‘All ye are brethren’  

MEMORY VERSE: Christ ‘from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.’ Ephesians 4:16.

STUDY HELP: Christian Service, pages 72-75.

LESSON SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 12:4-31.

LESSON AIM: To study God’s principles for the organisation of His work.  

Introduction  

‘Evil does not result because of organisation, but because of making organisation everything, and vital godliness of little moment. When form and machinery take the pre-eminence, and a laborious task is made of carrying on the work that should be done with simplicity, evil will result, and little will be accomplished in proportion to the effort put forth. The object of organisation is just the reverse of this; and should we disorganise, it would be like tearing down that which we have built up.’ Christian Education, page 134.  

‘The thing that thou doest is not good’  

1.        What danger was brought home to Moses in his leadership of the people of Israel? Exodus 18:13-18.

NOTE: ‘The heavy responsibilities should not rest upon one man in any branch of the work. Two or three should be fitted to share the burden, so that if one should be called to another post of duty, another may come in to supply his place. Provision has not been made half as extensively as it should have been, against any and every emergency.’ Review & Herald, Oct. 12, 1886.

‘The plans upon which God wishes us to work have been laid down. Never should the mind of one man, or the minds of a few men, be regarded as sufficient in wisdom and power to control the work and say what plans shall be followed. The burden of the work in this broad field should not rest upon two or three men.’ General Conference Bulletin, April 10, 1903.

‘No greater dishonour can be shown to God than for one man to bring another man’s talents under his absolute control. The evil is not obviated by the fact that the profits of the transaction are to be devoted to the cause of God. In such arrangements the man who allows his mind to be ruled by the mind of another is thus separated from God and exposed to temptation. In shifting the responsibility of his stewardship upon other men, and depending on their wisdom, he is placing man where God should be. Those who are seeking to bring about this shifting of responsibility are blinded as to the result of their action, but God has plainly set it before us. He says: “Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm.” Jeremiah 17:5.’ Testimonies, volume 7, page 177.  

2.        What solution did Jethro propose to solve Moses’ problem? Exodus 18:21-22.

NOTE: ‘When Moses was much burdened the Lord raised him up in Jethro an advisor and helper. The advice was taken and the burdens that had come upon him were divided with others and a two-fold object was gained; Moses was relieved and he had a better chance for his life, and men were learning to bear responsibilities to qualify them to do work in positions of trust so that Israel should not learn to look to one man and trust in one man and think that no one could do any thing for them unless it came before that one man. Now it is hard I know to let go some responsibilities and give others an opportunity to get hold with all the advantages and counsel of your knowledge to help them. Unless this is done they will ere long have to carry an unwieldy load without the instruction and counsel which now it is their privilege to have.’ Christian Leadership, page 55.

‘Satan is very active, and with cunning plans he is seeking to deceive a leader that ought to be a faithful steward of means and of souls. Let this man cease accumulating so many burdens that the Lord has not placed upon him, burdens that will hinder him from studying the plan of God concerning him. Let him not continue to follow his own plans and load himself with many burdens that the Lord has not appointed him to bear. Hitherto, he has not heeded the warnings given him, but has taken upon himself burden after burden. This has necessitated great expenditure of means, and has drawn heavily upon his fund of physical and mental and moral power. The one who has become so heavily burdened should study to place some of these burdens upon others, that they may help him carry the load of responsibility which causes him to become impatient and fretful. Satan and his angels now look on the pitiful spectacle, and are highly pleased. The voice of Jesus is heard, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:26).’ Manuscript Releases, volume 9, page 172.