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The Prospective Shepherd: Biblical Examination and Preparation for Eldership

This article examines how one can prepare themselves for the role of an elder in the church based on biblical principles. It covers areas such as character, family life, and ruling the household.

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The Prospective Shepherd: Biblical Examination and Preparation for Eldership

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  1. ASPIRING TO THE ASPIRING TO THE ASPIRING TO THE SHEPHERD'S WORK SHEPHERD'S WORK SHEPHERD'S WORK A Biblical Examination Of How One Might Prepare Himself For The Eldership

  2. The Prospective Shepherd • Having established where we find such a man, we now must examine him personally • Areas where Divine revelation provides information that addresses who he should be • His characterÙ does he possess the “moral fiber” necessary to serve?

  3. The Prospective Shepherd • Having established where we find such a man, we now must examine him personally • Areas where Divine revelation provides information that addresses who he should be • His familyÙ do his domestic successes or failures either qualify or disqualify him?

  4. Where Do Elders Come From? • Elders come from disciples of the Lord who are mature men withfamilies • However, what is under consideration is the type of family man he is • A man’s family life has been the “proving ground” wherein he has demonstrated his aptitude to serve as an overseer

  5. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Husband of one wife 1 Tim 3:2 Titus 1:6 • The way this requirement is worded is significant • The Holy Spirit could have said… “The bishop must be married” Ù this would have allowed a polygamist to serve

  6. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Husband of one wife 1 Tim 3:2 Titus 1:6 • The way this requirement is worded is significant • The Holy Spirit could have said… “The bishop must not be a polygamist” Ù this would have allowed a single man to serve

  7. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Husband of one wife 1 Tim 3:2 Titus 1:6 • The way this requirement is worded is significant • The Holy Spirit could have said… “The bishop must have been married only one time” Ù this would forbid polygamy, but would not require a present marriage

  8. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Husband of one wife 1 Tim 3:2 Titus 1:6 • The way this requirement is worded is significant • The Holy Spirit did say… “The bishop must be the husband of one wife” Ù this requires a present marriage and also forbids the sin of polygamy

  9. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Husband of one wife 1 Tim 3:2 Titus 1:6 • The issue is not simply that the bishop must be a married man • The real issue is what kind of husband he is since the Holy Spirit requires him to be married to serve as a bishop

  10. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Husband of one wife 1 Tim 3:2 Titus 1:6 • The bishop is one who is committed to the one he has chosen for a wife, and abides by the Lord’s teachings on marriage cp. Gen 2:18-24 Job 31:1 Mal 2:14, 16 Mt 19:3-9 Eph 5:25-31 1 Pet 3:7

  11. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Ruler of his house 1 Tim 3:4-5 • The husband is the head of his wife Eph 5:23 • That relationship would also fall under this heading cp. Eph 5:24, 33 Col 3:18 1 Pet 3:1-6 • Yet, in this verse, the Holy Spirit appears to emphasize the man’s children v. 4

  12. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Ruler of his house 1 Tim 3:4-5 • Defining the terms used… [Thayer] • “Manages” or “Rules” Ù to set or place before; to set over; to be over; to superintend, preside over • “Well” Ù excellently; good; rightly, so that there shall be no room for blame [re: verbs denoting a duty or office which one fulfills well]

  13. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Ruler of his house 1 Tim 3:4-5 • Defining the terms used… [Thayer] • “Subjection” Ù to be subject; to arrange under, to subordinate; to put into subjection; obedience • “Dignity” or “Reverence” Ù characteristic of a person or thing which entitles to reverence or respect; dignity, majesty, honor; veneration

  14. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Ruler of his house 1 Tim 3:4-5 • The question is really not “Is he master of his house?” • The question is “How does he rule his house?” • Does he rule his house “well” and with “all dignity?” v. 4

  15. Family Where’s “dignity,” “reverence,” or “honor” in this approach? The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Ruler of his house 1 Tim 3:4-5 • The root concern… • Have his children learned to obey “because it is right” & “well pleasing to the Lord” Eph 6:1 Col 3:20 OR • Have his children learned to obey because he can out-shout them and physically intimidate them? 4

  16. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Ruler of his house 1 Tim 3:4-5 • The Holy Spirit also provides the reason for this qualification v. 5 • It is not a test to see if a man can beget children • It is to see if he has sufficient experience in order to “take care of” (rule) God’s house

  17. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Ruler of his house 1 Tim 3:4-5 • The Holy Spirit also provides the reason for this qualification v. 5 • It is not a test to see if a man can beget children • It is experience he gains only 1 way Ù ruling or taking care of his own house

  18. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Ruler of his house 1 Tim 3:4-5 • If a man has not garnered the respect of his wife nor the attention & obedience of his children, he does not have control of his house • PracticalobservationÙ How could he lead in God’s house when he obviously failed in his?

  19. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Having faithful children Titus 1:6 • The emphasis is different than in 1 Tim 3:4-5 • What is revealed in 1 Tim 3 focuses on the man’s domestic abilities Ù ruling his house • What is revealed in Titus 1 stresses the man’s spiritual abilities Ù bringing his children to Christ

  20. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Having faithful children Titus 1:6 • The emphasis is different than in 1 Tim 3:4-5 • Some will point out that the Holy Spirit did not use christianos or “Christian” cp. 1 Pet 4:16 Acts 11:26 • Rather, the more generic term pistos or “faithful” is used cp. Mt 25:21 1 Tim 4:9

  21. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Having faithful children Titus 1:6 • The emphasis is different than in 1 Tim 3:4-5 • Therefore, some claim “faithful” = the relationship of the children to their father while they’re at home • Such exegesis ignores the context of the passage • Where is the home even mentioned in the verse?

  22. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Having faithful children Titus 1:6 • The emphasis is different than in 1 Tim 3:4-5 • We believe Acts 10 provides a helpful explanation • Jewish brethren “believed” v. 45 • Yet, what were they also called in v. 23? • Thus, Titus 1:6textually discusses Christians Ùpistos Brethren

  23. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Having faithful children Titus 1:6 • The emphasis is that the prospective shepherd has been successful in leading his children to the Lord for their salvation cp. Eph 6:4

  24. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Having faithful children Titus 1:6 • The bishop’s children are additionally described • They must not be (successfully) accused of: • “Dissipation” Ù a riotous, debauchery-like lifestyle; a “prodigal” cp. Lk 15:13-14a, 30

  25. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Having faithful children Titus 1:6 • The bishop’s children are additionally described • They must not be (successfully) accused of: • “Rebellion” Ù one who can’t be subjected or controlled; insubordinate cp. 1 Tim 1:9 Titus 1:10

  26. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The shepherd interacting with his family • Having faithful children Titus 1:6 • One of a parent’s worst fears…a child who never obeys the gospel & who will be eternally lost • Elders should have demonstrated they invested the necessary time to “save their own” • Ex. Noah 1 Pet 3:20 cp. Gen 6:13, 18

  27. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The Holy Spirit has also revealed truth about the shepherd’s wife 1 Tim 3:11 • “Likewise” shows entire context stresses the importance of each groups’ qualities vv. 8, 11 • Remember…the issue is church leadership • As bishops must meet certain criteria, “likewise” must deacons…and their (both) wives

  28. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The Holy Spirit has also revealed truth about the shepherd’s wife 1 Tim 3:11 • “Likewise” shows entire context stresses the importance of each groups’ qualities vv. 8, 11 • The respect we show in considering men for the eldership should also be shown when we are considering deacons…and the wives of both

  29. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The Holy Spirit has also revealed truth about the shepherd’s wife 1 Tim 3:11 • Is it proper (fair) to hold the prospective shepherd accountable for the actions of his wife, children? • A parallel example…why are some coaches fired? Is that fair, proper?

  30. Family The Prospective Shepherd • The Holy Spirit has also revealed truth about the shepherd’s wife 1 Tim 3:11 • It is proper (fair) to hold the prospective shepherd accountable because he is the head, having been placed there by God • As the head, he is ultimately responsible • PrincipleÙ consider Gen 3:17

  31. Family The Prospective Shepherd • Qualities of the shepherd’s wife 1 Tim 3:11 • She must be “reverent” or “dignified” • Other translations have “grave” or “serious” or “worthy of respect” • The term literally means “august, venerable, known for honorable character” [Thayer]

  32. Family Required of all disciplesPhil 4:8 The Prospective Shepherd • Qualities of the shepherd’s wife 1 Tim 3:11 • She must be “reverent” or “dignified” • It is the mindset that dwells on the fact that, while not being “snobby,” discipleship to Christ is the “higher way of living”

  33. Family The Prospective Shepherd • Qualities of the shepherd’s wife 1 Tim 3:11 • She must not be a “malicious gossip” • Other translations have “not a slanderer” • It literally means “a false accuser or slanderer; one prone to slander or accusing falsely” [Thayer]

  34. Family The Prospective Shepherd • Qualities of the shepherd’s wife 1 Tim 3:11 • She must not be a “malicious gossip” • The word is diaboloVdiabolos • It occurs 37 times in the N.T. – 34 times, it is translated “devil,” referring to Satan (rightly so, since he is the “accuser”) cp. Job 1:6ff Zech 3:1 Rev 12:10 Jn 8:44

  35. Family The Prospective Shepherd • Qualities of the shepherd’s wife 1 Tim 3:11 • She must not be a “malicious gossip” • She is not to be known as one who “maliciously” spreads lies & slander to ruin others’ character • Typically, it is attributable to… • …too much idle time cp. 1 Tim 5:11-15 • …jealousy or hatred cp. Psa 109:2-4a

  36. Family Required of all disciplesEph 4:29, 31 Col 4:6 1 Pet 2:1 The Prospective Shepherd • Qualities of the shepherd’s wife 1 Tim 3:11 • She must not be a “malicious gossip” • She is not to be known as one who “maliciously” spreads lies & slander to ruin others’ character

  37. Family The Prospective Shepherd • Qualities of the shepherd’s wife 1 Tim 3:11 • She must be “temperate” • Other translations have “temperate” or “vigilant” (to be circumspect or watchful) • It is the same character required for the man who would be a shepherd 1 Tim 3:2 • It is to be in complete control of one’s self

  38. Family Required of older (more experienced) disciplesTitus 2:2 The Prospective Shepherd • Qualities of the shepherd’s wife 1 Tim 3:11 • She must be “temperate”

  39. Family The Prospective Shepherd • Qualities of the shepherd’s wife 1 Tim 3:11 • She must be “faithful in all things” • Somewhat of a “summary” cp. Gal 5:21 • It is the same word as “faithful” or “believing” re: the prospective elder’s children Titus 1:6 • She is to be “faithful” in all her duties and relationships…esp. to Christ

  40. Family Required of all disciplesRev 2:10 The Prospective Shepherd • Qualities of the shepherd’s wife 1 Tim 3:11 • She must be “faithful in all things” • Somewhat of a “summary” cp. Gal 5:21

  41. The Prospective Shepherd • Having established where we find such a man, we now must examine him personally • Areas where Divine revelation provides information that addresses who he should be • His characterÙ does he possess the “moral fiber” necessary to serve?

  42. The Prospective Shepherd • Having established where we find such a man, we now must examine him personally • Areas where Divine revelation provides information that addresses who he should be • His familyÙ do his domestic successes or failures either qualify or disqualify him?

  43. The Prospective Shepherd • Having established where we find such a man, we now must examine him personally • Areas where Divine revelation provides information that addresses who he should be • His workÙ will he be able to do such a work?

  44. Work The Prospective Shepherd • We must not forget the admonition found early in 1 Tim 3:1 • He who “aspires” to be a shepherd desires a “good work” • Men who are shepherds are most likely the busiest disciples found in a local N.T. church

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