God’s Requirements for Elders

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9

Complementary Reading: 1 Timothy 5:17-25

Download [Sermon Devotional Handout 13 September 26]

Sermon Notes:

• God’s Primary Requirements for Elders Focus On Christ-like Character
  • Elders should be “above reproach” (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6)
  • A review of the specific character-related requirements
  • What if you believe an elder candidate doesn’t meet one of these?
• Elders Must Also Be Able to Correctly Teach God’s Word
  • An elder’s main functional requirement is the ability to teach God’s Word (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:9)
  • An elder needs to have spent some time living by the Word (1 Timothy 3:6)
• The Different Requirements for Elders and Deacons Help Us Better Understand Both Offices
  • The Bible recognizes 2 church offices with different responsibilities – deacons and elders
  • Teaching isn’t a requirement for deacons
  • Character is central to both offices but the standard is higher for elders
  • Scripture appears to support women serving as deacons, while that doesn’t appear to be true for elders (1 Timothy 3:11, 1 Timothy 2:12)