” Acts 2:47.

C. Teach no other doctrine: “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,”1 Timothy 1:3. Timothy was instructed, not to teach any other kind of doctrine; but, that which was: wholesome, healthy, befitting and becoming unto the saints from (the word of the Lord).

D. Wholesome doctrine: “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness,” 1 Timothy 6:3. The teaching must bring forth “godliness” in the life of the disciples and believers.

E. Teach from house to house: “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,” Acts 20:20; Acts 5:41-42. Paul is addressing the elders of the church at Ephesus; while he met with them on the isle of Miletus, Acts 20:17-32. He mentioned that: