Discussion Questions

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Discussion Questions INTRODUCTION A proper relationship to authority is essential for life and faith. Yet, so many people view authority in a negative light—rejecting authority to make their own decisions. What is God’s vision for authority and how can it bring life to us and those we care about?

GETTING STARTED 1. Do you like to be in authority, under authority, or have no authority at all? Why? 2. Describe a positive authority figure in your life. Describe a hurtful one. What was the difference between them?

BIBLE IDEA 3. Read Philemon v 8-21. If you were Philemon, how would you respond to Paul’s appeal? How would Paul’s statement of authority impact you and why? 4. Sean pointed out that our sin nature leads us to rebel against authority. Where have you seen that to be true? 5. Read Hebrews 13:7-8, 17. How do you respond to spiritual leadership in the church? Do you see them as having legitimate authority in your life? 6. Who have you given permission to speak into your life with authority? How has that been an encouragement to your faith? If you haven’t submitted yourself to spiritual authority, why not?

NEXT STEPS 7. What is one small step you can take to be submitted to authority? If you were to take that step, what do you envision would be the result? 8. What can you do to be a more positive authority figure in the life of someone else?

Answers: visible, authority; (a) under authority, (b) resisting, (c) model

River City Community Church

Pastor Sean Azzaro Aug 15/16, 2015

“A Church for Real Life”

Making Peace with Authority The Letter #3 Bible Passage: Philemon v 8-21 9

Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of 10 r Christ Jesus— that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains….

Romans 13:1-7 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Leaders are the _______________________ representation of God’s authority to God’s ______________________. Matthew 28:18 Jesus has 3 direct agents for His spiritual authority: A. Spirit (Romans 8:14) B. Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17) C. Church Leadership (Hebrews 13:7-8,13) Principles of Spiritual Authority: A. Spiritual Authority is in the hands of the one ____________ _____________. B. ________________________ spiritual authority is resisting God’s authority. C. Spiritual authority should be the ___________________ of Godly authority! Matt 20:25-28