Verse 1: If you could be the lead pastor of your church for a month, what would you do or change in your church? What would you preach on? How would you influence your congregation?

What are the positives of being a church leader? What are the potential challenges of being a church leader?

What do you look for in a church leader?

Verse 2-3: What are some toxic or ineffective behaviors you’ve seen in leaders, whether at church or at work? Why do you think those people became leaders?

Verse 4-5: If church leaders are supposed to manage their household so well, why do you think we have a stereotype for pastor’s children?

Why would Paul look at the state of a leader’s household? What does the state of your household say about you?

Read the story of Eli and his sons in 1 Samuel chapter 2 and 3. Why did God punish Eli? What do these passages say about the role of a father?

“Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭3:11-14‬ ‭ESV

Verse 6: What are some key differences between an immature and mature Christian?

Verse 7: If you were to pick a church leader, would you ask the opinion of non-Christians about him? Why would reputation among non-Christians, or at least people outside your church, matter?

Verse 8-10: Why do you think Paul requires deacons to be tested first? What is the need to be tested on?

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭16:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Verse 11-12: In political debates and commercials, many political leaders spend a lot of time trying to discredit other candidates. Is this a good practice? Do the ends ever justify the means when it comes to slandering others? Why do you think Paul pointed out that wives of deacons should not be slanderers?

Verse 13: In what way do you think you can help be a leader in your church body today? Where is there a need that you can uniquely help lead?
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Here are more than 2,000 sermons on 1 Timothy 3.
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