SUMMER QUARTER – 2002



SPRING QUARTER SUNDAY SCHOOL 2011

THEME: GUIDELINES FOR WORSHIP, PRAYERS AND PRAISE

UNIT ONE: GUIDANCE FOR CHURCH LEADERS (Highlights on I Timothy 1 – 5)

“THE QUALIFICATIONS OF GODLY ORDAINED WORSHIP LEADERS”

Sunday School Lesson No. II – March 13, 2011

Presented by Rev. Frank Davis, III, Pastor-Teacher

Lesson Text: I Timothy 3:1-13

Required Reading: I Timothy 3:1-13

Motto Text: I Timothy 3:1 (NKJV), “This is a faithful saying: If a

man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good

work.”

I Timothy 3:8a (NKJV), “Likewise deacons must be

reverent…”

Reliable Resources: Logos Bible Software; Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator; Standard Lesson Commentary; Precepts for Living (UMI Publish-ing); Visualized Bible Notes (Tyndale/Wilmington); Notes from C.I. Scofield Study Bible.

INTRODUCTION:

Paul now explains to Timothy and the church that God has standards for leaders. He expects that those who lead in the church must meet His high standards, not like some in our churches today, who simply roll the dice of chance to select a leader for God’s House. Paul declares that Godly leaders must meet serious and high standards of qualification to lead His church. One must not only look at the offices of Bishop (Pastor) and Deacon, but the standard for leadership is the same, even for the church janitor. If you give leadership to anything in the church today, be sure your résumé measures up to God’s approval!

Our Anticipated Power Points:

• THE QUALIFICATIONS OF BISHOPS/PASTORS DEFINED. I Timothy 3:1-7

• THE QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONS. I Timothy 3: 8-13

Lesson Outline

I. The Qualifications of Bishops/Pastors Defined. I Timothy 3:1-7

Every organization needs leadership, and so does the church of God! But God, being the Sovereign of His church, through the Holy Spirit, grants power to men to give leadership to it! But what kind of men does God use to lead His church? Are they humanly perfect? Who are they? According to the writings of Paul to Timothy, these primary leaders of the church are called Bishops, Pastors, and Elders. For the sake of harmony, we shall examine their meanings individually, but recognize that any or all three titles could be placed on the same man. (1) “Bishop” or “Overseer” denotes leadership and instruction. (2) “Pastor” denotes caring and nurturing discipline. (3) “Elder” denotes wisdom and maturity. In many churches, the titles are used interchangeably. Such a man should possess the following characteristics:

A. Sacredness (A Holy Life). vss. 1-3

1. The Bishop (Pastor/Elder) is a male of consecration and conviction towards Christ. He must be a devout, Holy man of character, who totally desires to please God! vs. 1

2. “Blameless” (a Teflon man.) Not sinless, but a man to whom no sinful accusation can stick. vs. 2

3. “Husband of one wife” (not a fornicator, homosexual, or adulterer). vs. 2

4. “Vigilant” (good judgment). vs. 2

5. “Sober” (self-controlled). vs. 2

6. “Good behavior” (well-ordered lifestyle). vs. 2

7. “Given to hospitality” (open and ready to entertain guests). vs. 2

8. “Apt to teach” (the love and ability to instruct others in the Word of God!) vs. 2

9. “Not given to the control of alcohol” or narcotic practices. vs. 3

10. “Not a striker” (gentle, and not quarrelsome). vs. 3

11 “Not greedy for money” (not eager to do anything for a dollar, but is worthy of his paid living!) vs. 3

12. “A patient man,” (willing to deal with difficult people and circumstances. vs. 3

13. “Not a brawler” (macho man) but a peaceable man. vs. 3

14. “Not covetous” (Christ and nothing else is His Lord!) vs. 3

B. Sanctuary (a homebound lifestyle) vss. 4-5

The pastor who is married should have good, hard evidence of his love for his wife and children. The home is the “mini-church,” and how he demonstrates leadership there is evidence of his worth to the church. His children should be saved and show submission or respect of authority towards their father! If a man fails in the most fundamental environments of society, how will he be able to direct the affairs of the church?

C. Seasoned (healthy lifestyle). vss. 6-7

The Bishop should have a healthy, Christian life of experience before becoming the primary physical leader of the church. He should not be a novice. Often, churches choose the youngest, most inexperienced man for a pastor; then they wonder why they fail! The church should be able to look up to their pastor with the utmost respect! It is also important for the pastor to have a good reputation outside the church. He is God’s ambassador to an unsaved society. Satan has one desire concerning the pastor, and that is his demise, so he must not be easily lifted with pride.

II. The Qualifications of Deacons. I Timothy 3:8-13

Paul now turns to describe the qualifications of a worthy deacon. The office of the deacon is first introduced in Acts 6:1-5. It was born out of necessity to help fully service the needs of God’s people, and help undergird the arms of the pastors. Three main ingredients stood out in that earlier appointment:

A. Men of honest report.

B. Men led of the Holy Ghost.

C. Men full of wisdom.

The opening word of verse 8 enjoins the qualifications of deacons to that of Pastors, “Likewise.” The name “deacon” comes from the Greek word “diakonos” which means “helper” or “errand boy.” The deacon, like the pastor, should be a man of the utmost integrity and tested, before he enters the office. This is not to say he is perfect, but he should be proven. He also should possess the same characteristics of good family living and the utmost example of spiritual character!

CLOSING:

Paul had one quest for himself, and that was to please Christ and hold His church blameless. He then challenges Timothy to live a life beyond reproach, that the church of the living God would stand unblemished in a tarnished society.

Beloved, please seek to follow these written and Godly-ordained qualifications for our Godly worship leaders, and not be coerced to simply follow the traditions of well meaning, but scripturally wrong human beings. “Let God be true, and every man a liar.”

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Looking Ahead: March 20, 2011 I Timothy 4:6-16

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