Overseers and Deacons—1 Timothy 3:1–16 Open It 1. *What were some of the qualifications you had to meet for your job? 2. What important qualities should managers possess? Explore It 1. What did Paul say about the person who wants to be an overseer? (3:1) 2. *What qualities must an overseer possess? (3:2–7) 3. Why is good family management a qualification for being an overseer? (3:4–5) 4. *Why shouldn’t the overseer be a new convert? (3:6) 5. Why must an overseer have a good reputation? (3:7) 6. *What qualities must a deacon possess? (3:8–10, 12) 7. What is required before someone can serve as a deacon? (3:10) 8. What sort of person must the wife of a deacon be? (3:11) 9. What do those who serve well gain? (3:13) 10. What benefit is there in serving well? (3:13) 11. Why did Paul write these instructions? (3:14–15) 12. What is said about Jesus in the hymn Paul quoted? (3:16) Get It 1. What role do you desire in your church? 2. To what noble tasks have you aspired? 3. *Which of the character qualities needed by both overseers and deacons do you think is the most important for a church leader to possess? 4. *If you applied the lists of qualifications for these positions to yourself, how would you measure up? 5. What is the common ingredient in the lists of qualifications for leaders in the church? 6. What hymn or praise chorus that you know centers on the person and work of Jesus Christ? Apply It 1. *What quality from the lists in 1 Timothy 3 do you want to improve in your life? How could you start? 2. In what way can you serve in your church? 3. What hymn or song could you include in your devotions this week?