Bible Study: How we treat pastors reflects what we believe about God
1 Timothy 5:17-25
Click here to read the passage, 1 Timothy 5:17-25.
Click here to read the notes and questions for 1 Timothy 5:1-16.
Caring for Elders, Caring for the Church
Main Idea: The church should demonstrate its esteem for God and His Word by how it protects, rebukes and appoints pastors. How the church cares for pastors — both financially and otherwise — communicates something about its heart.
In the first part of chapter 5, we see that the church’s care for widows sets it apart from the world.
Similarly now, Paul says that the relationship between church leaders and church members ought to look different as well.
From pastor David Platt:
“To see this contrast clearly, consider your own experience in the secular workplace. The relationship between a company’s leadership and the rest of the employees is usually strained, to say the least. There’s gossip, suspicion, favoritism, and harsh leadership, and it all makes for a cutthroat environment.
“While this may be common in the world at large, it shouldn’t be the norm in the church. The household of God ought to look different. In stark contrast to the secular business model, elders (pastors) should have a genuine concern for the body of Christ, and the body ought to have a loving esteem for its elders.
“This dynamic is crucial because God intends for unbelievers to look at the church and see the glory of God expressed as the gospel of God impacts the people of God.”
Questions
1. Have you ever been tempted to criticize your church leaders publicly? How does this passage speak to that temptation?
2. What processes does your church follow in appointing various leadership and service roles? Would you say your church functions biblically or unbiblically in this area?
3. Verse 17: What does Paul mean by “double honor” for elders, and how can this principle be applied in today’s church?
4. Verse 19: Why is it important to require two or three witnesses before entertaining accusations against an elder? How can this safeguard both leaders and the congregation?
5. Verse 21: What does it mean to act without partiality or favoritism in church leadership? Why might this be challenging in practice?
6. Verse 22: Why does Paul caution against laying hands on someone too hastily? How should this influence the process of selecting church leaders?
7. Looking at the passage as a whole, how does it challenge or encourage us in how we approach church leadership and accountability?