Here are some questions for you to work and pray through as we finish up 1 Timothy 2 and move into chapter 3.
1 Timothy 1 Study Questions1 Timothy 2 Study QuestionsChurch Leadership: Elders- Why does Paul consider the saying in 3:1 about desiring the overseership/ eldership "trustworthy"?
- Look at 1 Timothy 1:15; 4:9; 2 Timothy 2:11; and Titus 3:8. How does the use of this phrase in those passages influence your understanding of this verse?
- Why is being an overseer (or elder) a "noble task" (3:1)?
- Is someone arrogant or prideful to "aspire" to be an overseer? Why or why not?
- Are all the traits listed in 3:2-7 required? Are they applications of what it means to "be above reproach" (3:2)?
- Must a candidate for eldership excel in every area? Is there room for an elder to continue to grow spiritually or must he have topped out already?
- Read this passage in several translations. Do they all read "husband of one wife" (3:2)? What does that phrase mean?
- Must an elder have multiple children (3:4)? Must the children believe?
- How can we gauge these traits in a candidate (3:7, for example)?
Church Leadership: Deacons- What does "in the same way" mean (3:8)?
- Why does it mention "testing" for deacons (3:10) but not for elders?
- Read several translations of 3:11. Do they all read "their wives"? What other options exist?
- Why does the phrase "in the same way" repeat in 3:8 and 3:11?
- If we interpret 3:11 to refer to deacons' wives, why are character traits listed for deacons' wives but not for elders' wives?
- What is the result of good service (3:13)?
