1. Think of the spiritual leaders that have made the biggest impact in your life. What qualities in their lives stand out to you?

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1 1 Timothy 3:1-16 September 29, Think of the spiritual leaders that have made the biggest impact in your life. What qualities in their lives stand out to you? Read 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and list God s qualifications for pastors and elders. Which of these qualifications did you include in your answer to the original question? 2. How are the positions of pastor and elder described in verse 1? What do the following portions of Scripture tell us about church leaders? Acts 20:28 Titus 1:9 1 Peter 5: In your own words describe what it means to live above reproach. How is living above reproach different than living a perfect life?

2 1 Timothy 3:1-16 September 29, 2016 Page 2 4. Continue by reading 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Compare the qualifications for deacons in verses 8-12 with the list of qualifications for pastors and elders in verses 2-7 and record your observations. The word deacon means servant. Explain why it s important for the deacon to possess the qualities listed in verses Verse 11 refers to the wives of the deacons and the qualities they should possess, but could also apply to all women who serve within the church. What are those qualities? Because women are naturally more communicative, gossip is sometimes an issue. How does gossip affect an individual? How does it affect the church? Read Proverbs 11:12-13; 16:28; 18:7-8 and 26:20 for further insight. 6. According to 1 Timothy 3:13, what two things does the deacon gain when he faithfully performs his duties with excellence? 7. As part of the church of the living God, we are all called to serve well. After studying verses 1-13, what does it mean to you to serve with excellence? What is the ultimate result when we serve God with excellence?

3 1 Timothy 3:1-16 September 29, 2016 Page 3 8. Continue by reading 1 Timothy 3: The church in this passage refers to an assembly of believers. In verse 15, how does Paul describe the church? Explain how the church is the household of God. How is it the church of the living God? How is the church a pillar and buttress of the truth? 9. The latter part of verse 16 is believed to be part of a well-known first century Christian hymn. According to this hymn, Who is our example of godliness? Rewrite this hymn in your own words. 10. Paul, in his letters to the early church, speaks a great deal about godliness. What do the following portions of Scripture say about godliness? 1 Timothy 4:8 1 Timothy 6:6 11. In Paul s letters to Timothy, he defines godliness as our words and actions that reveal the character of Christ and what He has done for us. Explain how godliness applies to our testimony of Christ in us. Refer to 2 Corinthians 5:20 and Ephesians 4:1-3 for insight. What are some practical ways for you to reveal Christ through your words and actions? 12. Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?

4 September 29, 2016 #KeepiniItReal Paul s Letters to Timothy Here s the Church, Here s the Steeple, Open the Door and See All the 1 Timothy 3:1-16 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 the truth. 1 Timothy 3: Pastors/Elders vs Servant -Qualifications include: *Be above reproach *Husband of one wife *Sober minded and self-controlled *Hospitable *Able to teach *Not a drunkard *Not greedy, violent, or quarrelsome *Manages his own family well *Not a recent convert *Has a good reputation Deacons vs Leading -Qualifications include: *Dignified *Not double-tongued *Not addicted to much wine *Not greedy *Have a clear conscience *Tested and proven *Husband of one well respected wife *Has a well-managed home As Christians, we need to for our church leaders so they are able to maintain a good reputation both inside and outside the church. All Christians vs We are members of the household of God. -We are to display. -Our godliness is based on the Gospel of Christ. 1. God and His godliness was revealed to us through Christ Jesus. 2. The affirmed that Christ Jesus was the Son of God. 3. Christ Jesus was seen and adored by the. 4. Christ Jesus has been and still is being proclaimed among the nations. 5. Christ Jesus is the Savior of the world. 6. Christ Jesus ascended to the right hand of His Heavenly Father. Founded by Christ and built on Christ, the church is to be a preview of his Kingdom. This occurs when his people love and serve out of an overflow of Christ in them. Key: leaders, servants, pray, godliness, Holy Spirit, angels

5 #KeepinItReal Paul s Letters to Timothy September 29, CORINTHIANS 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. EXODUS 9:16 But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth. ACTS 20:28-31 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. MATTHEW 3:16-17 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. ROMANS 8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. COLOSSIANS 1:25-29 I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. MATTHEW 23:25-26 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisees! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside may also be clean.