1. Developing Elders

2. And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying,

3. “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God
“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
~ Acts 14:21-23 ~

4. For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you.
~ Titus 1:5 ~

5. 1.
Elders, Described

6. presbuteros (1 Tim. 3:6) – elders/presbyters
episkopos (1 Pet. 5:1,2) – bishops/overseers
poimen (Eph. 4:11) – pastors/shepherds

7. 2.
Developing Elders

8. Many men give little thought to serving as elders
Many congregations fail to train up elders
Preparation should start early!

9. 3.
Maturity

10. Qualifications show that maturity is necessary
1 Tim. 3:6,2; Titus 1:7
Cannot be inexperienced
Cannot “grow into” the qualifications

11. Elders’ responsibilities
1 Pet. 5:1-4
1 Tim. 3:2,5
Titus 1:9-11,13
Must know the truth!
Must be battle-tested

12. 4.
Family

13. This raises some questions:
Husband of one wife
1 Tim. 3:2
Titus 1:6
This raises some questions:

14. What if his wife dies?
Before or during the eldership, the answer is the same

15. And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?

16. So then, they are no longer two, but one flesh
So then, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
~ Matt. 19:4-6 ~

17. A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.
~ 1 Cor. 7:39 ~

18. Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
~ Mark 12:24-25 ~

19. What if a man is remarried?
What if his wife dies?
What if a man is remarried?
“husband of one wife” is not a record of how many wives he has ever had
It is a snapshot of his present situation – apply Matt. 19 and 1 Cor. 7

20. Faithful children
1 Tim. 3:4-5
Titus 1:6
Some questions:

21. tekna = children (plural)
How many children?
tekna = children (plural)
However, this is a generic sense of this word
Common English and biblical examples

22. Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him… “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children?”
~ Gen. 21:5-7 ~

23. Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless… she has brought up children.
~ 1 Tim. 5:9-10 ~

24. How many children?
What does it mean for a child to be “faithful”?

25. How many children?
What does it mean for a child to be “faithful”?
Does it matter what happens after a child leaves the house?

26. Every qualification must be true at each moment
“one who rules his own house well”
“having his children in subjection”
“having faithful children”

27. “not accused of dissipation or insubordination”
They do not cease to be your children after they leave
No compromises – none can be accused

28. 5.
Considerations

29. Begin working toward this office early on
Sermons and classes should be taught
Elders have special opportunity to cultivate future elders