August 2
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1 TIMOTHY 3
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
– 1 Timothy 3:1-7
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1 TIMOTHY 3 AN OVERSEER’S REQUIREMENTS
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
When one aspires for the office of the overseer
He must have been led by the Holy Spirit
It is not an earthly position that you can apply for
It is God’s anointing that makes you a candidate.
An overseer’s position is one that is of great privilege
It is an honor to be selected to be one of God’s leaders
He must be self-controlled, respectable and blameless
He cannot be a drunkard, violent or a lover of money.
He must not be a new believer or he may not be well-grounded
Others must think highly of him so he can be one who can be emulated
He must be a one-woman man and be kind and loving to his wife
He must be hospitable and able to teach so he can exude God’s light.
He must be able to manage his household well so order is maintained
If he is a good manager at home, it will be so also in the communion of saints
He must be able to discipline his children and teach them to love the word
The preaching and teaching of the gospel must be his motive first and foremost.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think new converts cannot be an overseer according to these verses?