BIBLE STUDY 26 JUNE 2018
Focus: Spiritual leadership
Text: 1 Timothy 3:1 – 7

RESUMING OUR STUDIES FROM 1 TIMOTHY

1. To understand church ministry better

2. To understand spiritual leadership better

3. To be personally edified in our faith

4. To anticipate future leadership with understanding from the Scriptures

A FAITHFUL SAYING

1. First faithful saying on salvation (1 Timothy 1:15)

2. Second faithful saying on service (1 Timothy 3:1 – 13)

a. Concerning people who desire to serve the Lord

b. Concerning the requirements of a spiritual leadership in particular

A GOOD DESIRE

1. The desire to serve the Lord in the capacity of a bishop

a. An overseer

b. An elder (Cf. Titus 1:5 – 9)

c. A pastor (Cf. 1 Peter 5:1 – 4)

2. He desires a good work

a. To be committed to the work of developing the church

b. To make every effort to see the church grow strong

c. This is a good work

A LIST OF QUALITIES NEEDED TO QUALIFY TO BE AN ELDER

1. His personal life (1 Timothy 3:2 – 3)

a. Blameless

b. Husband of one wife

c. Temperate

d. Sober-minded

e. Of good behaviour

f. Hospitable

g. Able to teach

h. Not given to wine

i. Not violent

j. Not greedy for money

k. But gentle

l. Not quarrelsome

m. Not covetous

2. His family life (1 Timothy 3:4 – 5)

a. One who rules his own house well

b. Having his children in submission with all reverence

c. Word of explanation

“For is if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?”

3. He must not be a novice (1 Timothy 3:6)

a. A reference to a new convert

b. A new convert needs to establish his faith and character well

c. A new convert is not suitable for the office of a pastor

d. The danger is being puff up with pride and falling into the same condemnation as Satan!

4. His personal testimony (1 Timothy 3:7)

a. He must have a good testimony among those who are outside

b. Lest he fall into reproach and snare of the devil

c. The servant of God must guard their testimony very carefully!

GREAT CHALLENGES

1. To understand and appreciate the pastoral ministry better

2. To pray for the pastors and the challenging role they must fulfil

3. To do our part to support the pastoral ministry