THE GOSPEL-FORMED CHURCH

Big Idea:

Gospel-formed churches are

intended by God to be shepherded by

biblically-qualified, gospel-formed elders

The Plan:

• What is an Elder?

• What are the biblical qualifications for Elders?

• Why does it matter?

1) What is an Elder?

Is not…

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• Just an old guy

• A “boss” in church

• Flawless

Is…

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• “Elder” (5)

• “Overseer” (7a)

• Shepherd/Pastor

“steward” (7b)

2) What are the biblical qualifications for Elders?

21 distinct qualifications, but …

​

(1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1)

2) What are the biblical qualifications for Elders?

21 distinct qualifications, but …

​

• Elders must be men

(1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1)

2) What are the biblical qualifications for Elders?

21 distinct qualifications, but …

​

• Elders must be men

(1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1)

But why?

- Masculine Greek pronouns

2) What are the biblical qualifications for Elders?

21 distinct qualifications, but …

​

• Elders must be men

(1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1)

But why?

- Masculine Greek pronouns

- Identified as “husband”s

2) What are the biblical qualifications for Elders?

21 distinct qualifications, but …

​

• Elders must be men

(1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1)

But why?

- Masculine Greek pronouns

- Identified as “husband”s

- Masculine forms of pastoral

synonymns

2) What are the biblical qualifications for Elders?

21 distinct qualifications, but …

​

• Elders must be men

(1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1)

But why?

- Masculine Greek pronouns

- Identified as “husband”s

- Masculine forms of pastoral

synonymns

- Pattern of Scripture

2) What are the biblical qualifications for Elders?

21 distinct qualifications, but …

​

• Elders must be men

(1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1)

But why?

- Masculine Greek pronouns

- Identified as “husband”s

- Masculine forms of pastoral

synonymns

- Pattern of Scripture

- Creation order in Gen. 2-3

2) What are the biblical qualifications for Elders?

21 distinct qualifications, but …

​

• Elders must be men

• An Elder must be a “one woman man”

(1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1)

2) What are the biblical qualifications for Elders?

21 distinct qualifications, but …

​

• Elders must be men

• An Elder must be a “one woman man”

• Elders are to raise a healthy family that is submitted to Christ

(1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1)

3) Why does it matter?

​

• Elders are responsible to teach

• Elders correct and rebuke

• Elders exercise authority in submission to Christ

• False doctrine is deceptive

Application:

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• Pray for your elders

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• This is the aim for all Christian men

• A framework for raising sons

• A vision for marriage

• The kind of man appointed to eldership

THE GOSPEL-FORMED CHURCH