Springer Road Church of Christ
He Must Manage His Own Household Well
The lesson today is the third sermon in a series on the qualities and qualifications of eldership found in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. This lesson will focus on the qualifications regarding a man's household and children!
Locations & Times
Springer Road Church of Christ
1003 Springer Rd, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Some Important Reminders About the Eldership Qualities:
The qualities are given for a reason—to demonstrate a man’s ability to lead the church.
It is dangerous to appoint an unqualified man.
It is dangerous to reject a qualified man.
The qualities are given for a reason—to demonstrate a man’s ability to lead the church.
It is dangerous to appoint an unqualified man.
It is dangerous to reject a qualified man.
Some Simple Observations
Both lists contain household qualifications, but the details vary
In Titus, the household qualification comes immediately after the martial qualification; whereas in 1 Timothy, the marital and household qualifications are separated by 10 other qualities.
In both lists, Paul explains this quality/qualification
Both lists contain household qualifications, but the details vary
In Titus, the household qualification comes immediately after the martial qualification; whereas in 1 Timothy, the marital and household qualifications are separated by 10 other qualities.
In both lists, Paul explains this quality/qualification
Here are some other translations of 1 Timothy 3:4-5:
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity.
New International Version (NIV)
He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity.
New International Version (NIV)
He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.
"Manage"
Definitions Include:
(1) to exercise a position of leadership, rule, direct, be at the head of (2) to have an interest in, show concern for, care for, give aid (BDAG)
“to so influence others as to cause them to follow a recommended course of action” (Louw & Nida Greek English Lexicon)
Definitions Include:
(1) to exercise a position of leadership, rule, direct, be at the head of (2) to have an interest in, show concern for, care for, give aid (BDAG)
“to so influence others as to cause them to follow a recommended course of action” (Louw & Nida Greek English Lexicon)
With All Dignity
majesty; gravity, dignity, dignified seriousness (Mounce Expository Dictionary)
Behavior which is befitting, implying a measure of dignity leading to respect. (Louw & Nida)
a manner or mode of behavior that indicates one is above what is ordinary and therefore worthy of special respect.
Has a man led his home in a dignified way? Has he led in a way which earned the respect of his family?
majesty; gravity, dignity, dignified seriousness (Mounce Expository Dictionary)
Behavior which is befitting, implying a measure of dignity leading to respect. (Louw & Nida)
a manner or mode of behavior that indicates one is above what is ordinary and therefore worthy of special respect.
Has a man led his home in a dignified way? Has he led in a way which earned the respect of his family?
"Keeping HIs Children Submissive"
Children:
Number: The term is plural, but can also refer to the singular.
Age: The Greek word can refer to any child, from an infant to an adult
Submissive:
"the state of submissiveness as opposed to setting oneself up as controller"
*Other passages where this word is used: 2 Corinthians 9:13; Galatians 2:5; 1 Timothy 2:11
Children:
Number: The term is plural, but can also refer to the singular.
Age: The Greek word can refer to any child, from an infant to an adult
Submissive:
"the state of submissiveness as opposed to setting oneself up as controller"
*Other passages where this word is used: 2 Corinthians 9:13; Galatians 2:5; 1 Timothy 2:11
The Reason for This Qualification:
“for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?”
A man must prove his leadership ability in the microcosm of the home before he can be fully entrusted to lead the church as an elder.
“for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?”
A man must prove his leadership ability in the microcosm of the home before he can be fully entrusted to lead the church as an elder.
Some other translations of Titus 1:6-7
New King James Version (NKJV)
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,
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
An elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless...
New International Version (NIV)
An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—
New King James Version (NKJV)
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,
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
An elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless...
New International Version (NIV)
An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—
"His Children are Believers"
Greek word is pistos, which can mean "belief, faith, faithfulness, loyalty, dependability, or trustworthiness."
We should remember that ALL Christian parents are expected to raise their children in the Lord!
Greek word is pistos, which can mean "belief, faith, faithfulness, loyalty, dependability, or trustworthiness."
We should remember that ALL Christian parents are expected to raise their children in the Lord!
Not Open to the Charge of Debauchery or Insubordination
Debauchery: “behavior which shows lack of concern or thought for the consequences of an action” (Louw & Nida)
Insubordination: "disobedient, rebellious, unruly."
Debauchery: “behavior which shows lack of concern or thought for the consequences of an action” (Louw & Nida)
Insubordination: "disobedient, rebellious, unruly."
Final Thoughts
What the church is supposed to look for is a proven and loyal family man. A man who has demonstrated both the commitment and ability to lead his home the way a Christian man is called to lead his home. As we evaluate how a man has led his family (or how a man has not led his family), we get a picture of the man’s ability to lead the church.
The household of God needs stewards who can be like spiritual fathers. To see who these men are, we must evaluate their leadership in their own homes before appointing them to lead the church.
What the church is supposed to look for is a proven and loyal family man. A man who has demonstrated both the commitment and ability to lead his home the way a Christian man is called to lead his home. As we evaluate how a man has led his family (or how a man has not led his family), we get a picture of the man’s ability to lead the church.
The household of God needs stewards who can be like spiritual fathers. To see who these men are, we must evaluate their leadership in their own homes before appointing them to lead the church.