Lesson 1: The Priesthood of all Believers – Introduction

Leader’s Copy

7.45pm-9.30pm

WELCOME (15mins): Warmly welcome everyone, introducing newcomers.

Ask each member to finish the sentence..”The greatest

Sacrifice I’ve ever made is…..”

WORSHIP (30 mins): Ask the worship leader to choose songs on Offering Sacrifices.

E.g. We Bring A Sacrifice of Praise, I Will Enter His Gates,

Take My Life a Living Sacrifice etc…

WORD (45 mins) : Read through the material together - the facilitator can ask

different individuals to read different sections and relevant

verses. Follow any given instructions.

After each point allow a discussion time asking individuals

to share their own experiences, problems etc.

This should lead to a time of praying for individuals as the Lord

Leads.

The answers to the different sacrifices are….

1.Self-consecration

2.Complete obedience

3.Praise

4.Prayer

5.Possessions

6.Ministerial and missionary support

7.Witnessing

8.Family life

9.Work

10.Death

WORKS (15mins): The last 15 mins are the most importance ones! Take time

Praying for non-believers and people with problems. Pray for any

Church events that are forthcoming (evangelistic or otherwise).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lesson 1: The Priesthood of All Believers – Introduction

Member’s Copy.

________________________________________________________________

Read together – “The biblical doctrine of the priesthood of all believers is denied not only by Roman Catholics but also by many Protestants. This denial is based on the assumption that ordinary believers in Christ are not good enough to approach God and that they need an intermediary to look after them for a fee. Many Christians may believe it in theory but not in practice.” - discuss this paragraph.

All Are Priests – leader read this out and ask members to read scriptures.

The sacrificial death of Jesus Christ annulled the Aaronic priesthood, as we read in the Epistle to the Hebrews. There is no need to continue offering up literal expiatory sacrifices. As the perfect Son of God and High Priest, Jesus established a new covenant (Heb. 9:15-22) with better promises (Heb. 8:6) when he offered himself (Heb. 7:27) as the perfect victim once for all (Heb. 7:27) as our substitute (Heb. 7:27) and ransom (Heb. 9:15). By his death he took away our sins (Heb. 9:28), made us perfect (Heb. 10:14), obtained for us eternal redemption (Heb. 9:12), opened a new and living way in and through him to God's throne of grace, and sat down at the right hand of God (Heb. 10:12). He now invites every believer with a clean conscience (Heb. 9:14) to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus (Heb. 10:19) to offer continually spiritual sacrifices (Heb. 13:15, 16) as priests in Christ.

What Does the Bible Teach?

Ask different people to read the following passages which uphold the doctrine of the Priesthood of all believers : Exodus 19:6; Hosea 14:2; Psalm 50:23, 51:17-19 and 141:2; 1 Peter 2:5-9 and Hebrews 13:10-16.

Read 1 Pet. 2:8; Matt. 16:18; Acts 4:11 and state who it is the Church is built upon ? Discuss.

Every Believer Serves

Read 1 Peter 5:3 and Ephesians 4:11, 12 and comment on the role of ‘leaders’ in the church.

Read Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:7 and 1 Peter 4:10 and comment on the role of the congregation.

The ministry of the church is not a one-man ministry. Everyone is given grace, everyone is a priest, and everyone must serve God as a priest together with all others. A New Testament congregation is like an orchestra in which all participate in the service of God decently and in order. Yet in most evangelical churches there is confusion and believers are not encouraged to exercise their spiritual gifts for the building up of the church. In many churches, the majority of members function merely as spectators.

What Are Our Sacrifices?

As priests, New Testament believers offer spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus, their High Priest. What are some of these sacrifices?

Look at the Scriptures for each number below and see if you can tell what is the Sacrifice God is looking for that is described…..ask different people to say how much of each sacrifice they have been giving.

1.Self-consecration (Rom. 12:1; 6:13; 2 Cor. 8:5; Ps. 51:17).

2.Complete obedience (Ps. 40:6-8; 1 Sam. 15:22).

3.Praise (Heb. 13:15; Hosea 14:2; Ps. 107:22).

4.Prayer (Ps. 141:2).

5.Possessions (Heb. 13:16; 6:10; 2 Cor. 9:13; Matt. 25:37-40; Gal. 6:10).

6.Ministerial and missionary support (Phil. 4:14-19).

7.Witnessing (1 Pet. 2:9; Is. 43:21)

8.Family life (Deut. 6:4-9).

9.Work (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:23-24).

10.Death (2 Tim. 4:6; Phil. 2:17).

MAIN NEXT>