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Gateway Church

Succession

May 7, 2023
Download Digging Deeper

MAY 7

SUCCESSION SUNDAY

Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own or get together with your group, spiritual running partners, or family to talk through what you are learning.

  1. In what capacity have you been in charge of leading others in your life (whether in work, ministry, family, volunteering, etc.)? What do you believe is essential in being a good leader? What is challenging about being a leader? 
  2. What stood out to you from the message?
  3. Have you ever been a part of a changing of leadership in the church? If not, have you witnessed it in another sphere? How did that go?
  4. There are many succession stories throughout the story of the Bible. Some done well and some done poorly. One successful succession story you may be familiar with is when Joshua took on the role of leading God’s people into the Promised Land. Moses had been preparing Joshua for some time to take his place. Read about this in Numbers 27:12-23 and Deuteronomy 31:1-8. 
  • What made Joshua capable of being Moses’ successor?
  • What was the process of preparing him to lead? 
  • Describe the process of Joshua’s succession. What made this process successful? 

    5. A good leader is replaceable. The Apostle Paul, for example, never intended to be the lead pastor of every church he started. He equipped others to do that role. This is because Jesus showed us that this is the best way. It was always His intention that His ministry continue through His followers.  Read John 14:12, 15:15-17, 20:19-23. 

  • Why is it better that Jesus left and gave over His ministry to His disciples?
  • What made them qualified to lead?   
  • How have we experienced the fruit of their succession? And, how do we respond?

KEY SCRIPTURE

Numbers 27:12-23 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go up this mountain in the Abarim Range and see the land I have given the Israelites. After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, for when the community rebelled at the waters in the Desert of Zin, both of you disobeyed my command to honor me as holy before their eyes.” (These were the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin.) Moses said to the Lord,“ May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him. He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the Lord. (Continued…)

Numbers 27:12-23 (continued)At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in.” Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the Lord instructed through Moses.

PRAYER

Using the following Scriptures as a guide, spend time interceding for Carlos and his family as they take on this responsibility as well as us as a church as we all prepare for this change. 

For Carlos, his family and the leadership of Gateway Church: 

  • 1 Timothy 2:1-3 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior
  • Ephesians 4:11-13 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
  • 1 Peter 5:2-4 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 
  • 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

For us: 

  • 1 Peter 5:5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
  • “God opposes the proud
        but shows favor to the humble.”
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13  Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 

For John and his family that they would feel honored for their labor and equipped to keep fighting the fight:

  • 1 Thes. 1:3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • 1 Tim. 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

TAKE A NEXT STEP

FOR THE PARENTS

 Hey, families! Here’s a look at what we’re covering with your kids so you can help them continue to grow at home during the week.

THIS WEEK

This week, kids learn how Jesus comforted his disciples when he knew he would soon be going away.

  • THE BIBLE:  Anyone can do great things for God.
  • THE BIG IDEA: John 14:1-14

ASK THIS

Because sometimes you and your kid need a conversation-starter that isn’t,

“So . . . how was church?”

  • What is something great that you might want to do someday?
  • What is something great you can do for God right now?

REMEMBER THIS

This month, your kids are memorizing the Bible verse

2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV), in case you want to work on them together.

EC: “For the Spirit…gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2Timothy 1:7

Elem: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

NEXT WEEK

Next week, kids learn about Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit.