The elders FAMILY life (vss 1, 4-5)

husband of one wife

He must manage his own household well

The elders PERSONAL life (vss 2-3)

sober minded

self-controlled

not violent but gentle

not quarrelsome

not a lover of money

The elders PUBLIC life (vss 2, 6-7)

respectable

hospitable

able to teach

not a recent convert

How do I apply this? 

Next Week:  1 Timothy 3:8-13

Questions for the Community

Personal Reflection  

1. Think back on your own experience of leaders in the church. Is there joy there? trauma? indifference? Invite God to search your own heart and story and to bring questions or reactions in you to the surface. Ask for healing where needed. Offer thanks for the leaders that have served well.

Group Discussion

2. Begin by staring at Jesus the Chief Shepherd/Pastor/ Elder/Overseer. How do you see these qualifications in Christ?
3. How is “Why should I?” both an appropriate question and a sinful response to the statement: “Respect your elders.” ?
4. Why are all three areas of a leaders life important to inspect (family, personal, public)? Have you seen churches focus on one part to the neglect of another?
5. Look over the list Paul gives. Do any stand out or need clarification? Discuss.
6. All Christians should aspire to the qualities listed here. MEN-to what extent do these qualifications describe you? WOMEN- Are these the qualities that you most admire and praise in men? 

Plan of Action

7. Spend time praying over the leadership of your church. Use this text as a prompt today and in the future of ways to pray for them. Turn your attention on your own life and pray the same kinds of things.