Focus:
What’s the defining characteristic of a true Christian leader?
Intro:
Pop quiz: What best characterizes the qualifications of a Christian leader?
You probably know this, but Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus constitute the ‘pastoral epistles.’ An epistle was just a form of letter writing in the 1st century, and these letters in particular speak to the qualifications of leaders like elders, deacons, and pastors. So… What’s the defining characteristic of a true Christian leader?
New covenant:
Passage: 1 Timothy 3
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 16
Words: ~328
Old covenant:
Passage: 1 Kings 15-16
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 68
Words: ~1951
Wisdom:
Passage: Psalm 127
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 5
Words: ~182
Commentary:
Answer: Character. Only one qualification is skill-based (teaching).
Love you!
Roger
ForTheHope is a daily audio Bible + apologetics podcast and blog. We’ve got a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.
Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.
Sources and resources:
(1) Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 1 Ti 2:8–15.