The Bible Study podcast, episode 306, today the Bible study podcast continues the study of 1st Timothy with chapter 3.

Welcome to the Bible study podcast. I'm your host, Chris Christensen. We continue with chapter

three of First Timothy today. And what we get in chapter three are instructions for overseers and

deacons. And these are people who are supposed to be leaders in the church. But I think when we read

these verses, I want you to think of them as a template for Christian maturity, because that's what Paul is looking for. When he's looking

for leaders, he's looking for people who are maturing in their faith. Here is a trustworthy

saying, whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now an overseer is to be above

reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled,

respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle,

not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well, and see that his children

obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full

respect. If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's

church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceded and fall under the same

judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders so that he will not fall into

disgrace and into the devil's trap. In the same way deacons are to be worthy of respect,

sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the

deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

They must first be tested, and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

In the same way the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers, but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.

Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

So again, as I say, let us treat these verses as models for Christian maturity. But when we look at these verses, the reason why Paul is looking for

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