The Responsibility of Followers — Lesson 10

What God Expects from Followers

> Thesis: God never designed elders to shepherd alone. He requires the flock to cooperate with oversight through humble hearts, restrained speech, willing submission, active encouragement, and wise judgment in selecting qualified men—because rebellion, murmuring, and factionalism destroy churches.

Opening Truth

Every church wants good leadership.

But here is what many forget:

Even the best elders cannot shepherd a rebellious flock.

A congregation can defeat its own spiritual health by:

• constant criticism
• subversive talk
• refusal to cooperate
• politics and campaigns
• “I’ll do what I want” Christianity

God expects leaders to serve.

God also expects followers to follow.

Not with mindless loyalty.
Not with cowardly silence.
But with faith, humility, and a deep respect for God’s order.

1) Followers Must Not Murmur Against Leaders

There is a kind of talk that is more than disagreement.
It is not honest concern.
It is not careful questioning.
It is not respectful appeal.

It is murmuring.

The Word “Murmur” (Greek)

The word is γογγύζω (gongyzō) — to mutter, grumble, murmur in a low tone.
It is an onomatopoeic word—meaning it sounds like what it is:

gong… gong… gong…

Murmuring is the sound of quiet discontent spreading.

It doesn’t come to the elders openly.
It goes sideways through the congregation.

It is not aimed at truth—it is aimed at mood, resentment, and resistance.

What Murmuring Really Does

Murmuring works like spiritual termites:

• it eats trust
• it weakens unity
• it turns brothers suspicious
• it creates “sides”
• it trains people to assume the worst
• it makes every decision feel corrupt

Many congregations appoint elders because they “trust their judgment”…

…and then act like those men can’t do anything right.

That contradiction is a sign of an unsubmitted spirit.

Murmuring vs. Respectful Disagreement

A faithful Christian is allowed to disagree.

A faithful Christian may even be correct.

But there is a line.

Respectful Disagreement looks like:

• going directly to the elders (not around them)
• asking questions to understand, not accuse
• speaking truthfully and carefully
• being willing to accept the elders’ explanation
• submitting even when you still wouldn’t have chosen that path
• keeping unity while seeking clarity

Murmuring looks like:

• whispering and recruiting
• sarcasm and side-comments
• “everyone knows…”
• “they never…”
• “they always…”
• “I heard…”
• “I’m not saying anything, but…”
• “I just think it’s funny how…”

Murmuring is how churches turn disagreements into factions.

Why Murmuring Is So Tempting

The text below explains it well:

Sometimes a member feels overlooked because a decision was made for the good of all.
Sometimes elders know facts the congregation does not know.
Sometimes one person has a one-dimensional view of a situation.

So the mature response is:

• step back
• take a breath
• remember the flock is bigger than my preference
• remember elders carry weight I do not carry
• trust the judgment of men you selected for this role

That does not mean elders are infallible.
It means followers must not behave like every decision is a scandal.

2) Followers Must Not Be Insubordinate

God commands submission to spiritual oversight.

Not because elders are perfect.
But because order must exist if a congregation will be shepherded.

The Direct Command (Hebrews 13:17)

> “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”
> (Hebrews 13:17, NASB 1995)

This verse does three major things:

1. It commands obedience and submission
2. It explains the reason: they watch for souls
3. It gives the warning: rebellious sheep hurt themselves

What Submission Is (And Is Not)

Submission is NOT:

• treating elders like popes
• accepting false doctrine
• allowing elders to legislate where God did not legislate
• allowing elders to become “lords” over people

Peter warns elders:

> “nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge…”
> (1 Peter 5:3, NASB 1995)

So elders must not become dictators.

But followers must also not pretend submission is optional.

Submission IS:

• cooperating with leadership judgment
• respecting decisions made in discretion
• accepting that not every decision is about me
• understanding that unity requires yielding at times
• choosing obedience rather than “I’ll do what I want”

Elders cannot enforce obedience with force.
They have no police power.

Their only moral leverage is:

voluntary submission born of respect for God’s order.

The Reality: Insubordination Can Destroy an Eldership

Your notes are painfully true:

Some members have “ousted” elders through campaigns.
Pressure is applied until a conscientious man resigns—just to stop the fight.

This often looks like:

• “If you don’t resign, we’ll leave.”
• “If you don’t step down, we’ll split the church.”
• “We’ll make it unbearable for you.”

That is not spiritual courage.
That is spiritual bullying.

And it is extremely displeasing to God.

Old Testament Warnings About Resisting God’s Leadership

Miriam Challenged Moses (Numbers 12)

Miriam’s rebellion cost her.

God taught her that undermining His appointed servant was not a small sin.

Moses’ humility and intercession spared further damage, but the message was clear:
God was not impressed with her challenge.

Korah’s Rebellion (Numbers 16)

Korah’s rebellion was not “just a disagreement.”
It was organized resistance against leadership God established.

It ended in terrifying judgment.

Absalom’s Campaign (2 Samuel 15)

Absalom “stole the hearts” of Israel—not by truth, but by manipulation.

He created distrust.
He gathered followers.
He turned the nation against its king.

That spirit is the same spirit behind faction-building in congregations.

A Critical Boundary: Truth vs. Preference

When accusations are made, or when a stand is taken against elders, it must be on the basis of:

• truth and error
• Scripture and doctrine
• right and wrong

Not on:

• preferences
• tradition
• personal comfort
• “the way we’ve always done it”
• ego and pride
• control issues

That is the dividing line between righteous concern and sinful revolt.

3) Followers Must Offer Positive Encouragement and Support

Some Christians think elders should “just do their job” and take whatever comes.

But God commands the flock to strengthen leadership.

Recognize, Esteem, Love (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13)

> “But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work.”
> (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13, NASB 1995)

That is not optional courtesy.
That is Bible command.

Elders:

• labor
• carry charge
• admonish and instruct
• take heat for decisions
• lose sleep over people
• deal with private burdens

Followers must respond with:

• recognition
• esteem
• love
• support

What Encouragement Looks Like in Real Life

Encouragement is not only:

• “good job”

Encouragement can be:

• obeying without grumbling
• serving when asked
• volunteering before being asked
• praying for elders and their families
• writing a note
• giving a respectful word of appreciation
• protecting them from gossip and slander
• refusing to join criticism circles
• defending fairness and truth

Paul asked for prayers repeatedly:

> “Now I urge you… to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me…”
> (Romans 15:30, NASB 1995)

> “…pray for us… that God will open up to us a door for the word…”
> (Colossians 4:3, NASB 1995)

> “…that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly…”
> (Ephesians 6:19, NASB 1995)

If Paul needed prayers, your elders need them.

Elders do not work for praise.
Praise won’t sustain a man.
But encouragement energizes faithful labor and strengthens resolve.

4) Followers Must Make Good Choices in Their Leaders

This final point is uncomfortable but true:

We often end up with the leadership we deserve.

If a congregation’s standards are low, leadership will be weak.
If a congregation does not value Scripture, leaders will not either.

But another danger exists:

Some churches make their standards higher than God’s.

That is sinful too.

The Only Safe Standard Is God’s Standard

Followers must not:

• add qualifications God did not require
• subtract qualifications God did require

If we add, we reject qualified men.
If we subtract, we appoint dangerous men.

So what must followers do?

They must:

• understand what elders and deacons are
• know the qualifications well
• know the men personally
• make wise choices
• and then live with the consequences faithfully

A congregation that treats leadership like a popularity contest is begging for regret.

A congregation that selects by Bible is building stability.

Faith in Action Application (Where This Hits Us)

1) Murmuring is church poison

It spreads doubt and bitterness and makes unity impossible.

2) Insubordination is rebellion dressed as “concern”

Campaigns, threats, and pressure tactics are wicked—no matter how “religious” they sound.

3) Encouragement is not flattery—it’s obedience

God commanded it because leaders carry heavy burdens.

4) Choosing leaders is a spiritual duty

If we pick men based on personality instead of qualification, we will suffer for it.

5) If elders must shepherd like Christ, the flock must follow like disciples

The Lord never designed leadership without submission.

12 Thought-Provoking Questions (Followers Under God’s Expectations)

Final Charge

A congregation does not stay strong by accident.

It stays strong when:

• leaders lead biblically
• and followers follow faithfully

Murmuring weakens trust.
Insubordination destroys order.
Encouragement strengthens shepherding.
Wise selection protects the flock for years.

If we want elders who shepherd like Christ,
then we must be followers who submit like disciples.

Next Lesson: Behind the Scenes of Oversight — Lesson 13.

APPENDIX: TEACHING CHARTS