Mini-Bible Lessons Section 5

These essays were written by Cindy Sears (member of Ebenezer Church) based upon her Bible reading and study. Lessons are moved here after first being posted on our home page. This section holds essays that were posted starting in December 2025. Access other lessons below.

• Mini-Bible Lessons Section 1:1-25
• Mini-Bible Lessons Section 2:26-50
• Mini-Bible Lessons Section 3:51-75
• Mini-Bible Lessons Section 4:75-100

Mini-Bible Lesson #101: Making Decisions

References: Acts 1:15-26; NIV Luke Commentary by Ajith Fernando.

“Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us…”  …Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.”  Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.  --Acts 1:21, 24-26

We no longer cast lots to make decisions in the church, but this was not a “gamble” per se. First, they noticed a need (the replacement of Judas); second, they listed the necessary qualifications; third, they nominated two equally qualified men. At that point (note that the Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out on the people), they had no good way to choose between the two because only God knows a person’s heart (or true faith, character and abilities); so they prayed for God to determine how the cast lots fell to help them make their final choice. (Fernando, pp.78-80)

Looking at other aspects of this decision-making event, we find 1) there was theological reflection and the use of Scripture, 2) the whole community helped choose the two applicants with Peter as leader, 3) Peter directed the people to God’s Word to help with the decision because “God is the real leader of the church, the human leader’s task is to direct people to God’s will, which is most clearly recorded in the Scriptures” (Fernando, p. 79), and 4) “shows that prayer should play a critical part in our strategy of appointing leaders.” (Fernando, p. 79) “[P]rayer preceded every major decision or crisis in the life of Jesus and the early church” (Robert Stein); 5) “the prayer in verse 24 implies that the disciples needed to have confirmed for them the inner nature of the person’s heart, which only God knows. Christian ministry is essentially spiritual in nature, and external qualifications are useless if a person’s heart is not right with God.” (Fernando, p. 80)

Have we become too complacent about how we choose people to serve in the church, not just as the pastor or lay leader, but in such positions as Sunday School teacher, administrative assistant, janitor, or heads of committees and the church council? Do we just accept the first one who volunteers or is volunteered by someone (easy to do in such a small church with limited choices)? Even if we feel that we must take what we can get, shouldn’t we spend some time praying that God will support and strengthen each person for the task they have been assigned to do? How about a prayer over each person (individually and by name) who chairs a committee, teaches or leads a Bible study class and other workers/volunteers at the beginning of each year asking God to accept their service and guide them, strengthen them, and provide them with all they need to be successful in their service to our church and to the work of God’s kingdom here on earth? Then, we can also pray that all the members of our church will be open to the leading of God’s Holy Spirit to help each person perform their service, and that we will be able to provide whatever they need to do the job well. (Suggestion: This could be done during a special worship service as a way of commissioning them for their service in the year to come.) I believe this could be empowering to these servants of the Lord and our church and lead us to more powerful and passionate service and outcomes. Lord, teach us to pray!