Qualifications for Overseers (1 Timothy 3:1-7)

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” From what Paul wrote, it certainly seems that “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task” was a common saying in the early church. What is the “office of overseer?” Why would someone aspire to the office of overseer? Why would the office of overseer be “a noble task?”

Why should an overseer be above reproach? Why is being above reproach important for Christians? How can one go about being above reproach?

Why should an overseer be the husband of one wife? How important is marriage? Why is marriage important? What does this qualification of an overseer teach us about the permanence of marriage?

Why should an overseer be sober-minded? Why is being sober-minded important for Christians? How can one go about being sober-minded?

Why should an overseer be self-controlled? Why is being self-controlled important for the Christian? How can one go about being self-controlled?

Why should an overseer be respectable? Why is being respectable important for the Christian? How can one go about being respectable?

Why must an overseer be hospitable? Why is being hospitable important for the Christian? How can one go about being hospitable?

Why should an overseer be able to teach? Why is it important for Christians to be able to teach? How can one go about becoming able to teach?

Why should an overseer not be a drunkard? What is it important for Christians not to be drunkards? How can one keep himself from becoming a drunkard?

Why should an overseer not be violent? Why is it important for Christians not to be violent? How can one go about keeping himself from becoming violent?

Why should an overseer be gentle? Why is it important for Christians to be gentle? How can one go about becoming gentle?

Why should an overseer not be quarrelsome? Why should Christians not be quarrelsome? How can one go about keeping himself from becoming quarrelsome?

Why should an overseer not be a lover of money? Why is it important for Christians not to be lovers of money? How can one keep himself from becoming a lover of money?

Why must an overseer manage his own household well? Why is it important for Christians to manage their own households well? How can one go about managing his own household well?

Why is dignity important for the overseer who manages his own household well?

Why must an overseer keep his children submissive? Why is it important for Christians to keep their children submissive? How can one go about keeping his children submissive?

Why can one not properly care for God’s church if he does not keep his children submissive?

What are some of the reasons it would be unwise for an overseer to be a recent convert? How would you define “recent convert?” How long do you believe someone should be a Christian before becoming an overseer?

Why would an overseer be tempted to fall into conceit were he a recent convert? How big a problem is conceit among the people of God? How can one keep from being conceited?

In what way(s) is conceit “the condemnation of the devil?”

Why must an overseer be well thought of by outsiders? Why is it important for a Christian to be well thought of by outsiders? How can one go about being well thought of by outsiders? Who is an “outsider?”

• Does Paul’s use of “outsider” indicate that some are “insiders” and some are “outsiders?”
• Why would the Apostle make such a distinction?
• Is such a distinction helpful? Why or why not?

Why would an overseer fall into disgrace were he not well thought of by outsiders?

How is disgrace brought about by not being well thought of by outsiders “a snare of the devil?”