1
TIMOTHY STUDY
4
GROUNDRULES
FOR LEADERS 1
Timothy 3:1-16
Introduction.
All
groups need to be structured – anarchy is the ultimate alternative – and the
local church is no exception.
It’s
clear from the Acts and also in his letters that when he founded a church, Paul
himself ran it in its early days. But
it seems that as soon as possible he set up the kind of structure that we read
about in this chapter.
Think
first of all about:
1.
Elders (1-7)
There
is a similar passage in Titus 1:5-9.
The
Greek words mean ‘overseer’ or ‘elder’.
Older translations, including RSV sometimes use ‘bishop’. But its Biblical usage has nothing to do
with the present day hierarchical structure of bishops.
What
was their function? Paul gives an
interesting thought in Acts 20:28. What
else do they do (1Tim. 5:17)? Think
also about 1 Thess. 5:12, and Heb. 13:17.
It
seems from 1 Tim. 5:18 that they could be fully engaged in this work and
supported by the church. What
advantages do you see in having some full-time elders? What would be their main responsibilities in
our church? Set them out in order of
priority, giving your reasons.
Do
you think eldership is something to aim at (1 Tim. 3:1)? Why is the position described as a ‘noble
task’ (NIV), ‘excellent work’ (GNB)?
When
Paul describes the various tasks to be done in the church he usually does not
mention elders as being responsible for these, e.g. Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor.
12:28-31; Eph. 4:11-13. Obviously
elders would be among those involved, but it indicates that God has jobs for
all of us to do – very important tasks – even though we may not be called to be
elders.
Look
at the qualifications for becoming an elder (1 Tim. 3:2-7). Take each element in turn and discuss why
this characteristic was important.
There are at least 15 items.
Also check the list in Titus 1:6-9.
What elements would you consider highly important for today’s church.
What
characteristics might there now be which we would want to add because of
current problems in our contemporary society?
2.
Deacons (8-13)
a. The Greek word (diakonos) means ‘servant’ and so has a very wide usage – ‘one who serves’. But it has a more specialised use when applied to those given a special role in the church as described in vs. 8-13.
b.
Again, look at these
characteristics one by one and suggest why they are important for the
task.
Note the similarities to the qualifications for
eldership and the differences. How
would you distinguish between deacons and elders in our church?
Look also at Acts 6:1-6. These are often considered to be the very first deacons. What were their qualifications,
characteristics and role?
Notice how Paul links elders and deacons together
(Phil. 1:1). What does this suggest?
3.
Deaconesses
Verse
11 could refer to ‘deaconesses’ rather than ‘wives’, or ‘women’. See footnote in NIV.
Think
about the significance of their characteristics.
Phoebe
(Rom. 16:1) may have had this role.
This provides a Biblical base for our appointing women deacons.
Older
women and widows had a special place in the early church (Titus 2:3-5; 1 Tim.
5:9-10).
What
distinctive role can a lady deacon have within the fellowship, which a male
deacon could not fulfil so adequately.
Similarly what distinctive contributions do you see older women being
able to make in our church?
Paul
obviously hoped to speak about these issues in person (vs.14,15). Note how he describes the church in v.
15. Note that it’s a ‘household’ –
God’s family. Is that a reason why
elders and deacons should be capable family men (vs. 4,12)? Why is the church likened to a family?
In
what way is the church ‘The pillar and foundation of truth’ (v.15)? Verse 16 is almost certainly a quote by Paul
from an early Christian hymn. What is
it saying, and why should Paul insert it here?