Sunday School Lesson: Leading God's People

Purpose: To remind us that the behavior of the household of God, especially it’s leaders, has implications for the faithful mission of the church.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:2-15

Therefore an overseer (bishop) must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of truth.
(1Ti 3:2-15 ESV)


What were some of the qualifications you had to meet for your job?

Can we agree that for all jobs there are certain requirements that must be met in order to qualify to do the job?

What are some peculiar qualifications that would be required for leaders in the church?

Today’s scripture gives us Paul’s list of qualities that are desirable for those who wish to serve as bishops and deacons. Paul gives us no description of exactly what was the function of bishops and deacons in the early church, only the qualities required. The functions of these offices in the early church may not be exactly the same as their functions in the modern church. In the modern church the titles of bishop and deacon mean different things to different branches of the Church.

We can from the words themselves and from further study learn something of their functions in the early church. The Greek word translated as bishop is “episkope” which means “overseer”. So we can assume that bishops in the early church were responsible for some type of oversight in the church. The role of bishop in the UMC is also a role of overseer although not so much as directing the day-to-day activities of their charges. Our bishops appoint our pastors their charge, but very seldom offer any direct instruction to our pastors.

Deacon is not a title that is often used in the UMC. What is the role of deacon in other denominations?

We learned about the role of deacons in the early church in one of our lessons last quarter. Can anyone remember who was named deacon in that earlier lesson?

Can anyone remember what was the role of deacon from that lesson?

The lesson was the one on Stephen. Stephen and seven others were named as deacons of the early church in Jerusalem. Their role was to distribute food to the widows and other needy folks of the Jerusalem church. The Greek word translated deacon is “diakonos” which is someone who waits tables.

Okay, let’s read the passage and see what qualifications Paul thought would be necessary for bishops and deacons.

Bishops first:

Therefore an overseer (bishop) must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
(1Ti 3:2-7 ESV)

Let’s take these descriptors one at a time and discuss them:

1. Above reproach. What does “above reproach” mean? Does it mean the person is perfect? Has never been accused of any wrong?

2. Married only once. Never divorced? Or never remarried? Or only one wife at the time?
What about a widower who has remarried? What about a single person who had never married? Are they disqualified? Does the UMC allow bishops who have been married more than once? Could this simply mean that church leaders are to model fidelity in their married lives?

3. Temperate. What does “temperate” mean? Does temperate mean “sober”? If so, why does Paul add another line that says “not a drunkard”? C. S. Lewis lists temperance in his list of Christian virtues, but quickly disqualifies the use of the word temperance to be limited to the use of alcohol. Christian temperance is being “sober” or “self-controlled” in every area of our life.

4. Sensible. I think we all lose our sensibility from time to time. This term is very similar to temperate. A sensible person acts responsibly.

5. Respectable. Respectability is how other people see us. Usually temperate, sensible people are respected.

6. Hospitable. What is hospitality? Does a hospitable person show hospitality only to friends and acquaintances? Hospitality literally means “love of strangers.”

7. Apt teacher. If skill at teaching was a requirement for bishop then the early bishops must have some responsibility to teach the faith. We must remember that this letter to Timothy was written in large part because false teachers were corrupting the faith of believers so skill in teaching was very important for early church leaders. How would the previous four virtues affect the effectiveness of a leaders teaching?

8. Not a drunkard. Is total abstinence called for?

9. Not violent but gentle.

10. Not quarrelsome. No needless bickering.

11. Not a lover of money. Should money ever be the motivation for ministry? Do you see any evidence in the modern church of church leaders being motivated by money?

12. Must not be a recent convert.

There is a great quote in our Adult Bible Studies student book: “What you do speaks so loud that I can’t hear what you say.” Why is it important to live out what we believe? Could the way we live indicate our true beliefs more than the confessions of faith that we make?

Deacons:

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.
(1Ti 3:8-10 ESV)

“Likewise” links the qualifications of bishops and deacons.

1. Serious, dignified. Worthy of respect.

2. Not double-tongued. Consistent.

3. Not indulging in much wine. Temperate.

4. Not greedy for money. Not a lover of money.

5. Hold fast to the faith. The truth that has been revealed by God through Jesus Christ.

6. Let them first be tested. What was the test?

Women:

Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
(1Ti 3:11-13 ESV)

These verses seem to indicate that women served as deacons in the early church. (In Romans 16, Paul sends greetings to Phoebe, a sister and deacon of the church at Cenchreae.) Why in the middle of a list of qualifications for church office would Paul add another list, unless this list also applied to church leaders?

1. Serious. Dignified.

2. Not slanderers.

3. Temperate.

4. Faithful.

Do you think that these qualifications are still important today? Why or why not?

Are there any other qualifications that might be included if these lists were being written for us?

Paul’s list requires that church leaders model exemplary character. Paul desired for Christian leaders to remove and separate themselves from the lifestyles and excesses of the false teachers. Any qualifications that we may wish to add must in some way advance God’s desire to save people.

Should church leaders be held to a higher standard than the Christians in the pews?

Shouldn’t everyone who bears the name of Christ live upright, model lives that serve as an example to others?

Everyone can be transformed through Jesus Christ. All Christians are held to a high standard by God. Every Christian is a witness to God’s power to change lives and all Christians can influence the world and as the Body of Christ our witness can only be as strong as our “weakest link.”

Think of a person who has served well as a church leader. What quality of that person’s leadership is most memorable?

I am of the opinion that every person in this class (or in our church for that matter) is a leader. I would like for us to close with this ceremony to support our leaders (ourselves).

An Order for Installation or Recognition of Leaders in the Church, from the United Methodist Book of Worship.

Prayer:
Almighty God, we give you thanks for these persons who have answered the call to lead us. Continue to pour out your blessings upon these your servants. Grant them grace to give themselves wholeheartedly in you service. Keep before them the example of our Lord, who did not think first of himself, but gave himself for us all. Guide them in their work. Reward their faithfulness with the knowledge that through them your purposes are accomplished; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Invitation:
Dear friends, rejoice that God provides laborers for the vineyards. Will you do all you can to assist and encourage them in the responsibilities to which they have been called, giving them your cooperation, your counsel, and your prayers?

Response:
We will.