Fellowship – Decision Making
Lesson 7: Decision Making
When we as human beings are placed in positions of authority it is very easy to become self important biased and domineering in our attitudes. It is also very easy for us to make decisions based upon what would be easy for us as individuals, our close relatives and friends. It is much harder for us to make decisions that are based upon what God wants in a particular situation particularly if the right decision will be unpopular with members of the Ecclesia or if it requires us as individuals to do a lot of work or suffer.
We have already made many references in this course to acting as servants and acting in love. Bible based reasoning works hand in hand with these ideals.
Every day we face decisions about what to eat, whether to exercise, how to use our time. Over the years these regular decisions generally become habits, and we don’t think much about them. If we have guided these small decisions well from the start, we don’t really have to worry about them.
When we haven’t made good choices, however, even these seemingly small decisions can blossom into serious bad habits like procrastination or an unhealthy lifestyle.
We also fairly regularly run into larger decisions that may have even bigger immediate and long-term consequences. What will we study? Where will we live? Who will we marry? What church will we go to?
Then there are the moral choices we are faced with. Will we cheat on our taxes? Will we turn down the drugs we are offered? Will we allow ourselves to be pulled in by the soft porn we stumble across?
Decisions come in all shapes and sizes.
Bible based reasoning
What is Bible based reasoning, and how do we do it in practice? This lesson is about decision making, it is about making choices and decisions not based upon our own thinking, but upon the thinking of God. Bible based reasoning should become the only way that we reason. We should use it at all times.
Bible based reasoning is based upon the supposition that for every situation that we come up against that there is a Biblical example or story that provides Gods view point on the problem, difficulty or situation that we face. In twenty-five years working as a field worker in Africa, and in twenty years working as an arranging brother in a substantially sized Ecclesia I have never faced a situation where I have not been able to find a fitting Biblical example. There have been times where it has been hard to find the appropriate example but this is a reflection upon my poor Bible knowledge not due to the lack of Bible examples.
The process is fairly simple, and generally follows the four simple steps outlined below.
Fully understand the situation faced.
Open your Bible and find a situation or situations that match the current situation.
Study to determine Gods view point in the Bible example.
Act in the current situation according to what God would wish based upon the Bible example(s) that you have found.
And that is all there is to it. Nobody in the Ecclesia can disagree with decisions that have been made which are completely based upon the Word of God. The result is peace, harmony and none tolerance of non-Biblical standpoints. There can be no arguments, accept in our interpretation of the Scriptures. So, provided our interpretation of the Bible is sound, we have no fear of being wrong in our decision making. What an improvement this is upon making our own decisions based upon our desires!
There are some interesting activities found in the school of the prophets materials, lesson 15 that provide helpful practice at using Bible based reasoning.
Our daily lives
It will become clear that Bible based decision making is not just something that we should use whilst making decisions on behalf of the Ecclesia, it is something that we should use in every decision that we make during our normal daily activities. We need to change our entire attitude and method of making decisions from the way of the world to a new better way, so that our thinking becomes more like God’s thinking.
Ecclesial roles
There are many roles within Ecclesial life, some may appear to be more important than others, this is not the case; the most mundane of duties are just as important as the roles of recording brother or secretary. We all have our talents (Matt. 25:14) some people are good at washing up, others are good at painting, others are good at writing whilst others are proficient in expounding the Word of God. All are equal, all are classed by the Apostles as servants (Rom. 16:27; 1 Cor. 7:23; Eph. 6:6; 2 Tim. 2:24; Tit. 1:1; Jam. 1:1; Jude 1:1; lesson 5). As servants we are less important than those that we serve, and this is good to remember lest we become pompous or lofty as the Scribes and the Pharisees did (Matt. 23).
Individuals should not self appoint themselves to positions within the Ecclesia. In some instances it is obvious to all who should take up a role in the Ecclesia. For instance, if one of the members is an accountant with an accountancy degree then fairly obviously they are a good candidate to be the financier. If there is more than one candidate for a role then democratic voting should not be used to determine who is elected as this causes issues with individuals canvassing and bribing for votes. The Biblical method of determination is to cast lots (1 Chr. 24:31; 1 Chr. 25:8; 1 Chr. 25:8; Josh. 18:10). Our decision making needs to be based upon the Biblical examples.
It is useful to outline the different roles and that each should be doing. These roles may vary from one Ecclesia to another dependent upon size and the amount of work involved in each case. Before volunteering for an Ecclesial role first find out what the role entails, you may realise that you are not the person for the job. In smaller Ecclesias it may be that one individual takes on a number of these roles, and carries a single name to avoid confusion.
Arranging Brothers meeting
All too often we make our decisions based upon human thinking and bias and not upon Biblical principles. At the Arranging Brothers meeting all our decisions should be based upon Bible principles. Whenever something needs to be decided we must open our Bibles first, to find examples of similar situations that are found in the Bible. In this way we permit God to guide us in our decision making, and we can always be sure that He has given us good direction.
Steps for making good decisions
Whatever type of decision we face, there are biblical principles that can help us make better decisions.
For example, when a Christian recognizes a bad habit or faces a moral choice, he or she can apply God’s command to always choose His way:
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).
The steps below can help with these decisions, and also with so many other decisions that don’t have an easy, right-or-wrong answer.
So, where does the Christian decision-making process start?
1. Direction from God.
As Christians, our overall direction in life is determined by our commitment to God, and we must remember to ask Him to direct our lives.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
How does God direct us? Through the wisdom He gives us in the Bible and through wise biblical counsel from His servants.
All of our decisions are to be in harmony with God’s laws and His plan.
We should pray for God’s guidance and study the Bible to see what it says about the decision we are facing. Many helpful principles are presented in the book of Proverbs, for example; it’s a book designed to teach us prudence and understanding and the wisdom to make good decisions (Proverbs 1:1-4). It all starts with understanding how much greater God is than we are. This reverence for God is known as the fear of the LORD (verse 7).
As we study the Bible, we should act on what we learn. We should discard any choices that we discover would compromise with God’s laws.
Sometimes it is a simple matter to know what decision to make—simply because only one choice would allow us to obey God. But most of our decisions are not that clear-cut. Sometimes there are several good choices, and sometimes none of the choices are morally wrong. The following steps can help us make wise decisions in these cases.
2. Define the problem or opportunity.
When our problem seems fuzzy, it can be very difficult to come up with a solid solution. Sometimes it can be helpful to look at the problem from many angles in order to clearly define it.
What caused the problem to erupt at this time and in this way? Who is affected by it? If other people are involved in causing the problem, why? What do they get out of it?
If your decision is an opportunity, what exactly do you get by choosing it? What do you lose if you don’t choose it?
3. Dig out the relevant information.
We have already discussed looking for the related passages in the Bible. We also need to search out the pertinent facts about the specific problem or opportunity.
Many search tools are available in our information age, and it can be helpful to explore everything from the library to the Internet. Look for reputable sources with relevant expertise. Be sure to put all the information you gather through the filters of fact checking and biblical truth.
Dr. Art Markman, in his book Smart Thinking, writes, “It is important to know what you know and to know what you don’t know. As it turns out, it is also important to know who knows what you don’t know” (2012, p. 103).
The Bible advises, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). Different people will likely have different information and different perspectives that can give you a broader understanding of the situation.
"With all the facts in hand, you can begin brainstorming various options that could solve the problem or best deal with the opportunity."As Dr. Markman also writes, “It is not always easy to see the hidden assumptions that you are making when solving difficult problems. For this reason, it is helpful to engage other people to help you during problem solving… to help you evaluate it” (p. 201).
4. Determine the alternatives.
With all the facts in hand, you can begin brainstorming various options that could solve the problem or best deal with the opportunity.
Combining and concentrating on all the information gained from the previous steps should give us several possible choices. Depending on the situation, it can be valuable to explore some outside-the-box solutions. This is especially true when none of the obvious options seem that good. Throwing around creative ideas and trying to see possible connections to seemingly unrelated fields can help you generate additional options.
How long should we spend on this step? That depends on our deadline and on understanding our own personality.
Some of us might be tempted to cut short this stage in the interest of reaching closure as soon as possible. This can be a problem if we don’t have enough options to pick a good one.
Others might be tempted to continue in this stage for too long, out of fear that the perfect solution will be missed. This, too, can be a problem if we put off a decision too long and perhaps miss the deadline.
At some point, we have to decide we have enough options and move on to step 5.
5. Deliberate.
Weigh the options. Make lists of pros and cons for each one. Weed out the worst ideas and carefully examine the best ones.
This is a principle that Jesus Christ advised His followers to apply:
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it” (Luke 14:28). Whether deciding to commit our lives to God in baptism or to remodel our kitchen, we need to count the cost and weigh the options.
Wise King Solomon also pointed out the importance of looking ahead to foresee the possible results of our decisions: “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished” (Proverbs 22:3).
This process of deliberating, counting costs and foreseeing future dangers and opportunities should prepare us for the next step.
6. Decide.
With all the research and preparation, this part should be easier. Another prayer for guidance and additional consultation with advisers can give us the confidence to make a wise choice.
7. Do.
Take action. Don’t dillydally, but implement your decision decisively.
If we have followed these steps carefully and put the decision into practice diligently, we will likely be happy with the results.
God gives this encouragement to those who seek His will and follow His way: “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6). When we make a decision to follow God’s way and His law, we don’t have to look back.
But with a physical decision that isn’t a matter of right and wrong, it is not bad to reassess the choice when necessary and adjust course. Doing so can be a good decision too.
For more about gaining the godly wisdom necessary for good decision making, see our article on the book of “Proverbs.”
Wanting to help
More often than not our decisions are about people. In particular we have to make decisions about our Brothers and Sisters. In our lesson on charity (lesson 6) we were reminded that true love is to want your Brother and Sister in the Kingdom of God, even if they would want to be your enemy. It is always very hard to weave this behaviour into our decision making. Sometimes we have plenty of time to mull over our thoughts, run them past others, discuss them at length; other decisions we make are instantaneous, reactive and spontaneous. How very difficult it is to spontaneously react with love to that Brother or Sister who hates you?
Every choice brings an opportunity to make a decision. Every opportunity to make a decision is an opportunity to include God in the life we live – however small or huge that decision may seem. God is looking for those who make their decisions considering Him first, with His Son at the center of the choice being made and with His word at the heart of what they do.
This is the exercise of our conscience. With the word of God in mind – what is right, and what is wrong? Why is it right, or why is it wrong?
Some answers are clear, others are not and we must take care to recognise that life is not full of decisions we can always boil down to black and white. Yet in all our decisions God is looking for us to exercise our ability to choose His ways above our own and that of others who demand our allegiance.
“We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
What do we understand by shared fellowship?
The shared fellowship within our community is precious. Each Ecclesia is autonomous but united by an acceptance of our shared commitment and Statement of Faith (see lesson 4) . At its best, through our shared fellowship, we experience the joy, comfort, support and the love of fellow brothers and sisters, not just in our own Ecclesia but in our local area, country and throughout the world (see lesson 6). As part of our wider ecclesial community, each Ecclesia acknowledges and seeks to fulfill its responsibilities in its actions and decisions and so preserve a unity of spirit between Ecclesias whilst recognising that there will be differences of opinion, judgement and practice.
The Greek word translated as fellowship also means, communion, partnership, and sharing. Shared fellowship is therefore evident in:
individuals working together in a generous sharing of friendship;
kindness and empathy shown to each other;
respecting our differences; being non-judgmental and with positive regard for each other;
showing respect for one another’s views and opinions and
in patient forbearance and forgiving of one another.
However, our fellowship is first and foremost our individual relationship with the Father and the Son. Our shared fellowship with each other, as part of the body of Christ, reflects our individual fellowship. Shared fellowship is reflected through a common purpose; a common belief and hope which binds believers together. It is a sharing together in a spirit of love and harmony, of life experiences and of our relationship with the Father and the Son.
It is through our shared fellowship that:
1 Corinth 12:25-26 - “members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together”.
It is a place to demonstrate the fruits of the spirit toward each other;
Ephesians 4:2-3 - “with all lowliness and meekness with patience forbearing one another in love eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.”
And it is through our shared fellowship that we encourage one another;
Ephesians 4:15-16 - “we grow up in every way onto him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body... makes bodily growth and up builds itself in love.”
Although, ultimately, responsibility for the quality and preservation of our fellowship falls on each of us as individuals and the choices we make, we also have a clear responsibility to each other;
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 - “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”
Paul tells us to, ‘always seek to do good to one another and to everyone’ and this places a responsibility upon us to ensure that the Ecclesial community is a place of nurture and encouragement for the disciple of Christ and not a place of contention and that which is not ‘good’.
But what happens if the harmony of this shared fellowship is disrupted in some way
What happens when the behaviour of an individual or individuals within the ecclesia gives rise to concern?
What happens if the Ecclesia is continually disrupted by a member with their own agenda
What action does the Ecclesia take when made aware of a serious accusation against a member or members?
What happens when a member ceases to communicate with the Ecclesia?
These are just some of the issues that we may have to face (see lesson 8); but we must do all using Biblical decision making.
Keep God at the front of our thinking
Life is full of choices. Not everyone’s choices will be the same and the extent of the choice we have as individuals will depend on the circumstances and opportunities with which we are presented. However, each choice and the decision can impact deeply on our ability to keep God at the front of our thinking. Godly choices, decisions made based on a desire to do the will of God and bring Him glory, will undoubtedly bring us into conflict with those who do not share God’s values and principles; for this we should be prepared. Jesus’ advice was for us to focus our minds clearly on God’s promise of the kingdom:
“Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33)