Qualifications for Deacons (1 Tim. 3:8-13)

Outline: Qualifications for Deacons (1 Tim. 3:8-13): 

1. Qualifications
2. Motivations
3. Responsibilities

Summary:  Deacons (3:8-13), like elders (3:1-7), must be tested to see if they meet certain character qualifications before being formally recognized as lead-servants in the local church.  They should be marked by a dignified life that displays the gospel.  Or, to put it another way, they must reflect the dignified and sacrificial character of the Lead Servant, Jesus Christ, who did not come to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).  Deacons are task-specific, word-protective, unity-promoting servants who long to see the word of God spread and the number of disciples multiply.  May God raise up many such servants in every local church for the glory of the One who stooped to serve us!

Main Point: Deacons must be qualified in order to be recognized as lead-servants in the local church.

Discussion Questions:

• What are the basic qualifications for deacons (vv.8-12)?
• Why do you think it is vital that deacons first prove to be qualified in regards to character?
• What incentives do deacons who serve well get to enjoy (v.13)? 
• Flesh out the following phrases that describe the deacon's responsibilities (cf. Acts 6:1-7)
• Deacons are task-specific servants
• Deacons are word-protective servants
• Deacons are unity-promoting servants (Hint: think "shock absorbers")
• What is the relationship between elders and deacons in the local church? What happy results may come from a biblical cooperation between the two (Acts 6:7)?
• What part of this sermon was most helpful or instructive to you? Why?  

Application Questions:

• How has this passage helped me see the significance of the deacon's role in the church?
• In what ways am I serving in the church?  How can I more actively and sacrificially serve my brothers and sisters at FBC?

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus as the Lead-Servant who stooped to serve us by saving us from our sin
• Pray God would grow you to be more dignified in character and more sacrificial in service
• Pray that God would raise up more lead-servants at FBC