Reflection
- (1Ti 3:1 ESV) The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
- (1Ti 3:2 ESV) Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
- (1Ti 3:3 ESV) not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
- (Tit 1:5 ESV) This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you–
- (Tit 1:6 ESV) if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
- (Tit 1:7 ESV) For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
- (Tit 1:8 ESV) but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
- (Tit 1:9 ESV) He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Discussion
Have you ever bought something that had instructions for putting it together? Did you following the instructions or just try to figure it out? Did you end up with parts left over?
God gave us His Word in the Bible so that we should know Him and His plan for the world. It is never our place to add to or take away from the clear instruction in the Word of God. We should also not ever find ourselves with parts of the church “left over” without a purpose.
Two very similar sections of Scripture are given to show us what marks out the elders of the Christian church. A host of other verses are also given in the Bible to support and explain the various traits of those leaders. As we unpack these things, it is important to remember that the church is owned by and directed by God, not people. We cannot rely on our human desire, our personal will, or the culture that we live in to dictate how the people of God should live.
Connection
Why is it important to follow the instructions God has given for the operation of His church?
What do you think can happen when we decide to do our own thing instead of following God’s plan for His church?
How can your family seek to serve God in a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith?
Expansion
God Will Build His Church
Colossians 1:15-20, Colossians 3:15, Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Matthew 22:37-39, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:42-27
Scripture is true and without error
2 Timothy 3:14-17, Hebrews 1:1-2, Jeremiah 1:0-11, Luke 16:29-31, 2 Peter 1:19-21, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, James 4:5, Romans 15:4, Colossians 3:16, 1 John 5:9-12, Matthew 24:35, Matthew 5:18, Isaiah 40:8