Link to NBC Deacon Information
Caution: The point of this lesson is to highlight the standards expected for those who serve because they are modeling the Christian lifestyle to everyone in the church. 1 Timothy 3 begins with the standard of service for the pastor (we will focus on this standard in a later lesson as we study Titus.) He then focuses his attention on the standards expected for deacons, and finally, addresses the standards for Timothy. Paul was not trying to create an elitist group of leaders who lived piously above all others. It was quite the opposite. He was setting a standard they were to model to the entire church. These standards were to help the church rise above the cultural influences and to combat false teaching as mentioned in chapter 1. They were to present transformed lives to believers who were looking for a model and to the world that was without hope. None of the leaders were perfect, but because they were in a position of leadership, they were to live to a different standard and would be held accountable for these standards. The ETB Commentary states it this way:
"A church needs the faithful ministry of mature(ing) leaders to maintain spiritual health and to grow in the Lord." (p35)Use any of the suggestions below to supplement your Discover Guide plans or ETB Leader Guide teaching plans. Don't forget to check Extra! for additional helps!
The Target
Focus on what adults should leave knowing, understanding, and doing.
Adults will answer the question: "What qualities does God expect in those who serve Him and the church?" They will identify the areas in which they need to continue to grow in order to be examples of servant leaders to those around them.
Look Up
Use "Soft Methods" to draw attention to the study as adults are visiting and gathering for Bible study.
There are several good suggestions in the following that could be used.
- Leader Guide: Step 1, page 40.
- QuickSource, Honor God in Your Service Object Lesson, page 17.
- See story introduction in Extra! Click Here for Info.
As adults begin to arrive, ask them to answer the following question: "What is one attribute you would look for in a spiritual leader?" You could invite the group to list their attribute on individual post-it notes for display or to list them on a marker-board as they think of examples.
Once most adults have arrived, begin to review the list and begin creating a composite of a spiritual leader. Add to this composite as you move through the Scripture passages.
Context
Remind the group of Paul's exhortation to Timothy regarding protecting the church from false teachers. It was apparent that the culture in Ephesus was influencing the young church. He then reminded Timothy of the roles and responsibilities that were needed by men and women in the church. These were new believers, influenced by their past, who needed guidance and clarification about spiritual actions and doctrinal integrity.
Remind the group of Paul's exhortation to Timothy regarding protecting the church from false teachers. It was apparent that the culture in Ephesus was influencing the young church. He then reminded Timothy of the roles and responsibilities that were needed by men and women in the church. These were new believers, influenced by their past, who needed guidance and clarification about spiritual actions and doctrinal integrity.
Transition: Paul begins in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 to spell out the standards for the overseer(pastor). Explain that we focus on these standards when we are studying Titus. He then begins to share in 1 Timothy 3:8, the standards set out for those who serve as an extension of the pastor's ministry -- the deacons. They are to live to a set of standards similar to the pastor's. He then turns his attention to Timothy and the standards by which he is to live.
As we look at these standards, identify the areas in which you need to grow as a believer and as one who is serving in your area of ministry. We all need to strive to live to a higher standard in our lives because of Who we represent when we are serving Him in the church, at home, and in the community.
Look In
Ideas for communicating and studying the Word:
1 Timothy 3:8-13 A Spiritual Servant Leader Behaves Blamelessly
I suggest you review the teaching suggestions in the following. They provide some very good ideas on how to guide a discussion of these passages:
- Leader Guide: Step 2, page 40.
- QuickSource: 1 Timothy 3:8-13 teaching ideas, page 16.
Ask the group to identify additional attributes of a spiritual leader. Enlist someone to write each attribute on a post-it note and add to the previous list, or to write the attributes on the previously compiled list on the marker-board.
If using the Discovery Study Guide, direct the group to read the results of the negative attributes (p25, first two paragraphs.) Lead a discussion about trusting someone who has consistently violated the attributes listed. Ask: "What happens when someone who is a leader has these characteristics as a part of his/her reputation?"
Caution: As you present these standards, be sure to emphasize that we are all sinners and under God's grace. Also be sensitive to those who have gone through divorce. This might be due to circumstances beyond their control or because of a life of rebellion they lived at some point. If they sought reconciliation with Christ, then they are forgiven and they can serve, but just not as a deacon, because of the standards put forth in these passages. We should also not focus just on the divorce issue; there are many more attributes listed here as well. They all deserve equal time and are just as important.
Review the composite of a spiritual leader. Ask if anyone in the group felt they could live up to the standards listed. Most will say "no." Ask: "So why have standards?"
Lead the group to discuss the importance of standards for leaders of the church. Emphasize how the leaders' standards present a model to the church -- for all who are learning to serve Christ. Those standards also protects the church's integrity with the lost who are watching to see if we are reflecting the life of Christ.
Ask the following questions:
- If you aren't a deacon or an overseer, what does this have to do with you?
- Do you have a different set of standards to choose from?
- What is the point?
Key verse for this entire conversation in 1 Timothy 2 & 3: Read 1 Timothy 3:14-15. Explain how this is key; we are all supposed to "know how to act as a part of God's household."
Transition: We see in the following verses some exhortations to Timothy about how to live so he can continue to strive toward these standards and so he can combat the influences of the false teachers. These will help us to know what we are to do as well.
1 Timothy 4:6-16 A Spiritual Servant Leader Trains
I suggest you review the teaching suggestions in the following. They provide some very good ideas on how to guide a discussion of these passages:
- Leader Guide: Steps 3 & 4, pages 40-41.
- QuickSource teaching ideas, page 16.
- To gain ideas regarding the use of gyms during this time period see the QuickSource, Dig Deeper, page 17.
Read aloud 1 Timothy 4:6-8. Direct the group to underline the phrase, "train yourself in godliness" in verse 7. Explain how Paul compares training in godliness to the training of the body with one exception; the training of the body has limited benefits. He explains how training in godliness has benefits for this present life and for the life to come.
Discuss: How does training in godliness benefit us in this present life and the life to come? (Examples might include: the legacy we pass down through our families, the legacy we pass down through other believers in the church, the life of peace we live in the present time, the life of spiritual influence we have as we grow, a life of "no-regrets", etc.)
Read 1 Timothy 4:9-10. Emphasize the work Paul is putting into living a life of godliness because he trusts in what God has done. We should do this because it is trustworthy! Paul emphasizes the work and role of Christ again.
Read 1 Timothy 4:11-16. As you read, instruct the group to identify the phrases and key words that describe ways in which Timothy was to train himself in godliness. This was Timothy's spiritual workout plan. Include the following:
- "command and teach" -- in other words, don't keep silent.
- "be an example" -- in speech, conduct, love, faith, purity.
- "give attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching." -- listen and learn!
- "Do not neglect the gift" -- Serve out of how God is equipping you.
- Practice
- "be committed"
- Progress in a way that is observable by all.
- Be conscientious
- Persevere
Look Out
Hitting the target and applying it to daily living.
Teaching Option:
Direct the group to list on post-it notes the areas in which they serve at NBC. Ask everyone to place their areas of service on the wall or marker board. Contrast their areas of service with that of the qualifications for spiritual leaders. Challenge each of them to identify one area in which they need to "exercise training in godliness" in order to become a strong spiritual servant leader.
If you are using the Discovery Study Guide, read the statement at the top of page 28 under "Intentional Living." Explain how this describes the entire purpose for what Paul is talking about with Timothy -- the expansion of God's Kingdom.
Distribute the list of NBC deacons and challenge the group to pray for them as they continue to serve knowing that they are to be setting the standard for the rest of us.
