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Lesson Summary:

Paul outlines the qualifications for the offices of overseers and deacons in the church.

Focus Passage: I Timothy 3

Outline and Lesson Goal

Principles and Applications

I. Spiritual Leaders: The Overseers (3:1-7)

Principle: God Has High Expectations for those who Lead His People.
Application: What expectations do you have from your church leaders that are outside God’s expectations for them? How are you a help or a hindrance to them? How are you encouraging them in their ministry?
Scripture Reference

Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,
²shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
³nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
I Peter 5:1-3 (NASB)

II. Servant Leaders: The Deacons (3:8-13)

Principle: God’s Servants take good care of His People.
Application: What expectations do you have from the deacons in your church that are outside God’s expectations for them? How have you thanked them for their service to you and your family?
Scripture Reference

⁴²Calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.
⁴³But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;
⁴⁴and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.
⁴⁵For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:42-45 (NASB)

III. Supreme Mission of the Church: Exalting Christ (3:14-16)

Principle: The Church’s High Calling is to Exalt Jesus Christ.
Application: Do you understand how to behave as a member of the church of the living God? How is your life a witness to our Lord Jesus Christ?
Scripture Reference

⁵For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.
⁶For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:5-6 (NASB)