1 TIMOTHY 3
2 Outlines
1
Timothy 3:1-7
GODLY
LEADERSHIP
(This is a
complete lesson done in a prayer meeting session.)
·
What type of leader do you want to follow?
·
Why do you think most churches lack qualified leaders?
·
Should we try to imitate our leaders? Why? To what extent?
·
Notice that Paul expected to be imitated.
1
Corinthians 11:1 - Be ye followers of me,
even as I also am of Christ.
1 John 2:6 -
He that saith he abideth in him ought
himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
In 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Paul is instructing those who would be “bishops”.
The word "bishop" means "overseer". When we see this term we often think of the
pastor and other Godly leaders in the church.
The role of leadership in the church is not for everyone, because
everyone does not qualify. Even though we might never fully qualify to be
leaders, we should still strive to be as Godly as possible. Making the
characteristics of leadership our goal will help us live Godly lives.
A Godly
leader is:
·
Vs. 2 - The word blameless means “beyond reproach”.
·
How can a person still be a sinner (1 John 1:8) and
yet beyond reproach?
·
In what ways should leaders and congregation members be beyond reproach?
·
To be the husband of one wife is to be “a one woman
man”. To be the wife of one husband is
to be a “one man woman”. This quality
should be reflected in our attitudes and our actions.
·
In its strictest sense, the word “vigilant” means to
be sober. Hence in this situation it
would refer to being sober spiritually.
A
spiritually sober person is always “under control”. The spiritually sober person is actually
under the control of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18-21.
·
To be sober is to be "serious, earnest, sound.” If this is the case, what part do joy,
joking, and laughter have among us?
·
The words good behavior mean "orderly" or "well
ordered".
·
In what ways should pastors and other leaders show
orderly behavior? In what ways should
all believers show it?
·
In what ways should all believers be “apt to teach”?
·
Vs. 3 – Do you think church leaders should be total
abstainers? Why?
·
What is a “striker?”
What about a striker is not under control?
·
What should be the attitude of Christians towards
money?
·
Contrast a patient individual with a brawler.
·
Why is it especially dangerous for a leader to be
covetous?
·
Who is to be the ruler in the home and why?
·
What does it mean to have “children in subjection with
gravity?”
·
The easiest time to bring children in subjection is
when they are young.
·
Why is a man disqualified from leadership in the
church when he isn’t in charge at home?
·
Why do Christians need experience before they can
lead?
·
Why do churches and Christian organizations tend to
make novices leaders?
·
Why was the devil condemned?
·
Why is the testimony of leaders and Christians to
unbelievers so important?
·
What reproach is there for Christians who have a poor
testimony? How is it a snare?
This is an expansion of a previously shared outline.
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1Timothy 3:8-13
THE DEACON
If the work of God is going to get done there must be
willing workers. Each and every Christian has that responsibility. Titus 3:8, 1
Peter 4:10, Galatians 5:13
God has given a special group of servants to the
church.
These special servants are known as
"deacons".
In the early church these men were
"servants" who assisted the elders or overseers (bishops) of the
church. These were men who knew how to
serve and how to serve well.
In the 20th century we need men who follow
in the footsteps of the original deacons.
THE WORK OF THE DEACON - Acts 6:1-7
Vs. 1 - The deacons were appointed when the work
became too large
Vs. 2 - The deacons were appointed when the word of
God could have been neglected.
Vs. 3 - The deacons were appointed when Godly men were
available.
Vs. 4 - The deacons were appointed when leaders had
their priorities straight.
Vss. 5-7 - The deacons were appointed and the church
grew.
THE WAY OF THE DEACON - Vss. 8-12
The deacon is to be:
1. A man of
good behavior - Vs. 8, 10b
2. A man of
pure conscience - Vs. 9
3. A man who
has been proved - Vs. 10a
4. A man who
has a Godly wife - Vs. 11
5. A man who
has his household in order - Vs. 12
THE WAGES OF THE DEACON - Vs. 13
The one who is a good deacon earns a good degree or
"rank".
He is promoted in the eyes of God and Man and might go
on to bigger and better things for God (Consider Stephen in Acts 6-7).
But even if he does not, his testimony for and his
ultimate reward from the Master will be worth it.
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