READ ACTS 6:1–7
The explosive growth of the early Christian church inevitably produced growing pains. Different factions within the body began murmuring against one another over how their widows were being treated. In response to this issue, the Twelve wisely gathered together the entire congregation to deal with the matter.
The Twelve quickly realized that if they were to pursue their God-given, full-time task of ministering the gospel, they must delegate authority to others in the community. So they instructed the congregation to choose lay leaders who would take care of the practical matters of the church.
“Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them” (Acts. 6:3).
The people were instructed to choose lay leaders who were both wise and filled with the Spirit. Just as in the Early Church, today’s Christian leaders need the same grace, love, and discernment of the Holy Spirit to effectively oversee the practical matters of the church.
Prayer Suggestion: Father, I ask that the leaders in my church body would be wise and filled with the Spirit.
Quicklook: Acts 6:3–6
