1. ELDER ISSUES RESOLVED A Closer Look at 1 Tim. 3 and Titus 1

2. Two Lists – One Man Lists are different in the specifics (each has five things the other does not have) Lists are the same in purpose Lists are sufficient & independent (Titus and Timothy would appoint same men without collaborating) Both lists emphasize character (blameless) Both lists emphasize proven character Character is not the only issue The testing ground is the home 1 Tim. 3:8-13

3. Titus 1:6-9 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober- minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

4. Titus 1:6-9 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. Why husband of one wife? 1 Tim. 3:4-5, 10-12 Necessary part of ruling his house well Necessary part of having children Literally “a one-woman man” Loyal and faithful to his wife (excludes polygamy) What about a widower? What about a widower who remarried? What about a divorced man?

5. A One-Woman Man Death of wife = disqualification? A one woman elder whose wife dies is still the same man 1 Tim. 5:9 the widow is still a one-man woman Remarriage = two wives? = disqualification? A remarried widower is still a one woman man Is remarriage approved by God or a reproach? 1 Tim. 5:14; 1 Cor. 7:39; Romans 7:1-3 Scripturally divorced man? Must be determined in light of 1 Tim. 3:5

6. Having Believing Children Why having faithful children? Proven spiritual leadership 1 Tim. 3:4-5 Faithful to father or to God? Children in 1 Tim. 3:4 are submitting to father Insubordination describes relationship with father Titus 1:6 Father should be telling them to obey gospel, so it is a moot point However, “believing children” = children who are believers 1 Tim. 6:2 “believing masters”

7. Child or Children? How do children fit into God’s requirement of proven spiritual leadership? 1 Tim. 3:4-5 How does the number of children fit into God’s requirement of proven spiritual leadership? Greater number = more evidence No children = no evidence One child = no evidence? Does “children” not apply to those with one child? Col. 3:21, 2 Cor. 12:14, 1 Tim. 5:4

8. What Kind of Believing Children? Baptism & church attendance is not enough Not accused of riot Eph. 5:18; 1 Peter 4:4 Not accused of insubordination 1 Tim 1:9 disobedient Heb. 2:8 not in subjection Deut. 21:18-21 older kids (younger kids are a “work in progress”) In subjection (obedient) Respectful (respects others, esp. authority) Sign of a well-ruled house Which is a sign of ability to take care of God’s people 1 Tim. 3:5

9. What Kind of Believing Children? Do adopted children count? Of course! 1 Tim. 3:4-5 applies to all under the man’s authority Begets another child after appointed? Does not change his proven spiritual leadership, but a focus on a new soul in his family may affect his ability to focus on the church family 100% faithful? How does % faithful reflect spiritual leadership? Does any unfaithfulness reveal absence of spiritual leadership or misguided spiritual leadership?

10. What Kind of Believing Children? What about faithful at home but unfaithful after they leave home? Behavior while under man’s authority (his house) Believing describes the child Need to consider why they fell away; could reflect faulty upbringing Col. 3:21 Look at the big picture in view of effective spiritual leadership Matt. 7:20 known by results Does believing children moving out disqualify him? How does it affect his proven leadership?