Dickinson Church of Christ
2919 Main
Dickinson TX 77539
Outline of the Special Study: The Eldership avialable in pdf.
The Eldership
Table of Contents
General Outline
#1 The Eldership God's Government For His People
I. The Need For This Study
A. Encourage Our Elders To/In Their Duties
B. Encourage Our Members To/In Their Duties
C. Encourage Families To Develop Elders
1.) Husbands and Wives Together
2.) Train Toward It From Youth
D. Lack of Understanding
II. How God Had Organized Us
A. Congregations
B. Under Elders/Bishops,Overseers/Pastors, Shepherds
C. Importance of This Pattern
III. Pitfalls in Church Government
A. No Elders
1.) Business Meeting Forever
2.) Preacher Rule
3.) No Rule
4.) All Aged Are Elders/Elder Not An Office
B. With Elders
1.) Not Enough Authority
a.) Puppets of Preacher/Wife/Another Elder
b.) Advisors/Examples Only
c.) Just Leaders of the Congregational Meetings
2.) Too Much Authority
a.) Cannot Legislate Changes In N.T. Teachings.
b.) Aren't Solely Responsible For Wrongs In Congregation
C. Committee Rule
D. Inter-Congregational Rule
#2 The Eldership Qualifications (1)
I. Why More Men Aren't Qualified
A. Lack of Concern By Potential Candidates
B. The Office Is Not Used
C. The Office Is Not Honored
D. Lack of Teaching and Preaching
II. Type of Work Determines The Qualifications Necessary
A. Bible Terms
B. Prebuteros: Elders
1.) Aged
2.) Jewish Officials
3.) Christian Officials
C. Presbuterion: Presbytery or Eldership
1.) Jewish
2.) Christian
D. Episcopos: Overseer or Bishop
E. Poiman: Shepherd and Pastor
F. Other Descriptions
1.) Ruler/Leaders
2.) Teachers
3.) Examples
III. Dealing With The Qualifications
A. The Great Job At Hand
B. Improper Attitudes Towards the Qualifications
1.) No One Can Live Up To All This
2.) A Man With Most, But Not All Can Qualify
3.) Appoint The Best We Have, Even If Lacking Yet
4.) Once You're Qualified, You're Always Qualified
5.) Actions Decades Before Disqualify Now
C. Proper Attitudes
1.) Not Perfect, Or Sinless, But Fully Mature
2.) All Qualifications Are Musts
3.) Qualifications Are Met Before Appointment
IV. Quick Look At The Qualifications
#3 The Eldership Qualifications (2)
I. Willingness
A. Aspires/Desires 1 Tim. 3:1
B. Apt To Teach 1 Tim. 3:2
C. Holding Fast the Faithful Word Tit. 1:9
1.) To Exhort
2.) To Refute Those Who Contradict
II. Domestic
A. Man
B. Husband of One Wife 1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6
C. Runs A Good House 1 Tim. 3:4,5; Tit. 1:6
1.) Rule House Well 1 Tim. 3:4
2.) Children Under Control 1 Tim. 3:4
3.) Children Who Believe Tit. 1:6
4.) Children Not Engaged In Evil Tit. 1:6
5.) Reason: Can't Rule House, Can't Rule Church 1 Tim. 3:5
#4 The Eldership Qualifications (3)
III. Experience
A. Elder
B. Faithful Children
C. Not A New Convert 1 Tim 3:6
IV. Reputation
A. Blameless/Above Reproach 1 Tim. 3:1; Tit. 1:7
B. Respectable/Orderly/Dignified 1 Tim. 3:2
C. Good Reputation With Those Outside 1 Tim. 3:7
V. Character
A. Prudent/Sober 1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8
B. Gentle /Patient 1 Tim. 3:3
#5 The Eldership Qualifications (4)
V. Character
C. Free From The Love Of Money 1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7
D. Not Self Willed Tit. 1:7
E. Not Quick Tempered Tit. 1:7
F. Loving What Is Good Tit. 1:8
VI. Good Habits
A. Temperate/Vigilant 1 Tim. 3:2
#6 The Eldership Qualifications (5)
VI. Good Habits
B. Hospitable 1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8
C. Just/Upright Tit. 1:8
D. Holy/Devout Tit. 1:8
E. Self Controlled Tit. 1:8
#7 The Eldership Qualifications (6) & Elder's Wives
VII. Other Habits Elders Must Avoid
A. Not Addicted To Wine 1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7
B. Not Pugnacious 1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7
C. Uncontentious/Not A Brawler 1 Tim. 3:3
VIII. The Elder's Wife
A. Explicitly: None Mentioned
B. Implicitly
1.) Qualifications Drawn From Family
2.) Qualifications Type of Man Husband Is
C. Inference: Same As Qualifications Of Deacons' Wives 1 Tim. 3:11
1.) Dignified
2.) Not Malicious Gossips
3.) Temperate
4.) Faithful In All Things
#8 The Eldership Duties of the Congregation To The Elders
I. Esteem, Don't Grieve
II. Obey
III. Give Just Regard
IV. Receive Instruction, Guidance and Help
V. Inform
#9 The Eldership Duties of the Elders To The Congregation
I. Oversight
A Of One Congregation (And All Of It)
B. Of Finances
C. Of Doctrine & Teaching
D. Rule It Well
II. Be Examples
III. Give Voluntary & Willing Service
IV. Watch
A. Keep Watch Out For Us
B. Keep Watch Over Themselves
V. Holding and Building On Word of God
#10 The Eldership Similarities and Differences in Duties of Preachers & Elders
I. Character
A Elder: Mature Character
B. Preacher: Mature or Maturing Character
II. Example
A Elder: Is (And Must Remain) Example
B. Preacher: To Become (And Stay) Example
III. Teaching
A Elder: Teach
B. Preacher: Preach The Word
IV. Applying The Gospel Standard
A Elders: Take Heed To The Flock
B. Preachers: Apply The Teaching
V. Looking After The Members
A Elders: Shepherd
B. Preachers: Watchman
VI. Oversight
A Elders: Oversee
B. Preachers:
1.) Inherent Oversight In (And Over) Own Teaching
2.) Other Areas: No Oversight
VII. Location of Work
A Elders: Authority Over (Oversight Of) One Congregation
B. Preachers: Can Teach Anywhere