DEV 20FN Priesthood of Every Believer

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=Session 20: Priesthood of Every Believer=

''In this session, you will discover what the Bible teaches about the authority every believer has to do the works of the ministry and to make disciples. ''

Heart of a Leader (40 min)

 * Worship together in the big group
 * Have participants get into groups of 3-4 people and discuss the following:
 * What are you learning and how are you abiding in Christ through word, prayer, obedience, PCS, relationships and fellowship?
 * What unresolved conflict do you have?
 * What areas of your life is obeying God a challenge?
 * What happened as you trusted God with your goals from our last meeting?

Vision Casting for the Heart
Read Psalm 63:1-5. 'King David was often described as a man after God’s heart. Although he had many faults and failures one thing was consistent throughout his life, David passionately pursued ever deeper intimacy with God. He poured his heart out in praise, adoration and worship constantly coming back to that place of confession, vulnerability and surrender. There is always a danger that we grow complacent and routine in our relationship with God. Although confident in what we believe about God, we can forget that he is not a belief or concept but rather a person- our loving Heavenly Father who longs for us to long for Him. As we grow in our knowledge of God let us also grow in our personal intimacy with him, heart to heart through daily seeking him with all our heart and soul.'

Celebration of Faithfulness (20 min)
[NOTE: Celebrate Faithfulness in the large group so that all can benefit and be encouraged.]


 * Give opportunity for participants to share what has happened since the last meeting. Ask them to relate it to goals from the last meeting.

Iron on Iron: Sharpening Myself and Others (45 min)
Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another.” 


 * Have everyone return to their Iron on Iron small groups, draw their network of missional communities and churches then share and evaluate with their group.
 * What is going well?
 * What is not going well? What obstacles are you facing?
 * What are possible solutions from the other group members?
 * What do you need to do to add the missing characteristics into each group?
 * Where will you start a new group or church this month?


 * Have everyone set goals for improvement from their evaluation and share their goals with their small group. Then have them pray for one another.

New Lesson (45-60 min)
Relevant Topic: Why is it important and helpful if we know what the bible teaches about the identity and authority of every believer to do works of service and make disciples?


 * Have participants get into new groups of 4-5 people (or they can continue in their Iron on Iron groups)


 * In the following sections, each group assign verses to each participant. Each participant will then read the passages below and tell what they learned.

Discovery Bible Study – Priesthood of Every Believer

Section 1: All Believers Are Priests

All Believers are Priest: 1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 1:6, Revelation 5:9-10

Women and Men: Acts 1:12-14; Acts 2:1-4, 17-18

New Covenant: Luke 22:20, Hebrews 8:10-11

Different than other Religions: Matthew 20:25-28, 1 Peter 2:9

Our Relationship to Jesus as High Priest: Hebrews 2:17-3:1, 4:14-16

We are God’s Temple: 1 Peter 2:4-10, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 2 Corinthians 6:16

'Summary: In the Old Testament, only a few people could serve as priest, have access to God, intercede for people and teach the word. Now, through the new covenant, all believers have the Holy Spirit and are priests. This includes both men and women. Our priesthood is different than other religions because all believers are priests and can serve. Instead of having a temple or one location that priest serve at, all believers make up the dwelling place of God through His Spirit living in each one of us. Our priesthood is based on having a servant-leader attitude. '
 * After they have all shared their assigned verses, have each person in the groups share:
 * What caught your attention? (or What did you like best?) Why?
 * How would you summarize what God has done?

Section 2: Our Role as Priests

Serve God in a New Way: Romans 7:6, Hebrews 9:14, Revelation 1:6

Living Sacrifices: Romans 12:1-8, 1 Peter 2:4-6

Ministry of Reconciliation: 2 Corinthians 2:14-3:18, 5:18-20

Sharing the Gospel: Romans 15:16

Make Disciples, Baptize, Teach: Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 22:19

Pray and Intercede: Hebrews 10:19-22, 1 Timothy 2:1-2


 * After they have all shared their assigned verses, have each person in the groups share:
 * What caught your attention? (or What did you like best?) Why?
 * How would you summarize the role of all believers?

Summary: A priest is a servant of God and then a servant of people. All believers have been given authority to serve the Lord and make disciples because of their priesthood. As priests, they must purify themselves, share the gospel and reinforce the gospel by leading the ordinances, edify and intercede for others. All believers are priest, but not all priests serve in leadership roles. According to Ephesians 4:11-13, the leaders’ task is to equip or train the priests to do the ministry. The believers do the work of BUILDING up Christ’s church and expanding His Kingdom wherever they go. On the first day of belief, upon receiving the Holy Spirit, a new believer becomes a priest! We need to train and empower that person to live out his priestly calling!'

Preparing for Mission (20 mins)

 * In small groups, have each participant Evaluate their strengths and weaknesses in living as a priest and empowering others to live as a priest and Make a Plan on how they will improve:
 * How are you doing in living out this truth of being a priest?
 * How are you doing in living our your leadership role in equipping, training and empowering those in your groups and churches to serve as a priest?


 * Write “I will by when” statements. Include “Who will you teach this lesson to?”


 * Practice any additional skill that the leaders need in leading their groups or starting new ones

Sending the Laborers

 * Reinforce the overall vision: a church or faith community for every 1,000 people
 * Spend time in prayer:
 * committing everyone’s goals to the Lord.
 * for God to raise up a movement of churches.
 * for more laborers to come out of the harvest.