1 Timothy 3 Lesson

LEADERSHIP

There are thousands of books that have been written on the topic of leadership . 

That is because people realize that for organizations to run effectively, there needs to be solid leadership in place.

This is true in the secular world, and it is certainly true in the church. 

In 1 Timothy Chapter 3, the Apostle Paul described to Timothy what the leadership of the church should look like. 

In his writing, Paul described two distinct leadership positions within the church:

1. “The overseer.”  This position may also be referred to as bishop, or elder.
2. The deacon.

The overseer would be involved in preaching, teaching, and overseeing the spiritual and physical well-being of the church. 

The work of an overseer is often referred to as “ shepherding the flock ,” which is both an honorable service to the Lord and a great responsibility! 

THE GOOD SHEPARD

Jesus referred to Himself as, “The Good Shepard,” in the following two scriptures: 

1. “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” - John 10:11, 
2. “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me.” - John 10:14.

LEADERS SERVE OTHERS, NOT THEMSELVES

God wants leaders that are in place to serve others, not themselves . 

He wants church leaders that:

1. Devote their lives to serving others, and glorifying God,
2. Take the time to get to know those that they will be overseeing.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ROLE OF OVERSEER (ELDER)

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul mentioned the following qualifications for the position of an overseer:

Overseers should be:

• Above reproach,
• The husband of one wife,
• Temperate,
• Prudent,
• Respectable,
• Hospitable,
• Able to teach,
• Gentle,
• Peaceable,
• Free from the love of money,
• One who manages their own household well,
• People with a good reputation with those outside of the church.

Overseers should not be:

• Addicted to wine,
• Pugnacious,
• A new convert.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ROLE OF DEACON

As the Church grew, there were practical needs that needed to be taken care of .  In Acts 6:1-6, the apostles saw certain needs of the flock that were not being addressed.  Specifically, widows were not receiving their daily serving of food.  

To meet the needs of the Church, they established the role of deacon, as detailed in the following scripture:

• “Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.  So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.  Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”  The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.  And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.” –  Acts 6:1-6.

Paul listed the qualifications of a deacon as follows:

Deacons should be:

• Men of dignity,
• Holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience,
• Men who have been tested,
• Beyond reproach,
• Husbands of only one wife,
• Good managers of their children and their own households.

Deacons should not be:

• Double-tongued,
• Addicted to much wine,
• Fond of sordid gain.

CONCLUSION

To serve in a leadership position in the church is both a great privilege and a great responsibility. 

Those who sign up for this work deserve our:

1. Respect,
2. Appreciation,
3. Support.

We will end today’s study with the following scripture:

• “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.” – 1 Timothy 3:1.