Elders in the New Testament church

List things that are designated in various ways. Various designations for these men:

1) Bishop - points to inspection or superintending.

2) Overseer - suggests indicates how elders “look” and “watch over” Christians.

3) Presbyter - an adjective that indicates honor (worthy of appreciation).

4) Pastors - overseeing or oversight. Shepherd - like caring for sheep.

5) Elder indicates these men protect, feed, lead, and care for a congregation’s needs.

6) Not a big surprise to people from the past. Roman “senate” (old men) who helped rule the empire.

7) Num. 11:11-16.

8) Elders are charged with ______________________ (Acts 20:28).

9) They are to _________ the __________ from ___________ (Acts 20:29-31).

10) The are to ________________ (1 Tim. 5:17).

11) They also _________________________ (1 Pet. 5:2) and _____________________ (Heb. 13:17).

12) Common questions when it comes to elders and questions.

13) How many should there be? Elders are always spoken of in the plural.

14) Acts 14:23; 15:2, 1 Tim. 5:17; Tit. 1:5.

15) Compare, too, the principle from Jn. 6:70 and Acts 6:3-6.

16) Consider also what elders work with (Acts 20:28). Is one man enough?

17) What about a “head elder” (Mt. 20:27)?

18) How does one “seek the office” (1 Tim. 3:1)? __________________________________________.

19) Wrong ways to do this? ____________________________________________________________.

20) Why might this qualification been especially key 2,000 years ago? __________________________.

21) The qualifications in 1 Tim. 3 & Tit. 1 do not match – why? _______________________________.

22) Might some qualifications involve “degrees”? __________________________________________.

23) Some have tried to classify the qualifications for these men:

24) General, (2) Moral, (3) Mental, (4) Personality, (5) Domestic, (6) Christian experience, (7) Reputation.

25) Without reproach - blameless – word has the sense of “not being under attack” (Rom. 3:23).

26) Gal. 2:11, 14 + 1 Pet. 5:1-2 tells us: ___________________________________________________.

27) The husband of one wife – possible meanings? ___________________________________________.

28) Compare 1 Tim. 3:2 with 5:9 (the wording is identical in both passages).

29) Some Roman Catholic scholars see this union as a marriage to the church.

30) Does this qualification prevent female elders? ___________________________________________.

31) What other indications of male leadership do we find in the Bible? ___________________________.

32) “Temperate” (vigilant,” KJV) -- “alert to what is going on around him” and still calm.

33) “Sober-minded” (“sober,” KJV). People who have their senses about them.

34) Orderly (“of good behaviour”) is the term found in 1 Tim. 2:9, a verse that translates it “modest.”

35) This is the opposite of “roughness or uncouthness.”

36) “Given to hospitality.” A compound term composed of a word meaning “friend” or “lover” and a word meaning “stranger.”

37) Discuss. _________________________________________________________________________.

38) “Apt to teach” - only found here and 2 Tim. 2:24 in the New Testament.

39) Discuss. ________________________________________________________________________.

40) “No brawler” (“not given to wine,” KJV). Literally this meant, “meant “beside wine” or “linger with the cup.”

41) What if an elder “drinks in moderation”? ______________________________________________.

42) 1 Pet. 4:4.

43) Parallel expressions: not given to fornication, not given to false teaching/theft, etc.

44) “No striker” – A “bruiser”— someone who is ready with a blow, a pugnacious, contentious quarrelsome.”

45) “Gentle” (“patient” in KJV) - When the pressure is on, with an unfailing spirit of gentleness and forbearance.

46) “Not contentious” (“brawler,” KJV) - Elders should be peacemakers, not troublemakers.

47) “No lover of money” – why? _____________________________________________________,

48) “One that ruleth well his own house” - ______________________________________________.

49) “Rule” (means stand before) – hints and standing before (versus above) church and home.

50) Why is this important in home? ______________________________________________.

51) “Having (his) children in subjection with all gravity” – compare Tit. 1:6b.

52) The “gravity” is related to the father, not the children. Explain what this means.

53) Is the quality about children “spiritual” or “biological”?

54) May a man serve if his children are adopted? __________________________________.

55) What if a man has only one child? Is he disqualified? Eph. 6:1; Mt. 19:29. What about Prov. 4:10?

56) “Proper management of household” is the overriding point.

57) “Not a novice” – explain: _________________________________________________________.

58) “Good testimony from them that are without” – discuss: __________________________________.

59) Elders have responsibilities and Christians have responsibilities to those who serve in this way.

60) Heb. 13:17 says Christians are to _______________________________.

61) According to 1 Thess. 5:13, Christians are to ____________________ elders.

62) Christians are to “_____________” their elders in a local congregation (1 Thess. 5:12)

63) Heb. 13:17 speaks of ____________________ elders.

64) Elders may be _______________ for their _______________ (1 Thess. 5:17-18).

65) The world often seeks men who are: ________________________________________________.

66) An elder’s qualifications are: ______________________________________________________.