Leadership Priorities

March 20, 2011

Background Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:6 – 16
Lesson Passage: 1 Timothy 4:6 – 16

Doctrine. Doctrine. Doctrine. Three times in this passage of scripture Paul warns Timothy to be careful with doctrine. What does he mean by doctrine? Doctrine essentially covers two things. Doctrine speaks of the specifics of what is taught and it also speaks of the entire system by which it is taught. Christian doctrine includes the basic tenets or beliefs of the Christian faith. These basic beliefs did not come about because of fables or tales that were made up over time and passed from one generation to another. The basic beliefs of Christianity were first presented by Jesus during his earthly ministry with his apostles. Those beliefs in many cases clashed with various practices within Judaism although they were based on the writings of the Old Testament which formed the basis of Jewish doctrine. Jesus’ interpretation of the Old Testament scriptures became the foundation for the doctrine of the New Testament church. Jesus often affirmed that his mission was not to destroy or do away with the Old Testament but he came as a fulfillment of the prophecies of it. His teaching shed new light on very old scriptures such that even the simple and unlearned understood for the first time some of the ways of God revealed in the scriptures that were once obscure to them. Jesus’ teaching also separated religious practices from true worship and devotion to God. After his death, burial, resurrection, and prior to his ascension, Jesus charged his apostles to complete the doctrinal foundation of the church under the guidance of the Holy Ghost after his departure. With so much doctrinal confusion between Jesus’ teachings and the practices of God’s covenant people, there is no wonder that there was so much concern about doctrinal teaching within the church. Misinformation often creates a larger problem than lack of information. Satan uses misinformation to confound doctrine and lead people astray. Church leaders must always be vigilant to ensure sound Christian doctrine is being taught. Doctrinal teaching must rely on the only two sources of Christian doctrine available to the church; namely, the teachings of Jesus according to the gospel writers and the apostles’ doctrine as conveyed to the church through the remaining New Testament writings. Since Timothy had the advantage of being taught directly by the apostles, his studies would have included the Old Testament scriptures and the letters written by the apostles. He was warned to avoid the old wives’ tales that apparently were making their way through some of the local congregations. Timothy was admonished to be an example of a Christian through his speech, lifestyle, love, devotion and character. This touches on the second aspect of doctrine, i.e., practicing the principles. All methods of teaching, including by example, must be consistent in order to have sound doctrine. Practice must be in agreement with proclamation and teaching. Above all, Paul’s advice to Timothy is a reminder to church leaders today that of all of the responsibilities that Christian leaders have, the teaching of sound doctrine is the first priority.


Robert C. Hudson
March 8, 2011

Leadership Qualities

March 13, 2011

Background Scripture: 1 Timothy 3
Lesson Passage: 1 Timothy 3

What qualities do you look for in a leader? Better yet, if someone seeks your advice in finding someone that they could follow what leadership qualities would you suggest they pay close attention to? I believe that the latter question offers a better perspective since we are often more adept at giving advice to others than we are at thinking about how we make decisions for ourselves. Either way the question remains the same. What qualities should one desire in a leader? Christians should thank God that we don’t have to figure that one out. God has provided guidelines for Christians to follow when it comes to the officers of the local church. These guidelines probably came about as a result of a growing number of members in the local church at Ephesus. Whatever the reason, Paul found it necessary for the Ephesian church to be organized to have officers in place to serve the membership. Therefore, he instructed Timothy, who had been given the charge of caring for that local congregation, concerning the qualifications that should be found in those that would be placed in the two offices of the local church. First and foremost, he addressed the qualifications (or qualities) for the spiritual overseer of the local church. The bishop is singularly accountable to God for all that transpires relative to the local church. The title bishop means overseer or pastor. When Paul addressed the Ephesian elders prior to his departure, he reminded them of their responsibilities towards the local church and he told them that it was God who had purchased the church with His own blood and He had made them overseers of His flock. Here in the text, Paul addresses qualities that affect four areas of the person’s life. These areas include public reputation, family life, interpersonal relationships outside of the family, and experience living as a Christian. He stressed the danger of placing someone who is new to the faith in such a prestigious position where they could be taken advantage of and condemned by the devil. Nothing in the list suggests that the person has to be perfect in order to serve as an officer in the local church but the list itself certainly points to the need for the person to be spiritually mature. The qualities or qualifications for those that would be appointed to the office of deacon are linked directly to those of the overseer through the adverb “likewise”. This basically states that the qualifications are in a similar fashion. However, it is of interest that the wives of the deacons should also possess certain qualities of spiritual maturity. Perhaps this is best understood in light of the duties assigned to the seven men that were chosen to assist the apostles in Chapter 6 of the book of Acts. If indeed a great deal of their service would involve direct contact with needy women in the congregation, then their wives would certainly need to be spiritual women in order to assist in maintaining an environment where decency and especially propriety would prevail. If the qualities outlined in our lesson today are found in the leadership within the local congregation and their wives, then behavior within the household of faith should be according to God’s desire.


Robert C. Hudson
March 3, 2011

Worship Guidelines

March 6, 2011

Background Scripture: 1 Timothy 2
Lesson Passage: 1 Timothy 2

Paul’s first letter to Timothy is a follow-up to the assignment he initially gave him before Paul left Ephesus in route to Macedonia. Paul assigned Timothy to remain in Ephesus and defend the Christian faith against false teachers. Apparently this assignment had lasted longer than expected and Paul wrote to provide additional instructions and guidance. Since the Christian community in Ephesus had apparently grown, it was necessary to provide organizational structure and administration for the infant church. In addition to instructions concerning church officers and guidance concerning various pastoral duties, the spiritual attitude and behavior of the church had to be addressed as well.

Our lesson today is taken from that letter. Here, Paul outlined five things that Timothy should practice and instill in the Ephesian church. Paul told Timothy to pray for everyone. These prayers should cover various areas of need, such as, requests, thanksgiving, and intercession. Special prayers should be offered for political leaders that the every day lives of the citizens may go on quietly and in peace. This is a prayer for external stability in the community and internal peace within each Christian. Timothy was instructed to pray for the salvation of all men. Salvation is desired by God for all. Even the worst of the worst can be changed and saved by God when they turn to him in repentance. They should not simply mouth words and call it prayer. They should pray in expectancy which requires faith. They should pray the prayer of faith. Their faith must be based on the truth that God is one and there is only one mediator between God and mankind and that mediator is Jesus Christ. It is faith in this truth that leads us to salvation through Jesus’ atoning death for our sins. Our prayer should be that all may accept salvation and join in sincere and reverent prayer to God as an expression of worship. Timothy had to also address the behavior of the Christian women. They should be careful not to call attention to themselves by the way they dress or the jewelry they wear. Their work of service or ministry should speak for them. The church is all about Jesus Christ and not about its members. The church should also seek to maintain proper order as modeled by the example of Adam and Eve. The women in the membership should not behave as those in society. They should not seek to be above the men but they should be helpers. This particular instruction appears to point to the matter of the overseers or bishops of the church since it addresses authority. The qualifications for the overseers who were to have authority within the church were given from the masculine perspective which is in agreement with the instruction given here. All of these instructions taken together would establish the proper environment for the Ephesian church. They would not model themselves after the world but rather they would become an example in the community where they lived and assembled for prayer, instructions in the word of God, and worship.

Robert C. Hudson
February 24, 2011