1. Qualifications for Deacons and Leader’s Wives I Timothy 3:8-13

2. Introduction The word deacon (diakonos) means a servant or minister It is used many times in the New Testament in a general sense Paul was a deacon in this sense- Col. 1:25 Here it used to describe a group of men possessing specific qualifications and appointed to serve the local church- Phil. 1:1 As with the elders, each man must possess all of these qualifications before he is appointed Most of these are required of every christian

3. Qualifications for Deacons-1 1.Reverent (KJV- grave)- V8 The word (semnous) means serious, honorable, honest, dignified All christians are to be honest (reverent)- Phil. 4:8 This word describes a faithful christian of good character A servant must take his service seriously and so must those who serve the local church 2. Not double-tongued

4. Qualifications for Deacons-2 The word dilogos means literally to speak twice It means to speak one thing to one person and something different to another person about the same thing Such a person is often said to be two-faced It is one form of dishonesty The truth does not change, and christians must always speak the truth- Eph. 4:25 Liars have a place reserved for them-Rev. 21:8

5. Qualifications for Deacons-3 3.Not given to much wine The phrase means not addicted to wine or strong drink A similar qualification is given for those who serve as elders I Tim. 3:3- not given to wine It refers to one who is in the habit of drinking wine Drinking fermented wine can lead to drunkenness- Gal. 5:21 Alcohol removes inhibitions and causes people to do things they would not do otherwise- Prov. 23:33

6. Qualifications for Deacons-4 It affects one’s ability to reason and make judgments- Prov. 31:4-5 Christians must be sober- I Pet. 5:8 The safe course for all christians including elders and deacons is to abstain from all alcoholic beverage 4.Not greedy for money This is also a qualification for elders- I Tim. 3:3 Those who are greedy for money will use whatever means is necessary to obtain it

7. Qualifications for Deacons-5 That attitude will lead to many sins- I Tim. 6:10 It caused Judas to steal and betray the Lord- Jn. 12:6 It can also cause christians to neglect their duty to earn more of it 5.Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience The “mystery of faith” is the gospel- V16 & Eph. 1:9 The conscience is one’s knowledge of himself/herself A pure conscience is one that is free of guilt and corruption

8. Qualifications for Deacons-6 It must be educated in the faith once delivered to the saints- Acts 23:1 & Jude 3 6.He must first be proved- V10 Paul told Timothy not to lay hands on anyone hastily- I Tim. 5:22 This applies to teachers, song leaders, as well as deacons A man must demonstrate his dedication to the Lord and holy way of life before leading in worship or serving as a deacon 7. He must be blameless

9. Qualifications for Deacons-7 That is without any sustainable charge of wrongdoing Also a requirement for those who serve as elders- Titus 1:7 8. He must be the husband of one wife- V12 He cannot be a bachelor nor a polygamist 9.He must rule his children and his own house well- V12 As with the elder, he must be the head of his family- Eph. 5:22-23 & Eph. 6:1 There is no requirement that a deacon’s children be believers

10. Qualifications for Leader’s Wives-1 These are found in verse 11 and appear to apply to the wives of both elders and deacons These affect their example and influence on their children & others 1.Reverent (KJV- grave) It has the same meaning here as in verse 8 That is serious, honorable, honest, dignified A quality required of all christians- Phil. 4:8 (NKJV-noble) 2. Not slanderers

11. Qualifications for Leader’s Wives-1 Slander is a form of gossip- I Tim. 5:13 It is the spreading of false accusations Slander is the Devil’s work- Rev. 12:10 All christians must avoid this sin of the tongue- Titus 3:2 3.Temperate (KJV- sober) Also a requirement for elders- V2 A quality of mature christians- Titus 2:2

12. Qualifications for Leader’s Wives- 1 It describes a person who is in control of his faculties and aware of the spiritual dangers around him/her 4.Faithful in all things- V11 a.Faithful to the Lord b.Faithful to His church c.Faithful to her husband and to her children Supporting her husband as he serves or leads in the local church