Study 9 of 13 on Discipleship

“Politics is the working of government…in essence working for what is good for all people…however, what we often see today…even within Christianity is power-tics…the manipulating of people for partisan ideological power. Powertics does not represent the people at large…it represents a select few who seek to control everyone else. Politics is the governance for the good of the people….a good government…a good leader should allow for the betterment and balance of society…and all good leaders know how to manage politics. Jesus was the perfect leader…knowing full well the power aspirations of his disciples he was able to balance them out…teach them well… and leave behind a legacy that continues. John Heywood said it well “many hands make light work.” True power, on earth, is passed on and shared…and grows well because of that experience.” –Falvo Fowler

Scriptural Basis:
Rom. 13:1–7, Mark 2:23–28, Matt. 8:5–13, 26:57–68, 27:11–14, Acts 4:1–12.

Key Text:
“The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith” (Acts 2 6:7, NRSV).

1. How would you define power?
2. Why do you think most of the powerful leaders of the temple refused Jesus?
3. Contrast that with the Roman centurion in Luke 7: what is the difference here?
4. In Romans 13 Paul echoes Jesus when he talks about taxes. What is the role of a Christian when it comes to government?
5. How should a Christian relate to leadership both within the church and outside?
6. What can a church do to minister to those in government without seeming party affiliated?