CHAPTER THREE

TEACHING AND PERFECTING THE SAINTS

Scripture Reading: Heb. 10:24-25; 1 Thes. 2:11; Acts 20:20, 27, 31; Col. 1:28-29; Eph. 4:11-12

OUTLINE

1. Meeting with the saints in small group meetings that are full of mutuality-Heb. 10:24-25:
   1. Leading and cultivating the saints:
      1. To open up and fellowship with one another.
      2. To pray for one another.
      3. To care for and shepherd one another.
      4. To mutually ask questions for learning and teaching the truth.
      5. To mutually ask questions for the pursuit and instruction in the growth in life.
   2. Exhorting and consoling the saints as a father-1 Thes. 2:11:
      1. Teaching the saints all the counsel of God-Acts 20:20, 27, 31.
      2. Presenting the saints full-grown to God in all wisdom-Col. 1:28-29.
      3. Equipping and supplying the saints that they may do the work of the New Testament ministry, which is to build up the organic Body of Christ-Eph. 4:11-12.
   3. Appointing the saints to go forth:
      1. To preach the gospel by visiting people.
      2. To nourish and care for the new believers.
      3. To lead the believers to attend the small group meetings.
      4. To lead the believers to attend the bigger meetings of the church.
2. This being the major part of the practice of the church life.
3. This being also the third step for the New Testament saints to minister as the priests of the gospel.