Deacons

1 Timothy 3:8-13

Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

It would be helpful to read, along with this passage, Acts 6:1-7, which many believe to a description of the original deacons, even though they are not called that.


Some Questions:

• As you read this what are the first things that come to your mind?
• What in this text strikes you as remarkable?
• How many "qualifications" does Paul mention for one to be a deacon?
• Why are these things important to God?
• Which of these is the most difficult?
• How does these things differ from what Paul describes for elders?
• Do you know of men who like what Paul describes? Who are they?

What else is on your mind this week?

Who’s Up for This?

1 Timothy 3:1-7

Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.


It would be helpful to read, along with this passage, Titus 1:5-9.

Some Guide Questions:

• What in this text strikes you as remarkable?
• How many "qualifications" does Paul mention for one to be an overseer or elder?
• Why are these things important to God?
• Which of these is the most difficult?
• Do you know of men who are like what Paul describes?

What else is on your mind this week?

Watch Out!

Here is our text for the week:

Acts 20:28-31

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

To help you really understand the text, you should read verse 17 and then all the way to the end of the chapter 20.

Questions:

• As you read this what are the first things that come to your mind?
• What in this text strikes you as remarkable?
• What is Paul’s mood and tone?
• Can you imagine his face?
• What are Paul’s concerns?
• What "assignments" does he give to the elders of the Ephesian church?
• How this text apply to our present time?
• Why is this story here?

What else is on your mind this week?

Waiting on Tables (and God)

Our text for the week is

Acts 6:1-7.

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.


Some questions:

• As you read this what are the first things that come to your mind?
• What in this text strikes you as remarkable?
• What is the problem presented in the text?
• What is the solution?
• What point do the apostles make?
• How do they perceive their role in the church?
• How this text apply to our present time?
• Who in the modern church corresponds to the apostles?
• Who in the modern church corresponds to the distributers of food?
• Why is this story here?
  

What else is on your mind this week?