Qualifications for Overseers (Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4)
1 UDB You should rely on what I tell you here: If someone desires very much to oversee believers, he wants to do something truly excellent. BSB BSB: This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 UDB For that reason, however, an overseer must be someone whom no one accuses of anything bad. He must have only one wife. He must not do anything to excess; he must think in wise ways. He must behave well, and he must welcome strangers. He must be able to teach others. BSB BSB: An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 UDB He must not be an alcoholic or quick to fight. Instead, he must be patient and peaceful with others. Also, he should not be greedy for money. BSB BSB: not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.
4 UDB He should control the people in his own home well. His children should obey him with respect. BSB BSB: An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.
5 UDB I say this because if a man does not even know how to control the people in his own house, how can he care for an assembly of God's people? BSB BSB: For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?
6 UDB A new believer should not be an overseer, because he might think that he is better than other people. If that happened, God might punish him like he punished the devil. BSB BSB: He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.
7 UDB Those outside of the church must also think well of him. Otherwise he might be shamed and the devil might persuade him to sin. BSB BSB: Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
Qualifications for Deacons (Acts 6:1–7)
8 UDB Deacons, in the same way, should be people whom others respect. They should be sincere when they speak. They should not drink too much wine, and they must not be greedy for money. BSB BSB: Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.
9 UDB They should believe in the true things that God has told us, and at the same time know what is right, and then do it. BSB BSB: They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 UDB Find these qualities in them first; then choose them to serve because no one can find anything wrong with them. BSB BSB: Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
11 UDB In the same way, other people should respect deacons' wives. Their wives should not talk badly about other people. They must not do anything to excess, and they must be honest in everything they do. BSB BSB: In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.
12 UDB A deacon must have only one wife and must control his children and his possessions well. BSB BSB: A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.
13 UDB Good deacons are men whom the other believers highly respect. They come to trust in Christ Jesus very much. BSB BSB: For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness 14 UDB As I write to you these things, I hope to come to you soon. BSB BSB: Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things
15 UDB But if I do not come soon, I am writing to you now so that you may know how to act in the family of God, which is the group of those who believe in God who gives life to all things. These are the ones who teach the truth and witness that it is true. BSB BSB: in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 UDB And we say together that the truth that God has revealed to us is very great, and we honor him for it: "Christ was God revealed in a human body. The Holy Spirit proved that he was genuine. Angels saw him. Believers announced him among the nations. People in many parts of the world believed in him. God took him up to himself and gave him his power." BSB BSB: By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.