Protection for Leaders 1 Timothy 5:17-25

94% - feel pressured to have an ideal family The top problems in clergy marriages are: 81% insufficient time; 71% use of money; 70% income level; 64% communication difficulties; 63% Congregational expectations; 57% differences over leisure. 24% - have received or are receiving marital counseling 33% - of pastors are dissatisfied with the level of sexual intimacy in their marriages; and pastors report 16% of their spouses are dissatisfied; which 69% blame on their busy schedules, 54% on their spouse’s schedule, and 35% on frequent night church meetings.

22% - seek supplemental income to make ends meet 28% - feel current compensation is inadequate 69% - of the spouses work outside the home to make ends meet 67% - of the pastors feel positive about their spouses working outside their home

9% - of clergy have had extramarital affairs 19% - have had inappropriate sexual contact with another person other than their spouse 55% - of clergy have no one with whom they can discuss their sexual temptation

Paul Yonggi Cho

DISCUSSION GUIDE 1.How are ministers who lead well to be treated by church members? (1 Timothy 5:17) They are to receive double honor which means both respect and a salary.

DISCUSSION GUIDE 2.What did Paul mean by his use of the Old Testament passage in (v. 18)? Just as threshing oxen were allowed to eat in the field where they work, so should ministers be paid.

DISCUSSION GUIDE 3.How do you view ministers pay? Should they be paid just enough to barely exist or should they be paid a comparable salary to those in their church?

DISCUSSION GUIDE 4.What are the steps Paul lays out if a charge is to be brought on a pastor? (vs ) a. There should be 2 or 3 witnesses b. If guilty, they should be rebuked before all c. No partiality or prejudice should enter in

DISCUSSION GUIDE 5.Have you ever participated in gossip about one of your ministers? If so, what steps do you need to take to avoid this in the future?

DISCUSSION GUIDE 6.What can be the result of appointing the wrong person to a ministry role? (v. 22) If that person sins then those who appointed him share in that sin.

DISCUSSION GUIDE 7.Why did Paul instruct the ministers to use a little wine? (v. 23) For medicinal purposes and notice the word “a little”. Ministers are not to be addicted to wine.

DISCUSSION GUIDE 8.Why is wine drinking not necessary today like it might have been in Paul’s day? Today all types of medicines are available for all ailments, back then wine is all they had.

DISCUSSION GUIDE 9.What is the meaning of (v. 24)? Some sins are obvious and some people are disqualified to be a minister from the start.

DISCUSSION GUIDE 10.In (v. 25) Paul states that good works are obvious but secret sins will not remain hidden. Are there any secret sins in your life that you should be concerned about?

HOW TO PRAY FOR YOUR SPIRITUAL LEADERS Adapted from “Pastors Need Prayer Too” by Will Bruce MONDAY - Pray for their Personal Needs Humility – Ask God to give them a servants heart Wisdom to Know God’s Agenda – That they live and work according to God’s priorities Positive Relationships - To treat everyone with love and respect The Fruit of the Spirit - That they are filled with the Spirit Health – That they take care of their physical needs

TUESDAY - Pray for their Family Needs The Priority of Family – That they would make family their top priority Provision for Family – That God would meet the needs of their families Relationship with Spouse – That they will spend time enriching their own marriages, not forsaking them at the expense of ministering to others

WEDNESDAY - Pray for their Spiritual Needs Quiet Time – That they are disciplined to spend time with God Anointing – That they are daily filled with the Holy Spirit Protection from Spiritual Warfare – That they will put on the Full Armor of God Accountability – That they will have other Christians who will hold them accountable

THURSDAY - Pray for them in regards to Congregational Needs Evangelism - that they have a heart for the lost Mobilization of the Laity - That they can motivate and equip others to serve Intercession – That they would pray on behalf of others

FRIDAY - Pray for Their Passion Needs Their Call – That they continue to have a passion for the ministry and that it’s not just a job Their Vision – That God would give them dreams that could only be explained as a “God thing” Their Work Ethic – That they would work hard and smart