Elders & Deacons

1 Timothy 3:1-13

I am writing these things to you so that…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 3:14-15

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ...shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you. 1 Peter 5:1-2

The Elders are responsible for the spiritual development and oversight of the local church before God. Elders serve as pastors, or under-shepherds, of Christ.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17

“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43-45

Deacons are chosen from the congregation and are to function as servants to the church, assisting the Elders in caring for church members and church ministries.

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Titus 1:9

“A pastor needs two voices, one for gathering the sheep and the other for driving away wolves and thieves.” - John Calvin

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrew 13:17

Life Group Discussion Questions

1. What makes a good church leader? How might the world’s vision of a good leader differ from the Bible’s vision of a good leader? What might be the consequences of the church pursuing the world’s vision of leadership rather than God’s?

2. D. A. Carson once wrote, “The most remarkable thing about the qualifications [for elder and deacon] is how unremarkable they are.” In other words, leaders in the church are called to a high standard of character and godliness, but that calling is essentially the same as the calling of every Christian to grow in maturity and godliness. Survey the qualifications for deacon (1 Timothy 3:8-13). In what one or two of the qualifications has the Lord helped you to make progress over the last few years? In what one or two of qualifications might you still long to make progress?

3. How does this passage shape your prayers for our current leaders? Your prayers for yourself?