The “Work” of an Elder

1. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” welunga

2. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” welunga Quick Review: Psalm 23 – the shepherd’s Psalm. 1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (ESV) Ngokushesa asibheke: Amahubo 23 – Umalusi wAmahubo. 1 Ihubo likaDavide. UJehova ungumalusi wami, angiyikuswela. 2 Uyangilalisa emadlelweni aluhlaza; uyangiyisa ngasemanzini okuphumula. 3 Ubuyisa umphefumulo wami; uyangihola ezindleleni zokulunga ngenxa yegama lakhe. 4 Noma ngihamba esigodini sethunzi lokufa, angesabi okubi, ngokuba wena unami, intonga yakho nodondolo lwakho ziyangiduduza. 5 Ulungisa itafula phambi kwami ebusweni bezitha zami; ugcoba ikhanda lami ngamafutha; indebe yami iyachichima. 6 Impela okuhle nomusa kuyakungilandela imihla yonke yokuphila kwami; ngiyakuhlala endlini kaJehova kuze kube phakade.

3. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” welunga Quick Review: Psalm 23 – the shepherd’s Psalm. • The shepherd finds green pastures – he feeds the sheep. • He waters the sheep where they will not be upset. (still waters – not rushing waters) • He leads the sheep in the right way for them to prosper and be safe. • He protects the sheep so they do not fear, using his staff or rod. • The Psalmist believes he will be blessed because of his shepherd. Ngokushesa asibheke: Amahubo 23 – Umalusi wAmahubo. • Umalusi uthola amadlelo aluhlaza – uyondla izimvu. • Uyazipha amanzi izimvu lapho zingenakuphazanyiswa khona. (amanzi okuphumula – hhayi ahambayo) • Uyaziholela endleleni enhle izimvu ukuze zichume ziphephe futhi. • Uyazivikela izimvu ukuze zingesabi, esebenzisa intonga yakhe. • Umhubi ukholwa ukuthi uyobusiswa ngenxa yokwalusa kwakhe.

4. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” welunga Quick Review: Contrast – Good Shepherd & others - John 10:1-29 John 10:1 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.“ 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. Ukubuyekeza okusheshayo: ukuqhathanisa – Umalusi omuhle nabanye - John 10:1-29 John 10:1 “Ngiqinisile, ngiqinisile ngithi kini: Ongangeni ngesango esibayeni sezimvu, kodwa ekhwela ngenye indawo, lowo uyisela nomphangi. 2 Kepha ongena ngesango ungumalusi wezimvu. 3 Umlindisango uyamvulela low; nezimvu ziyalizwa izwi lakhe; ubiza ezakhe izimvu ngamagama, aziholele phandle. 4 Nxa esezikhiphile ezakhe zonke, uhamba phambi kwazo, izimvu zimlandele, ngokuba zilazi izwi lakhe. 5 Kepha umfokazi azisoze zamlandela, kodwa ziyakumbalekela, ngokuba zingalazi izwi labafokazi. 6 UJesu washo lomfanekiso kubo; kepha bona abezwisisanga ukuba kuyini lokho akukhuluma kubo.

5. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” welunga Quick Review: Contrast – Good Shepherd & others - John 10:1-29 7 So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. Ukubuyekeza okusheshayo: ukuqhathanisa – Umalusi omuhle nabanye - John 10:1-29 7 Ngakho ke uJesu wabuye wathi kubo: Ngiqinisile, ngiqinisile ngithi kini: Mina ngiyisango lezimvu. 8 Bonke abafike ngaphambi kwami bangamasela nabaphangi, kepha izimvu azibezwanga. 9 Mina ngiyisango; uma umuntu engena ngami, uyakusindiswa, angene, aphume, afumane idlelo. 10 isela kalizi kungengokweba nokubulala nokubhubhisa; mina ngize ukuba babe nokuphila, babe nakho kuchichime. 11 Ngingumalusi omuhle. Umalusi omuhle udela ukuphila kwakhe ngenxa yezimvu. 12 Okhokhelwayo engesiye umalusi, izimvu zingesizo ezakhe, ebona impisi iza, ushiya izimvu, abaleke impisi izidlozomele, izihlakaze.

6. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” welunga Quick Review: Contrast – Good Shepherd & others- John 10:1-29 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. Ukubuyekeza okusheshayo: ukuqhathanisa – Umalusi omuhle nabanye - John 10:1-29 13 ngokuba engokhokhelwayo, engazinakekeli izimvu.14 Mina ngingumalusi omuhle; ngiyazazi ezami, nezami ziyangazi, 15 njengalokhu uBaba uyangazi, nami ngiyamazi uBaba; ngidela ukuphila kwami ngenxa yezimvu. 16 Nezinye izimvu nginazo ezingesizo ezalesisibaya; nalezo ngimelwe ukuziletha; ziyakuzwa izwi lami, kube mhlambi munye nomalusi munye. 17 Ngalokho uBaba uyangithanda, ngokuba ngidele ukuphila kwami ukuba ngibuye ngikuthabathe.

7. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” welunga Quick Review: Contrast – Good Shepherd & others - John 10:1-29 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." 19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, "He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?" 21 Others said, "These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?" 22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. Ukubuyekeza okusheshayo: ukuqhathanisa – Umalusi omuhle nabanye - John 10:1-29 18 Akakho ongangamuka ukuphila kwami, kodwa ngikudela ngokwami; nginamandla okukudela, nginamandla okubuye ngikuthabathe. Lomyalo ngiwamukele kuBaba. 19 Kwaba khona futhi ukwahlukana phakathi kwabaJuda ngalawomazwi. 20 Abaningi kubo bathi; unedemoni, uyahlanya; nimlalelelani na? 21 Abanye bathi: lawomazwi akusiwo awomuntu onedemoni; imbala idemoni lingavula amehlo ezimpumputhe na? 22 Khona kwakungumkhosi wokuhlanjululwa kethempeli eJerusalema, kusebusika. 23 UJesu wayehamba ethempelini emphemeni kaSolomoni.

8. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi’ welunga Quick Review: Contrast – Good Shepherd & others - John 10:1-29 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. Ukubuyekeza okusheshayo: ukuqhathanisa – Umalusi omuhle nabanye - John 10:1-29 24 Base bemhaqa abaJuda bethi kuye: koze kubenini ulibazisa izinhliziyo zethu na? Uma unguKristu, sitshele ngokuchachileyo." 25 UJesu wabaphendula wathi: nganitshela, kodwa anikholwanga; imisebenzi engiyenzayo egameni likaBaba yiyona efakaza ngami. 26 Kodwa nina anikholwa, ngokuba anisibo abezimvu zami. 27 Izimvu zami ziyalizwa izwi lami; nami ngiyazazi, ziyangilandela; 28 ngizinika ukuphila okuphakade, azisoze zabhubha naphakade; akakho ongazihlwitha esandleni sami. 29 UBaba onginikileyo mkhulu kunabo bonke; akakho ongazihlwitha esandleni sikaBaba.

9. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” welunga Quick Review: Contrast – Good Shepherd & others - John 10:1-29 • The thief – comes to kill and destroy – Jesus comes to give life • The hireling – flees at danger - Jesus lays down His life for the sheep. Ukubuyekeza okusheshayo: ukuqhathanisa – Umalusi omuhle nabanye - John 10:1-29 • Isela – Liza ukuzobulala lizobhidliza – uJesu uze ukuzonika ukuphila • Okhokhelwayo– uyabaleka uma kuza ingozi – uJesu ubeka impilo yakhe phansi ngenxa yezimvu.

10. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” welunga Summary of the duties of an elder: Acts 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. • Feed and water the flock • Protect and care for the flock Ukugoqa nje umsebenzi welunga: Izenzo 20:28 Ziqapheleni nina nomhlambi wonke anibeke kuwo uMoya oNgcwele ukuba nibe ngababonisi bokwalusa ibandla likaNkulunkulu azizuzela lona ngegazi lakhe. • ukondla aphuzise amanzi umhlambi • Ukuvikela anakekele umhlambi

11. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” welunga Feed and water the flock By teaching and by choosing others to teach I Tim 3:2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, Ukondla aphuzise umhlambi Ngokufundisa nokukhetha abanye ukuba bafundise I Thim 3:2 Ngakho umbonisi umelwe abe ngongasolekiyo, indoda emfazi munye, abe ngozikhuzayo, oqondileyo, oziphatha ngokufaneleyo, ongenisa izihambi, onesu lokufundisa,

12. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” welunga • Providing the environment for edification • Orderly worship service • Kind of teaching program appropriate for each age group. • Place to meet • Ukubahlinzeka ngesimo esivumela ukuba • bakhuliswe • Ukuhleleka ekukhonzeni • Izinhlelo ezinhle zokufundisa ezifanele wonke amazinga ngokukhula. • Nendawo yokuhlanganela

13. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” welunga Encouragement and example in home Bible reading and study Ukugqugquzela nesibonelo sokufunda iBhayibheli emakhaya

14. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” welunga Providing the right spiritual nourishment for the current society • Pressures to accept all ideas and not to condemn sin. • Pressures to pursue wealth above all else. • Pressures to accept so-called science above the Bible. • Pressures to participate in pursuing excess pleasures. • Pressures to put oneself first. Ukuhlinzekela ngokondliwa komoya okufanele kumphakathi okhona manje • Incindezi yokuba kwamukelwe yonke imibono kungasolwa isono. • Incindezi yokulandela umnotho ngaphezu kwakho konke • Incindezi yokuthi kuvunyelwe okubizwa ngobuchwepheshe (science) ngaphezu kweBhayibheli. • Incindezi yokuzimbandakanya ekulandeleni izinjabulo. • Incindezi yokuthi umuntu azenze abe ngowokuqala.

15. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” Welunga Protect and care for the flock Identify and mark false teachers Ukuvikela unakekele umhlambi Ukubona futhi uqaphele abafundisi bamanga

16. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” welunga Protect and care for the flock Identify and mark false teachers Considering each member and his/her spiritual needs • Identify physically sick • Pray for them and make sure they are provided for. • Identify the spiritually sick. • Identify the spiritually weak. • Identifying the unstable ones in the flock (may be in the sick or weak group) Ukuvikela nokunakekela umhlambi Ukubona futhi uqaphele abafundisi bamanga Ukubhekelela ilungu nelungu izidingo zalo zokomoya • Ukubona abagula ngokwenyama • bathandazele wenze isiqiniseko sokuba bayanakekeleka. • Ukubona abagula ngokomoya. • Ukubona ababuthaka emoyeni. • Ukubona abangamile emhlambini (mhlampe kulabo abagulayo noma kwababuthaka)

17. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” Welunga Protect and care for the flock Identify and mark false teachers Considering each member and his/her spiritual needs Take appropriate action • Meet with those whom you feel need help in an attitude of love and humility. • Provide them with scriptural solutions to their problems. • What else can you do to help them? Ukuvikela nokunakekela umhlambi Ukubheka nokuqaphela abafundisi bamanga Ukubhekelela ilungu nelungu ngezidingo zalo zokomoya Thatha izinyathelo ezifanele • Hlangana nalabo obona bayadinga ukusizwa ngomqondosimo wothando nangobuntu. • bahlinzeke ngezixazululo zongokombhalo ezinkingeni zabo. • Yini enye ongayenza ukuze ubasize na?

18. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” welunga Includes planning (Overlap with Feed and Water) The answers to our daily problems are in God’s word That includes the problems a local congregation will face. Lokho kufaka ukuhlela (kuhambelana nokondla nokuphuzisa) Izimpendulo zezinkinga zethu zansuku zonke zisezwini likaNkulunkulu Lokho kumbandakanya izinkinga ibandla lendawo elizobhekana nazo.

19. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” Welunga Includes planning (Overlap with Feed and Water) Plan with vision.. What do you want the members here to look like five and ten years from now? • Strong families? • Faithful in the Lord with abounding faith and hope in God? • Able, willing and eager to teach others the gospel and the wisdom found in His word? • Do you want faithful men ready to lead? Lokho kufaka ukuhlela (kuhambelana nokondla nokuphuzisa) Hlela ube nombono.. Ufuna amalungu alapha abukeke enjani eminyakeni emihlanu kuya kweyishumi ezayo kusuka manje? • Imindeni eqinile? • bethembekile eNkosini bevamile ekukholweni nasekwethembeni uNkulunkulu na? • Bekwazi, befisa benentshisekelo yokufundisa abanye ivangeli nobuhlakani obutholakala ezwini Lakhe? • Uyawafuna amadoda athembekile asekulungele ukuhola na?

20. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” welunga The finances of the church • The elders need to be aware of the church’s financial situation. • Deacons can handle the financial matters just as well. Ezezimali zebandla • Amalunga kumele azi ngezindaba zomnotho webandla ukuthi zimi kanjani. • AmaDiyakoni angaziphatha izindaba zomnotho kahle nje nawo.

21. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” Welunga Other considerations • Support of preachers at another location? • Financial help for Christians in another congregation? Okunye okumele kubhekwe • Ukuxhasa abashumayeli kwenye indawo? • Ukusiza amaKristu kwelinye ibandla?

22. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” welunga So what do the days in the life of an elder look like? Ngakho zibukeka kanjani izinsuku zempilo yelunga na?

23. The “Work” of an Elder “Umsebenzi” welunga Conclusion: Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Isiphetho: Heb 13:17 Lalelani abaniholayo, nibathobele, ngokuba balinda imiphefumulo yenu njengabazakulandiswa ngayo, ukuze bakwenze lokhu ngokujabula, bangabubuli, ngokuba lokhu akunakunisiza.