Good Government...what is a Deacon

GOOD GOVERNMENT …What is a deacon

Cell Matters

OPENING QUESTIONS:

1. Which responsibility at home or at work would you gladly give up?  Which would you never want to give up?

DIGGING DEEPER:

1. READ Acts 6:1-7.
2. Why do you think the Grecian widows were being neglected? (could this be an example of early racism?)
3. How did the apostles resolve the problem?
4. All seven of the men they chose had Greek names.  Why would this have been a wise idea?
5. Verse 3 says that these men needed to be “known as full of the Holy Spirit.”  How can you know if someone is full of the Spirit?
6. The apostles wanted to devote themselves to prayer and the Word.  Are prayer and the ministry of the word really a full time job?  Why or why not? 
7. In verse 6 the apostles laid their hands on these seven deacons.  What is your understanding of this practice?  What does it signify to “lay hands” on a person?
8. Verse 7 tells us that the Word of God spread.  How did the designation of deacons enable God’s Word to spread more rapidly?

GETTING PERSONAL:

1. Let’s take a look at our own Life Group.  Who among us is more of an elder type and who among us is more of a deacon in their abilities? 
2. What could happen if our group began to recognize these different callings and really put it into practice?  (let’s dream a little here)
3. You may have experienced some disappointment in the past because you had a need that went unmet.  How could a well functioning system of elders and deacons have helped to properly care for you?

PRAYER:

            Pray for one another and for your friends who do not yet know Jesus.

PLANNING AHEAD:

            We are quickly coming to the holiday season.  This is a great time to do something as a group to reach out to our local area.  Take some time to make some plans about what your group can do together this Christmas.