Prepare for Sunday morning worship by using the guide below.
1 Timothy 3:1-7
1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
Summary: Paul continues giving his young protégé instruction on how the people of God ought to behave in the church of God. After instructing men and women in the worship of the church, he turns next to speak to elders and the church. But notice that he moves from what people do, to who leaders are. In Paul's mind, leadership is vital for the ongoing gospel witness of the church. It seems as if these false teachers were not only identified by their false teaching, but also by their disordered lives. So, Paul instructs Timothy on the qualifications of elders that are in keeping with the gospel for the sake of both the believers within and the unbelievers outside the church.
Review and Apply
What does it mean to aspire to the office?
What is noble about the task of being an overseer?
Which of the qualifications are you most encouraged by or challenged by?
Why is it important for an elder to manage his household well?
Why is it essential for an elder to have the ability to teach?
In what ways/areas can you pray for your elders?
In what ways can you involve an elder in your life in greater measure?
Give
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