1. How would you summarise the personal requirements for a man to be an

overseer?

2. How does proven experience appear as a requirement for an overseer?

3. How is immaturity covered by Paul as a bar to being an overseer?

C. Comment:

Continuing his instructions to Timothy on the life of the church, Paul now gives Timothy guidance as to who may or may not be a church leader. Overseer, or elder, is the term used in the New Testament for such spiritual leaders in the local church, and they were normally appointed by apostles and there was normally more than one in each church (see Titus 1:5-9 & Acts 20:17,28)

Paul gives specific personal quality requirements of a godly mature man who is clearly holy, with a good experience in his family life. The call of the elder is to look after the flock (see above) and if he is unable to look after his own family then he surely won't be able to look after the church either. There must be maturity to stave off possible pride which leads to temptation and possible destruction. His reputation must be good, else he will fall to the tricks of the enemy. There is no requirement that he be educationally trained, but more that he be a proven man of God with a strong relationship with the Lord. How we have strayed from these requirements in today's church!

D. Application:

1. Leaders are prone to enemy attack and need our constant prayers.

2. Leaders are to care for the flock and are answerable to God for it. (See 1

Peter 5:1-4)

Chapter: 1 Tim 3

Passage: 1 Tim 3:8-13

A. Find Out:

1. Summarise the qualities required of deacons. v.8

2. What must they censure? v.9

3. What must happen before they are appointed? v.10

4. What are the requirements for their wives? v.11

5. What is the requirement about their household? v.12

6. What does a deacon do? v.13

B. Think:

1. Read Acts 6:1-6 This appears to be the first appointing of deacons. What

were they to do?

2. How is the appointing of deacons seen to not be a casual thing?

3. Why do you think a high degree of spirituality is a requirement for a

deacon?

C. Comment:

From the requirements for elders Paul now moves on to the requirements for the deacons. Although little guidance is given in Scripture as to their activity, deacons are usually considered to be those who look after the material well-being of the flock. Unlike many deacons today they do not have spiritual oversight and do not bring spiritual direction to the church; this is the role of the overseers (elders). Deacons serve by helping the church and people with their material needs.

But note also, that both here and in Acts 6, those becoming deacons are to have a high level of spirituality: fully faithful to God, mature in the faith, filled with the Spirit and exercising wisdom. Although they are helping on a material plane it will need all the resources of the spiritual dimension. Like overseers, the lives of the deacons are to be blameless and they must show they are capable of leading their own families properly. The number of deacons is not specified in Scripture and it is probably wise only to appoint as specific need and specific ability is made clear, as in Acts 6.

D. Application:

1. A deacon is first and foremost a servant of the flock.

2. A deacon needs to be a man of God.

Chapter: 1 Tim 3

Passage: 1 Tim 3:14-16

A. Find Out:

1. What was Paul's hope? v.14

2. What was he providing against? v.15a

3. So why was he writing? v.15b

4. How does he describe the church? v.15c

5. What does verse 16 describe? v.16a

6. What 6 things are said of Jesus? v.16b

B. Think:

1. Considering Paul's intentions here, what matters has he already covered

in the life of the church?

2. What does this passage tell us about our future plans & intentions?

3. What does v.16 tell us about the life of the early church?

C. Comment:

Paul now makes plain his reason for writing as he has done: he hopes to come to Timothy soon but there is always a possibility of delay, and so a letter of help and encouragement is forthcoming. As much as we may plan our futures, we need reminding that circumstances are often out of our control and delays and other things may occur. This letter therefore, is Paul's means of ensuring that if such delays occur, the work will not be hindered.

Note that the church is described as God's household, or God's family; it is God's church, and as such it is the upholder and supporter of truth in the world. The church is clearly people not buildings, and as such they convey and are the expression of truth.

Finally note in verse 16 another of these sayings of the early church that were like a catechism that stated specific truths of the Gospel in short bits, easily remembered. We see them in 1:15 , 3:1, 4:9 and in 2 Timothy 2:11-13 and Titus 3:5-8. The church clearly formulated and taught these to ensure that truth was accurately passed on.

D. Application:

1. We, as people of God, are conveyors of truth by word and deed.

2. We need to ensure we learn, understand and convey the truth

accurately to the next generation.

Chapter: 1 Tim 4

Passage: 1 Tim 4:1-5

A. Find Out:

1. What will happen in the last times? v.1

2. How do such things come? v.2

3. What do they also do? v.3a

4. How is that counter to the truth? v.3b

5. How are we to approach God's creation? v.4

6. Why would it be all right? v.5

B. Think:

1. How is false teaching so often negative?

2. How is the truth positive?

3. How is it an effort to fall into deception?

C. Comment:

In 3:15 Paul acknowledges the wonder of the church. Now he warns Timothy against those who would appear religious but who are, in fact, far from the truth.

First note that deception is a very real thing and it has demonic background. Note that such people who bring false teaching have only been able to come to that place by over riding (or searing) their consciences again and again, for God would have sought by His Spirit to call them back to the truth many times, but they rejected or failed to heed His promptings.

Second, note that their teaching is always very negative: you mustn't do this or that. Now there ARE some reasons for not marrying, e.g. a believer to an unbeliever (see 2 Corinthians 6:14 ), and some foods are unhealthy if eaten in excess, but God's creation is a good creation, to be received with thankfulness. The Christian faith doesn't put lots of holds on enjoying God's creation, God's provision; that comes from other philosophies. As we receive God's provision with hearts open to Him with thanksgiving, He will tell us if we are eating in excess, or whatever, but otherwise it is good, it is God's provision.

D. Application:

1. The truth of God is positive. Whenever God says “don't” it is for our

good, to avoid harming us.

2. Thank Him for the wonder of His provision.

Chapter: 1 Tim 4

Passage: 1 Tim 4:6-10

A. Find Out:

1. What was Timothy to do? v.6a

2. What will that make him and why? v.6b

3. What is he to avoid and what to go for? v.7

4. What is better than physical training and why? v.8

5. For what was Paul striving? v.9,10

6. Of whom is God saviour? v.10

B. Think:

1. What is one role of the minister?

2. What temptation must he overcome?

3. Why is godliness something that Paul recommends so strongly?

C. Comment:

Very well Timothy, says Paul, remind the church of the wonder of the gospel, who and what the church is, how it functions and dangers to be avoided. Do these things and be a good servant of Christ, using the faith you have received and imparting the truths you have come to know.

But, he goes on, watch out for yourself, that you don't go getting caught up in intellectual speculation about myths. This is a danger for every leader, that he becomes intellectual and possibly ineffectual rather than becoming godly and effective with a deepening relationship with the Lord.

Note also that Paul says that this doesn't come naturally, this daily experiencing the Lord's presence, it needs working at. It needs effort to keep out the debris of the world; it needs effort to put aside time to wait on and know His presence. But, he goes on, if you do this, then you will find immense value in both this present life and, of course, in the life to come in eternity.

To conclude, Paul again reminds Timothy of one of the short sayings: God is alive and is our Saviour. This means He is our hope now, today, so work out your relationship with him.

D. Application:

1. Godliness means relationship, and that needs working at.

2. Relationship means God's life today.

Chapter: 1 Tim 4

Passage: 1 Tim 4:11-16

A. Find Out:

1. What was and wasn't Timothy to do? v.12

2. What 3 public things was he to do? v.13

3. When had Timothy been gifted? v.14

4. What was he to do and why? v.15

5. What was he particularly to watch? v.16a

6. But what more was he to do and why? v.16b

B. Think:

1. What obviously was Timothy's particular gifting?

2. Does gifting grow automatically? What does this passage say on it?

3. How was Timothy to combat potential problems over his youthfulness?

C. Comment:

Paul now focuses on Timothy and his ministry. He recognises first of all, that Timothy is young and that older Christians could look down on him. Don't let that happen, he says, but be an example that they can all follow. Mind your words, mind your life, let love and faith flow from you and may you be known for your purity.

Second, he reminds Timothy about the ministry that had been given him by the Lord, conveyed to him when he was prayed over by the church elders, and confirmed through the prophetic word. His gifting was clearly the spoken word, hence he is challenged by Paul to give himself over to public preaching, teaching and conveying the word of God (v.13) so that his hearers (v.16) will be blessed.

We should note thirdly, that this gifting can fall into disuse if not exercised regularly, and positively pursued. Timothy is exhorted to “be diligent” and be totally committed to the ministry so that his spiritual growth can be observable. But even more than that he is to ensure that it is not just words, but right words (doctrine v.16) and his life is to match his words. Effort and perseverance are clearly indicated as being a necessary part of all this.

D. Application:

1. Gifting is given by God but needs to be developed.

2. The responsibility for growth is ours.

RECAP: "Elders, Deacons & Teaching" 1 Timothy 3 & 4

SUMMARY :

In these two chapters we have seen Paul:

- giving the qualifications for Elders

- giving the qualifications for Deacons

- speaking on the household of God

- warning on false teachers again

- giving guidance on youthful ministry

COMMENT :

The church, as the household of God, is to be the revealer of truth, as it tells of the mystery of Jesus who has come in the flesh. Its leaders should, therefore, be up to the job, and there are various qualifications to be met. Do our leaders meet them?

False teachers will distort the truth and so those in leadership are to ensure we hold onto teaching the truth. Young leaders should act as a constant example, to the flock, whether they be older or younger than them. These chapters say much to us!

LESSONS?

1. Leaders hold a responsible role in the church

2. Deacons are first and foremost servants

3. The household of God reveals the truth of God

4. Truth can easily be lost to error

5. Intellectualism is the enemy of life and truth

6. Ministry is a gift from God to be exercised.

PRAY :

Pray for the protection and blessing of church leaders who, because of their up-front position, are vulnerable to enemy attack.

PART 3 : "The Elderly, Elders and Godliness"

In this final Part of this first letter, having just mentioned those older than Timothy in the congregation, Paul gives instructions on how the church should look after the elderly in the congregation who are widows. He also picks up on elders again and finishes with a number of practical exhortations before closing the letter with further encouragements.