Public ministers of the gospel are called to proclaim God's Word as God wants it proclaimed.

1. Public ministers serve with authority from God. See Titus 2:15 & Hebrews 13:17. Is this authority a threat or a comfort? Explain.

2. Sinful people serving in public ministry can abuse the authority God gives his representatives. Consider these examples from the Bible:

Read 1 Samuel 2:12-17

How did Hophni and Phineas abuse their authority as priests of God for personal gain?

What was the Lord’s reaction to this abuse?

Read Matthew 23

List some of the ways the teachers of the law and Pharisees of Jesus’ day abused their authority as they taught God’s Word.

What happened when people listened to these “blind guides”?

3. Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.  What is the ultimate goal of every faithful minister of the gospel?

4. Read the passages listed below then answer this question. How do we recognize when public ministers are abusing or overstepping the authority of their office?

 Matthew 7:15-20 
  

 Galatians 1:8,9