Calendar Date: December 17
Day of the Year: 351
Timeline. Map. Go to today's Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Timothy 3-6
Proper Conduct in Church; 5 Principles to Guide Us
How should we behave in church? Should we sit down, shut up, read our Bibles and pray? Or can we shout, sing, and play our music until we blow the roof off? Who determines what's proper conduct, anyway? How are we to act, and who’s in charge of making sure things don’t get out of hand? Today’s Bible lesson should help us answer these questions.
The Apostle Paul wrote two letters to Timothy, a disciple and young pastor of the Ephesian church. In his first, he says, “I am writing you these instructions so that …you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:14b-15, NIV). These verses provide 5 principles to guide our conduct in church.
God’s Word is our Guide
Paul writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; therefore, it’s God’s Word. Paul leaves Timothy instructions for proper conduct in God’s place of worship.
The Churches’ Life and Head
Whose church is it? It’s the church of the living God, the holy, almighty sovereign of the universe. This means we must honor and respect it. The church isn’t just a meeting place, nor is it a playground. It should have some sanctity.
However, it’s the church of the living God, so the church should also express life. The church is an organism, not merely an organization. It should care, be compassionate, and extend itself to its members and those outside the church. Are we a part of God’s church? It starts with a personal relationship with him. (more)
Distinguishing Marks of a Church
What characterizes this church? It’s the pillar and foundation of the truth. Correct teaching of God’s Word should be the distinguishing mark of the congregation. Is our church the place where truth from the Scriptures is always taught? People need a good foundation to know how to please the Lord.
In another place of Scripture, the Lord Jesus said we will be known as his disciples by our love for one another (John 13:35). Is that true in our churches? The Apostle John said something similar in another one of his books (1 John 2:9-10; 3:16-18; 4:20–5:2).Requirements for Church Leadership
According to 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9, proper conduct within the church starts with leadership. The qualifications for pastors and deacons aren’t suggestions; they’re musts (notice how frequently Paul uses the word “must” in these two passages). The requirements given are for the betterment of the church; not following them is always to their detriment.
Churches often have their own job descriptions for their administrators. Because of this, many churches skirt these Bible passages; they don’t wish to embarrass the candidate by investigating him so personally. However, a church congregation, board of deacons, or presbytery is wise if it examines a leadership candidate based on the requirements of these Scriptures.
Popularity or politics shouldn’t determine who serves as leaders. Church leaders can’t inspire any better conduct than what they possess. Churches should aim high in their leadership selection; character should rank higher than popularity.
Faithful Message
Church leaders are sometimes hesitant to preach or teach all of God’s Word. The Word of God isn’t always popular, and some false teachers tickle the ears of their audiences by saying what people want to hear instead of the truth.
Church leaders must be bold in proclaiming all the Word of God, rightly dividing the word of truth. People need to know what’s right and wrong, regardless of how well it may be received. Paul tells Timothy to “command and teach these things, … and to be diligent about these matters.” (4:11,15, NIV). We should do the same. How can people live right if they don’t know what’s right?
Proper Behavior
Churches are to be morally pure and godly. Older men should be given respect as fathers, “younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters with absolute purity” (1 Timothy 5:1-2, NIV).
Timothy ministered to the church in Ephesus. Ephesus was a very immoral, idol-worshiping community. Paul didn’t want the Ephesian culture to creep into the church and ruin it. We mustn’t allow that either. Godly training starts in the home; it’s there where children are first taught respect.
Church leaders and their congregation should be a caring community. Not only are we to love and respect our ministers, but we also need to express spiritual and emotional support to all our members. Some will also need financial or physical help. This is the love we referenced earlier.
Who should we help, and who should we refrain from helping? It’s tempting for an exceptionally loving church to extend itself to all people. Paul commands Timothy, however, to let the church help those who are genuinely in need and not to overextend itself. Families have responsibilities to take care of their own before the church helps them. If that’s not possible, the church should be happy to lend a hand.
Partiality and favoritism aren’t to be part of us. It’s tempting for many church attenders to form exclusive tiny cells and favor those with positions or money in the community. Gossip and malicious talk, and even inward fighting can be the result. Paul instructs Timothy, “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness," (1Timothy 6:11, NIV). We should do the same.
Discussion:
What is our guide for proper conduct in the church? Why?
Describe an aspect of church life according to the Bible. Is this different from your observation of our society? How does this change the way we should do things?
Focus Verse
1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV) “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod (the author)
Looking Ahead: Now that we know proper conduct for the church, how do we live in our ungodly culture? See our next lesson for christianity that fits. It may not be as you think.
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