MINISTRY OF HELPS
SESSION 1: The Journey of a Servant
INTRODUCTION
I want to share with you about a ministry in the Bible that very few people have ever heard of. I am referring to those who help in the Church. I want to challenge and provoke you in order to find your place in the Body of Christ.
There is more to church than coming in, holding the chair down, smiling at your pastor, and going home.
LESSON OUTLINE
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 12:27-28
The Testimony of Buddy Bell:
I.	SALVATION
A.	He attended a revival meeting with his wife.
1.	On the second night, he was the first one to the altar.
2.	He was there for over an hour.
3.	No one mentioned accepting Jesus.
B.	The next day, they were invited to attend several churches in the community.
C.	They went to a Bible study, where the study was on Romans 10:9-10.
1.	On the way home, they realized their need to accept Jesus.
2.	In the car, while driving home, they accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior.
II.	THE CALL OF GOD
A.	They began attending a small church in their community.
B.	Buddy Bell kept hearing, “Get involved, get involved.”
C.	He wasn’t satisfied with just attending church, he wanted to get involved.
1.	He asked the pastor about becoming an elder in the Church.
2.	He was told he would have to wait until one of the elders died.
3.	This response brought him much confusion.
4.	He was slowly being destroyed by a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).
III.	A PROCESS BEGINS
A.	The desire to find his place in the Body of Christ was still there.
1.	He asked his pastor if he could be licensed. 
2.	The answer was yes, if he first graduated from a Bible school located many miles away.
B.	This brought more confusion, frustration, and anger into his life.
1.	He didn’t want to talk about Jesus anymore.
2.	It seemed as though God was calling him, then slamming the door in his face.
C.	Still, he kept hearing the words, “Get involved.”
D.	He was told God was calling him into the ministry and he should go to Bible school.
E.	He was introduced to a correspondence Bible school.
1.	The literature about the school placed great emphasis on developing a study habit.
2.	This only caused him further frustration.
F.	He was slowly being destroyed by a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).
G.	He decided to take his family and move to where the Bible school was.
1.	He lied on his application, stating he was called to one of the five-fold ministries.
2.	Other students were confirming their calling to become evangelists, pastors, and teachers.
3.	He couldn’t do that.
•	He would say he was called to get involved.
IV.	THE MINISTRY OF HELPS
A.	They decided to attend a pioneering church in their area.
1.	Before preaching, the pastor quoted 1 Chronicles 22:15 (KJV): “Moreover 
(there are) workmen with thee in abundance: hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.”
2.	This verse had nothing to do with the sermon.
3.	The next service, the pastor quoted the same verse again, and again it had nothing to do with the sermon.
B.	What the pastor was doing was literally speaking life to those God had called to help in the Body of Christ.
C.	Every time Buddy Bell heard this verse, the small flame within him that had almost gone out began to get bigger and brighter.
1.	He started looking around the church for something to do.
2.	God had placed a love in him for the pastor and the church.
3.	The Bible says to make your love “sincere”: a real thing.
4.	God is looking for real people.
D.	He joined the ushers and started handing out bulletins and greeting people as they arrived for the service.
1.	He offered to help on any job that needed to be done.
2.	The joy of serving the Lord began to remove all the frustration, confusion, and anger that had been in him.
E.	Others began to call him and his wife names, such as: weird, strange, and different.
•	This led to more frustration.
F.	Then God led him to 1 Corinthians 12:27-28 (KJV): “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the Church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”
1.	This Scripture lists “helps” as one of the ministries God has placed in the Church. It speaks of those who help.
2.	This Scripture enabled him to get rid of his frustration.
CONCLUSION
There are many studying this course whose place in the Body of Christ is to help: to be involved in their church and be committed to the vision God has given their pastor. But for that vision to be fulfilled, there needs to be an army there.
GROUP DISCUSSION
1.	Does being called into the ministry mean doing something “great”?
2.	Discuss what is involved in serving the Lord.
3.	How can you help people find their place of involvement in the Body of Christ?
4.	According to 1 Corinthians 12:27-28, who are those that God has appointed to serve in the Church?
5.	Why is it that the ministry of helps is less emphasized in the Church today?
SELF-STUDY
The principle of God appointing some people to the ministry of helps is taught throughout the Bible. 
Read 1 Chronicles 22:15 and make a list of the possible ministries you could do for the Lord in the area of helps.
THE MINISTRY OF HELPS
SESSION 2: God Uses Both Stars and Candles
INTRODUCTION
I want to continue to show you how important the ministry of helps is. People often ask if this ministry is in the Bible. Does God really talk about it? Are they all that important to God? 
We see in 1 Corinthians 12:28 that God has placed in His Church people who render assistance to their pastors. Men did not make up this ministry, but God who made heaven and earth.
LESSON OUTLINE
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 12:28
I.	DEFINITION OF HELPS
A.	Broadman: There is no hierarchy in the gifts of God.
1.	The ministry of the Church does not rest on status, but on service.
2.	No gift that serves others is little.
3.	God uses both stars and candles to light His world.
B.	Stars are big names in the Bible and candles are people in the Bible we don’t hear much about.
•	There are more candles in the Bible than stars.
C.	Stars shine one time; candles can shine all the time.
D.	Stars don’t shine during storms; that’s when we bring out the candles.
II.	GOD’S FAITHFULNESS TO STARS AND CANDLES (HEBREWS 6:10)
A.	The armor-bearer for Jonathan (1 Samuel 13-14)
1.	Saul and Jonathan are stars (1 Samuel 13:2-4).
2.	The armor-bearer of Jonathan is a candle (1 Samuel 14:6-7).
3.	Pastors are Jonathan with the sword.
4.	Church members are armor-bearers.
B.	Jonathan knows where the battle is, and the armor-bearer is also committed to God. 
(1 Samuel 14:7)
1.	“Jonathan, Pastor, I am with you as long as you do what God is telling you to do.”
2.	Jonathan’s armor-bearer knew that our God uses both stars and candles to light His world.
3.	This armor-bearer knew that our God is not unrighteous to forget our labor of love.
C.	Are you still with your Jonathan or have you given up? (1 Samuel 14:8)
1.	It is important to support the Jonathan that knows how to go into battle.
2.	There would not have been two swords if the armor-bearer had left Jonathan alone.
D.	Many times, in the beginning, it seems that our pastors are the only ones who know how to use the sword.
E.	Why did the earth quake? Why was there trembling in the camp of the enemies? 
(1 Samuel 14:15)
1.	Because our God is not unrighteous to forget our labor of love
2.	Because our God uses both stars and candles to light His world
F.	In 1 Corinthians 12:28, right in the middle of apostles, prophets, and teachers, you find helps.
•	In the midst of stars, you find candles.
CONCLUSION
Don’t ever be ashamed to be known as servants of God. Be what God wants you to be.
GROUP DISCUSSION
1.	Discuss this statement further: “There is no hierarchy in the gifts of God.”
2.	How does the previous statement apply to the work of the ministry in your nation?
3.	If it is true that God uses both stars and candles, do you recognize the candles in your church and pray for them, or do you only praise the stars?
4.	Suggest some ways to make the candles in your church more effective.
SELF-STUDY
1.	Study 1 Samuel 13-14.  What are some principles from the relationship between Jonathan and his armor-bearer that can be applied to the relationship between Christian leaders and their followers in the Church today?
2.	Are you a Jonathan or an armor-bearer?
THE MINISTRY OF HELPS
SESSION 3: Fear Not Leadership, Organization, and Structure - Part 1
INTRODUCTION
It is so important that we have leadership, organization, and structure for the local Church. There are those in the Body of Christ who believe that we shouldn’t have organization or structure for the local Church. But without leadership, organization, and structure, the Church will not be able to do all that God intends it to do.
Some people say, “We don’t want to put God into a box.” But if we read the Word of God, we will discover that God believes in leadership, organization, and structure.
The Bible says, “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).
LESSON OUTLINE
I.	BIBLICAL EXAMPLE FOR LEADERSHIP, ORGANIZATION, AND STRUCTURE
A.	Moses’ example (Exodus 17:5-13)
1.	Moses pastored one of the largest churches in the world.
2.	He pastored between 4-6 million people.
3.	We have no problem in preaching to the multitudes, but we have not reached the multitudes yet.
4.	When the local church is prepared to take care of the multitudes’ families, then it will be able to reach the multitudes.
B.	Moses, Aaron, and Hur illustrated the picture of a local church in Exodus 17:5-13.
•	It is important to hold up men and women’s hands of God to give them strength.
C.	But one thing is left out in this illustration, and that is the rod of God.
1.	The rod of God is significant of the power of God.
2.	It was this rod that parted the Red Sea about five miles across by the power of God. 
D.	The Word of God is significant of the power of God.
•	I believe God was saying to Moses: “As long as you hold my Word, Joshua will win the battle.”
E.	We are not just to hold up flesh, but to be in unity with the man of God as he ministers the Word.
1.	Moses represents ministry gifts.
2.	Aaron, the Levite, represents helps.
3.	Hur, the Priest, represents the leadership.
F.	Why is their unity so important?
1.	So that Joshua can win the battle
2.	This should be the picture of the local Church.
3.	But it is sad to say that this is not the picture that we see in many local churches.
4.	We are to lift up their hands as they minister the Word of God.
5.	When we do this, Joshua will win the battle.
G.	Is this the picture people see when they walk into your church?
H.	Do they see men and women who have a hold of the Word of God and who are holding up other men and women’s hands?
I.	Is Jesus being lifted up in your church?
•	Fear not leadership, organization, and structure for the local church, or else the local church will not make it.
II.	APPLICATION
A.	Questions directed to leaders in the Church
1.	Where are you in this picture?
2.	Do you have a hold of the man or woman of God’s hands?
3.	Are you in unity and in one accord to do one thing: to lift up the power of God?
a.	Why?
b.	So that Joshua can win the battles.
4.	Or are you full of pride?
•	It is time to get delivered.
B.	Questions directed to those in the helps ministry in the Church
1.	Do you have a hold of the man or woman of God’s hands?
2.	Are you in unity and in one accord to do one thing: to lift up the Word of God and the power of God, so that Joshua can win the battles?
3.	Or are you full of selfishness, trying to have your own ministry?
4.	I believe you can answer these questions.
CONCLUSION
Fear not leadership, organization, and structure. When the Church is prepared to take care of the families of God, then we will reach the multitudes.
GROUP DISCUSSION
1.	Pray for the pastors who are in your group.
2.	Now, let the pastors pray for the others in the group, that a spirit of unity and humility be upon them to accept their positions in the Body of Christ.
3.	According to the Biblical illustration in this lesson, from where does the pastor derive his authority in leadership?
4.	What are the practical implications of this as we try to lead people or follow leaders?
SELF-STUDY
Study Exodus 17:5-13 again and review this lesson. Then answer the following questions:
1.	What does Moses represent in this passage?
2.	What is the significance of Moses’ rod?
3.	What role did Aaron and Hur play in the victory of God’s people, and what lessons can the Church learn from this?
4.	Are you a leader or a follower?
5.	Do you pray for your leaders or followers daily? If not, develop a prayer habit that will include them on your daily prayer list.
THE MINISTRY OF HELPS
SESSION 4: Fear Not Leadership, Organization, and Structure - Part 2
INTRODUCTION
This is the second part of Leadership, Organization, and Structure. We continue to look at Moses as an example. But first, we want to look at 1 Corinthians 14:40.
If all things are being done decently and in order in the Church, God will be there in the service. There are some that say we shouldn’t have order because it is of the devil and it controls God. But I am here to tell you that order frees God. God gets excited when things are being done decently and orderly.
LESSON OUTLINE
TEXT: Exodus 18:13
I.	THE SETTING
A.	Moses is sitting in a small tent.
1.	All the people waited for Moses to judge them from morning till evening.
2.	Moses is trying to take care of things alone.
B.	Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, comes in.
1.	Jethro means excellence.
2.	God desires excellence in the Church.
C.	Jethro calls Moses to question.
1.	Moses answers (Exodus 18:15).
2.	Jethro’s counsel to Moses (Exodus 18:23)
a.	Moses’ job was to teach the people the ordinances and the law, show them 		where to walk, and show them the work they must do.
b.	Jethro was saying, “We need to delegate to the right people.”
II.	QUALIFICATIONS TO LOOK FOR IN PEOPLE BEFORE DELEGATION 
A.	People who fear God (Exodus 18:21)
1.	Where are the people who fear God in our churches today?
2.	Find those who fear God more than men.
3.	Find those who want to do what God wants them to do.
B.	People of truth (Exodus 18:21)
1.	Where are those in the Church today who are men and women of truth?
2.	Where are those in the Church who, when they say they are going to do something, they will do it?
C.	People who hate covetousness
1.	Where are those who hate covetousness in the Church today?
a.	People who hate covetousness have the attitude that, when someone gets 		blessed, they praise the Lord.
b.	These are people who will not covet someone else’s things or position.
2.	Find those whose heart is to be a servant.
a.	They don’t need a title, a position, or an office.
b.	They just want to serve God, wherever and whatever.
c.	Some oversaw thousands, some took care of hundreds, some took care of 		fifties, and some tens (Exodus 18:21).
d.	They were all qualified the same, but they had different responsibilities.
3.	When people find their place in the Body of Christ, the peace of God comes in their lives (Exodus 18:23).
•	The reason why many people haven’t found the peace of God yet is because they are standing in line and they want to talk to Moses (like the children of Israel).
III.	THE OUTCOME OF LEADERSHIP, STRUCTURE, AND ORGANIZATION 
(EXODUS 18:24-26)
A.	The choosing of leaders (Exodus 18:24)
•	Who chose the elders?
1.	Not a committee
2.	Moses did.
•	He chose the able men of Israel.
3.	Rev. Bell’s friend chose his elders with the people’s involvement and through prayer.
B.	How do we know which way our leadership is standing?
1.	Who do they talk about the most?
•	You only talk about the thing you look at the most.
2.	If they are talking about the pastor all the time, or the people, this tells you 		which way they are standing.
C.	What was the next thing that Moses went to do for God?
1.	He went to Mount Sinai. 
2.	He talked with God. 
3.	He received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19-20).
4.	If Moses had not taken the advice of his father-in-law, he would not have had the time to go up to the mountain and talk with God.
CONCLUSION
Is your pastor sitting in the little tent? Can he get out and talk with God and find out what God has next for the church? If Moses had not gotten out of that little tent, he would not have gotten the Ten Commandments.
What is your attitude when you find out your pastor is off, praying somewhere? Is your attitude, “I wish I could get off whenever I want to and go pray”? Many have their pastors stuck in the tent. Pastors must hear from God what He wants to do next.
Fear not leadership, organization and structure.
GROUP DISCUSSION
1.	Discuss some ways to identify people who fear God more than men.
2.	How can you help people to serve in the Church without becoming covetous of others’ positions?
3.	What are some ways to divert people’s attention from the pastor and help them to accept the leadership of other ministers in the Church?
4.	What are the benefits that will come to the Church if pastors are freed from administrative duties to focus on their ministry?
SELF-STUDY
1.   If you are a pastor, evaluate your duties. List some of your routine duties that you can delegate to others in order to spend more time in prayer and in the ministry of the Word.
2.   If you are a church worker, list out some areas in which you can be of help to your pastor.
THE MINISTRY OF HELPS
SESSION 5: Becoming a Servant of Fire
INTRODUCTION
I am often asked if “helps” is in the Bible. A theology professor once told me he had never heard of “helps” in the Bible. I have traveled around the world teaching on the gift of helps, helping people to realize that they have a place in the Body of Christ.
LESSON OUTLINE
TEXT: 2 Timothy 1:6
I.	REKINDLING THE FIRE OF SERVANTHOOD IN YOUR LIFE
A.	There are times when the gifts inside us stop stirring; when we feel that what we do is not important (Romans 12:11).
1.	It is so important that every part of our body be aglow, burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.
2.	1 Corinthians 12:28
B.	In the Body of Christ, we have no problem seeing apostles, prophets, teachers, the working of miracles, and the gifts of healing.
1.	But when it comes to helps and government, we have a problem.
2.	The Bible says God has placed in the Church “helps” and “government”.
•	These are people who render assistance to the needy.
II.	GOD DOES NOT MOVE ON THE BEHALF OF STATUS, BUT HE MOVES ON THE BEHALF OF SERVANTS (1 KINGS 18:21).
A.	God heard Elijah not because of his status as a prophet, but because Elijah was a servant doing the Word of God (1 Kings 18:36, 38).
B.	You that serve in churches in the ministry of helps:
1.	Don’t be ashamed to be known as the servants of God.
2.	Don’t be ashamed to be known as someone your pastors can count upon to be there.
C.	Do you need heaven to open up and the fire of God to come into your church?
1.	Lift up your eyes, oh ye servants of God, and cry out to God.
2.	But remember one thing when you do that: Take three steps back.
a.	Why?
b.	Because heaven is going to open and the miracle fire of God is going to come into your life.
D.	How can we get the fire of God to come down and cleanse our cities?
1.	When the servants of God in our churches stand up and cry out to their God and begin to do the things that God has asked them to do, then heaven will open and the fire of God will come into our cities.
2.	It takes servants; status will not do it.
a.	Status does not impress God.
b.	Status does not move God.
c.	The only thing that impresses and moves our God is servants.
CONCLUSION
Don’t be ashamed to be known as a servant of God. God needs you. Your city needs you.
Your church needs you.
GROUP DISCUSSION
1.	Discuss further the difference between status and servants in the Church.
2.	How are people recognized in your church: by their position or function? How do you know?
3.	How can you mobilize the saints in your church to bring the power of God into your community?
SELF-STUDY
Go to your pastor if you are not the senior pastor of your church, and tell him that you want to be involved in bringing the power of God down into your community. Tell him to assign you any duty in the church and you will faithfully discharge it to the best of your ability.