Qualifications for Overseers (Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4)
1 UST Everyone should trust this statement:“People who want to lead the rest of God’ s people are seeking to do something that is good.” BSB BSB: This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 UST Because{ doing that is good}, those who lead the rest of God’ s people must be those whom no one can rightly accuse of doing anything wrong. They must be sexually faithful to their wives. They must not do everything that they desire. They must control themselves. They must act in appropriate ways. They must welcome guests into their homes. They must be good at teaching 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 UST They must not be alcoholics. They must not like to fight and argue. Rather, they must treat others kindly. They must avoid fighting. They must not desire to have more money. BSB BSB: not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.
4 UST They must direct their own families rightly. Their children must honor and obey them and always act in ways that others respect. BSB BSB: An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.
5 UST After all, people who cannot direct their own families will not be able to care properly for any group of believers belonging to God. BSB BSB: For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?
6 UST They must not have only recently trusted in{ Jesus}. Otherwise, they might become prideful. Then, God would punish them as he punished Satan. BSB BSB: He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.
7 UST Further, those who lead the rest of God’ s people must be those about whom nonbelievers say good things. That way, people do not insult them and Satan will not be able to control them. 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 UST Similarly, those who serve the rest of God’ s people must be those whom others respect. They must consistently speak what is true. They must not drink too much alcohol. They must not want more than they need. BSB BSB: Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.
9 UST They should know that they are doing what is right as they remain faithful to what God has revealed, which is the good news that we trust. BSB BSB: They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 UST Further, the group of believers must also evaluate how they behave. After that, as long as they consistently do what is right, they can serve the rest of God’ s people. BSB BSB: Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
11 UST Similarly, the women{ who serve the rest of God’ s people} must be those whom others respect. They must not say mean or false things about other people. They must not do everything that they desire. They must always act faithfully. BSB BSB: In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.
12 UST The{ men} who serve the rest of God’ s people must be sexually faithful to their wives. They must direct their own families, especially their children, rightly. BSB BSB: A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.
13 UST { They should act in all those ways} because those who serve the rest of God’ s people rightly will be people whom other believers honor. Also, they will very boldly trust in Jesus the Messiah. 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 UST I plan to visit you soon. However, I am sending this letter to you now. BSB BSB: Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things
15 UST That way, even if I cannot visit you soon, you will understand how people who are like God’ s own family should act. I am speaking about the group of all believers who belong to the only real God.{ These believers} preserve and testify to what 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 UST Everyone must agree that what God has revealed that enables us to honor him is marvelous:“People saw the Messiah as a human. The Holy Spirit declared that he was who he claimed to be. Angels saw him. Believers proclaimed who he was to non- Jewish people. People in many places trusted in him. God brought him up{ into heaven} in a glorious way.” 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.