¹The 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.

REFLECTION

1. In this passage listed the qualifications for elders/pastors who are charged with spiritual oversight of a local congregation.  Read this passage a few times slowly and carefully noticing the moral expectations presented in this passage.  Let each instruction direct your thoughts to areas in your life that is to be examined by the Holy Spirit.  In which areas does your life look different from the model Paul presented?  (You don’t need to work through the whole passage.)
2. Ask God to help you make small changes so that the transformation may begin in you and that you may display qualities of genuine spiritual life.
3. Pray for the leaders of your church: pastors, ministry committee members, cell leaders, etc.  Pray that their lives may continue to be transformed by God.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 24:5-9

⁵ A wise man is full of strength,
    and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
⁶ for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
    and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
⁷ Wisdom is too high for a fool;
    in the gate he does not open his mouth.

⁸ Whoever plans to do evil
    will be called a schemer.
⁹ The devising of folly is sin,
    and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.