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three schools for deacons

1 Timothy 3:8-13 (JDV)

1 Timothy 3:8 Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not insincere, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money,

1 Timothy 3:9 holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

1 Timothy 3:10 They must also be evaluated¹ first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons.

1 Timothy 3:11 Wives, too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything.

1 Timothy 3:12 Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently.

1 Timothy 3:13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

three schools for deacons

It is clear from this set of qualifications that Paul set the standards high for congregational leadership. But absent from this list is any sort of academic qualification. Timothy was establishing new congregations and there would not have been time to send people to school, even if there were Bible colleges and seminaries to send them to.

Yet, there were three schools every deacon had to have passed through.

One school that every deacon had to do well at was the school of family life. Our relationships and proven leadership at home are a major source of our leader evaluation.

Another school that plays a key role in church leader evaluation is the school of personal discipline. People who cannot control what they eat and drink will prove to lack discipline in other areas as well.

A third school that deacons will have need of a passing grade in is the school of faith in the gospel. They must not only hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience, they must also be able to proclaim that mystery with great boldness.

1δοκιμάζω = evaluate.