qualifications for spiritual leaders

Transcription

1 LESSON 6 qualifications for spiritual leaders Communicate qualifications for church leadership are not meant for the spiritually elite, but are character traits every believer should strive to attain. Spiritual leaders, at all levels of responsibility, strive to be examples of virtuous character, healthy family relationships, and a good reputation with unbelievers. To model spiritual leadership in the home, church, and world with character and actions. Background Passage: scripture Passage: Memory Verse: 1 TIM OTHY 3 : T IM OTHY 3 : TIM OTHY 4: 1 6 Those who aspire to church leadership with proper motives pursue a noble work (v. 1). Church leaders must demonstrate good character and the ability to teach (vv. 2-3). Church leaders are to manage their households with dignity (vv. 4-5). Church leaders must not be recent converts (v. 6). Church leaders are to have a good reputation with outsiders (v. 7). 49 Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.

2 PREPARING TO TEACH The leader is the lesson. Although Bible study and lesson preparation are essential, the Christlike character you display will teach louder than the content you communicate. That doesn t mean you have to be perfect, but it does mean adults will learn just as much, probably more, from who you are in Christ than from what you say. Read 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and 4:11-16 in your Bible, journaling about the challenges and encouragements these passages offer you as a spiritual leader. Prayerfully study and complete Lesson 6 in your Venture In: Spiritual Leadership Travelogue (pp ). Prepare your teaching plan, determining how to guide group participants to personally apply these biblical truths. Keep the focus on developing these qualifications in your own lives rather than critiquing how church leaders adhere to the standards outlined in 1 Timothy. Pray this lesson will motivate adults to model Christlike character in their own arenas of influence. TEACHING SUGGESTIONS DISTINCTIVELY CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP As adults arrive, request they privately consider the Travelogue (pp ) activity: Respond to the following based on your initial impressions or past experiences: List essential character traits for Christian leaders. Why are healthy family relationships essential for Christian leaders? How does the public reputation of a Christian leader impact his or her effectiveness? (Don t ask for responses yet; you will review at the conclusion of the session.) Invite adults to identify necessary qualifications for their job whether it s a stay-at-home parent, student, volunteer, or person in the work-force. Ask: How are your necessary qualifications different from qualifications others need to have? How are the qualifications of spiritual leaders distinctively different from secular leaders? State although skills and abilities are important, the main qualifications spiritual leaders are to strive to develop and model are 5 0

3 virtuous character, healthy family relationships, and a good reputation with unbelievers. Ask: How do those qualifications relate to believers who are not in formalized roles of church leadership? Read the Travelogue paragraph (p. 60) beginning, The behavioral goals outlined in this passage. TEACHING OPTION Read the following and evaluate whether it describes legitimate : The Perfect Pastor Preaches exactly 20 minutes. Condemns sin but never steps on anyone s toes. Works from 8 a.m. until midnight and is also the church janitor. Makes $400 a week, wears quality clothing, drives a nice car, and donates $100 a week to the church. Is 36 years old and has 40 years pastoral experience. Has a burning desire to work with teenagers and spends most of his time with senior adults. Makes 15 calls a day on church members, spends all his time evangelizing non-members, and is always in his study when needed. Above all, he is handsome, tall on the short side and heavy-set in a thin sort of way. 1 HEALTHY AMBITION Ask a volunteer to read 1 Timothy 3:1. Ask: Does it surprise you that the Bible encourages ambition for leadership? Why? When is ambition unhealthy for spiritual leaders? What is a healthy ambition of a spiritual leader? Read from the Travelogue (p. 61): To aspire to become a spiritual leader means to desire to serve others, to sacrifice for them, and to prioritize spreading the gospel above all personal agendas. Ambition for those goals is worthy, indeed. Explain desire means to stretch oneself out. 2 Declare spiritual leadership isn t about titles and honor; it s about hard work. Paul asserted directing the affairs of the church is a noble work. Those who hold that position should be respected and supported. They also should reflect Christlike character and model lives that are being progressively transformed into the image of Christ. 5 1

4 VIRTUOUS CHARACTER Invite a volunteer to read 1 Timothy 3:2-3,6. Consider why Paul started by describing a leader s character rather than education or abilities. Note this is not a pastor s job description nor is it an exhaustive list of character qualities spiritual leaders should possess. Paul was describing mature Christian character every believer should aspire to develop and demonstrate. Request adults state the character qualities Paul listed. Organize the class into teams, assign one or two qualities to each team (leave out husband of one wife and an able teacher for now) and have them follow the Travelogue (p. 64) instruction to write a onesentence definition of those qualities. After allowing time to work, invite teams to share their definitions. Use the following questions and comments to add to the discussion: Above reproach Ask: How can any person be above reproach all the time, especially in church leadership when it s nearly impossible to please everyone? The etymology of the word [above reproach] suggests the meaning not to be taken hold of. It describes a person of such character that no one can properly bring against him a charge of unfitness. 3 Self-control Ask: What does this quality say to us about eating habits, anger issues, and time use? Self-controlled leaders are well-balanced and trustworthy. They don t live by their feelings but by obedience to God. Sensible Ask: How is clear-headed common sense a great virtue for any leader to possess? This describes the person who is able to think clearly and with clarity. They are not constantly joking, but know how to deal with serious subjects in a serious way. This does not mean he has no sense of humor, or that he is always solemn and somber. Rather it suggests that he knows the value of things and does not cheapen the ministry or the Gospel message by foolish behavior. 4 Respectable Ask: How would you describe a spiritual leader s manners? Respectable leaders have an inner stability that is reflected outwardly in a well-ordered, dignified life. 5 2

5 Hospitable Ask: What did we discover about hospitality in Lesson 1? (Travelogue, pp ). Spiritual leaders open their hearts and homes to practically meet the pressing needs of others. Not addicted to wine Ask: What else would you add besides wine? How is this quality related to the virtue of self-control? Gentle Read Philippians 4:5. Note graciousness (HCSB) is also translated gentleness (NIV) and reasonableness (ESV). Ask: How is gentleness a sign of strength? Spiritual leaders control their strength, they are flexible rather than rigid, and don t threaten, force, or bully people into conformity. Not quarrelsome Read Romans 12: Ask: How would you state this virtue in positive terms? How can spiritual leaders contend for the faith without being contentious? Not greedy Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10 and Philippians 4: Ask: How would you state this virtue in positive terms? Why are contentment and generosity essential qualities of spiritual leaders? Not a new convert Ask: Why shouldn t new believers be rushed into leadership roles? Analyze this list of virtues. Ask: What warnings does the Travelogue writer issue as we consider how these virtues apply to ourselves and spiritual leaders? (Travelogue, pp ). HEALTHY FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS Invite a volunteer to read 1 Timothy 3:2-5. Explore the significance of including healthy family relationships in the middle of a list of virtuous character qualities. Ask: How is the home the proving ground of Christian character? Analyze what the Travelogue writer means by saying verses 2b,4-5 are descriptive rather than prescriptive (p. 65). Guide the group to identify and discuss from the Travelogue (p. 65) three aspects of healthy family relationships: 1. Model a monogamous, faithful, lifelong marriage 5 3

6 TEACHER HELP The idea here is of A one-woman man This means that the Biblical leader is not a playboy, an adulterer, a flirt, and does not show romantic or sexual interest in other women, including the depictions or images of women in pornography Manage household (money, time, property, and extended family matters) well 3. Model effective parenting Discuss: Do you think these three aspects are easier for church leaders than for laypeople? Explain. How are family relationships a good barometer of readiness to lead a church? What mistakes do church members make in evaluating the family life of church leaders (or potential leaders)? (Travelogue, p. 66). Determine ways church members can support your leaders in maintaining healthy family relationships. Declare the church needs to give the staff and their families a break and not expect perfection. Encourage staff to take time off to be with their families and affirm when they do rather than grumble that they re gone. Offer to babysit so husbands and wives can have time alone. Help support their children s spiritual, academic, athletic, and artistic growth. REPUTATION WITH UNBELIEVERS Ask a volunteer to read 1 Timothy 3:7. Ask: Why is a Christian leader s public reputation important? (Travelogue, p. 67). Determine specific ways spiritual leaders can develop a good reputation with unbelievers. Emphasize Paul is not advocating compromise of the gospel message or biblical standards. Even if nonbelievers don t like a spiritual leader s beliefs or morals, they should not be able to fault his/her integrity, respectability, and kindness. Ask: How does this quality of a spiritual leader relate to those of us who don t serve in formalized church leader- 5 4

7 ship roles? State all believers need to bring Christ honor in the community and they need to free up church leaders to get out in the community rather than insist they spend all their time serving church members. TEACHING OPTION Read the following passages and determine ways believers establish good reputations in an unbelieving world: Colossians 4:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12; 1 Peter 3: WHAT ABOUT TEACHING? Ask: Why did the Travelogue omit being an able teacher when discussing character qualities of a spiritual leader? (Travelogue, p. 68). Why is it important spiritual leaders be able to teach? How are we all teachers even if we don t formally teach? How does that emphasize the necessity of character development for every believer? Invite someone to read this lesson s memory verse, 1 Timothy 4:16. Explain Paul was not saying we save ourselves and others by paying close attention to living and teaching biblical standards, but that when we do persevere in these things we become more Christlike and influence others to do the same. Conclusion Ask from the Travelogue (p. 68): Earlier in this lesson, you were asked to respond to these three items based on your initial impressions. Now, respond to them again based on what you have learned from this lesson. List essential character traits for Christian leaders. Why are healthy family relationships essential for Christian leaders? How does the public reputation of Christian leaders impact their effectiveness? State none of us, including those in church leadership positions, meet all these qualifications perfectly. That doesn t mean we give up. Instead we persevere in developing and displaying these quali- 5 5

8 ties. Discuss: What are specific ways we can begin to develop and model these qualifications of spiritual leaders at home, church, and in the world? Close in prayer. FOLLOW THROUGH Write a note to group participants you have seen mature in spiritual leadership qualities, affirming that growth in them. Text all participants, reminding them to work on their memory verses and study Lesson 7 in their Travelogue Thomas D. Lea, Hayne P. Griffin, Jr. The New American Commentary: 1,2 Timothy, Titus, Vol. 34 (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1992), Ibid,